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South Lake Champlain Education Center

Poultney Education Trail

Ecosystem Exposition

Ecosystem Exposition

The Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences demonstrates Raptors in Flight at the 2001 Environmental Exposition

In May each year, over 500 students from 5th and 6th grades in the Poultney-Mettowee Watershed attend the annual Ecosystem Exposition, held on the campus of Green Mountain College. Small groups of students rotate through their choice of nearly thirty workshops held on topics such as endangered species, animal tracking, slate, reptiles and amphibians and soils. The students also participate in several large group activities put on by various conservation groups.

The purpose of the Expo is to help students get to know their own watershed and local issues to increase their sense of place and foster a greater responsibility for their own backyard. The Expo focuses on hands-on activities with take-home messages. A survey of students in 2000 showed that 47% of students did something different at home as a result of the Expo, and 67% shared information related to the Expo with family and friends.

Gary Salmon and Nate Fice of the VT Dept. of Forest, Parks and Recreation demonstrate the layers of a tree with students at the Eco-Expo

Special thanks to Green Mountain College for the donated use of their facilities. Also thanks to the many volunteers who donate their time to teach workshops including Green Mountain College professors and students and local conservation experts.

See last years photos!