When morning dawned on Wednesday April 25, 2012, environmental science students from Gooding High School were out of bed and rearing to go. Arriving by six am, the students set out on a biological adventure. The destination was a lek about fifteen miles north of Bliss, though more wonders would unfold as the day progressed.

As the lek came into sight, voices fell silent. Groups of male sage grouse were scattered in front of the students. Slowly putting the “sneak” on the birds, the bus carefully crept towards the center of the lek. Bright, wide eyes peered though binoculars, trying to catch a glimpse of the magnificent sight.

Every inch closer brought more sounds and experiences. Pop, plip was heard all around the students as amazed smiles gradually appeared. While the males strutted their stuff, one might think it was raining. Surrounded by sounds of males showing off, though the sky was clear, rain was falling all around. With puffed out chests, and raised feathers, these males called desperately to the females. In the end, when all was said and done, the students turned away from the beautiful lek, not realizing another surprise was till in store for them.

David Skinner from the Fairfield Forest Service and Regan Berkeley from the Idaho Fish and Game in Jerome had many more plans for the curious students. Next on the agenda was placing white reflective visual markers on the fences. Bags of markers and clips were passed to the students and off they went. Two markers between every post were set out. These white markers help to make the fences more visible so the birds won’t fly into them and die. The students marked over a mile of fence line.

Tired students stumbled slowly towards the bus after their hard work. One more activity still lay ahead of them before their day was through. Students then learned about radio telemetry. Collars were hidden in the sage brush, and students were assigned the task of finding them.

Competition rose between the girls and boys. The telemetry lesson turned into a battle of the sexes. Emily James stepped up on the girls’ side and Zack Kast for the boys. The groups set out to put the other to shame in a race against time. As both groups meticulously worked to be the winner, they spanned out to look for the sage grouse collar. Emily James started out ahead and finished in the same manner. The girls’ team prevailed, and stomped the boys. Both groups learned how to use the telemetry equipment, as tired as they were.

Heading back to school on the bus was a relief, since all of the students were exhausted. After watching sage grouse at the lek, marking fences, and working telemetry equipment, the students came away with a greater knowledge and appreciation for wildlife and wildlife biologists. Environmental science rocks!

Thanks to the Fairfield Forest Service, the Idaho Fish and Game and Mrs. Freiberg, students were given the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge to real life fieldwork. Idaho Fish and Game has many opportunities available for science teachers and students. These programs are valuable to the community and the future of students!