2023 6th Grade Natural REsources tour
On Tuesday, September 26th, forty-three 6th grade students from both Butte Middle School and Mackay Elementary gathered at the lower sportsman’s access area to participate in a natural workshop sponsored by the Butte Soil and Water Conservation District. The students attended presentations by the Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Trout Unlimited, Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission, Natural Resource Conservation Services, South Custer Fire District and Butte County’s University of Idaho Extension Office.
2022 6th Grade Natural Resources Tour
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On Thursday, September 22nd, forty-six 6th grade students from both Butte Middle School and Mackay Elementary gathered at the lower sportsman’s access area to participate in a natural workshop sponsored by the Butte Soil and Water Conservation District. The students attended presentations by the Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Trout Unlimited, Bureau of Land Management, Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission, Natural Resource Conservation Services, South Custer Fire District and Butte County’s University of Idaho Extension Office.
Cassi Wood from Trout Unlimited teamed up with Salmon-Challis National Forest and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game as one of our presenters. In her presentation she taught the students how to identify different species of fish from the Big Lost River and then they netted live fish from a tank containing these species and identified them.
Hannah Branz, from the Bureau of Land Management, talked to the students about macroinvertebrates. Students got to use tweezers and catch and examine different species of macroinvertebrates.
Representing The Natural Resource Conservation District, Jesse Fullmer, and Berett Erb, demonstrated to the students the NRCs soil health trailer. They demonstrated how soils with no vegetation gets soil erosion, caused by water, easier than soils that have vegetation growth.
David Callister from Butte County’s University of Idaho Extension office talked about different types of soils and how water penetrates them. He discussed how some soils, like clay, hold water, whereas soils with sand and rocks allow water run right through them and pass more quickly into our aquafer.
Jackie Ingram from Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission talked to the kids about the 4 groups of rangeland plants. They talked about different types of grazers and the type of plant they preferred. Then they played a game where they went to different buckets that had different colored pipe cleaners that represented the different type of rangeland plants. There was a time limit and then they would determine whether they survived the winter or not.
Later in the day the students traveled to the Mackay Dam and had lunch provided by Butte SWCD. After lunch Ken Day brought up a fire engine from the South Custer Fire Station and showed the students how it worked. He also showed them some of the Personal Protection Equipment fire fighters use and gave them firsthand experience on how to use the fire hose.
Butte SWCD would like to thank all who participated in the 2022 6th Grade Natural Resource Tour.
Cassi Wood from Trout Unlimited teamed up with Salmon-Challis National Forest and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game as one of our presenters. In her presentation she taught the students how to identify different species of fish from the Big Lost River and then they netted live fish from a tank containing these species and identified them.
Hannah Branz, from the Bureau of Land Management, talked to the students about macroinvertebrates. Students got to use tweezers and catch and examine different species of macroinvertebrates.
Representing The Natural Resource Conservation District, Jesse Fullmer, and Berett Erb, demonstrated to the students the NRCs soil health trailer. They demonstrated how soils with no vegetation gets soil erosion, caused by water, easier than soils that have vegetation growth.
David Callister from Butte County’s University of Idaho Extension office talked about different types of soils and how water penetrates them. He discussed how some soils, like clay, hold water, whereas soils with sand and rocks allow water run right through them and pass more quickly into our aquafer.
Jackie Ingram from Idaho Rangeland Resources Commission talked to the kids about the 4 groups of rangeland plants. They talked about different types of grazers and the type of plant they preferred. Then they played a game where they went to different buckets that had different colored pipe cleaners that represented the different type of rangeland plants. There was a time limit and then they would determine whether they survived the winter or not.
Later in the day the students traveled to the Mackay Dam and had lunch provided by Butte SWCD. After lunch Ken Day brought up a fire engine from the South Custer Fire Station and showed the students how it worked. He also showed them some of the Personal Protection Equipment fire fighters use and gave them firsthand experience on how to use the fire hose.
Butte SWCD would like to thank all who participated in the 2022 6th Grade Natural Resource Tour.
2021 Natural Resource Workshop
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On Thursday, September 23rd, forty-eight 6th grade students from both Butte Middle School and Mackay Elementary gathered at the lower sportsman’s access area to participate in a natural workshop sponsored by the Butte Soil and Water Conservation District. The students attended presentations by the Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Trout Unlimited, Bureau of Land Management, Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group, Natural Resource Conservation Services, South Custer Fire District and Butte County’s University of Idaho Extension Office.
