Marion program helps young explorers discover nature
Coastal explorers take a trip on the Marion Harbormaster boat during the week-long program. Photos source: Marion Natural History Museum
Program participants use nets and other tools to catch woodland animals. 
One young explorer found a small turtle. 
Kids use a net to collect fish and other water dwellers.
Coastal explorers take a trip on the Marion Harbormaster boat during the week-long program. Photos source: Marion Natural History Museum
Program participants use nets and other tools to catch woodland animals.
One young explorer found a small turtle.
Kids use a net to collect fish and other water dwellers.
MARION — Young explorers learned about the many habitats and animals in town during a Marion Natural History Museum program.
Second- through eighth-grade students spent a week investigating areas along the water, in the forest and on the beach to find turtles, eels, frogs, crabs and much more as part of the museum’s coastal explorations group.
They also spent time removing plastic and other garbage from the shoreline and learning about the role wetlands play in keeping water clean.
The group also learned the importance of protecting shorebirds and why habitats like Bird Island are important for nesting. Several tern species require quiet islands like this one to raise their young,
Harbormaster Cameron Wentworth and two of his crew members, Pete O'Brien and Carl MacDermott, shared their knowledge during the week.
