Civic groups and school students frequently visit Dixon Ranches for field days to learn about sustainable land management, watershed health, wildlife, native plants, and other subjects. Educators and organizations are invited to contact President Robert Potts in west Texas or Education Program Coordinator Melissa Bookhout in north Texas to discuss opportunities for field experiences.
Here are highlights from just a few of the many field programs hosted on our lands:
Earth Day 2014 at the Josey Pavilion
Students from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Gainesville and the Era School in Era, Texas celebrated Earth Day at Leo Unit by learning about the soil, food web and recycling in the new Josey Pavilion.
Highland Soil & Water Conservation District Field Day
In April 2014, students from Marfa and Valentine school districts learned about plants, soil, and wildlife during a science program organized by the Highland Soil and Water Conservation District. More images are on the Marfa ISD blog. The photos below were provided by Janice Poenisch/Highland SWCD # 210.
Marfa ISD Nature Writers at Mimms Unit
Students from Marfa ISD’s eight-grade nature writing class, taught by Claire Campbell, had a workshop at Mimms Unit in October 2013. These images are from the Marfa Shorthorns Facebook page.
All Saints Episcopal School with Texas Wildlife Association at Rock Creek Ranch
In May 2013 middle-school students from All Saints Episcopal School attended a Texas Wildlife Association Learning Across New Dimensions in Science field program at Rock Creek Ranch, a General Land Office property formerly leased and managed by the Dixon Water Foundation.
Andrews ISD at Alamito Creek Preserve
In 2011, eighth graders from Andrews ISD in west Texas learned about water conservation and other topics during a field program at the Alamito Creek Preserve south of Marfa.