Cassi Wood from Trout Unlimited teamed up with Salmon-Challis National Forest and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game as one of our presenters. In her presentation she taught the students how to identify four fish from the Big Lost River and then they netted live fish from a tank containing these four species and identified them.
Steve Wright, from the Bureau of Land Management, talked to the students about the history of the area and how the weapons and tools used by Native Americans were made and used.
Representing The Natural Resource Conservation District, Lara Fondow, talked to the students about the field of Wildlife Ecology, the technique of radio-tracking animals and how tracking data can be used in conservation. Then they did a radio tracking exercise.
David Callister from Butte County’s University of Idaho Extension office talked about different types of soils and how water penetrates them. He discussed how some soils, like clay, hold water, whereas soils with sand and rocks allow water run right through them and pass more quickly into our aquafer.
Mark Wheeler from Lost Rivers Coordinated Weed Management Group brought pots containing different types of weeds and taught students all about the different types of obnoxious weeds in our area.
Later in the day the students traveled to the Mackay Dam and had lunch provided by Butte SWCD. After lunch Ken Day brought up a fire engine from the South Custer Fire Station and showed the students how it worked. He also showed them some of the Personal Protection Equipment fire fighters use and gave them firsthand experience on how to use the fire hose.
In these trying times of a pandemic, Butte County SWCD is grateful that we were able to hold this learning experience for these kids. Thank you so much to all who participated in the 2021 6th Grade Natural Resource Tour.
Cassi Wood from Trout Unlimited teamed up with Salmon-Challis National Forest and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game as one of our presenters. In her presentation she taught the students how to identify four fish from the Big Lost River and then they netted live fish from a tank containing these four species and identified them.
Steve Wright, from the Bureau of Land Management, talked to the students about the history of the area and how the weapons and tools used by Native Americans were made and used.
Representing The Natural Resource Conservation District, Lara Fondow, talked to the students about the field of Wildlife Ecology, the technique of radio-tracking animals and how tracking data can be used in conservation. Then they did a radio tracking exercise.
David Callister from Butte County’s University of Idaho Extension office talked about different types of soils and how water penetrates them. He discussed how some soils, like clay, hold water, whereas soils with sand and rocks allow water run right through them and pass more quickly into our aquafer.
Mark Wheeler from Lost Rivers Coordinated Weed Management Group brought pots containing different types of weeds and taught students all about the different types of obnoxious weeds in our area.
Later in the day the students traveled to the Mackay Dam and had lunch provided by Butte SWCD. After lunch Ken Day brought up a fire engine from the South Custer Fire Station and showed the students how it worked. He also showed them some of the Personal Protection Equipment fire fighters use and gave them firsthand experience on how to use the fire hose.
In these trying times of a pandemic, Butte County SWCD is grateful that we were able to hold this learning experience for these kids. Thank you so much to all who participated in the 2021 6th Grade Natural Resource Tour.
2020 Natural Resource Workshop
On Monday, September 21st, fifty six 6th grade students from both Butte Middle School and Mackay Elementary gathered at the lower sportsman’s access area to participate in a natural workshop sponsored by the Butte Soil and Water Conservation District. The students attended presentations by the U.S. Forest Service, Trout Unlimited, Bureau of Land Management, Butte Soil and Water Conservation District and The Idaho Rangeland Commission.
Cassi Wood and other helpers from Trout Unlimited and the U.S. Forest Service discussed how to identify different species of fish found in the Big Lost River and the Little Lost River. They had a tub full of fish so the students got to see hands on what the fish looked and felt like. Each Group got to put their name in a drawing for a chance to win a free fishing pole.
Steve Wright, from the Bureau of Land Management, talked to the students about the history of the area and how the weapons and tools used by Native Americans were made and used.
Representing Butte Soil and Water Conservation District, Jennie Weathered, talked to the students about how importance pollinators are. Each student got to take home a seed packed to plant at home to help our pollinators thrive.
Mathilde Perez-Huet of the Bureau of Land Management talked about her experiences in the field of forestry. Students painted their hands and measured around tree trunks along with other tools that measured heights of trees so they could guess how old that tree was.
Jackie Ingram, from The Idaho Rangeland Commission, had their IROAM tent set up. It showed students the seasons throughout Idaho that happen on the rangeland. Depending on snowfall and rainfall years can very greatly.
