Big Creek, Mont., near the North Fork of the Flathead River is a unique area. It’s the only place in the lower 48 states where three predators — wolves, mountain lions and grizzly bears — live in the same area. And for two days, those predators were forced to live with another kind of wildlife: Flathead High School students. Students from Linda deKort’s advanced biology class stayed in Big Creek in April 21-22. deKort feels that the experience shed some light on an important subject, ecology. “The best part was the students were so receptive,” said deKort. “I think that they gained an appreciation of the difficulty of getting good data from the forest.” During the trip, a group of FHS students formed the Big Creek Players, which performed a skit during the field trip regarding forest management. The group was made up of seniors Cooper Hatton, Jason Johns, Betsy McAllister, Ryan Wardinsky, Kevin Murphy and juniors John Hanson and Gina Johnson. Each student participated in an activity where they represented a member of a community with specific interests in a local river. Each student wore sunglasses to be “blind.” “It was a dramatization about the blindness regarding the outdoors,” said senior Jason Johns. “If we all worked together, we wouldn’t be so blind.” The dramatization of the Big Creek Players was highlighted by Hatton’s depiction of a local farmer. “The skit gave me reason to believe in this world,” said Hatton. “I realized that some people are blind to the ways of Mother Nature as a whole.” Students also studied the results of logging on local forests. “The entire trip was to relay a general message of respect of the environment,” said senior Chad Deisenroth. “We looked at the natural resources we have and how we need to manage them.” A highlight of the trip, according to students, was a presentation by wildlife biologist Blair French during a nature hike, who according to senior Aaron Ober has a keen eye for nature. “Blair emphasized that everything was one circle,” said Ober. “As we walked, we were totally blind to the things that he could see.” According to students and deKort, one of the trip’s highlights was the apple pie made by senior Bryce Provo. Provo baked a pie for the trip, using what he called “Washington snow-kissed apples.” Although Provo’s pie was a high point, Provo for his part said he enjoyed French’s handiwork. “The best part was watching (French) pick up scat,” said Provo. “He really examined it closely.” The students had no problems with wild animals while in Big Creek, despite being in an area with mountain lions, grizzly bears and wolves. But senior Laura Paisley wasn’t disappointed by her experience with wild life. “We didn’t run into any wild animals,” said Paisley. “Fortunately, there was always Bryce.” deKort was very pleased by the student participation during the trip and hopes to take students to Big Creek again. “It was a great privilege to take those students,” said deKort. “I’d do it again in a minute. You can’t teach ecology sitting in a desk.” |
