Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation – Kids Educational Activity

The Logan Ranger District and Stokes Nature Center recently hosted a collaborative education effort for tribal youth between the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation (NWBSN) and the Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU). This activity, held on the ancestral lands of the NWBSN, engaged children in learning about the natural environment. Ten children, between 6- 15 years old participated, and experienced hiking, exploring, and learning how to use the iNaturalist application along the Logan River Trail. The application is a joint initiative of the California Academy of Sciences and the National Geographic Society. It works by identifying a plant or animal using a photo that the user takes. Patty Timbimboo-Madsen, with the NWBSN, explained traditional uses of plants identified along the trail. Paul Whisman, with NHMU, discussed ways to identify tree species based off simple observation of the trees needles and cones. At the Stokes Nature Center, the kids had fun playing in the Logan River while catching water insect with nets for identification.

Rachelle Handley - Archaeologist, organized this effort and it was facilitated by Patty Timbimboo-Madsen - NWBSN Cultural/Natural Resource Manager, Paul Whisman - NHMU Education Program Specialist, and Patrick Kelly - Director of Education Stokes Nature Center. Special thanks to those who helped including Loyal Clark - Tribal Liaison, Lisa Thompson - Volunteer and Partnership Coordinator, Jennefer Parker - Logan District Ranger, Logan Ranger District personnel, and staff of the Stokes Nature Center. This collaborative effort to get kids in the woods and connected to nature was a fantastic success and the NWBSN is looking forward to similar educational activities in the future!