urrbrae wetlands excursion

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Earth Systems Excursion to Urrbrae Wetlands

Stage 2 Earth Systems students recently took a field trip to the Urrbrae Wetlands where they witnessed the natural filtration systems in action and conducted water testing to determine the quality of water leaving the wetland.

It was a beautiful sunny day, and the students even had the opportunity to collect samples from the centre of the wetlands by boat.

This valuable experience allowed the students to learn more about the importance of wetlands in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

Urrbrae Secondary School Excursion

Today the Year 1/2 and Year 2 classes visited Urrbrae Secondary School and the Nature Education Centre as a part of our current Inquiry unit about Ecosystems and the human impact upon ecosystems.

WOW!!! We had a fantastic day and learnt so much new information from the experts there.

We didn’t know a lot about freshwater ecosystems – now we do.

We started our day at the Nature Education Centre, where Sally introduced us to a ring tailed possum, a bearded dragon lizard, a sleepy lizard, a carpet python and an owl.

Next, we walked over to the wetlands area and walked on a special trail to explore the plants and larger animals that live in this habitat. Each team had a recorder with a checklist, one person with a microscopic view finder, one person with the charts to help identify creatures that we saw and everyone had binoculars for a closer view. We used tallies to count some of the animals – especially the rainbow lorikeets. A part of our tour was to look at the drains that feed the fresh water into the wetland areas and the nets that catch all of the rubbish, leaf litter and many other items that come into the wetlands when it rains. This showed us the impact of humans on ecosystems and gave us some new ideas for how we need to continue to care for our environments.

After lunch, we explored the waters of the wetlands. Each team used nets, water trays and ice cube trays to collect water, mud, plant bits and any tiny creatures that live in the water. Then we used spoons and pipettes to scoop water into the ice cube trays and carried these inside to the digital microscopes. Using these digital microscopes we could see all of the  aquatic macro invertebrates.   We used more charts to find out which types of   aquatic macro invertebrates  lived in these waters. We found lots of red worms, water slugs and water boatman.

We can’t wait to get back to school and use our new information to help our inquiry investigations.

Our final activity was a bit of a surprise – we went up into a grassland area and build some stick cubby houses or structures. It was a great fun way to finish the day.

We’d like to say a huge thank you to Sally from the Nature Ed Centre , Ann Louise from Urrbrae SS Wetlands classroom and John, Stacey and Alice –  the Craigburn Primary parent helpers. Our helpers made sure our day was a great success.

Some more photos of our excursion – thanks Alice for the extras!

What was your favourite part of the day?

10 thoughts on “ Urrbrae Secondary School Excursion ”

I think that Urrbrae high school is so cool.

I agree Jessica – I think Urrbrae is a great school. They have so many different ways for students to learn. It’s great to see you on the blog – great job! From Miss Sporn

My favorite part of the day was…ALL of it.

Jaime, I LOVE this comment! It was a fantastic day wasn’t it? I really enjoyed the whole day too. have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see you on Monday. From Miss Sporn

I love Urrbrae wetland! It was so much fun. My favourite part was fishing for red worms and all the animals.

I agree Jett – Urrbrae would be a great school to go to! Thanks for commenting on the blog.

It was a AMAZING time there the bit i liked was ….. ALL OF IT

Hi Emily, Thanks for commenting on our class blog – I’m glad you had a great day at Urrbrae too. It was a great day wasn’t it? From Miss Sporn

It was a AMAZING time at URRBAE the bit i liked was ….. ALL OF IT and the wetlands

Hi Grace (not Emily!!!), It’s great to see you on the blog and posting a comment – hooray!! I saw you having lots of fun at Urrbrae – I’m so glad you enjoyed it. See you in the morning for our last day of Term 2! From Miss Sporn

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FPS Newsletter

2023 term 3 issue #8, from the principal.

Dear families & friends, 

We are well into Term 3 now with lots of things happening around the school as always!

We have already enjoyed our fabulous book week celebrations . It was lovely to see so many families joining us on the day with students and staff dressed up in all sorts of creative costumes for our parade! We also went on our whole school excursion to the Urrbrae Wetlands, which was a great day and has supported our Inquiry learning this term about habitats.

This Friday we are looking forward to our ‘Springfest pancake day’, organised by our environment club with the support of Steve and Camille. We have Sports Day along with our Colour Fun Run coming up next week. A big thank you to everyone who is out there fundraising for the school. We are hoping to raise enough to finally have our filtered drink station installed at school with cold water access for students.

Following Sports Day we have our Closure Day for the Show. If you get a chance to get to the Royal Adelaide Show make sure you check out our entries from our Kitchen Garden group including our wonderful Scarecrow Witch ! Good luck for our entries!

Later in the term we have our annual year 2/3 ‘ Big Night In’ . This has become a tradition in our school as a first taste of being a primary student for our Year 2’s. Year 2 and 3 students come to school in the evening and enjoy some team building games, shared dinner and toasted marshmallows at our firepit together. It is always a fabulous night and a great start to the transition to Primary.

We will of course be ending our term with our last Learning Expo for the year in Week 10 on Tuesday 26th September.

Staffing changes

Recently we have made some changes to our J1 class as Corrina was unable to continue the contract to the end of the term. We thank Corrina for her time with us and wish her the best for her future. We decided, for continuity, to have Emma and Camille, our PE and Art teachers, step into this class to the end of the term. Camille will also continue to teach our Art program, while Emma will step back from PE and we will have Leigh (a regular reliever of ours) in the PE program to the end of the term. We look forward to welcoming back Lauren Ising next term after taking some maternity leave. She will work with Emma teaching the J1 group to the end of the year.

