In the bright, clear skies of the Wasatch Mountains, the Department of Plant and Wildlife Sciences (PWS) hosted its first Range and Wildlife Camp, providing participants with an exciting, hands-on summer adventure. Teenagers from across the nation explored the natural world with PWS faculty and graduate students to experience ecological science in a way that brought the classroom to life.
Campers observed the region’s diverse life, from birds of prey and moose to conifers and summer wildflowers. Attendees were separated into smaller groups and toured the region with PWS graduate students, where they used their cell phones and the Seek app to identify the many species they encountered. “We hiked Stewart Falls, and we handed out botany bingo cards,” said April Hulet, BYU professor and camp co-director. “They were hiking, but they were also trying to identify the trees, shrubs, and flowers.”
At the lodge itself, camp co-director Matt Madsen put together interactive activities with PWS faculty member Dr. Neil Hansen, creating a soil station and a watershed exercise. Campers experimented with different acids and bases on soil they collected themselves, as well as built their own watershed to learn about soil erosion and water runoff. PWS graduate students like Melissa Burrell supported the lessons throughout the activities, teaching campers about environment health and freshwater insects. “They learned about the importance of macroinvertebrates,” Hulet said. “And then it was like, go catch them!” All the activities helped the campers experience first-hand what it’s like to conduct research in a complex ecosystem.
After two days of experiential learning, the camp concluded with a visit to BYU’s Life Sciences Building. Campers saw how data taken from the field is analyzed in the lab. PWS professors shared their research projects and showcased the modern tools they use to conduct experiments. From start to finish, the goal of the camp was to build excitement for nature, expose teens to opportunities for study and research at BYU, and inspire curiosity in the next generation of land managers and scientists.
“[We] introduced the idea of being a good steward on the first night,” Hulet said. “We had journal pages in our books, and we encouraged campers to think about the Creation.” They emphasized how our planet and all living things are connected, and ultimately those connections lead back to Christ. By encouraging campers to be good stewards over God’s creations, the camp directors hope those attending learned to value nature and scientific inquiry.
With a focus on applied learning and hands-on fun, the Range and Wildlife Camp proved to be a powerful way to introduce teens to today’s natural resource topics, including soils, wildlife, and watersheds, while building their appreciation for the complex systems that sustain life. The camp directors plan to return to the lodge next year to inspire greater love of the outdoors and create more understanding for environmental stewardship.
To learn more about the Range and Wildlife Camp and see their plans for future summers, check their website here.
