DOCUMENT RESUME ED 401 095 SE 056 978 AUTHOR Bland, Samuel S. TITLE Sea Turtle Trek, Hammocks Beach State Park: An Environmental Education Learning Experience Designed for Grades 6-8. INSTITUTION North Carolina State Dept. of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Raleigh. PUB DATE Mar 95 NOTE 124p.; Supercedes ED 376 044. Funding for the publication was provided by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, Non-Game and Endangered Species Program. AVAILABLE FROMNorth Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, P.O. Box 27687, Raleigh, NC 27611-7687. PUB TYPE Guides Classroom Use Teaching Guides (For Teacher) (052) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC05 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Ecology; Endangered Species; Environmental Education; Habitats; Intermediate Grades; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools; *Natural Resources; *Parks; Science Activities; *Wildlife IDENTIFIERS Aquatic Life; *North Carolina State Parks System; Resource Management; *Sea Turtles ABSTRACT This activity guide, developed to provide hands-on environmental education activities geared to Hammocks Beach State Park in North Carolina, is targeted for grades 6, 7, and8 and meets the curriculum objectives of the standaz course 44: .Ludy by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.Three types of activities are included: pre-visit, on-site, andpost-visit. On-site activities are conducted at the park, while pre- and post-visit activities are designed for the classroom. Major concepts include the following: sea turtle life history, resource management, taxonomy, anatomy, dichotomous key, adaptations, naturalhistory, habitat, life cycle, natural and human threats,predator/prey relationships, endangered wildlife, human impact on wildlife, migration, and international resource management. An introduction to reptiles, a vocabulary list, scheduling worksheet, parental permission form, and North Carolina Parks and Recreation program evaluation are included. Appendices contain a sea turtle fact sheet, a Loggerhead sea turtle factsheet, and sea turtle conservation information.(JRH) oi..;511' COPY AVAIINABLIE *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** r PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ' DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL Office of Educational Research and Improvement HAS BE N GRANTED BY EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION kw,CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization *gonating it. O Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction duality. TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES Points of view or opinions stated in this docu- INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) ment do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy C, BEST COPY AVATIAHLE ;'? Qi,t S 4,(...... 71`. .r)r. (.1... ,:..( '1 ''. '4 , I \ dN *,%,._ '',. ! ... ... sto ... , \ . ..(. Alliksk. ,--,, slit ';' ;.-- 10111 c.:'-->r4:r. :: NINIII 0 \ 0416 A-----"::. .. , ig . * % \ r .\ : ... ... \ .. ,. ? 4. .;.- c , ,.C;',. "CD /( '-::... \14... , ./: . , , .- a iqk 41.1,144A .44 .-- L.(1?(n,u: .,.\ . ...',.':.:',,..,_:- .,.../ -.-..)\ Ili, ; , .c .2.: #,,,.. 1 i-1,. WitifSt4=lks -N-- , ... i -mist :.,./II kw et'diNt ---.. I:I) _ , ,. ;-( . _____.fr,,,,,.. li a ,,(:)44 .,7, , , , / . -'446'ivplittirikiltf .,. ,.. .,. ,, , __, 41Z.-;t:. \; s iroBtr , r . Air di 70,41 ... .741. .-,./ --'..) -- Aril --* ..... -;;.--. ri. 1 .., alis:k. , III , ,,, Ovikkb\.- ,...; ... e ... \--,-- -..... 0)7 ,<- q .. 1 '. .. \ . .. , .v ltk. -...- --....., /'--- k lii if "Christopher Columbus sailed past a groupof three islands in 1503 and called them Las Tortugas because of the prevalence ofgreen turtles, which he called the most valuable reptile in theworld." Jack Rudloe Time of the Turtle Funding for this publication was generously provided by North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's Non-game and Endangered Species program and C P8tL 5 ii This Environmental Education Learning Experience was developed by Samuel S. Bland Park Superintendent Hammocks Beach State Park N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources ArA James B. Hunt, Jr. E) 1-11N11=1 Jonathan B. Howes Governor Secretary Other Contributors... Park volunteers; Erik Nygard, Former East District Interpretation and Education Specialist; Christy Mittelstadt and Yvonne DuJat, Seasonal Park Staff; The N.C. Department of Public Instruction; The N.C. Department of Environment, Health and Natural Resources; and the many individuals and agencies who assisted in the review of this publication. 500 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $3,050 or $6.10 per copy ®Printed on recycled paper. 