Educators focus on natural resources

Wheatland – Approximately 30 educators, including schoolteachers, substitute teachers and conservation district educators attended the 2009 Natural Resources Rendezvous in Platte County June 29-July 2.  
    Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom (WAIC) Education Coordinator Brook Gerke says this year the Rendezvous was opened up to a wider range of educators and the seminar was also lengthened by a day.
    The first day of the Rendezvous featured an energy workshop, on which EnCana Oil and Gas was a partner. “The second day was spent at the Powers Ranch where they learned about range management, water quality, weed and pest and animal damage, which are usual topics for the Rendezvous,” says Gerke.
    Wednesday the group toured Laramie River Station, the Wheatland power plant, and cooked a solar lunch at Gray Rocks Reservoir and learned more about weeds and pests. Thursday they traveled to the Foy Ranch near Glendo to join the annual Wyoming Stock Growers Stewardship Tour.
    The tour was sponsored by WAIC in partnership with the Platte County Resource District. Area business also contributed, with the Platte Valley Bank and First State Bank providing meals, along with the Platte County CattleWomen. The 4-H Leadership Council also served two meals as a fundraiser.
    “Our goal with the Rendezvous is to help make teachers and educators more aware of the resources in their area,” says Gerke, adding that’s why the seminar changes location each year. “The event is open to educators from the entire state, and this year we had teachers from all over the state, from Pinedale to Cheyenne.”
    “We had a lot of good help and it was a great success this year, and we’re looking forward to next year,” says Gerke.
    To bring the Natural Resources Rendezvous to your area next year, contact Brook Gerke at 307-777-6618 or bgerke@state.wy.us. Christy Hemken is assistant editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup and can be reached at christy@wylr.net.