How do we, the grown-up humans on this planet, go about gently but pointedly explaining to little children that some animals are endangered, misunderstood and/or considered yucky when really their place in the ecosystem is critical to all life? Well, you can start by finding those educators and species experts who have identified our children as critical thinkers deserving of knowledge, even if we think it’s a bit yucky.
Enter two such grownups – don’t let them know I called them that – whose nature presentations last week were filled with information shared with children eager to learn about, as well as touch, snakes, reptiles and bugs.
On July 27, Joy Marzolf, researcher, environmental conservationist and wildlife photographer, delighted kids at the Mattapoisett Free Public Library while educating them about endangered reptiles.
After creating what she called a “touching, petting, volunteering zone” on the floor in front of her table of live exhibits, she began by telling the little learners that changes on the planet make it hard for some animals to make a home. She said that the children could help the animals by letting their grownups know, “I don’t need balloons,” one of the prime culprits in turtle demise.
Marzolf’s joyful demeaner put the squirmy children at ease, achieving an atmosphere of respect, listening and cooperation, as she gave them the opportunity to pet a very long, black rat snake, hold lizards, and hear the importance of leaving wild animals in the natural environment. For the benefit of the adults, Marzolf said that the animals she uses have all been bred and kept in captivity versus removing the animals from the wild.
The star of the show was the appearance of a young crocodile. Marzolf talked about habitat depletion, especially in Belize, where she studies the reptile with a team of conservation-minded researchers. The children took turns gently stroking the armor-like croc’s back as it lay cradled in Marzolf’s arms.
An animal living in our area, the Eastern Box Turtle, was also present. Marzolf said that if one is found, you can move it out of harm’s way but in the same direction it was headed. When asked about aiding a misguided snapping turtle, she suggested, “use a snow shovel, pick it up and move it to safety in the same direction it was headed.”
The two, 30-minute presentations offered that day gave children and their minders, a greater appreciation of variety of animals living in harmony nearby and the dangers these animals face in a world filled with plastic.
Marzolf’s credentials include a 14-year stint at the Mass Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary as a naturalist and educator and more recently, a naturalist trip leader for Oceanic Society.
On July 29, it was the Elizabeth Taber Library’s turn to teach and entertain tiny tikes about bugs with Bryan Man aka “Professor Bugman” and his entomology adventures.
With exciting and interesting sound bites on their physical characteristics, Man has developed programs that grant children the opportunity to learn that insects have a place in the natural world.
Man’s background includes a number of years teaching, his first calling. But as time wore on, Man saw that he could not only teach but bring the world of insects to children through hands-on demonstrations outside the classroom.
The children learned the anatomy of arachnids, that many insects have exoskeletons, numerous brains that operate groups of legs (think centipedes), fake antennae that are really legs and the infamous stink bugs that spray yucky smelling excretions as a form of defense. Oh, and let’s not forget the bugs that also poop as a form of defense. Professor Bugman had the children screaming with laughter as he faked licking his hands.
The professor also created a zone in front of his exhibit table where the kiddos were asked to use indoor voices and handle the insects he shared with care. Surprisingly, the children did not find the insects off-putting as some of the grownups did. They were at ease, as the professor was, with all manner of creeping crawlies without fear and with acceptance that these animals belong in the world and are deserving of our protection. On Saturday, August 5, at 11:00 am, the professor will return to the Elizabeth Taber Library with his program titled Hide-a-Bug. The program includes showing children how to design and create shelters for insects. The bugs will judge the tiny residences! Contact the library to register at 508-748-1252
By Marilou Newell