Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

The open expanse of the
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
was refreshing and inspiring!



We discovered many nests of Cliff swallows against
the education center at the Refuge.

There are many Sedges and Cattails surrounding
the water's edge.

We looked for birds which we could hear in the tall grasses.

We went on a discovery scavenger hunt
within the education center.

The Refuge is wonderful at translating the intelligent orchestra that is playing out within the Refuge in the form of varying wetland zones such as marshes, mudflats, and salt water including their uniquely adapted inhabitants.

There are many vibrant quotes at the education center such as this one from poet Linda Hogan, "There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks.
Most of the time we are simply not patient enough,
quiet enough, to pay attention to the story."


As our adventures continue, we discover more and more
of the vast and dynamic story that nature weaves.

Swaner EcoCenter

At first sight, some students wondered why the
Swaner wetland preserve didn't appear more wet!
From the paved trail, we were not able to see the streams nor
any other obvious evidence of water.

Savannah reassured us that the Swaner preserve was, indeed,
a squishy, productive, and muddy wetland by allowing us to walk out onto designated areas.

Lots of mud!

And, some sections of streams having
an abundance of algal bloom!


The wetland provided excellent medium for discovering
animal tracks!


The Swaner Preserve is the lowest point within the Park City/Kimball junction area,
draining water from the surrounding Wasatch range creating the perfect wetland rest area for
migratory birds that may be on their way to the Great Salt Lake (as well, as elsewhere)!


The Swaner Preserve is located at approximately 6,000 ft. in elevation and is home to many grasses and plants such as, Crested Wheat, Kentucky Bluegrass, Timothy, Foxtail, Cattail, Duckweed, Flax, Borage, Buckwheat, Mallow, and Willow.


Savannah played a fun game with us to get us familiar with the different animals that benefit from the wetland such as, the American Beaver, Muskrat, Uinta Ground Squirrel,
Jackrabbit, Mule Deer, Coyote, Red Fox, and Skunk.

Here, we each have a picture of each animal in hopes of getting clues from each other
so that we might guess what animal is taped on our backs.


One of the students is looking at this poster which reads,
"What we need now are heroes and heroines,
About a million of them.
Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul."
-Edward Abbey