Busy immersing themselves in the natural world, the Homeschool Naturalists at Fields Pond Audubon Center started the fall session in T-shirts, and ended in down jackets. The dropping temperature wasn’t the only seasonal change these students experienced. This fall’s Homeschool Naturalist program at Fields Pond was packed with curiosity, discovery, and hands-on science! This is a program designed for children between the ages of 6 and 14. We start as a mixed-age group and then break into age-based teams to dive deeper into the theme of the week.
We kicked off the fall session by diving into the great feat that is monarch migration and partnering with Monarch Watch to tag individual butterflies before beginning their long journey south. In addition, students joined the Symbolic Monarch Migration program, which partners student groups from Fields Pond with a school in Mexico. Our Homeschool Naturalists created life-size Monarch butterflies and a written note to be delivered as the migrant Monarchs arrived in Mexico late this fall. In the spring, as Monarchs return to Maine, students in Mexico will mail us their own artistic renderings of Monarchs and a response message to Fields Pond.
This fall also brought an opportunity to help build and pilot a new pollinator count in collaboration with UMaine Cooperative Extension. Students sharpened their observation skills, learned to classify native pollinators, and helped provide invaluable feedback for program development. From there, they got their hands dirty planting native plants and contributing directly to habitat restoration efforts around Fields Pond Audubon Center.
As the temperatures dipped, our curiosity turned to the question of what Maine wildlife does to prepare for winter. From exploring what a survival strategy is in our Animal Adaptations Olympics, to diving into some of the specific winter examples from migration to hibernation, our Homeschool Naturalists uncovered some incredible feats of resilience.
Now that winter has arrived at Fields Pond, our Homeschool Naturalists have already stepped out into the snow ready to learn. The first session of the season focused on animal tracking, giving students the chance to become nature detectives. By studying footprints, patterns, and signs left behind in the snow, they began to uncover the stories of who has been exploring Fields Pond alongside them. Tracks from deer, squirrels, and other winter residents sparked discussions about habitats, diets, and winter survival strategies—and set the tone for an exciting season ahead!
The best part of all this? There’s still time to be part of the adventure! The Homeschool Naturalist winter session runs through February 26, and new participants are always welcome! Programs run on Thursdays, from 10 am-12 pm, on December 18, January 8 & 22, February 5 & 26. Sign up online here or contact Fields Pond Audubon Center at 207.989.2591 to sign up and learn more. Bundle up, bring your curiosity, and come discover what magic a Maine winter has in store!
