Leslie Science and Nature Center

Our trip to Leslie Science and Nature Center on Wednesday, October 15 was a great success. As a precursor to the trip, we read: Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats by Jim Arnosky. The book introduces different wildlife habitats including grassland, wetlands, and woodlands. The book was a great introduction to the topics discussed on our tour at Leslie Science Center.


Bob, our guide, took us for a walk through the woods. During our walk, he pointed out large animal habitats, the woods and the pond, and small habitats like a log. We learned a habitat must have food, water, and shelter for the animal to survive.

We learned that a dead tree on the ground is called a log, a dead tree that isn’t laying on the ground is called a snag, and a living tree is, of course, a tree.



We learned to identify poison ivy.

After our walk, we went inside to see some live animals. Bob took out a snake and a turtle for us to see up close and to touch.

Thank you to Kristen Boudia and Melissa Bruzzano for helping with the driving and supervising on this trip.

As a follow-up to the trip we read, One Small Place in a Tree by Barbara Brenner. This book follows the process of a scratch in a tree, developing into a hole that turns into a home for a variety of woodland animals. Even after the tree dies, it is a home to small reptiles, bugs, and rodents.