Later in the day the students traveled to the Mackay Dam and had lunch which was provided by Butte SWCD. After lunch Ken Day brought up one of their fire engines from the South Custer Fire Station and showed the kids how it worked, some of the clothes they use and how to use the fire hose first hand.
Thank you so much to all who participated in the 2020 6th Grade Natural Resource Tour.
Cassi Wood and other helpers from Trout Unlimited and the U.S. Forest Service discussed how to identify different species of fish found in the Big Lost River and the Little Lost River. They had a tub full of fish so the students got to see hands on what the fish looked and felt like. Each Group got to put their name in a drawing for a chance to win a free fishing pole.
Steve Wright, from the Bureau of Land Management, talked to the students about the history of the area and how the weapons and tools used by Native Americans were made and used.
Representing Butte Soil and Water Conservation District, Jennie Weathered, talked to the students about how importance pollinators are. Each student got to take home a seed packed to plant at home to help our pollinators thrive.
Mathilde Perez-Huet of the Bureau of Land Management talked about her experiences in the field of forestry. Students painted their hands and measured around tree trunks along with other tools that measured heights of trees so they could guess how old that tree was.
Jackie Ingram, from The Idaho Rangeland Commission, had their IROAM tent set up. It showed students the seasons throughout Idaho that happen on the rangeland. Depending on snowfall and rainfall years can very greatly.
Later in the day the students traveled to the Mackay Dam and had lunch which was provided by Butte SWCD. After lunch Ken Day brought up one of their fire engines from the South Custer Fire Station and showed the kids how it worked, some of the clothes they use and how to use the fire hose first hand.
Thank you so much to all who participated in the 2020 6th Grade Natural Resource Tour.
2019 Natural Resource Workshop
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On Thursday, September 26th, sixty seven 6th grade students from both Butte Middle School and Mackay Elementary gathered at the lower sportsman’s access area to participate in a natural workshop sponsored by the Butte Soil and Water Conservation District. The students attended presentations by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group, Butte Soil and Water Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Services.
Bart Gamett, Cassi Wood and other helpers from the U.S. Forest Service discussed how to identify different species of fish found in the Big Lost River and the Little Lost River. They had a tub full of fish so the students got to see hands on what the fish looked and felt like.
Steve Wright, from the Bureau of Land Management, talked to the students about the history of the area and how the weapons and tools used by Native Americans were made and used.
Representing the Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group, Mark Wheeler and Missy Hollis, talked to the students about how to identify noxious weeds and the importance of controlling those weeds.
Lara Fondow of the Natural Resources Conservation Service talked about her experiences in the field of wildlife ecology and how the NRCS applies wildlife research in their conservation planning with farmers and ranchers. She also focused on pollinator conservation, and the students all got to make pollinator seed balls that they could take home to plant.
Berett Erb, from Butte Soil and Water Conservation District, Eric Watson and Neal Callister, from Natural Resources Conservation Service, showed how different types of soil can retain water better than others and how to improve not so good soil by adding compost to it.
Later in the day the students traveled to the Mackay Dam and had lunch which was provided by Butte SWCD. After lunch Ken Day brought up one of their fire engines from the South Custer Fire Station and showed the kids how it worked, some of the clothes they use and how to use the fire hose first hand.
Thank you so much to all who participated in the 2019 6th Grade Natural Resource Tour.
Bart Gamett, Cassi Wood and other helpers from the U.S. Forest Service discussed how to identify different species of fish found in the Big Lost River and the Little Lost River. They had a tub full of fish so the students got to see hands on what the fish looked and felt like.
Steve Wright, from the Bureau of Land Management, talked to the students about the history of the area and how the weapons and tools used by Native Americans were made and used.
Representing the Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group, Mark Wheeler and Missy Hollis, talked to the students about how to identify noxious weeds and the importance of controlling those weeds.
Lara Fondow of the Natural Resources Conservation Service talked about her experiences in the field of wildlife ecology and how the NRCS applies wildlife research in their conservation planning with farmers and ranchers. She also focused on pollinator conservation, and the students all got to make pollinator seed balls that they could take home to plant.
Berett Erb, from Butte Soil and Water Conservation District, Eric Watson and Neal Callister, from Natural Resources Conservation Service, showed how different types of soil can retain water better than others and how to improve not so good soil by adding compost to it.
Later in the day the students traveled to the Mackay Dam and had lunch which was provided by Butte SWCD. After lunch Ken Day brought up one of their fire engines from the South Custer Fire Station and showed the kids how it worked, some of the clothes they use and how to use the fire hose first hand.
