junior refuge manager - friends of great swamp nwr · 2018-08-14 · junior refuge manager...

Junior Refuge Manager Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Activity Book

This Book Belongs To

Junior Refuge Manager Instructions

W elcome to the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Junior Refuge Manager program.

By completing the activities in this book, you will earn a certificate and your Junior

Refuge Manager badge.

National Wildlife Refuges are where wildlife comes first. Managing a National Wildlife Ref-

uge takes a lot of work! Refuge staff must learn about many different subjects to help both

wildlife and visitors. To become a Junior Refuge Manager, you must learn about the habitats

and the plants and animals on this Refuge. One of the best ways to learn is to carefully ob-

serve all that is around you, record what you have seen, and then read more in a field guide, a

Refuge brochure, or on the Internet. When you have completed this program and earned your

Junior Refuge Manager badge, you will have learned to be a keen observer of nature.

Earning your Junior Refuge Manager certificate and badge

Participants should be between 5 and 13 years old.

Each Activity page must be completed and signed by a Refuge volunteer or a member of

the Refuge staff.

You will need at least two visits to Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge to complete

this program.

Assistance is available at the Visitor Center and seasonally at the Wildlife Observation

Center.

Some of the information you need to complete this activity book may be found in free

Refuge brochures and from the exhibits at the Visitor Center.

You don’t need to complete this program in one season.

Note to Adult Companions

Thank you for helping your aspiring Junior Refuge Manager participate in this program. This

is a wonderful family activity where everyone learns and you are encouraged to help out and

provide assistance. Younger children may need help with the reading, but please let the chil-

dren answer all questions in their own words.

Make use of the many volunteers here at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge as they are

a source of information and guidance. Any Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge volunteer

or staff member is certified to sign an activity sheet. The sheet does not have to be signed on

the same day the activities were completed.

Now…

Let’s Go Outside!


C e r t i f i e d b y : D a te :

I t was 1959 and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced plans to build

a huge airport right on top of the Great Swamp! Concerned citizens got together to fight

these plans and in 1960 the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge was established.

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System and is

one of more than 550 refuges nationwide. This System was started in 1903 by President

Theodore Roosevelt as a way to protect wildlife for future generations. It is a place where

wildlife comes first. Did you know that there is at least one Refuge in every state and there

are five Refuges in New Jersey? All of the National Wildlife Refuges are managed by the

U.S. Department of the Interior’s Fish & Wildlife Service including Great Swamp National

Wildlife Refuge. The Blue Goose is the symbol of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is over 7,700 acres in size. There are two parts—the Wilderness Area and the

Management Area. You may walk or hike anywhere in the Wilderness Area. The Management Area is closed to the

public except for certain designated areas such as the Wildlife Observation Center and the Visitor Center. The Refuge

staff manages the habitat in the Management Area for the benefit of wildlife. Public access is restricted in order not to

disturb wildlife.

A habitat is an animal’s home—the place where it finds what it needs to survive—like food, water, shelter for safety,

and a place to raise young. Different species have different habitat needs . The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

has many habitats including swamp, streams and ponds, upland forest, and fields. This wide variety of habitats attracts

many different kinds of wildlife.

Now that you know more about the National Wildlife Refuge System and Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge…

Let’s get started on becoming a Junior Refuge Manager by answering the questions below.

Who started our National Wildlife Refuge System and in what year?

What federal government agency is responsible for managing national wildlife refuges?

What threat caused the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge to be established?

What are the names of the two parts of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge?

Why is so much of the Management Area closed to the public?

About… Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge



Observing… Reptiles—Snakes The best way to learn about wildlife is by observing. What is the habitat? What are the distinguishing field

marks? Field marks are clues to help in identification. Look carefully at the habitat and field marks when

identifying snakes. Make a sketch of your observations to help you remember.

The type of habitat For example: Is it in the water—in a field—or the woods?

