Advice from Owlie – Garden in Every School® Program

Q: Dear Owlie,

A friend of mine told me about a water-wise garden their class recently applied for as part of the Garden in Every School® Program. I’d love to learn more about that program and see if it’s something my class can apply for too! Thanks Owlie!

Sincerely,

Garden Guru

A: Dear Garden Guru,

The Garden in Every School® Program is one of my favorite educational programs offered by my friends at the Inland Empire Utilities Agency. I’d be happy to give you some more information!

Since 2004, IEUA has reached over 19,000 students with its award-winning Garden in Every School® program. This program educates students about water-wise usage through a beautiful garden landscape filled with water-wise plants and efficient irrigation!

In order to apply, applicants must first participate in a mandatory introductory workshop. Then, selected applicants are awarded a grant for IEUA to assist in the installation of their water-wise garden! The garden is designed, created and installed through a series of hands-on work sessions with teachers, parents, students, and program staff.

In fact, my friends at St. Joseph School in Upland recently held their own garden dedication ceremony to celebrate the installation of their first water-wise garden! Check out photos of their garden below! It might even give you inspiration for a garden of your own! 😉

I highly encourage you to talk to your teacher about applying for this awesome program. Interested applicants can visit IEUA’s website for more information!

Talk to you all soo(HOO)n!

Owlie

Advice From Owlie - Cinnamon Teal

Q: Dear Owlie,

A couple months ago you taught us about one of your favorite animals at the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park – the American Coot! Can you please tell us about another animal we might expect to see at the park? I’m looking forward to visiting again soon! Thank you Owlie!

Sincerely,

Wetland Fanatic

A: Dear Wetland Fanatic,

I’d love to! This month let’s talk about a duck called the Cinnamon Teal!

Like Mallard ducks, male Cinnamon Teals look visibly different than female Cinnamon Teals. Males are a cinnamon color with red eyes and a black beak while females have brown colored feathers in order to camouflage with her surroundings- something that helps protect herself and her babies. In fact, females are so protective of their offspring that they may put on something called a “broken wing act” to distract prey from their young. While Cinnamon Teals do not migrate very far, they may migrate to new locations daily. However, they love being close to water so the Chino Creek Wetlands is the perfect spot for them!

See if you can spot a Cinnamon Teal on your next visit to the park and let me know what species you’d like me to talk about next!

Talk to you all soo(HOO)n!

Owlie

Advice from Owlie - Virtual Field Trips

Q: Dear Owlie,

Last school year, my class and I took a really fun field trip to the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park! Since we are currently doing virtual learning, is there a way for my class to take a virtual field trip instead? I would love to share this information with my teacher!

Sincerely,

                                                          Park Pro

A: Dear Park Pro,

I am so glad you asked! Yes, IEUA offers virtual field trips through Owlie’s Virtual Adventures!

Scheduling a virtual field trip is as easy as scheduling one of our in-person field trips (which are not currently offered). First, visit the Owlie’s Virtual Adventures webpage on IEUA’s website and scroll down until you see the option to book a virtual field trip. From there, you will be redirected to a survey where your teacher can choose the type of field trip (fully pre-recorded or a hybrid of pre-recordings with a live Q&A), the activities that best fit their curriculum and grade level as well as the date and time. Once they click submit, a member of our team will reach out to them with any materials or information they might need and then they’re good to go! How coo(HOO)l is that!

I hope to see you and your class in a virtual field trip soon and be sure to come back and let me know how it was afterwards!

Talk to you all soo(HOO)n!

Owlie

Advice From Owlie - How to Become a Water Scout

Hi everyone! This month’s post is an exciting one! For the past couple of months, my good friends at the Inland Empire Utilities Agency and I have been working together to offer a brand new badge program for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts called… the Water Scout Badge Program! Woo(HOO)!

The Water Scout Badge Program is a fun way to learn all about our water resources, water conservation methods, environmental stewardship, native plants, and even takes you on an exciting scavenger hunt through the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park. (My favorite part of the book!) Plus, once you’ve completed the workbook, you’ll receive your very own Water Scout badge and become a certified Water Scout!

To take advantage of this new program and earn your Water Scout badge, download the Water Scout Workbook from IEUA’s website. Be sure to check out the other programs offered through Owlie’s Virtual Adventures, too!  

I can’t wait to see all of your smiling faces at the park! While you’re there,
please be sure to stay safe by adhering to local safety guidelines.

Have fun on your journey to become a Water Scout and I’ll talk to you soo(HOO)n!

Owlie

 

Advice From Owlie - Sage

Q: Dear Owlie,

What is your favorite plant at the Chino Creek Wetlands? Mine is the sage because of its refreshing scent! Do you have any of those at the park?

Sincerely,

Petal to the Metal

A: Dear Petal to the Metal,

That’s a great question! It’s hard to pick a favorite plant, but I’d have to agree that sage is one of my favorites! In fact, the park is home to both white sage and purple sage, so you’ll surely see sage upon your next visit!

Sage is actually quite interesting. Did you know white sage is part of the “mint” family? Many Native American tribes in the region considered it to be a sacred plant that cleanses, purifies and provides protection. The leaves of the plant are whitish-green and when you rub them between your thumb and forefinger, a refreshing, cleansing scent is released, which is the same scent you mentioned! Native Americans used this to make medicines for many illnesses and to ward off negative energy.

Who knew one plant could have so much history? Thank you for the great question!

Talk to you all soo(HOO)n!

Owlie

Advice From Owlie - American Coot

 Q: Dear Owlie,

Do you have any fun facts to share about the animals I might see at the park? I’m planning to visit with my family soon and want to be able to share some of this information with them!

Sincerely,

Animal Lover

A: Dear Animal Lover,

I can’t wait to see you and your family at the park! The Chino Creek Wetlands is home to a wide variety of animal species, but one of my favorites is definitely the American Coot.

The American Coot is easily distinguished from other ducks and birds due to its dark black feathers and white beak. While you’ll likely spot the American Coot swimming in one of our ponds, the American Coot is not a duck, it is actually a bird! We know this because unlike ducks, the American Coot does not have webbed feet. Instead, they have long toes which help them effortlessly paddle through the water.

During the warmer months, you can find the American Coot snacking on the duckweed floating on top of the ponds, but in the colder months when the duckweed tends to sink to the bottom, American Coots may be seen feasting on other plants or insects.

Let me know if you or your family happen to spot an American Coot on your visit to the park and be sure to follow safety guidelines while you’re there!

Talk to you all soo(HOO)n!

Owlie

Advice From Owlie - Bird Bingo At-Home Activity

Hello everyone! I am very excited to announce that my friends at the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park have posted yet another at-home activity video on IEUA’s YouTube channel. And I must say, it’s one of my favorites!

This new video is the perfect tool to guide you through the Bird Bingo at-home activity that you can find on IEUA’s website. It’s a great way to learn about the different types of birds you would encounter at the wetlands and the different traits and distinguishing characteristics of each bird. Plus, you might even see a special guest appearance from yours truly!

If you haven’t had the chance to check out our Plant Factory at-home activity video, make sure to do so while you’re there and leave a comment letting IEUA know that I sent you. Keep an eye out for more at-home activity videos coming very soon!

Happy gaming to all! I’ll talk to you soo(HOO)n!

Owlie