Thank you so much to all who participated in the 2019 6th Grade Natural Resource Tour.
2018 Natural Resource Workshop
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On Thursday, September 27th, fifty five 6th grade students from both Butte Middle School and Mackay Elementary gathered at the lower sportsman’s access area to participate in a natural workshop sponsored by the Butte Soil and Water Conservation District. The students attended presentations by the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group, Butte Soil and Water Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Services.
Bart Gamett, Cassi Wood and other helpers from the U.S. Forest Service discussed how to identify different species of fish found in the Big Lost River and the Little Lost River. They had a tub full of fish so the students got to see hands on what the fish looked and felt like. Many lucky winners won a free fishing pole.
Steve Wright, from the Bureau of Land Management, talked to the students about the history of the area and how the weapons and tools used by Native Americans were made and used.
Representing the Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group, Mark Wheeler and Missy Hollis, talked to the students about how to identify noxious weeds and the importance of controlling those weeds.
Lara Fondow, from Natural Resources Conservation Services, talked about sage grouse, cranes and showed the kids how to use an animal tracker to find an animal with a tracking collar on it.
Stephanie Barnes, from Butte Soil and Water Conservation District, and Trudy Pink showed how different types of soil can retain water better than others and how to improve not so good soil by adding compost to it.
Later in the day the students traveled to the Mackay Dam and had lunch which was provided by Butte SWCD. After lunch Ken Day brought up one of their fire engines from the South Custer Fire Station and showed the kids how it worked, some of the clothes they use and how to use the fire hose first hand.
Thank you so much to all who participated in the 2018 6th Grade Natural Resource Tour.
2017 Natural Resource Workshop
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On Thursday, September 21st, sixty 6th grade students from both Butte Middle School and Mackay Elementary gathered at the lower sportsman’s access area to participate in a natural workshop sponsored by the Butte Soil and Water Conservation District. The students attended presentations by the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group and Natural Resources Conservation Services.
Bart Gamett and helpers from the U.S. Forest Service discussed how to identify different species of fish found in the Big Lost River and the Little Lost River. They had a tub full of fish so the students got to see hands on what the fish looked and felt like. Four lucky winners got to win a free fishing pole.
Steve Wright, from the Bureau of Land Management, talked to the students about the history of the area and how the weapons and tools used by Native Americans were made.
Representing the Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group, Mark Wheeler and Ciera Bench, talked to the students about how to identify noxious weeds and the importance of controlling those weeds.
Lara Fondow, from Natural Resources Conservation Services, talked about sage grouse, cranes and showed the kids how to use an animal tracker to find an animal with a tracking collar on it.
Later in the day the students traveled to the Mackay Dam and had lunch which was provided by Butte SWCD. Thank you so much to all who participated in the 2017 6th Grade Natural Resource Tour.
Bart Gamett and helpers from the U.S. Forest Service discussed how to identify different species of fish found in the Big Lost River and the Little Lost River. They had a tub full of fish so the students got to see hands on what the fish looked and felt like. Four lucky winners got to win a free fishing pole.
Steve Wright, from the Bureau of Land Management, talked to the students about the history of the area and how the weapons and tools used by Native Americans were made.
Representing the Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group, Mark Wheeler and Ciera Bench, talked to the students about how to identify noxious weeds and the importance of controlling those weeds.
Lara Fondow, from Natural Resources Conservation Services, talked about sage grouse, cranes and showed the kids how to use an animal tracker to find an animal with a tracking collar on it.
Later in the day the students traveled to the Mackay Dam and had lunch which was provided by Butte SWCD. Thank you so much to all who participated in the 2017 6th Grade Natural Resource Tour.
2016 Natural Resource Workshop
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On Thursday, September 22nd, over sixty 6th grade students from both Butte Middle School and Mackay Elementary gathered at the lower sportsman’s access area to participate in a natural workshop sponsored by the Butte Soil and Water Conservation District. The students attended presentations by the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group and Natural Resources Conservation Services.
Bart Gamett and helpers from the U.S. Forest Service discussed how to identify different species of fish found in the Big Lost River and the Little Lost River. They also explained some of the equipment they use to count and identify the fish. They had a tub full of fish so the students got to see hands on what the fish looked and felt like.
Steve Wright, from the Bureau of Land Management, talked to the students about the history of the area and how the weapons and tools used by Native Americans were made.