Look at the color Black Brown Green Other

What kind of patterns are there Stripes How many What colors

Bands What colors Other patterns

Try to estimate how long the snake is

Use a field guide and the Refuge brochure on Reptiles & Amphibians to help answer the questions below.

Using the field marks listed above, draw the

markings of a snake that you saw today, including

the underside if you can. What was the habitat?

What kind of snake do you think you saw?

Why do snakes stick out their tongues?

What role do snakes play in nature?

Why do you think people are afraid of snakes?



Observing… Reptiles—Turtles

Habitat Parts of a turtle

Field marks (things you can see) The top part of the shell is called the carapace.

Size The bottom part of the shell is called the plastron.

Pattern on shell

Color on neck or head

Scutes are plates on the shell and can help in identification.

The shell of a turtle grows with them, just like our bones

grow as we do.

The best way to learn about wildlife is by observing. What is the habitat? What are the distinguishing field

marks? Field marks are clues to help in identification. Make a sketch of your observations to help you

remember. Field guides and Refuge brochures provide helpful information.

What do turtles eat?

Where do turtles go in winter?

List some of the common turtles found on the Refuge? (Use the Reptiles & Amphibians brochure.)

What is the largest kind of turtle found on the Refuge?

Painted turtle

Snapping turtle

How many kinds of turtles are listed in the Refuge Reptiles & Amphibians brochure?

What kinds of turtles did you see today?



Observing… Invertebrates Invertebrates are all of the animals without a backbone, including insects. There are many different kinds of

invertebrates and they account for 96% of all known species of animals! Invertebrates are important as they

serve as food for many other organisms. There are many kinds of invertebrates that inhabit the Refuge and

you can find them living on land and in the water. Many have wings and can fly.

Why do spiders make webs?

Water striders actually walk on water! Do you know how?

Crayfish have 10 jointed legs—In what kind of habitat will you find them?

Can you identify the invertebrates shown below? Write the number above the picture. Circle any of these

invertebrates that you observed today. Use a field guide to help.

1. Crayfish

2. Snail

3. Spider

4. Centipede

5. Tick

6. Water strider

7. Water boatman



Observing… Invertebrates—Insects Insects make up the largest percentage of invertebrates. Insects generally have three pairs of legs and three

main body parts—the head, thorax, and abdomen.

Field marks to look for…

Habitat:

Color:

Shape:

With or without wings:

Number of legs:

Draw some insects that you observed today. Can you name them?

Can you identify these insects? Write the number above the picture.

1. Butterfly 2. Bumblebee 3. Mosquito 4. Dragonfly 5. Ant 6. Praying mantis



Observing… Amphibians—Frogs & Toads The best way to learn about wildlife is by observing. What is the habitat? What are the distinguishing field

marks? Make a sketch of your observations to help you remember. Use a field guide for information and

pictures to help identify the frogs and toads that you see.

Look for these key field marks… What kind of habitat is this? Water Field In a Tree Other Size: How big is the frog or toad? What is the main color? Green Brown Gray Other colors Are there patterns you can see? Spots Mask Warts Other marks Ridges on back : Do the ridges run all the way down the back or curve behind the eardrum?

(This is a good way to tell a bullfrog from other frogs.)

Draw the markings of a frog or toad that you saw today.

What kind of frog or toad do you think this might be? (Use a field

guide or the Refuge Reptiles & Amphibians brochure.)

Name one thing that frogs eat.

A tadpole is a baby frog. Name one thing that tadpoles eat.

Did you know that frogs and toads have unique calls? Learning these calls is a good way to help identify

the type of frog or toad. Use the Refuge Reptiles & Amphibians brochure for help on this question.

1. Name: Call sounds like:





Size—how big is the bird? Color—is it all one color or several colors?

Look at the beak—is it long or short, sharp or

curved?

What is the habitat? Forest, wetland, field?