Festival of Music – Auslan Choir

We are excited to have a small group of students who have been working hard on learning the Australian National Anthem in Auslan and will be performing on Tuesday 19th September at the Festival of Music. We can’t wait to see students performing on the big stage at the Festival Theatre! Thank you to Nicole who has been supporting practice during lunchtimes in preparing our students.

Pre-service teachers

We have had a fourth year pre-service teacher, Emma, doing a wonderful job working in P2 with Laura this term and we are looking forward to having another pre-service teacher join us later this term in P2 again. Students are enjoying their time with Emma and we always enjoy having extra hands to help. It is wonderful to be able to support the next generation of teachers coming through.

S.S.O. Week

Last week we celebrated our wonderful SSO team at Felixstow. We are very fortunate to have a team who are dedicated and skilled in almost anything that needs to be done to make sure the school is running well! We would not be able to function without them. We thank them for everything they do to support students and teachers everyday!

Observations in classes

I am very fortunate as a Principal to be closely connected to classes every day. One of the things that we do as teachers is also have more ‘formal’ observations of practice and feedback to teachers to support them to develop their current practice and work together on next steps in learning and teaching for them. I really enjoy these opportunities and appreciate having a team of teachers who are always willing to open their doors and their minds to questioning and challenging themselves to be the best teacher they can be as individuals and as a team. As always, I have been so impressed in these visits to see the depth of knowledge, understanding and ability to articulate this learning that students are developing through the learning that teachers are designing for classes. 

Cheers Skye :) 

Felixstow Notices

2024 camp (years 3-6).

We have been able to confirm that the camp next year will go ahead as we have the numbers to make it happen.  The camp will be very early on in the school year, Week 2, Wednesday the 7th February to the 9th February.  To make this is as easy as possible for families I will be processing the invoices shortly so that part payments can have it paid off before the end of year.  The total is $300 so you can make part payments of $20 a week for the 15 weeks before the end of the school year.   I will need to close my books at the end of term as a schools financial year is January to December.

The invoice will be in an envelope with  more information about the camp for you to look at.

 If you have any questions regarding this please feel free to speak to myself or Skye.

Thanks so much

School Colour Fun Run

Volunteering at Our School

We will be having volunteer coffee mornings again this term on Friday 1st and Friday 22nd September.  We look forward to having you join us at 9am in the OSHC kitchen.

A reminder to those who have completed all their paper work that our morning reading groups will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 8.30 am - 9 am.  

If you think you might be interested in volunteering with us, there are forms available at the front desk, alternatively you can talk to Di or Gillian 😊 

Urrbrae Wetland Excursion

The whole school had a fun and informative day at the Urrbrae Wetlands on Friday 18th August. Students walked around the wetland observing flora and fauna found in this type of habitat, participated in pond dipping and observing freshwater invertebrates  under a microscope, as well as attended a session where they were shown native fauna up close. 

Breaktime Clubs

Coding club.

Coding Club students are currently making a Scratch project called Flappy Parrot. It is really interesting because you can make all sorts of websites and games. Oliver (P1)

Coding Club meets every Monday at first break .

Environment Club

Our environmental members have been preparing for their Springfest Pancake fundraiser event which is taking place this Friday 1st September. All the money raised will go to the Environment Club to purchase new native plants for the indigenous garden. 

Environment Club takes place on Thursdays at second break . 

Felixstow Highlights

Hi from primary 1.

In P1 we have started working on our inquiry “Big Questions” based around the inquiry topic, that the diversity of Australian habitats are unique. All upper primary students have selected questions they would like to research further, following our look at various habitats found within Australia. At the conclusion of this inquiry task, we will have researched a number of lines of inquiry with respect to Australian habitats, and will present our finding electronically at this term’s learning Expo. Last week we went to the Urrbrae Wetlands, where we had a great day looking at a water habitat including looking at various macro-invertebrates under a microscope.  

In maths we are continuing to discover innovative ways to learn about measurement and capacity, firstly by counting how long the oval was in Oliver’s, then by trying to figure out how many Stella’s flow down the creek/drain at the bottom of the oval in any given day. The concept has been a challenge for us all, and the learning has been rich and rewarding.

In literacy we are continuing to work on our autobiographies, with the focus currently on hooking a reader in with a great opening paragraph, and wrapping up the writing with a solid conclusion.

Hello from P2!

This week we celebrated our fantastic (SSO) Student Support Officers who work closely with students and teachers. At Felixstow we are grateful for their continued support for all students in every class. We are lucky enough to have very talented SSOs who willingly share their talent, skills and experience. Here is what the primary students had to say about our amazing support staff.

  Gillian  - Your smiling face is welcoming for our families. You always help students when they are hurt and make toast for those who are late. Thank you.

 Jenny  - You are a fabulous gardener and chef. Thank you for helping us cook.

 Kelly  - You are helpful in the library, you help us with our work and you are very kind.

  Di – Thank you for being an amazing SSO. You help us achieve things in maths and you are very good at it because you work at bank.

Yimin - You are very helpful and kind.

 Lei - Thank you for helping us learn

 Linh - You are happy and like helping people.

Hello from Emma and Camille's Juniors

In Maths, we have been learning to use doubles and near doubles in a variety of situations, including number games and addition. We have also been enjoying investigation, using our imagination and creativity in group situations to explore the resources provided.

Nicole's 2s

For Inquiry we have been learning about Australia’s different unique habitats. In class we have been working collaboratively in our table groups to record our first and second thinkings. Last week we went on our excursion to Urrbare and here are some comments about our favourite parts.

Nicolas ’ favourite part of the wetland excursion was netting because he got to see new creatures.

Maggie  also liked the netting the most because it was fun and she got to see all the cute little creatures under the microscope.

Hugo  liked going into the high bird hide the most because he could see lots of birds and it was nice and cosy.

