Natural Resources Field Days 2026

Welcome to another exciting Natural Resources Field Days!

We are excited to engage the cache valley 4th grade students in understanding the Water, Soils, Plants, and Wildlife of the Logan River watershed ecosystem. Students and their teachers spend the day at Spring Hollow Campground on the Cache National Forest, rotating through four stations and learning about wildlife, soils, plants, and water quality. We have approximately 1,000-1,200 students participate each year!

outdoor classroom

Daily Schedule

SEP 16-19, 2025

9:50AM Buses Finish Arriving
10AM First Station - 40min
10:45AM Second Station - 40min
11:25AM Lunch - 30min
12:05PM Third Station - 40min
12:50PM Fourth Station - 40min
1:35PM Load Buses

Need A Ride?

A volunteer shuttle will be provided this year. Please confirm the shuttle times at the training or at this site closer to NR Days. Email Leslie Gonzalez for more information. At this point, we anticipate that departures will be at the following times:

Morning Crew

  • 9:15AM - Depart from in front of the Distance Education building
  • 12:05PM - Depart from Spring Hollow entrance area (actual time depends upon afternoon shuttle arrival)

Afternoon Crew

  • 11:45AM - Depart from in front of the Distance Education building
  • 2:10PM - Depart from Spring Hollow entrance area

Lessons

children identifying plants
Plants
Students will explore the world of plants by investigating different structures and functions of plants that help them to survive in Logan Canyon.
Lesson Plan
children sifting soil in plastic bins
Soils
Students will create a soil profile tube, learn about erosion, and play an interactive game that transforms them into soil particles.
Lesson Plan
children at a riverbank
Water
Students will explore aquatic habitats, discover insects that live in the Logan River, and learn how insects are indicators of water quality.
Lesson Plan
coyote pelt and skull
Wildlife
Students will participate in two educational games that demonstrate the challenges wildlife face as they try to find the food, water, shelter, and space they need to survive. Lesson plan can be found here.
Lesson Plan

Additional Information

Teacher Reminders

  • We will be outside all day; the mornings are chilly and the afternoons are warm. Dress appropriately!
  • Please remind your students to being water.
  • We will be doing some activities near the river. If students get their feet wet, they will be wet all day!
  • Please talk to your students about appropriate field trip behavior and the importance of respecting the area we will be using for the day.
  • Before you come review the pre-packet with your students.
  • Look over the lesson plans provided above.

Student Volunteers

Sign up to volunteer for one or more two-hour time blocks (AM - 9:15-12:05 | PM - 11:45-2:05).

Volunteer Orientation Presentation

NRFD Intro for Orientation

WED. Sept 10th
5:30PM - 7PM
Quinney Library

THUR. Sept 11th
5:30PM - 7PM
Quinney Library

Thank You To Our Sponsors!

QANR
Extension
Stokes
TEAL
UDWR
Utah Rec
Cache School
Logan School