This week I am featuring a second winning essay from the Conservation Field Days essays titled: “The Most Important Thing I learned at Conservation Field Days.”

Essays were judged according to grammar, content and persuasiveness.

Approximately 1,000 sixth-grade students gathered together at Emerson Park on Owasco Lake for Cayuga County Conservation Field Days. This year the event took place June 3 and 4. During this event, students from all over the county were exposed to a number of environmental topics, taught by conservation professionals that volunteered their time. Students participated in hands-on activities and learned how they impact local natural resources and the environment. Some of the Conservation Field Days lessons included: water quality, bats, birds, fish and more.

“The Most Important Thing I learned at Conservation Field Days”

By Christopher Caya from Millard Fillmore Elementary

Conservation Field Days was a great experience. Conservation Field Days was held at Emerson Park. There were many people there to teach us about conserving.

I think we went there because things are getting polluted and destroyed, so by teaching us to conserve we will help stop that. There were many things to learn. My favorite station was the bird one.

All in all, Conservation Field Days was an experience to remember.

There were many facts I learned in the bird station. Male bird feather are eye catching while female bird feathers are only used for camouflage. Females have camouflage feathers because they want to protect their nests.

Some males actually molt to become like females. Other facts were about how bird's bodies meet their needs.

Birds use their feathers to keep warm and dry. Feathers are water resistant. The plastic like tube on the birds wings are hollow like their bones so their light.

This makes it easy to fly. A pheasant's feet are made for walking because pheasants don't fly a lot. Beaks and feet of owls are used to catch and tear at prey. I learned birds are amazing and are worth conserving.

The tutor at this station said pheasants are in danger because they live in undergrowth and brush, but it's disappearing. Therefore, this was an informational station.

There are some ways I will help conserve. I will help conserve by using the information I learned about birds to help conserve them.

When I take walks in the woods and I see something that doesn't quite look right I will leave it alone. It is probably a female bird protecting her nests. I will also try to identify some birds and know why it's important not to cut the trees. In conclusion, Conservation Field Days was a memorable time.

Renee Jensen is a community educator of environmental issues at CornellCooperative Extension of Cayuga County.