Soque River Outdoor Classroom
With land adjoining the Soque River, North Habersham Middle School on Walls Bridge
Road in Clarkesville, Georgia turned out to be the perfect location for an outdoor
area to teach students about conservation.
The Foothills Chapter of Trout Unlimited volunteered to assist in the development
of the 15-acre area into the Soque River Outdoor Classroom. Doug Watson with the
U.S. Forestry Service (and a Foothills Chapter member) drew the plans for the site.
In addition to Foothills Chapter members, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, local businesses,
teachers, students, and parents joined together on various projects in this outdoor
classroom. Since its conception, trails, animal nest boxes, a succession field,
bridge, fence, viewing area, and amphitheater have been constructed.
Watson, along with the U.S. Forestry Service Fishery Biologist Mitzi Pardew and
Anthony Rabern, assist teachers in conducting studies with the students on water
quality, river ecosystems, wild life habitat and many other areas of nature and conservation.
"The children really look forward to the days that we study at our outdoor classroom"
said Brenda Hunt, North Habersham Life Science teacher.
Trout Unlimited volunteers began the re-construction of an existing older building by adding
a new roof, bathrooms, and a basic cleanup. Eventually, the classroom will include
a covered pavilion with a concrete floor, and an enclosed classroom with lab tables,
sinks and supplies.
Stay tuned for more information on the Outdoor Classroom, and a detailed listing
of the volunteers that helped the Foothills Chapter with this project since the
beginning.