Students learn lessons about ecosystem
By Staff
John Hicks FCT Staff Writer
Last Thursday, dozens of students from the Franklin area took part in "Cool Runnings," an environmental education program organized by the Franklin County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Students from eight area schools were transported to Cedar Creek Falls near Russellville by school bus for the event.
"We have students here from every high school in the county," said Robert Clement, watershed coordinator for the Franklin County SWCD. "We also have a group from East Franklin Jr. High, and Cherokee High School in Colbert County."
Students attended outdoor classes in biology, archaeology, soils, geology, water chemistry, wildlife and aquatic plants.
"This gives students some general background information about nature that they might have missed," Clement said.
"Older generations had more contact with wildlife and the outdoors. For instance, some of these kids have never touched a snake. Twenty or 30 years ago, every country boy knew what it was like to pick up a snake."
Instructors arrived with several species of non-venomous snakes and other wildlife, allowing students to acquire some hands-on experience with the animals.
Clement said "Cool Runnings" and the district's "Envirothon" event are held annually to educate and entertain students.
"In the classroom, they get to read about these subjects, but out here they can see the animals in their habitats," Clement said.
Clement praised volunteers who donated their time and energy to the project.
"It's a lot of work," Clement said. "It takes a lot of volunteers to make it happen. As long as the students have some fun and learn something, we've done our jobs."
Instructors for this year's "Cool Runnings" program were Damien Simbeck, Joel Pounders, Chris Ford, Jonathon Fleming, Ray O'Donnell, Jack Paul and Phillip Cooper.
Sponsors included Alabama Water Watch, Coca-Cola, Community Spirit Bank, Franklin County Cattlemen, Franklin County Extension Service, Gold Kist, Johnny Mack Morrow, Millennium Group, NRCS, Pizza Hut, RC&D and TVA.
