May News

Spring Playa Festivals

Fourth Grade students from Wheatley and Iles
pose for a group photo after exploring the park.

May has been a busy month for Playa Festivals.  Ogallala Commons conducted two Festivals for 180 fourth and fifth grade students at Wheatley and Iles Elementary Schools in Lubbock during the first week of May. Students enjoyed presentations from OC Intern Justin Trammell on Macroinvertebrates, Master Naturalist Carol Burgett on wetland plants and animals, learned about raptors with Gail Barnes of the South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and learned how to use binoculars with Julie Hodges.  The students visited Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock for a hands-on field experience and were able to see many different species of plants, birds, aquatic insects and even a few mammals. 

On May 16^th, 260 fifth graders from Lindsey Stiner Elementary School enjoyed a Playa Festival at Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge.  This was one of the largest Festivals ever conducted by Ogallala Commons and was a great success thanks to the team of 10 presenters that helped student to discover the wonders of the Refuge.  Presenters were Jim Steiert, Tish McDaniel, Roger Grass, Gail Barnes, Jessica Kissner, Carol Burgett, Julie Hodges, Darryl Birkenfeld, Justin Trammell and Jude Smith.

Local Talent: OC Staff and Interns Prepare for 2013 Orientation

Interns at the 2012 Orientation

On May 28-30, Ogallala Commons will be conducting its annual Intern Orientation at Talon Point Retreat, located between Channing and Dumas, Texas.  We are expecting 33 interns and 25 supervisors, as well as 8 presenters to attend, representing ten states.  There are four main purposes for the Orientation: 1) To give all interns an opportunity to network with each other, 2) To cover the nuts and bolts of how to complete internships requirements, 3) To give the tools needed to make internships a valuable experience well into the future, and 4) To help interns complete the products that will aid them in their pursuit of careers and other opportunities.  Interns attending the Orientation will receive a cool “Local Talent” Community Intern t-shirt, so look for a group photo in next month’s newsletter!