This week, Ithaca Forest Pre School took an awesome field trip to Turtle Crossing Wildlife Rehabiltation Farm, which is in-part led by one of our own staff Dina! The farm is nestled in the lively forests of Ellis Hollow and houses varieties of birds, turtles, geese, and other rescued animals. These injured or orphaned animals are rehabilitated for release back into their natural habitat. I was immediately enchanted by the ambient bird chatter and leaves in the wind. 

The pre-schoolers were very excited to see the animals and were even able to interact with them! We split into small groups led by our instructors Fionna, Lyla, and Liz, with support from Dina and rehabilitator and founder Cheryl. In one of the stations, we got to visit birds! The birds were very energetic and friendly. The pre-schoolers were ecstatic because they were able to pet baby ducklings! Cheryl also showed us a large habitat for a bird she is rehabilitating that cannot fly. The kids were enamored by the liveliness of the birds. 

In another group, we got to step inside the enclosure where baby geese live! The kids got to run around with the baby geese and pet them. These goslings had lost their mother, so they instead would look to Dina for guidance! Nearby the goslings, a sheep and turkeys said hello to us and put on quite the show of noise! 

At the final station, the kids got to feed the animals by throwing food in their pond. We also had lots of visitors such as baby chipmunks scurrying nearby. 

To close out the day, Dina introduced us to Leo and Pearl, two large tortoises hanging out in a grassy enclosure. They were very friendly, so the kids were able to pet them on their shells and feed them grass. It was a great day interacting with the animals and learning about the rehabilitation work that Cheryl, Dina, and volunteers do to help our wildlife!

 Check out more information about Turtle Crossing farm at sites.google.com/turtlecrossingfarm.org 

Instagram: turtlecrossing_wrf

Facebook: Turtle Crossing Wildlife Rehabilitation Farm Inc

Check out more photos from the field trip at https://primitivepursuits.com/pre-school-field-trip/