Washougal — Gause Elementary School third-graders and the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership has recently teamed up for a few lessons, bringing native plants and dead fish into the classroom.
During the first class, students learned about native plants, including Wapato, berries and cattails. The second class allowed students to dissect fish and learn about their life cycle.
The classes are a precursor to a field trip to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, where students will paddle Lake River, identify birds, explore the Cathapotle Plankhouse, and hike a loop while identifying plants and signs of animals.
The estuary partnership offers no-cost education programs to schools in the lower Columbia region of Washington and Oregon, and the lessons cover topics, such as increasing knowledge and appreciation for the river and estuary.
