A fun day was had by all!
Thanks to those who participated!
Jackie
Jacqueline C. Banks
Public Affairs Officer
Kaibab National Forest
928-635-8314
cell 928-606-7490
jcbanks@xxxxxxxxx
Kaibab National Forest and Safe Routes To School Partner For Healthy Hiking Adventure
WILLIAMS, Ariz. – The Kaibab National Forest and Williams Elementary-Middle School’s Safe Routes to School recently partnered for a healthy hiking adventure on Bill Williams Mountain.
The event centered on a hike from Buckskinner Park in Williams to Clover Spring along the Buckskinner Trail on the Williams Ranger District. Along the way, 16 local participants learned about geology, wildlife, trees and more while also earning miles for the Falcon Fitness program.
Madison Olson, who is 8 years old, said she most enjoyed learning from John Holmes, retired Kaibab National Forest forester, about the area’s ponderosa pine trees. “I liked learning how old the trees are,” Olson said. “You could count the lines and see the tree sap.”
Earl Bassett of the Williams and Forest Service Visitor Center showed the hooves of various forest animals and then had the participants find tracks in the recently dried mud. One student said that learning about the animals and seeing the tracks was the best part of the day. “The tracks were fresh, and we learned what kind of animal made them.”
Kaibab National Forest geologist Jessica Lopez Pearce helped the participants identify rocks and explained the volcanic history of the local area, while wildlife biologist John DeLuca pointed out soaring birds and crawling insects.
“The Forest Service staff members were excellent and knowledgeable,” said Lela Olson, who helped coordinate the event. “They were amazing.”
Safe Routes to School is a program of the Williams Unified School District Community Learning Center and is intended to develop healthier lifestyles among students. For information on Kaibab National Forest, please visit www.fs.usda.gov/kaibab. For information on the Safe Routes to School program, please contact the Community Learning Center at (928) 635-9645. For photos of the hike, please visit www.flickr.com/photos/kaibabnationalforest/sets/72157626712871608/.
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