Nature Kids at Rooks Park

The Blue Mountain Land Trust held its final Nature Kids summer event on Saturday, August 21. Kids and their families were invited to the free event at Rooks Park in Walla Walla to learn about stream ecology, salmon, and aquatic critters. So, Allen and I picked up our grandson Elijah and headed to the park.

Elijah picked up a bucket and a net, put on a life jacket, and headed to the water. After collecting specimens, the kids compared their findings to a chart provided by the trust to see what they had collected. Numerous friendly, knowledgeable volunteers assisted kids in the water and at booths set up in the park. The Nature Kids event was a success.

The Blue Mountain Land Trust (BMLT), with the U.S. Forest Service-Umatilla National Forest and Tri-State Steelheaders, assisted with the hands-on activities. The Tri-State Steelheaders helped kids with a Japanese fish painting project.

In addition to Nature Kids, the group's other programs include Learning on the Land, Farm Kids, Blue Mountain Field Science, and BioBlitz.

And there is the Blues Crew, a BLMT group that improves trails in our area. The Blues Crew has two upcoming trail-work parties coming up. One on September 17 and the other on September 24. No experience is necessary; training and tools will be provided.

The Blue Mountain Land Trust started in 1999. It is a non-profit organization, and you can visit the website at http://www.bmlt.org to learn what they do, its events, and how to become a member, a donor, or a volunteer. The website states, "Our work at the Blue Mountain Land Trust is more than just conserving land. It connects communities to nature. Building a conservation and stewardship ethic in our communities is vital to ensuring the long-term success and viability of land conservation. Our mission is to protect the scenic, natural, and working lands that characterize the Blue Mountains region through collaboration with communities and landowners."

They provide conservation services to landowners across eleven counties, including Walla Walla and Columbia counties in Washington and Umatilla County in Oregon.

Elijah had a wonderful experience at the Nature Kids event and will look forward to events in 2023. Thanks to the Blue Mountain Land Trust and the volunteers for educating kids about nature.