Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity to present to elementary school kids about the fascinating creatures they might encounter at the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, all set against the backdrop of the NYC skyline. Not only is Jamaica Bay adjacent to the John F. Kennedy Airport, a massive transportation hub, but it is also just 2 miles away from the Shirley Chisholm State Park, which I had the privilege to work on as a designer and illustrator. Sharing my knowledge about the area's flora and fauna with these fantastic kids was an exhilarating experience.
The Wildlife of Jamaica Bay
We engaged the kids by asking if they had ever taken a long car ride and needed a snack break. We compared these wildlife preserves to rest stops, essential for animals on their epic migrations. I explained that the horseshoe crabs that live there have a massive beach party in spring. The resulting eggs feed thousands of creatures as they travel. We talked about red knots who love horseshoe crab eggs. These birds migrate from the tip of South America all the way up to the arctic. We looked at American oystercatchers, ospreys, egrets, gulls, terns, Brandt geese, and the storm-riding shearwaters that visit the Jamaica Bay area.
I love that scientists recently fell off their chairs when they saw the data from the GPS trackers placed on shearwaters and petrels which showed them flying into hurricanes. These storm-riding birds were able to find the eye of the storm and also forage for food that rose from their usual depth by wind and waves.
Engaging the Kids
The kids' questions were both insightful and delightful, showcasing their curiosity and enthusiasm. Some of my favorites were:
- How many fish are there in the oceans?
- Did you know that I saw a pearl from an oyster in my book of rocks and gems?
- Did you know that I love drawing birds too?
- Do sharks eat sharks and if they do what is that called?
- Did you know that when they die, whales fall down the ocean?
- Have scientists actually seen the birds when they flew inside hurricanes?
Conclusion
As a city dweller surrounded by pigeons, it can be easy to forget that we live in a river/ocean community! This experience of seeing wildlife preserves, and teaching kids about our shared world with remarkable animals stands out as a highlight in my career. It reminded me of the importance of nurturing a connection with nature, even in urban environments.