Observing… Birds The best way to learn about birds is by observing. Think of yourself as a detective. Look carefully at the bird

noting the field marks (physical things you can see). These are clues which will help you identify the bird.

Write down the field marks, draw a picture, or take a photo to help you remember. Then look in a field guide

to find a bird which matches your description.

Look for these key field marks as well as habitat, song, and behavior to help narrow down your choices.

Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to go bird watching. There are many different habitats

on the Refuge which attract many different kinds of birds—more than 200 species of birds have been seen.

Some birds are migratory and may only be seen during certain seasons. Others are resident birds and may

nest on the Refuge. Name four birds that you saw. Use the Refuge Birds brochure to answer the questions.

Name of Bird What is the habitat? (Forest, Wetland, Field) Does this bird nest on the Refuge?

1.

2.

3.

4.

Sketch one bird you saw today. Draw at least three fields marks that helped you identify this bird.

Can you name this bird? Use a field guide to help you.



Observing… Trees

Find a tree that interests you. Read about this species in the Guide to Trees and Shrubs and observe the key

identification characteristics. Draw two or more parts of your tree (leaf, seed or fruit, flower, bark).

Name two cool things that you learned about your tree.

The best way to identify trees and other plants is by observing. Try to find several key

identification features. Make a sketch of your observations or take a photo.

Habitat and field marks to look for…

Habitat: Where is the tree growing? Swamp Woods Field

Leaves: What is the shape of the leaf? Are they opposite or alternate on the branch?

Bark: Look at the bark. Is it smooth, rough, or peeling?

Seeds & Fruit: These are great clues. (Be sure to check the ground too!) Are there pods, berries, or

nuts?

What is the state tree of New Jersey? Did you see it today?

Name two different ways that birds or animals use trees.

Use the free Guide to Trees and Shrubs for this activity. Look for the numbered yellow

tags on the trees at the Wildlife Observation Center or on the Bockoven Trail at the Visitor

Center. Look up the number in the Guide, and learn more.



Observing… It’s all about Habitat Animals—and people—need good habitat to stay alive. Habitat is the environment in which an animal lives.

Good habitats provide food, water, shelter, and a place to raise young. Without good habitat, animals suffer.

The loss of good habitat is the single most important reason for an animal species to be listed as threatened

or endangered.

Observing the habitat is a good way to identify animals and plants.

Many animals can be found along the edges of two different habitats where they can find more of what

they need to survive. Edges are a good place to observe wildlife.

There are many different habitats at Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. This means you can observe

many different kinds of animals and plants.

Test your skills. Write the habitat number next to the animal below. Remember some animals may use

more than one type of habitat!

1. Forest 2. Wetlands 3. Meadows and Fields

Name, or draw, four plants or animals that you saw today and indicate the type of habitat. Use the habitat

numbers above.

Ethics and Safety of Observing Nature When you watch wildlife without causing a reaction, you are seeing what is truly wild - Mark Duda

Take only pictures, leave only the lightest of footprints, and bring home only memories.

Get a close-up look by using a magnifying glass and binoculars.

Give birds and other wildlife enough space.

Stay on existing trails and pathways.

Observe all laws, rules, and regulations which govern the use of public lands.

Practice common courtesy in your contacts with others.

Beware of poison ivy. Remember… “Leaves of three, let it be. Hairy rope, don’t be a

dope.”

Take precautions to protect yourself from ticks. Tuck your pants into your socks, and

carefully inspect your clothing and yourself after your hike and when you get home.

To see wildlife, observe the three B’s... Be quiet, Be still, and Be observant.

Created by Friends of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Artwork © Zackery Zdinak

Frog & snake artwork by Judy Schmidt

www.friendsofgreatswamp.org

3rd edition, August 2014

Enjoy Your National Wildlife Refuge Where Wildlife Comes First!

junior refuge manager - friends of great swamp nwr · 2018-08-14 · junior refuge manager...

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