Environmental Center (9)
Below you will find links to lessons designed to be led by teachers at the Environmental Center.
We have found that these resources can be helpful for teacher led rotations.
Nature Room Lessons
2nd Grade Activity Guide
3rd Grade Activity Guide
4th Grade Activity Guide
5th Grade Activity Guide
Outdoor Teacher Led Activity Resources
Hatchet Throwing Rules and Guide
Outdoor Challenge Activities Teacher Guide - Coming Soon
Nature Hike Teacher Guide - Coming Soon
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Environmental Center
Tagged under
Weather
Proud to be part of the Mesowest weather network, the Environmental Center weather station provides current and historical weather data for the area click here . Mesowest is a University of Utah sponsored network of weather stations that provide weather data that assist forecasters and computer models with ground based real time weather information.
Spend some time at the sight adjusting the viewing parameters to see what happened here yesterday, last week, last month or last year. Check out other sites in Weber County and around the state. Mesowest is truly a valuable tool for those interested in weather in Utah and beyond.
Air Quality.
A global network of Air Quality sampling stations allow you to see what the PM 2.5 level is in your area. Search for "Purple Air."
Near the Swanson's North Fork Environmental Center are two (8) stations,
https://www.purpleair.com/map?#14.62/41.33846/-111.84832
and
https://www.purpleair.com/map?#13.6/41.3775/-111.86674 .
Link to those stations to get a good idea what the air quality is at the Center and compare it to stations near your school.
Let's work together to see just what the air quality problem is and how we can reduce levels of harmful pollutants.
Things you can do:
Reduce vehicle idle time.
link your errands so you drive less.
When buying a vehicle consider fuel efficiency and zero emission vehicles as you make your choice.
If you have a wood burning stove replace it with a natural gas stove or clean burning wood stove. There are grants available to do just that. https://deq.utah.gov/air-quality/wood-stove-conversion-assistance-program
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Environmental Center
Bowen, Grant
Part Time Custodian Prall, Benjamin
Environmental Center Administrator
NORT FORK ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
(801) 745-2057
NORT FORK ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
(801) 745-2057
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Environmental Center
For the current school year ('23-'24 including the summer of '24)
To schedule the center for the current school year, look through the calendar below and find an open date or dates that suit your needs.
Email Ben Prall at with your desired date(s) and infromation about your group. Ben will work with you to finalize dates and details.
You may also call Ben at 801-745-2057 but he is often out of the office so leave a message and he will get back to you. Groups outside of Weber School District may begin scheduling dates after Oct. 1 of each year.
For the next school year ('24-'25 including the summer of '25)
Scheduling for the next school year begins March 1 and is on a first come first served basis. Notification of next year's schedule is sent out to all applicants in May. After May 1st, check the "Days Still Open" page for available dates and then email Ben Prall at with your desired date(s) and infromation about your group. Ben will work with you to finalize dates and details.. Groups outside of Weber School District may begin scheduling dates after Oct. 1 of each year.
What its all about
Field trips to the Center are all about helping kids have a powerful and fun learning experience. The Center is a place where students can be out in a mountain environment to see and feel the interactions there. It is a place where students can be challenged with fun and exciting activities they will remember for a lifetime.
Field trips also aim to build teamwork and cooperation and to allow students to discover new things about themselves and their abilities.
To accomplish these objectives we must limit the number of people at the Center at one time. Maximum group size target is 80 people.
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Environmental Center
The Environmental Center has materials and equipment to help you engage your students during your time at the Center.
