Moss Point Students Get a Lesson at Sandhill Crane Refuge

Wednesday, Moss Point 2nd graders enjoyed the beautiful weather while learning about the wildlife at one Coast national wildlife refuge, thanks to a sponsorship by Mississippi Power.

One 2nd grader, Deshawn Lazell, reached into a box and pulled out a coyote as a hands on lesson for him and his classmates to learn about wildlife at the Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge. Lazell says, "I was so scared. I thought it was real and I didn’t want to hurt it, and I grabbed it and I got scared, but I didn’t scream, I just got scared and I said, ‘Oh Jesus mercy!’”

National Park Trust is a nonprofit based out of Maryland. The group brought their Buddy Bison Program to the Coast Thursday. Second graders from Kreole Primary Elementary School learned everything from how rangers track cranes to what wild creatures feel like.

The Buddy Bison Program travels all over the country, bringing students to different national parks, integrating environmental education with outdoor recreation. William Schrack, Education Director for National Park Trust, says, "Our big thing is if they can’t see it, then they can’t connect with it and they don’t grow up to be that environmental steward of the future. We’re trying to build the next generation of park stewards and environmentally conscious people."

As students walked the trail and took in the sights, teachers say this hands on experience was the perfect way to solidify what they’re learning in the classroom. Doretta Ash, a 2nd grade teacher at Kreole Primary Elementary, says, "I think it makes them real for them that the things they teach them through books, that those things are really out there and they can get out there and look for them."

The Buddy Bison Program has been recognized by Michelle Obama’s ‘Let’s Move’ initiative and the National Park Trust will continue to travel the country to help more students like Lazell explore all America’s parks have to offer.