Alder Creek Gorge (ACG) « Black River Outdoor Education Program

Alder Creek Gorge (ACG)

With its diverse forest and geological landscape, the ACG campus is accessed via the Alder Creek Rim Trail which sits atop one side of Alder Creek Valley. Initially running easterly hikers & snowshoers will encounter a sequential series of Gully Trails appropriately named Gullies 1-4 which all lead down to the pristine Creek View Trail winding through a Hemlock forest along side enchanting Alder Creek. Continuing on the Rim Trail will provide access to the Glacier Trail on the north side of Egypt Rd. Glacier Trail traverses through a distinctive “kettle” landscape and eventually returns to the starting point on the Rim Trail.

Alder Creek Gorge (ACG) Campus offers the following activities:

Hiking

Snow shoeing

Curriculum Mapping by Grade Download complete curriculum map here

GRADE	OBJECTIVE	VOCABULARY	LEARNING STANDARDS
2nd	Recognize glacial erratics, creep and their effects Recognize the differences between coniferous and deciduous trees Identify 1 form of pollution Identify 1 form of vegetation Identify animal track/scat	Glacial erratic Creep Deciduous Coniferous Pollution Seasonal changes Scat	PE Standard 1, 2, 3 Health Standard 2 MST Standard 4

GRADE

OBJECTIVE

VOCABULARY

LEARNING STANDARDS

2nd

Recognize glacial erratics, creep and their effects
Recognize the differences between coniferous and deciduous trees
Identify 1 form of pollution
Identify 1 form of vegetation
Identify animal track/scat

Glacial erratic

Creep

Deciduous

Coniferous

Pollution

Seasonal changes

Scat

PE Standard 1, 2, 3
Health Standard 2
MST Standard 4

GRADE	OBJECTIVE	VOCABULARY	LEARNING STANDARDS
3rd	Identify 2 forms of flora Recognize a kettle Identify a fungus Identify a lichen Identify 1 sign of erosion	Kettle Photosynthesis Fungus Decomposer Lichen Algae Symbiosis Erosion Flora	PE Standard 1, 2, 3 Health Standard 2 MST Standard 4

GRADE	OBJECTIVE	VOCABULARY	LEARNING STANDARDS
4th	Identify 3 forms of flora Identify 3 forms of glacial activity Describe the effect of creep on humans, fauna & flora Explain the difference between indigenous and invasive specie	Kame Moraine Erosion Watershed Predator/prey Indigenous/invasive Fauna	PE Standard 1, 2, 3 Health Standard 2 MST Standard

GRADE	OBJECTIVE	VOCABULARY	LEARNING STANDARDS
5th/6th	Recognize esker characteristics and their cause Compare & contrast different habitats Identify 4 forms of flora Discuss characteristics of different rock formation	Esker Cobble Stone Sedimentary Metamorphic Igneous Understory Canopy	PE Standard 1, 2, 3 Health Standard 2 MST Standard

GRADE	OBJECTIVE	VOCABULARY	LEARNING STANDARDS
7th	Identify 5 forms of flora Describe how a stream effects topography, fauna & humans Identify & explain the formation of erratics, eskers and kettl	Ecosystem Carbon Footprint Topograph	PE Standard 1, 2, 3 Health Standard 2 MST Standard

GRADE

OBJECTIVE

VOCABULARY

LEARNING STANDARDS

7th

Identify 5 forms of flora
Describe how a stream effects topography, fauna & humans
Identify & explain the formation of erratics, eskers and kettl

Ecosystem

Carbon Footprint

Topograph

PE Standard 1, 2, 3
Health Standard 2
MST Standard

GRADE	OBJECTIVE	VOCABULARY	LEARNING STANDARDS
Biology	Determine the relationship between producers, consumers, and saprophytes (decomposers) Sequence the energy flow through the environment Describe the succession of an open field to a forest over time Search and explain an example of nature repairing itself	Producers Consumers Saprophyte Succession Decomposer Defoliatio	PE Standard 1, 2, 3 Health Standard 2 MST Standard 4

GRADE	OBJECTIVE	VOCABULARY	LEARNING STANDARDS
Earth Science	Recognize and explain glacial forms and their impact on the environment Classify sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rock types Deduce which features were caused by glacial action Analyze what effect glacial action still has on humans today Discuss how glaciers impacted animal life in the past Discuss how glacial features still impact animal life today	Till Drumlin Outwash U-shaped valley V-shaped valley Terrain	PE Standard 1, 2, 3 Health Standard 2 MST Standard

Trail Guides

These helpful instructors guides contain hints about all the things to look for on the hikes. Including the overview of flora, fauna, and the history of the land, the guides help students enrich their experience.

Creekside Trails	Glacier Trail
Rim Trail	Shortcut Trail

Directions: 9338 Egypt Rd., Boonville, NY 13309

From North:
Route 12 south to Egypt Rd. Turn right onto Egypt Rd. Proceed 2.3 miles to warming hut on left side of road.

From South (Utica and points east):
Route 12 north to Egypt Rd. Turn left onto Egypt Rd. Proceed 2.3 miles to warming hut on left side of road.

From South (Rome and points west):
Route 26 north to West Leyden turn right onto Route 294. Take all the way into Boonville and turn left onto Post St. (Route 46). Go to traffic light and turn right onto Schuyler St. stay to the right of the fork in the road (Main St.) and take to Route 12. Turn right onto Route 12 and head south to Egypt Rd. Turn right onto Egypt Rd. Proceed 2.3 miles to warming hut on left side of road.

View Gallery »

Talk About Fauna and Flora

Outside Setup

Showing Off Their New Shoes