Annie  liked looking at all the animals, patting them and learning about them. Her favourite animal was the kangaroo rat because it was so cute and fluffy.

Charlotte  liked netting in groups and seeing all different creatures because she got to see creatures she hadn’t seen before.

Art and HPE

Art: visual arts.

Junior students are creating a class collage inspired by the shapes and colours found in the school's habitat.

Primary  students are developing ideas and preparing an image to turn into a lino print. They're exploring shape and line patterns present in the school's habitat.

Health and Physical Education

Over the last 2 weeks, students have been learning about the fundamentals of playing tennis. They have been working with a tennis coach to develop the skills of forehand return, backhand return and serve.

Resource Hub

Being a Resource Hub Student Monitor 

Our student monitors play an important role in the functioning of the Resource Hub. Once a week during break times, they work together in pairs to  assist with tasks, such as scanning books for borrowing and returning, sorting and shelving books, tidying the shelves and other tasks as requested. We would like to thank them for their service and by focusing on a student monitor each newsletter. This issue it is  Eva (P2).

Eva "I like scanning books and when I see books laying on the floor I immediately pick them up. I also like borrowing books and returning them."

Premiers Reading Challenge

The Premiers Reading Challenge student record forms are due in by  Wednesday 6th September . Please ensure your child has returned their form to their teacher or front office by this date. Students will receive their awards in term 4.

Scholastic Book Club

Students will have received the latest Scholastic Book Club Issue and orders can be made on the Scholastic website   (https://www.scholastic.com.au/LOOP) or by downloading the LOOP app.

Orders must be placed by  Friday 15th September .

All orders earn our school rewards which are then used to purchase more books for the Resource Hub which are much appreciated by our students. 

Below is a link to Scholastic's Parent Guide to Book Club which you may find useful.

https://www.scholastic.com.au/book-club/book-club-home/

Student Borrowing

Students may borrow books for up to 2 weeks. Please return books by the due dates which can be found in the back of picture books and some other books or on a return slip given to the student when borrowing a book(s).

CBCA Book Week

Each year since 1945 the CBCA has brought children and books together across Australia through Children's Book Week®. During this time schools celebrate books and Australian children's authors and illustrators. 

At Felixstow Primary School we celebrated the occasion with a Book Week costume parade and activities on Friday 25th August . Our students and their families excelled themselves with a wonderful display of costumes and makeup that really brought a variety of much loved book characters to life! 

After School Sport

The basketball team have started off the term strong with their first win against St Joseph’s Hectorville Wildcats 17-4. Well done to all!

We have now come to the end of the soccer season. We would like to congratulate all of the students involved and thank parents for your support during the season. Here are some comments from Archie and Ethan.

“Charlotte brought it down and then I scored a goal. I was happy because it was the first game.” Archie

“I enjoyed playing and tackling the ball. It makes me feel happy because I play with my friends and we can always be each other’s help”. Ethan

Important Dates

Updated: august 2023.

Community Notices

Contact Information

Out of School Hours Care (OSHC)

A reminder that OSHC is available for families for after school care (ASC).

ASC is open 3:10-6:00pm

Bookings are essential.

Hannah Gustard is our OSHC director and can be contacted on

• 0456 471 388
• [email protected]

Felixstow Primary School is truly an extraordinary place of learning. Our talented and dedicated staff provides each student with rigorous care, challenge and support academically, socially and emotionally.

Respect | Responsibility | Compassion 

• 5-11 Briar Road, Felixstow SA, Australia
• (08) 8365 7183
• [email protected]
• https://www.facebook.com/FelixstowPS/

Crafers Primary School

Newsletter 4 june 2021, from the principal.

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Our newsletter this week celebrates the plethora of events in which our students have taken part over recent weeks with some more to come next week. I often reflect on school ‘back in the day’ and how it has changed and, I’m pleased to say, improved! Something that strikes me as I do this and talk with people when on tours, is the courage and enthusiasm of our students. I feel like I am always saying, ‘whatever we offer our students they grab with both hands … and a smile’, and indeed they do!

Recently we had two students , Angus Veale and Lillian Sharpe attend auditions for solo vocals in the Festival of Music. Prior to that a number of Band members auditioned to be assisting artists (instrumental) also for the Festival of Music. We are anxious to hear the results, although I’m told I may need to wait until the end of the term! Students participating in these auditions included:

Conner Kent    Avah Bowen    Josie Adam       Decklan Abbott    Claire Macmillan    Jack Morrow    Joshua Skinner    Sarah Skinner    Charlotte Tibbott    Indiah Staniford    Sophie Ness    Jay Naglis    Fabian Schmidt    Lillian Sharpe    Angus Veale    Stephen Wang    Harper Bryson    Isabel Smart    Audrey Coligan    Annabel Whyte    Daisy Beeson    Nina McGregor    Adanna John and Lily Freak

As we await results I want to share my admiration not only of the skills these students possess but the courage and commitment they have demonstrated. I speak for all of us when I say we feel very proud to have so many students stepping up to the challenge!

In a completely different sphere we have 9 students who have nominated for the Oliphant Science Awards. Nominations span a range of categories but all will be engaging skills in creativity, attention to detail, scientific inquiry and risk assessments – this could be very handy in years to come! The students undertaking this challenge include:

Isabella Adams    Milla Evans    Adanna John    Alathea Baker    Zachary Summerton    Calvin Canala    Eloise Canala    Imogen Bryne     Chloe Lefmann and Erica Pearce

In the physical domain our Pedal Prix team has been out and pedalling quite successfully indeed. Some more detailed information and photos can be found a little further on the newsletter.

Lastly, despite the weather and the setbacks we had a number of students compete in the Cross Country Run. This was eventually held after school so I can’t put a whole list of participant name within, nonetheless I can commend our competitors for their endurance and persistence and will be sure to publish results when they come through to us!

