James Farm Program for Middle School Students
The CIB believes that hands-on, experiential learning is the key to a better understanding of Delaware's watersheds and the Inland Bays estuarine ecosystem. With this concept in mind, the Center has developed outdoor learning activities that encourage student/teacher participation in a fun and interesting environment.

In collaboration with the Indian River School District's Outdoor Education Center at Ingram Pond, the CIB has been offering field trips to the James Farm Ecological Preserve since spring of 1999. These no-cost, daylong activities are designed for groups of ~ 30 students and are conducted during 10-week sessions in the autumn and spring. School program activities include:

Grade 7
Identifying non-tidal wetlands

Grade 8
Plant adaptations and zonation

Programs are closely correlated with Delaware Science Content Standards and Performance Indicators. Seventh grade programs target "Understanding Delaware's Watersheds" and eighth grade activities focus on "Ecosytems."

Educators interested in more information about outdoor learning experiences at the James Farm Ecological Preserve are asked to contact the Education/Outreach Coordinator at 302.226-8105 or E-mail at outreach@inlandbays.org

Bringing Schoolyard Habitats to Elementary Schools in the Watershed
A Partnership of the DE Center for the Inland Bays and the Indian River School District
In the fall of 2006 the Center for the Inland Bays formed a partnership with the Indian River School District to bring schoolyard habitats to elementary schools in the Inland Bays Watershed. This spring, we built a wetland at the Phillip C. Showell Elementary School in Selbyville and at Long Neck Elementary School in Millsboro.
What are Schoolyard Habitats?
Schoolyard Habitats are living classrooms for hands-on learning, where students can conduct their own investigation and research...transforming schoolyards into outdoor learning discovery zones.
What does a Schoolyard Habitat look like?
We are beginning with a wetland, but a Schoolyard Habitat is a growing thing...each year, something new can be added; a butterfly garden, a blue bird trail, a wildflower meadow, a raingarden...anything that creates a habitat for native plants and animals...that provides food, cover, nesting places or water for native wildlife. If you build it...they will come!