Wilderness Rangers Family Guide

Bridging the Woods to the Home

Hello, Fellow Guardians!

This week, your student is transforming into a **Wilderness Ranger**. They aren't just playing outside; they are becoming scientists, trackers, and stewards of our local MetroWest ecosystem. This guide is designed to help you engage with their discoveries and maybe even find a few of your own!

Ranger Readiness (Packing List)

Sturdy closed-toe shoes
Refillable water bottle
Sunscreen & Bug spray
A curious attitude!

What They Are Learning

D1

Botany: Identifying local trees like White Pine and Red Oak using dichotomous keys.

D2

Zoology: Tracking MetroWest fauna (Deer, Coyote, Turkey) and studying energy flow.

D3

Conservation: Participating in a Bio-Blitz to document local biodiversity.

Home Mission: The Backyard Bio-Blitz

Try this 15-minute challenge with your student this evening!

Step 1: Seek

Go to your yard or a nearby park. Find one thing with "serrated" leaves.

Step 2: Sign

Look for a "Sign of Life." Is there a bird's nest or a squirrel drey in a tree?

Step 3: Share

Let your student explain how they know what it is. They are the expert now!

Dinner Table Talk

1. "What was the trickiest botanical feature you had to find today?"
2. "If you were a predator in the MetroWest woods, how would you hide from your prey?"
3. "What is one thing about our local woods that surprised you?"

Bay State Tick Safety

Being a Ranger means being prepared! After each day in the woods, please help your student perform a **Tick Check**.

Check behind ears and in hair
Check waistbands and socks
Toss outdoor clothes in the dryer for 10 mins

Ecosystem Guardians

MetroWest Bio-Blitz Packet

Habitat Hero Certificate

Wilderness Rangers Family Guide