Next week we have a number of senior students participating in SAPSASA Soccer and Netball. Fingers crossed the weather is good to them!

Kind regards

Governing Council Profile: Tara Graham-Cochrane

7 June District Soccer

8 June District Netball

14 June Queens Birthday Public Holiday

16 June Governing Council  Meeting

20 June Pedal Prix Race 2

Pre-service Teachers Flinders University

Over the last 7 weeks we have had the pleasure of hosting pre-service teachers from Flinders University.  Their time in the school has supported student learning through small group work, whole class teaching and involvement in extracurricular activities.  The input from the pre-service teachers has been much appreciated, they ventured on a steep learning curve and have made huge gains in their own learning.  We wish the pre-service teachers all the best in the future and once again to: Jake Heading, Matthew Simmons, Natasha Bouzalas, Oscar Leonard, Sanjana Prakash Babu, Shenae Hosking, Tiarna Pattinson, Joshua Stoyel and Tom Satchell thank you for being a contributing part of our school over the last 7 weeks and for visiting days last term.

Pedal Prix News

We are delighted to say that the first Pedal Prix race of the season for Crafers Primary School was a resounding success. We had 20 year 6 and 7 students represent the school to the highest standard both on and off the track. We entered 2 cars, the Comet and the Snappin Pappin , in the race with 10 riders in each car. Each rider rode their heart out for 30 minutes and cheered and supported the team for the rest of the day. We had a few thrills and spills on the track with both cars jostled by the race leaders. 

 The Comet led from the start with our grid starter, Charlotte Tibbot, putting us in first place after her ride. The Comet vied for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place all day but by the end of the 6 hour race the other schools just couldn't keep up and the Comet raced across the finish line in 1st. The Pappin was no slouch either, after another great grid start from Toby Basford, the Pappin held its own to reach as high as 4th place by the halfway mark. Unfortunately a crash in the 4th hour set us back to 12th, but the team rallied and brought the Pappin back to 9th overall by the end of the race. What a fantastic result of 1st place for the Comet and a "We Race as One" team average of 5th place.   

Kind regards,

CPS Pedal Prix Committee (2021) 

Umbrellas Still Available!

OSHC Update

We have had three tree surround benches installed outside of OSHC. The old benches have been removed. These benches will be great for the children to use at recess and lunchtime and the children to use while attending OSHC. The benches look fantastic!

Middle Primary Report

Urrbrae wetlands: excursion report.

On Monday 31st of May, the Year 6/7s in Rooms 1, 2 and 3 visited the Urrbrae Wetlands. This visit included watching macroinvertebrates under microscopes, as well as testing the temperature of different wastewater ponds. We also saw some native animals that were brought to Urrbrae Wetlands just to show the students. We saw some snakes, lizards, turtles and a ring-tailed possum. We learnt about their natural habitats and how they live in the wild.

The first activity our class took part in was creature fishing. We used a net to fish out the creatures to then put them in a small bucket. It was very interesting to see there were so many bugs living in the pond. It was also interesting learning how to use the microscopes to look at the creatures we caught in the river, including some creatures called the water boatman, mosquito lava, wriggler lava and a mosquito pupa (and many more!).

After the first activity, we had recess. When we finished our quick snack we were optimistic and ready for the next activity.

The second activity we did was looking at some native animals. We saw a cockroach called Carl, a frog called Fred, a turtle called Sheldon, a shingle back lizard called Bob, a bearded dragon called Peter, snakes (nameless) and a brush tail possum called Millie.

Now it was lunch and after we headed down to the water to learn about sediments, methane and 02 levels in the water. We took the water back from the lakes to test.

We used test tubes with images at the bottom to see how murky the water is (turbidity), then we tested the salinity and pH levels of the water.

After a brilliant day, we all headed back to the bus to go back to Crafers Primary School.

Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter.

Written by: Ginger, Daisy, Audrey and Kate (Room 2)

Urrbrae Wetlands: Field Report

On 31st of May rooms 1, 2 and 3 went on an excursion to the Urrbrae Wetlands. Room 3’s second activity involved them having to check the oxygen levels of the water. We were taught that the invertebrates and vertebrates could only survive in healthy conditions which require the oxygen levels to be above 4. We had to place a special tool into the water that measured the oxygen levels and the current water temperature at the different sites around the wetlands. We also collected a sample of water from each site to conduct further testing to determine how clean to water was. We measured the PH levels, turbidity and salinity levels using a variety of methods. We saw that the clean water had a higher PH level than the dirty water we worked this out by using several different methods e.g. using a Ph checker an a pvc pipe.

Saskia Blom, Ethan Ford, Ella Grandison (Room 3)

CPS goes to Urrbrae Wetlands

On the 31st of May Rooms 1, 2 and 3 went to Urrbrae Wetlands for an educational excursion. We did multiple activities including taking water samples, explore life in water, an information tour and learning about native animals. Today we will be talking about the native animals from the Nature Education Centre.

We learnt about so many native animals from reptiles to mammals to even marsupials! The first animal we looked at was the Giant Burrowing Cockroach, called Carl. Some facts we found out were cockroaches have a hard shell to protect them from predators and to camouflage. They also have six spiky legs to help them burrow and dig easily. Unlike most animals, these insects don’t have eyes. Instead they have two long antennas on top of their head to feel around under the ground.

Next we learnt about the Australian Green Tree Frog, his name was Fred. We learnt some interesting facts about Green Tree Frogs including they are amphibians, meaning they can breathe in and out of the water. You may have noticed that Green Tree Frogs have a wet and slimy texture on their back to help them breathe out of the water because in actual fact frogs breathe through their skin. Although, they can still breathe out of their mouth and nose if their skin is dry.

