Wings Over the Woods and Wetlands is a two and one-half hour program. "Wings" allows students to gain hands-on experience exploring a variety of topics pertaining to the lives of birds and their use of Theodore Roosevelt Island. The island provides an ideal setting for examining such concepts as migration, adaptations and habitat. Over the course of a year, it is frequented by nearly 200 bird species. This program also familiarizes students with Theodore Roosevelt, 26th U.S. president and an avid birdwatcher.

The student's experience begins at the heart of the island. There, a 17-foot bronze statue of Roosevelt greets them in a memorial that, like the island, is surrounded by water. Following a brief discussion about the National Park Service and Roosevelt as a young naturalist, students will be introduced to the concept of habitat and discuss the adaptations or tools people use to survive in their habitat.

The second component of the program involves examining the adaptations birds use to survive in their habitats. Through a series of participatory activities, students will discover what makes a bird unique, from feathers and wings to hollow bones. Other activities will allow students to consider differences among beaks and feet and discover how they can "talk" to the birds.

A journey to the tidal marsh on the island's south end will give students the opportunity to use a spotting scope to look for birds in a wonderful wetland setting. They also will have a chance to discover differences in habitat. This observation period is followed by a quiet time for students to draw a picture or write a poem based on the experience they have had or the birds they have seen.

The island visit ends back at the memorial, where a brave student volunteer will actually become a bird -- a fun and entertaining way to review what was learned during the day's adventure.

Logistics

National Park Service Rangers will greet your group in the Theodore Roosevelt Island parking lot. Your group will then be escorted to the island where the program will begin.
Group size is limited to 30 students. Prior to arriving at the island divide your class into two equal groups.
The memorial area of the island provides a fine setting for lunch or a snack following the program.
While restroom facilities are available on the island, the location is not convenient to the main activity area. Encourage students to use the restrooms prior to coming to the island.