Learn how The Nature Conservancy (TNC) puts people into the "biodiversity story" with programs at Sam's Point Preserve in the Hudson Valley's Shawangunk Mountains. Using oral histories, field studies, artifacts, and local historic newspaper accounts, TNC is teaching students and the community about fire's important role in preserving biodiversity. Cara Lee, director, and Heidi Wagner, preserve manager, Shawangunk Ridge Program; Jennifer Gilles, science teacher, Ellenville MS, and Emma Sears, environmental educator, presented this program at THV's 2008 summer institute. See related lesson plans at http://tinyurl.com/y88rxop.

1. Weaving People and Place Together: Telling the Biodiversity Story at Sam’s Point Preserve Teaching the Hudson Valley Institute Cara Lee, Emma Sears, Heidi Wagner and Jennifer Gilles

2. Sam’s Point Preserve A unique landscape… “in our backyard”

6. Biodiversity of the Shawangunks A large number of plant and animal species in a relatively small area.... * 35 natural communities * 5 globally rare plant communities * 200 species of nesting birds * 57 rare and imperiled plant and animal species

10. Restoration of Fire as a Natural Process 1881 Hudson River School Painting (Dellenbaugh) Fire in the Shawangunks Using controlled burns to restore forest health and reduce wildfire risk

12. Sam’s Point Conservation Center

13. Sam’s Point Habitats Mural Five Natural Community Types 90 Species of Plants and Animals

14. Biodiversity Habitats Natural Communities Prey Predator Natural Resources Forests Web of Life Bedrock Wetlands Wildlife Temperature Ecosystems SOIL WATER PLANTS

15. Into the woods – to observe, measure, calculate and record…….

16. Oak Forest

17. Slab Rock

18. Pitch Pine Barrens

21. Getting Thoughts Down…..

22. What do You Think? Your school is given 60 acres for an “outdoor classroom’ to teach about “biodiversity”. You have a limited budget for making trails. The biology teacher suggests a trail in the forest, the PE teacher wants the field to be accessible for “New Games”. Where would you put the trail and why? (Hint: Mix it up and make sure to include edges)

23. Connecting People and Place

24. The Huckleberry Pickers Story Directions: Imagine that you and your family spend summers at Sam’s Point picking huckleberries. Use the photos to help you develop answers to the following questions. Support your answer with evidence from the photo. When was this photo taken? Why were you picking berries? What did your family like about Sam’s Point? What did they dislike? Where were the berries sold? To whom? Describe the shack you lived in. How did you spend your evenings? Where were your favorite picking locations? Do you recall the huckleberry bushes being intentionally set on fire? How and when were the fires set? What did your family do the rest of the year when berries were not in season? Turn the paper over and write a group question that you want to ask the berry pickers.

26. Sam’s Point Berrypickers Tell Their Stories at Ellenville Middle School

27. Artifacts of a Past Lifeway At Sam’s Point Preserve

29. Special Thanks to: Kelly Brumblelow, Science Teacher Sue Brosnahan, Science Teacher Alison Chapin, Middle School Counselor Sam’s Point Volunteers The Ellenville Middle School

30. Questions?