The next animal we learnt about was the Shingleback Lizard, named Bob. We learnt that they are known by multiple names including, Sleepy Lizard, Bobtail Lizard, Stumpy Lizard and Pinecone Lizard. Shingleback lizards are closely related to blue tongue lizards and even have a blue tongue themselves. The next fact is that their head and backside almost look identical. This is an adaptation they have to ensure when a predator like an eagle is hunting for food, they will see the tail and aim for it not knowing it’s not the head. Then once it grabs the lizard, it will swing its head around and bite the eagle or the animal that’s harming it.

Next we learnt about another lizard and that spectacular lizard was a bearded dragon named Peter. Some facts about Peter are that when he is threatened he will puff up his beard to make him look bigger and then raise his chin and open mouth, instead of ears they have two holes on the side of their head, they have a long tail to keep them balanced the long tale is very helpful while running. Bearded Dragons are very common household pets because they are not too aggressive and won't bite or harm you.

Next, we looked at a Long-Necked Turtle called Shelden. Shelden was very funny when trying to escape the hand of the animal keeper and was keen to explore. Some fascinating facts about Shelden were his shell is rock hard to protect him from predators such as birds. Unlike most common sea turtles, Shelden has a very long neck so he can hide it instead of retracting his head back. Although Shelden has a hard shell now but when he was a baby his shell was very soft a rubbery, that made it easy for animals to attack him. Right now, Shelden is 12 years old and the size of a side plate but he still has another 30 or so years to grow until he reaches the size of a dinner plate.

Next, we have the Children’s Python, named George. Some interesting facts about this type of python is he is not venomous. Instead he suffocates his prey to kill them and since he is very flexible, he doesn’t need to chew his food. He can just swallow them whole. Another fact about George is that he can reach up to 1 metre long and he could survive without food for up to 6 months! George is a very good hunter, he hunts for small birds and rodents. He is a carnivore.

Next, we saw a Black Headed Python. Since the python was very new, the animal keeper had not named her yet. Some facts about this python were, like the Children’s Python, she is not venomous and has to suffocate her prey to kill them. Like most snakes she is also a carnivore and can survive 6 months without food just like George. She can live up to 20 to 30 years old. She can reach up to 1.5-2 metres in length but in some cases even 3.5 metres! As you can see in the photo she is shedding right now, most visibly on her neck and on near her tail. She can weigh up to 16kg. You would find her around the forests or savanna areas.

Next, we met the ring-tailed possum named Lucy. Lucy can live up to 6 years in the wild but usually only live up to 3 years because of people cutting down their home in the tree tops and getting hit by vehicles. Ring-tailed possums get their name by their curly tail that they use to hang from trees and grab items such as plants and fruits to maintain their diet. Lucy has quite big eyes to see in the dark because she is nocturnal like the rest of her species. Lucy is about the size of a small cat. Ring-tailed possums are gray with white patches behind their eyes, on their belly and at the tip of their tail.

In conclusion the excursion was very fun and educational. We learnt all about new and interesting animals including the Giant Burrowing Cockroach, the Green Tree Frog, the Shingleback Lizard, the Bearded Dragon, the Long-Necked Turtle, the Children’s Python, the Black Headed Python and the Ring-Tailed Possum. We learnt a lot about how to act around them and not to attempt to touch them in the wild because they will not be as friendly in the wild as they are there.

Written by Abbie Steen and Grace Humby

Community Notices

• 55 Piccadilly Road, Crafers SA, Australia
• 08 8339 1073
• [email protected]
• www.crafersps.sa.edu.au/

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Canaan valley wetlands.

The Canaan Valley wetlands is one of the largest wetlands in Appalachia. (Photo courtesy Thomas Minney / The Nature Conservancy)

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Explore the Last Frontier's Waters

Best kayaking tours in alaska.

• Kayaking Tours in Alaska

Here are some of the best kayaking tours in Alaska, perfect for paddlers looking to immerse themselves in the rugged beauty of the Last Frontier.

1. Paddle with Whales Alaska Kayaking Tour

Experience the grandeur of the Juneau Channel Islands State Marine Park by kayak. Start with a boat ride to the feeding grounds of humpback whales and other marine life, then kayak around unspoiled islands and diverse ecosystems. After paddling, enjoy hearty Alaskan snacks on a remote island and keep an eye out for marine life and eagles overhead. This is one of the best kayaking tours in Alaska for marine wildlife enthusiasts.

2. Wilderness Sea Alaska Kayaking Adventure

Embark on a thrilling sea kayaking journey through Camp Coogan Bay after a high-speed RIB boat ride. Paddle through calm, protected waters, surrounded by Alaska’s stunning natural scenery. Spot wildlife like bald eagles and sea otters, with expert guides enhancing the experience with insights into the local ecosystem.

3. Wilderness Kayaking Tour at Chilkoot Lake

Take a high-speed catamaran to Haines and paddle the serene waters of Chilkoot Lake. This guided tour offers opportunities to see diverse wildlife such as eagles, bears and whales. Enjoy a peaceful day on the water, complete with all necessary kayaking gear and a picnic lunch catering to various dietary needs.

4. Glacier View Sea Kayaking Tour

Kayak near the majestic Mendenhall Glacier, exploring the rich ecosystems of Fritz Cove and the Mendenhall Wetlands. This adventure offers close encounters with local wildlife and stunning views of glaciers and forested slopes. Learn kayaking techniques from experts and enjoy a unique perspective of Alaska’s natural beauty.

5. Mendenhall Lake Kayak Tour

Paddle across Mendenhall Lake with views of icebergs and towering cliffs. After kayaking near the glacier, indulge in a traditional Alaskan salmon bake in the rainforest. Enjoy freshly grilled salmon and a festive atmosphere before exploring local historical sites and returning at your leisure.