Representing the Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group, Brad Gamett and Mark Wheeler, talked to the students about how to identify noxious weeds and the importance of controlling those weeds.
Lara Fondow, from Natural Resources Conservation Services, did a presentation on sage grouse. She talked about their habitat, their mating dance and their diet of eating leaves, buds, flowers, forbs, and insects in the summer and lives off of sage brush in the winter.
Later in the day the students traveled to the Mackay Dam and had lunch which was provided by Butte SWCD. Following lunch Ken Day, a firefighter for the South Custer Fire Department, explained the equipment on the fire truck and demonstrated how far and fast it can pump 1000 gallons of water by soaking numerous students with its spray. Thank you so much to all who participated in the 2016 6th Grade Natural Resource Tour.
2015 Natural Resource Workshop
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A special thank you to the 2015 presenters for the 6th Grade Natural Resource Workshop:
Cassi Wood- Trout Unlimited, Caden Betzer-Forest Service and Bart Gamett- South Zone Fish Biologist, Lost River Ranger Station, Mackay
Katie Ring-NRCS, Arco
Steve Roberts-Idaho Fish and Game
Steve Wright-Bureau of Land Management, Salmon
Brad Gamett and Mark Wheeler-Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group, Arco
Walt Johnson-South Custer Fire District
Thank you Mrs. Kimball and Mr. Angell and the 6th grade students from Mackay and Arco for participating in our 2015 workshop.
Cassi Wood- Trout Unlimited, Caden Betzer-Forest Service and Bart Gamett- South Zone Fish Biologist, Lost River Ranger Station, Mackay
Katie Ring-NRCS, Arco
Steve Roberts-Idaho Fish and Game
Steve Wright-Bureau of Land Management, Salmon
Brad Gamett and Mark Wheeler-Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group, Arco
Walt Johnson-South Custer Fire District
Thank you Mrs. Kimball and Mr. Angell and the 6th grade students from Mackay and Arco for participating in our 2015 workshop.
2014 Natural Resource Workshop
A special thank you to the 2014 presenters for the 6th Grade Natural Resource Workshop:
Cassi Wood, Christine Stewart, Mariah Williams and Bart Gamett- South Zone Fish Biologist, Lost River Ranger Station, Mackay
Kyle Severe, Colton Coon, John Meyers, Steven Gunderson and Nick Harper-Fire Crew, Lost River Ranger District
Fiona Cambra-Idaho Fish and Game
Steve Wright-Bureau of Land Management, Salmon
Brad Gamett and Mark Wheeler-Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group
Walt Johnson-South Custer Fire District
Thank you Mrs. Kimball and Mr. Angell and the 6th grade students from Mackay and Arco for participating in our 2014 workshop.
Cassi Wood, Christine Stewart, Mariah Williams and Bart Gamett- South Zone Fish Biologist, Lost River Ranger Station, Mackay
Kyle Severe, Colton Coon, John Meyers, Steven Gunderson and Nick Harper-Fire Crew, Lost River Ranger District
Fiona Cambra-Idaho Fish and Game
Steve Wright-Bureau of Land Management, Salmon
Brad Gamett and Mark Wheeler-Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group
Walt Johnson-South Custer Fire District
Thank you Mrs. Kimball and Mr. Angell and the 6th grade students from Mackay and Arco for participating in our 2014 workshop.
2013 Natural Resource Workshop
Thank you so much to the 2013 presenters for the Natural Resource Workshop:
Bart Gamett, Cassi Wood and Matt Tillotson, South Zone Fish Biologist, Lost River Ranger Station-Mackay
Jim Gregory
Brad Gamett and Mark Wheeler, Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group
Kyle Severe, Sam Sulser, Justin Walz and Shade Rosenkrance, Lost River Ranger District
Randy Ivie and Walt Johnson, South Custer Fire District
Thank you again to Mrs. Kimball and Mr. Angell and the 6th grade classes from Mackay and Arco for participating in the workshop
Bart Gamett, Cassi Wood and Matt Tillotson, South Zone Fish Biologist, Lost River Ranger Station-Mackay
Jim Gregory
Brad Gamett and Mark Wheeler, Lost River Coordinated Weed Management Group
Kyle Severe, Sam Sulser, Justin Walz and Shade Rosenkrance, Lost River Ranger District
Randy Ivie and Walt Johnson, South Custer Fire District
Thank you again to Mrs. Kimball and Mr. Angell and the 6th grade classes from Mackay and Arco for participating in the workshop
