This winter the ecology class studied the atmosphere, how light is absorbed and the greenhouse effect. We then applied this knowledge to the global threat of climate change or global warming. This heated topic is muddled by input from media, business, politicians and grass root organizations. To make decisions regarding the environment, it is important to research carefully and find evidence that is reviewed by the greater scientific community. Since many of the students watched "An Inconvenient Truth" last year we, instead, watched Glenn Becks,"Exposed, A Climate of Fear". We then used the website, "Media Matters of America", a media watch group to evaluate the arguments presented by "Exposed". The students found the show's arguments were misleading and misinterpreted or misrepresented scientific evidence. To see "Exposed" (in 5 parts) and "Media Matters", go to the following web sites.
Exposed: The Climate of Fear
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kpv56A9yHrg
Media Matters of America
http://mediamatters.org/items/200705080009?f=s_search
http://mediamatters.org/items/200705040001?f=s_search
I created this blog to share with the greater New Hampton School community what the ecology class is doing in the past, present, and future. Visit to find pictures, projects and data of the natural history of New Hampshire.
Cinnamon Fern Fiddleheads
Snowshoe Hair
Open Your Senses
A major objective of this year-long course is to make the students better observers of the natural world. Weather permitting we get out at least twice a week to see what we can see, hear, smell and feel. During the winter term, we learn how to identify the tracks of the NH fauna. This winter, unfortunately, the HUGE amount of snow we had made it very hard to go into the woods. I might start ordering snowshoes so I can continue to go out in future winters. I have high hopes for better tracking conditions in the spring. Snow and mud are great places to find tracks and we will have both in April. Our meager track list is below. Visit this site in the future to see how we are doing. Also below is a list of the "Signs of Spring" the class will be observing. See if you can find any of these in your hometown.
Signs of Spring
Below is a list of harbingers of spring seen at New Hampton School and the surrounding area.
February:
• Chickadee territorial song
• Tufted Titmouse territorial song
• Male Starling's beaks have turned yellow
• Robins!
March:
3/14 Red-Winged Blackbird
3/14 Common Grackle
March:
3/14 Red-Winged Blackbird
3/14 Common Grackle
3/20 Singing Purple Finch
3/20 Turkey Vultures
3/30 Great Blue Heron
April:
3/1 Killdeer
3/2 Woodcock display
3/2 Snow bells
Daffodils
Bud Bursts!
4/17 Mourning Cloak Butterfly
4/18 Chipping Sparrow
4/20 Wood Frog Singing
4/20 Spring Peepers Singing
4/20 Green Frog
4/21 Common Loon
4/24 Blue Jay making nest
4/24 Blue headed vireo
4/24 Winter Wren
4/24 Yellow-rumped Warbler
4/25 White throated Sparrow
May:
February:
• Chickadee territorial song
• Tufted Titmouse territorial song
• Male Starling's beaks have turned yellow
• Robins!
March:
3/14 Red-Winged Blackbird
3/14 Common Grackle
March:
3/14 Red-Winged Blackbird
3/14 Common Grackle
3/20 Singing Purple Finch
3/20 Turkey Vultures
3/30 Great Blue Heron
April:
3/1 Killdeer
3/2 Woodcock display
3/2 Snow bells
Daffodils
Bud Bursts!
4/17 Mourning Cloak Butterfly
4/18 Chipping Sparrow
4/20 Wood Frog Singing
4/20 Spring Peepers Singing
4/20 Green Frog
4/21 Common Loon
4/24 Blue Jay making nest
4/24 Blue headed vireo
4/24 Winter Wren
4/24 Yellow-rumped Warbler
4/25 White throated Sparrow
May:
Track List 2008
- mole
- white tailed deer
- deer mouse
- grey squirrel
- long-tailed weasel
- snowshoe hare
- fisher
- coyote
- Otter
- Mink
- domestic cat
- domestic dog
- red fox
- red squirrel
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