6. Tatoosh Islands Wilderness Kayak Adventure

Journey to the Tatoosh Islands for a serene kayak experience along the Tongass National Forest shoreline. Start with a motorized boat ride to the kayaking site, then paddle in the tranquil waters, watching for wildlife such as eagles, seals and otters. Experience the quiet beauty of Alaska’s coastal regions up close.

7. Sitka Sound Kayaking Tour

Kayak through the picturesque Sitka Sound, paddling among rugged coastlines and small islands. This tour offers a peaceful exploration of estuaries and panoramic views, accompanied by the soothing sounds of wildlife and water.

8. Icy Strait Point Kayaking Tour

Paddle the serene waters of Port Frederick starting from Icy Strait Point. This guided kayak tour takes you along the Hoonah waterfront to areas where wildlife thrives, including potential sightings of humpback whales and killer whales. This is another of the premier kayaking tours in Alaska, perfect for those seeking both adventure and wildlife encounters.

Each of these kayaking tours in Alaska provides a unique way to connect with nature and experience the state’s stunning wilderness from the water. Whether you’re watching whales, gliding past glaciers or enjoying local culinary treats, these adventures are sure to be highlights of any Alaskan journey.

Experience Kayaking Tours in Alaska with these sailings

Complete your adventure with these shore excursions

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Iowa river repeats its flood cycle.

PHOTOS BY GARRY BRANDENBURG — The Iowa River ran low and slow for the past three years. Well, it was only a matter of time before Mother Nature's weather systems changed to place new circumstances in play to reverse too little water into too much water. Flooding was the hot topic this past week after last Tuesday's heavy rains, strong wind an tornadoes in some places. Too much heavy rain in the Iowa River watershed resulted in the Iowa River cresting last Thursday at about 19.3 feet, resulting in a temporary closure of Highway 330 south of Albion. The image of the Mann Wetland area on the floodplain was made before Highway 330 was closed. The reflective still waters at Timmons Grove (south) was made where the inundated access roadway to the boat ramp went under water. Camping at Timmons South was still open. And at Green Castle lake, the spillway intake tube was taking on a full load of excess water after well over five inches of rain totals were experienced in southern Marshall County.

The weather was our significant natural history moment this past week. A strong low pressure system wound itself into a tight ball of unstable air masses over the Midwest. Iowa took its share of severe storms that brought heavy rains, strong winds and several tornadoes last Tuesday.

In the wake of all the rain events, it was inevitable that too much water falling in too short of a time frame resulted in runoff into every waterway, small creek, large creek and ultimately into the Iowa River.

The Iowa River watershed area above Marshalltown is 1,532 square miles. Considering the storm pathways that placed lots of heavy rains above Marshall, Hardin, Franklin, and Wright counties, excess water runoff would impact every downstream location in some manner. The results are being felt now as we humans adapt and cope with the aftermath of weather events.

I made a brief tour of some parts of Marshall County on Tuesday afternoon, between rains, to inspect and look at the effects of too much water. A first stop was at Green Castle Recreation Area to view the 16 acre lake.

Yes, the lake level was up quite a bit but easily still within its capacity. In one of today’s images, the view shows the intake tube at the dam at Green Castle taking the excess water out in a controlled fashion. That is a very good thing.

It is very good that back in the 1980s, when the existing old dam was rebuilt and reinforced to modern standards, it was engineered to withstand just the type of weather event that happened this week.

Engineering plans called for substantial new backfill to reshape the dam itself to provide a wider base, a taller dam height and width, and an emergency waterway overflow area. A bentonite seal trench was part of the planning whereby in the deep soil layers under the dam face, it

was discovered that a bit of sandy soil elements allowed a bit of water percolation through the base layers of soil.

Bentonite clay products from Wyoming quarries were mixed by the contractor to create a slurry mixture. That slurry was backfilled into a deep trench and then covered with clay. The secret to this sealing process is a matter of physics; that bentonite expands by a factor of over ten times to force its way into all the surrounding soil pore spaces to create a seal.

Another design element was the intake tube itself, sized appropriately for Green Castle’s watershed and anticipated worst case scenarios of storm runoff waters. What you are looking at in today’s image is the drop spillway tube with its anti-vortex steel plate support.

The vertical portion of the intake is four feet in diameter and ten feet deep, all sitting on a huge concrete base. At the bottom of this ten foot tall drop pipe, is a 36 inch diameter opening that connects to over 70 feet of spiral galvanized metal pipe. That 70 feet of pipe is buried inside the dam and is there to allow a normal and safe way to maintain the lake water level. It works as designed.

It is safe. It is strong, and the flow of water exiting that tube was a rush of water crashing onto a deep bed of heavy rocks placed in such a way as to disperse and protect the soils from erosion. Those large rocks also work well to disperse energy when high water flows demand it.

Green Castle remains open for weekend activities, shelter house use, volleyball games, fishing, hiking around its one mile perimeter shoreline, bison viewing, or to look for yourself as the water flows into the intake pipe. Enjoying the outdoors is a summer time treat.

Green Castle waits for your visit.

——–

A mid week stop by this scribe had me inspecting the boat ramp access roadway at Timmons Grove south. It was under water slightly last Wednesday morning. The river had not crested at that time, so more water was coming from upstream and backing up behind the Highway 330 grading.

Water did ultimately fill enough to overtop the highway necessitating its temporary closure. The image shows nice calm reflective water surfaces near the north end of the Timmons Grove campground loop roadway.

The access roadway to the boat ramp is hidden under those calm waters. This has happened before, and it will happen again. Given enough time for the river level to fall, the access roadway will reappear, probably with a bit of black silty sticky soil to deal with.

During flood times, the river is flowing fast and it is flat out dangerous! Keep off the river. Do not go kayaking or canoeing at this time.

