For youth who love the outdoors, Wonders of Waterfowl was more than just a regular Saturday.
They waded through knee-deep water to capture water-borne invertebrates, rolled the dice to determine their next stop in a migration simulation and experienced the thrill of releasing newly banded ducks to freedom.
More than 40 youth from 18 counties across Arkansas gathered Feb. 21 at the Cypress Bayou Club in Saratoga for the Wonders of Waterfowl event, an immersive, hands-on learning experience focused on waterfowl biology, habitat and conservation.
Organized by Tiffany Osborne, wildlife extension specialist for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and instructor at the University of Arkansas at Monticello, the event introduced participants to the science and stewardship behind waterfowl management.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Throughout the day, youth rotated through educational stations where they learned to identify waterfowl species using wings and feet, explored native plants and aquatic insects in a moist soil unit to understand what ducks eat and discovered how researchers track bird movement and behavior through banding and other monitoring efforts conducted by the UAM Osborne Labs.
A highlight of the event was a live waterfowl banding demonstration led by wildlife technicians from the Osborne Labs. After observing the process and learning how banding helps scientists monitor migration and population trends, participants had the opportunity to release mallards, wood ducks and teal back into the wild.
For many attendees, the experience provided a meaningful glimpse into a potential future in wildlife conservation.
“We did a lot of fun things, such as learning about waterfowl habitat and the foods and cover they need and research the Osborne Lab has been doing tracking these birds across the state and even across the continent,” said Eli Freppon, a 4-H’er from White County. “The most fun thing was watching them band the birds and then getting to hold them and release them and watch them fly off.”
Freppon said attending the event helped solidify his plans for the future.
“I’d like to go to the University of Arkansas at Monticello and study waterfowl biology,” he said. “Last year, when I came to this event, that’s when it clicked for me. This is really what I think I was meant to do. It’s my passion. I’ve been around waterfowl my whole life, and I want to be part of helping their population grow back to what it’s supposed to be.”
YOUTH AND CONSERVATION SCIENCE
Osborne said events like Wonders of Waterfowl are designed to connect young people with the science behind conservation while giving them opportunities to experience wildlife up close.
“Our goal is to give students hands-on exposure to waterfowl research and habitat management,” Osborne said. “When young people can see the work being done in the field and actually participate in activities like banding demonstrations and habitat exploration, it helps them understand how science supports conservation and opens their eyes to potential careers in wildlife biology.”
Before leaving the event, each participant received a Chaos duck call courtesy of Legendary Gear, featuring the Wonders of Waterfowl logo.
Organizers hope the event will continue to inspire the next generation of conservationists and wildlife professionals across Arkansas.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.
Traci Rushing is with the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