3-95 iv 7 a ' 1 1 1. Introduction Introduction to the North Carolina State Parks System 1.1 Introduction to Hammocks Beach State Park 1.2 Introduction to the Activity Packet for Hammocks Beach State Park 1.4 Introduction to Reptiles 1.5 2.Activity Summary 2.1 Correlation Chart 2.2 3.Pre-Visit Activities *1 A Sea Turtle Tale 3.1 #2 Turtle Key 3.2 #3 Reptile Relative 3.3 4. On-Site Activities #1 Lost Habitat 4.1 #2 Talking Turtle 4.2 #3 Crawl for Life 4.3 5. Post-Visit Activities #1 Sea Turtle Trek 5.1 #2 Turtle Tag 5.2 #3 Nest Management 5.3 6. Vocabulary 6.1 7. References 7.1 8. Appendices Appendix 1 -. Sea Turtle Fact Sheet 8.1 Appendix 2 Loggerhead Sea Turtle Fact Sheet 8.2 Appendix 3 - Sea Turtle Conservation 8.3 9. Forms 9.1 10. Notes 10.1 Introduction to the North Carolina State Parks System and protecting The North Carolina State As one of North Carolina's PreservingNorth Carolina's natural Parks System has now been principal conservation agen- resources is actually a rela- established for more than three cies, the Division of Parks and tively new idea. The seeds of quarters of a century. What Recreation is responsible for the conservation movement started out as one small plot of the more than 125,000 acres were planted early in the 20th public land has grown into 59 that make up our state parks century when citizens were properties across the state, in- system. The Division man- alerted to the devastation of cluding parks, recreation areas, ages these resources for the Mount Mitchell. Logging trails, rivers, lakes and natural safe enjoyment of the public was destroying a well -known and protects and preserves landmark - the highest peak them as a part of the heritage east of the Mississippi. As we will pass on to generations the magnificent forests of to come. this mile-high peak fell to An important component the lumbermen's axe, alarmed of our stewardship of these citizens began to voice lands is education. Through their objections. Gover- our interpretation and environ- nor Locke Craig joined mental education services, them in their efforts to the Division of Parks and save Mount Mitchell. Recreation strives to offer Together they convinced enlightening programs which the legislature to pass a bill lead to an understanding and establishing Mount Mitchell areas. This vast network of appreciation of our natural as the first state park of North land boasts some of the most resources: The goal of our Carolina. That was in 1915. beautiful scenery in the world environmental education and offers endless recreation program is to generate an opportunities. But our state awareness in all individuals parks system offers much morewhich cultivates responsible than scenery and recreation. stewardship of the earth. Our lands and waters contain unique and valuable archaeo- logical, geological and biologi- cal resources that are important parts of our natural heritage. For more information contact: N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 27687 Raleigh, NC 27611-7687 919/ 7334181 9 Hammocks Beach State Park, NC 1. April 1994 Hammocks Beach State island to the beach. Natural ened loggerhead sea turtles. Park is located on Bear history exhibits are available Programs on these and other Island, an 892 acre barrier on the island to enhance envi- topics are available by request. island, with 33 acres on the ronmental education programs. Scheduling a Trip: mainland. The island is three On the island, shrub thickets To make a reservation, call and one-half miles long and and maritime forests create a the park office and complete a less than a mile wide, borderedwilderness environment, yet copy of the scheduling work- by the Atlantic Ocean to the in places it's easy to imagine sheet in the activity packet. on south and by salt marshes, you're in a desert, with large page 9.1. Provide this infor- estuarine creeks and the expanses of sand. Sea water mation to the park at least one Intracoastal Waterway to the has not washed over the island month in advance of your ar- north. Bogue Inlet lies at-the in recent years, thus large rival. Hammocks Beach State northeast end of the island, dunes and ridges dominate the Park will make every effort to while Bear Inlet lies to the landscape. Migrating sand, accommodate persons with southwest. carried by the wind, often bur- disabilities. Bear Island may be reached ies portions of the maritime by park ferry, Memorial Day forek NOTE: Bear Island may through Labor Day; however, Program Options: private boats can access the be reached by the park ferry. School groups can schedule island throughout the year. The variety of coastal envi- ronments found at Hammocks programs on the island from The park office and ferry dock April 15 through October 15. are located on the mainland in Beach State Park provide A small fee is charged for the Swansboro, off of NC High- an unequalled classroom for ferry. way 24. The 2.5 mile ferry teaching the processes of In the summer and on hot ride takes about 25 minutes. coastal ecology, geology, estu- days, the sun and sand can be very hot. Please wear shoes, From the island ferry dock, aries, wetlands and cultural history: Bear Island is an im- hats and sunscreen. Water is a half-mile walk crosses the available at the bathhouse. portant nesting site for threat- 10 Hammocks Beach State Park, NC 1.2 April 1994 Before the Trip: 8.If you will be late or need to Following the Trip: 1.