The river water will show no mercy to people or other objects on, in or near the water. It is a power to recon with and respect to the utmost.

Be safe this weekend if you go boating on an Iowa lake where safe access and non flowing waters are quiet. Wear life jackets at all times while on the water in any watercraft.

My other image for today shows the floodplain backflow inundation waters south of Albion covering virtually all of the Mann Wetland area recently acquired by the Marshall County Conservation Board. Last fall, the area was seeded with a great diverse mixture of prairie and wetland-liking plants through a cooperative venture with the National Wildlife Refuge System. Personnel from two different NWR areas of Iowa brought their 4×4 utility vehicles, seed and seeders to the Mann area. The seed sat in place all fall, and through the winter and early spring, ready to germinate with warm weather. Just adding water is the next ingredient.

Mother Nature added water, lots of it. In time, those prairie and wetland plants will begin to prosper and grow. It will take several years for a complete picture to emerge as the area habitat dominates.

Jeremiah Manken, park maintenance supervisor for the MCCB, indicated that more development work is planned for the area this summer. A public parking lot will be rocked and will be located directly across from the Timmons north driveway.

That space will allow for public walk-in access primarily during fall hunting seasons, and this summer, boundary signs will be installed around the perimeter. Forest stand improvement work will be ongoing, and planning for the eventual Iowa River’s Edge Trail will take place to help coordinate lots of elements of that endeavor.

Meanwhile, other county conservation parks are open for outdoor adventures this holiday weekend. Memorial Day festivities and remembrances are in order for sure, and if part of your weekend also revolves around being outdoors, do by all means avail yourself of some

type of excursion to enjoy the natural world.

For example, new wildflowers can be found and identified at many forest sites such as Grammer Grove, Timmons Grove, the Iowa River Wildlife Area, Arney Bend Wildlife Area, Bear Grove, Three Bridges and the Grimes Farm Conservation Center. If grassland prairies are your interest, check out the Marietta Sand Prairie, Klauenberg Prairie Preserve, or the Wehrmann Prairie Preserve.

Fishing escapes can be addressed at Green Castle, or Sand Lake. Just a reminder, that the free fishing weekend is June 7, 8 and 9, during which no license is required. Fishing daily limits and possession limits do apply at all times.

Camping at Timmons (south) will most likely still be open since the majority of camp sites are not flood prone. However, some campsites will be too wet due to flooding to accommodate camping units. Planning ahead is a good idea.

Birding is an always open opportunity. Birds can be found everywhere. Look carefully. Listen intently. Explore habitats slowly and with respect. Let nature surround you with its clarity, wisdom and renewal.

Quote: “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he/she seeks.” — John Muir, naturalist and explorer.

Garry Brandenburg is the retired director of the Marshall County Conservation Board. He is a graduate of Iowa State University with a BS degree in Fish & Wildlife Biology.

Contact him at:

P.O. Box 96

Albion, IA 50005

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Valencia Tours and MSC Shore Excursions

Valencia, was founded as a Roman colony in 138 BC, and you don’t have to look far in current-day Valencia to find evidence of this period. Subterranean museum La Almoina in Valencia Old Town , for example, lets visitors stroll through brilliantly preserved remnants of the city in its Roman guise.

More historical marvels can be uncovered on our range of Valencia tours alongside ancient architecture. But remember this is also a thoroughly modern city you’re exploring: immense parks and public spaces, a choice of city beaches (including locally loved Playa de las Arenas) and a restaurant scene that celebrates both local and global – just a few of the reasons to visit Valencia.

Expert-led trips to Valencia are easily arranged with MSC shore excursions , and you’ll soon see why Valencia has been voted the best city in the world to live in for expats.  As well as Valencia Old Town, with its maze of sandstone-coloured alleys and side streets – a legacy of its Moorish influence – you won’t want to miss the futuristic Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences) in the riverbed of the now-diverted Turia.

Valencia excursions can provide lifelong memories to be cherished.

Excursions in Valencia

With so many things to see in Valencia, you’ll get the most from the city through our Valencia tours. Be sure to stroll through Turia Garden, a vast park created when the Turia river was diverted to avoid floods. Ponder the wonders of the world as you walk around the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences – one of the most-visited Valencia attractions). Discover why masterful Valencian painter Joaquín Sorolla was so inspired by his hometown.

Submerge yourself in the delights of Oceanogràfic Valencia

Oceanogràfic Valencia (one of Europe’s largest aquariums) is a world-class facility known for its marine research and conservation work. Found within Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences), the aquarium houses all manner of fantastic creatures and is almost next door to Hemisfèric Valencia, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava .

Before entering, take a moment to gaze at the exterior – the venue is ovoid-shaped to represent the human eye. Inside, an IMAX cinema provides immersive adventures through nature.

Lose yourself in the backstreets of Valencia Old Town

Filled with alluring history and architecture, Valencia Old Town is where you’ll find the resplendent Valencia Cathedral , showcasing its mix of Roman, Moorish and Baroque influences.

Close by is the Central Market of Valencia, a vast and airy Art Nouveau treasure still operating as a fresh produce market. A short stroll away is Lonja de la Seda (the Silk Exchange, Valencia), a cavernous building with cloisters and vaulted ceilings. Also nearby is Torres de Serranos , a duo of towers guarding the main entrance to the walled city.

Sail through life in a lagoon at Albufera

Around 17 kilometres south of Valencia lies the oasis that is Albufera Natural Park , a wetlands sanctuary for more than 350 different bird species, both resident and migratory. Albufera is, in fact, a lagoon set among rice paddy fields, marking a historical link between this locale and the famous Valencia paella.

Many locals say that El Palmar , a small village in Albufera, is the best place to sample paella. Meanwhile, a boat trip around the area to get up-close to the birds or simply enjoy a sunset is an experience that stays with you.

Book your cruise to Valencia

Valencia has been drawing visitors since Roman times, and its appeal isn’t dwindling. Turia Garden, Ciudad de las Artes y Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences) and the Moorish maze of sun-dappled alleys in the Old Town are all worth travelling for. A Valencia cruise, though, can be about much more, as numerous other Mediterranean  gems like Palermo , Rome , Santorini  and Valletta  are reachable. Let MSC Cruises show you why the Med is one of the world’s most-visited holiday regions.

Why choose MSC Shore Excursions to Valencia

Valencia tours and excursions faq, in which language valencia excursions are conducted, are valencia tours always available to be booked, can valencia excursion programme be changed, does msc cruises offer a valencia bus tour.

MSC Cruises has various options for anyone seeking a Valencia bus tour . The ‘ City Tour ’ shore excursion involves a coach trip through some of the city’s most charasmatic streets and squares, before a guided walking tour around the historic centre to allow passengers the chance for a closer look at Valencia’s renowned Gothic architecture and buildings.

Another popular shore excursion is the ‘ Panoramic Tour and Shopping ’, which also involves a walking tour through Valencia’s historic centre before a coach ride takes you to see the city’s contemporary side, including some of its modern shopping centres.

How can I visit the Albufera Lagoon from Valencia?

The Albufera Lagoon is located around 10 kilometres south of Valencia’s centre. A great way to experience this unique area is on MSC Cruises ‘ Valencia and the L’Albufera Lagoon ’ shore excursion. After taking you to explore the city’s key sights and attractions (including the Central Market of Valencia and Lonja de la Seda , the Silk Exchange), the tour transports guests to Albufera Natural Park. Here, they can enjoy the gentle waters of this invaluable wetlands sanctuary on a boat trip, followed by lunch at a local restaurant.

What is included in the Valencia City Tour?

MSC Cruises’ ‘ City Tour ’ of Valencia is a chance to explore the city like a local. This Valencia tour begins with a coach journey through some of the most attractive city streets and squares, followed by a walking tour of the historic centre, which lets guests view the Gothic architecture visible in many buildings. A visit to Valencia Cathedral also takes place, before a photo stop at Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences), a futuristic architectural marvel and cultural hub.

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Where to Camp When Visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park 

Here's how to visit Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park by RV and where to camp nearby.

By Becky Strauss

The Cuyahoga Valley stretches between two metropolitan areas—Cleveland and Akron, Ohio—and surrounds the Cuyahoga River as it winds its way toward Lake Erie. Ever since achieving international notoriety in 1969 for catching fire due to immense levels of pollution, the Cuyahoga River has steadily been recuperating. The area became a national recreation area in 1974 and achieved national park status in 2000, protecting more than 50 square miles of this lush landscape as  Cuyahoga Valley National Park . There are abundant forests, gorges, wetlands, and waterfalls to explore, including 22 miles of the Cuyahoga River. 

There are more than 125 miles of hiking trails within the park, ranging from nearly flat to challenging, hilly paths. The Towpath Trail runs through the heart of the park and is by far the most popular. It follows the historic route of the Ohio and Erie Canal, where visitors can walk, hike, jog, or bike along the same path that mules walked to tow canal boats. The trail is open 24 hours and is level and hard-packed, making it accessible for bikes, wheelchairs, and strollers. There are lots of access points for the 20-mile-long trail, but parking lots can fill early, especially in the summer. From May through October, you can bike one way and return by train using the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad’s Explorer service.

The  Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad  is another can’t-miss feature of the park. Though it’s not run by the National Park Service (NPS), the train’s National Park Scenic excursion travels the length of Cuyahoga Valley along the river and takes about 2.5 hours round-trip. Trains run from January through May, and you can board at three separate stations along the way. There are different seating options, but for the best view, book a seat in the dome car, which features fully windowed sides and ceilings for the best view of the park.

One of the best vantage points in the park is on the Cuyahoga River itself, but those who wish to canoe or kayak on the river must bring their own equipment, as there are no rental kiosks within the park, and the NPS doesn’t maintain the river for recreational use. That said, the  Cuyahoga River Water Trail  offers a wealth of information about various water routes in the area. The section that flows through the park is covered by  Map 4  and highlights four water access points within Cuyahoga Valley.

Getting There by RV

Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located by interstates and highways for easy access. The park is minutes off Interstate 77, and Interstate 80 cuts through the northern section of the park. For a scenic drive running the length of the park, hop onto Riverview Road in Brecksville, Ohio, in the north or Botzum, Ohio, in the south. The two-lane highway stretches for nearly 20 miles and offers plenty of spots to pull over. 

Where to Stay

There’s no RV camping within Cuyahoga Valley, but there are several options nearby. Twelve miles east is  Woodside Lake Park , an RV park that offers tons of amenities. There are 250 RV sites, both pull-through and back-in, which can accommodate trailers up to 45 feet long. All sites include water, sewer, and 30- or 50-amp hookups. There’s a lake, sand volleyball, horseshoes, basketball, a game room, and WiFi . 

Woodside Lake Park Streetsboro, OH 7 reviews

For a quieter experience, there are several state park campgrounds nearby, including  Punderson .

Punderson State Park Campground Newbury, OH 14 reviews

Other Places to Stay

Streetsboro-Cleveland SE KOA Streetsboro, OH 15 reviews

Silver Springs Campground Stow, OH 25 reviews

Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds Berea, OH 7 reviews

The RVer’s Guide to National Park Campgrounds

Meet the author.

Becky Strauss

Becky is an experienced travel writer and editor. She's been all over the world, both on her own and for publications such as ScubaDiverLife.com, Sport Diver, Caribbean Travel and Life, and Rough Guides guidebook series.

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