Below is a list of available materials:
Audio-Visual
- Sound System: Amplifier, computer, VCR, BluRay Player
- LCD projector and big screen
- microphone
Paper
- Big rolls 36" wide in colors
- Scratch paper
Writing Materials
- Chalk
- Crayons
- Magic markers
- Pencils
Art-Craft
- Staplers and staples
- Masking tape
- Glue
- Scissors
- Lap boards
Cooking (Outdoors)
- Dutch ovens (5-#14)
- 8 burner Propane Grill with two skillets
- Propane fire bowl for marshmallow roasting
- Fire pit
- Water jugs
- Ice Chest
Science Materials
- 8x hand lenses
- Microscope Lab with 26 scopes
- Compasses
- GPS units (35)
- Telescopes (3)
- Bird books
- Mammal books
- Digital Thermometers (5)
- Infra-red thermometers (15)
- Avalanche transceivers (10)
- Snow science tools like shovels (36), probe poles (5), crystal size cards (12), clinometers (5)
Recreation
- Indoor climbing walls (2)
- Outdoor volleyball court
- Ping pong tables (8)
- Hiking trails
- Cross-country skis and groomed trails (200 pair and 25 km of trails)
- Snowshoes (155 pair)
- 9 holes of disc golf and discs
- 10 lane archery range with equipment
- Speed Stackers
- Tomahawk throwing (9 targets, 27 tomahawks)
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Environmental Center
Wednesday, 26 October 2016 13:35
Driving Directions - 4840 N. 2250 E. Eden Utah 84310
Written by Super UserUSE GOOGLE MAPS. DO NOT USE MAPQUEST or Apple Maps (They take you to the wrong place)
From Ogden Canyon
- Travel east on 12th street, up Ogden Canyon to Pineview dam.
- Turn left across the dam (or proceed around through Huntsville if the dam road is closed) and follow the highway to the 4-way stop by Valley Market in downtown Eden.
- Turn left and drive for 2.9 miles, on hwy 162 past Snowcrest Jr. High, to 4100 N. where there is a 3-way stop.
- Turn left and travel West for.2 miles.
- Turn right on 3300 E. and travel North for 1.3 miles.
- Turn left on 5100 N. (formerly Shhaw Drive) and drive West the 1.5 miles to the Environmental Center black archway sign and the parking lot.
- Park your vehicle in the parking lot and walk the .5 miles up to the Environmental Center.
From North Ogden Divide
- Turn left on 3300 E. in Liberty like you were headed to Avon and North Fork Park.
- Travel North for 1.3 miles.
- Turn left on 5100 N. and drive West the 1.5 miles to the Environmental Center black archway sign and the parking lot.
- Park your vehicle in the parking lot and walk the .5 miles to the Environmental Center.
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Environmental Center
We are currently only making reservations for Weber District groups.
Please see calendar below to for availability.
We are currently only making reservations for WSD groups. Groups outside of WSD can make reservations starting Oct. 1
If you are looking for a weekend, holiday or have any other questions email Ben Prall at .
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Environmental Center
There are a lot of fun things to do at the Environmental Center.
Some ideas include:
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Nature Discovery Room
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Hikes, short and long, "See map" Trail Distances
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Geocaching
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Disc Golf
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Archery
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Tomahawk Tossing
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Cross country skiing
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Snowshoeing
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Igloo/snowcave building
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Snow science
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Avalanche basics
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Nature Hike (with hand lenses or field microscopes)
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Microscope Lab (part of Nature Discovery Room)
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Indoor bouldering wall
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Ping pong
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Volleyball
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Scale model of the solar system
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Team building activities (Spider web, Caterpillar walk, Stump Challenge, Platform)
Summer Activities:
Ask your teacher for more details.
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Band Camp
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High School Choirs
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Student Government training
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Hope Squad training
Contact Ben Prall , the teacher/facilitator, for more ideas or adaptations for your group.
Explore on your own:
Places to go and explore:
- North Fork Park in Ogden Valley. Great hiking/biking/horseback riding trails and camping. In the winter cross country ski and snowshoe trails are the attraction.
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Your yard – see how many different kinds of bugs you can find. Look in flower beds, in the grass, under rocks, in the corners of your garage and ask the question “what does it eat and what eats it?”
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The neighborhood park – do the same as in your yard.
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Ogden River Parkway. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/ogden-river-parkway-trail All along the Ogden River is a trail. Take your friends and your parents on an exploration of the river’s path through Ogden.
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Ogden Bay Wildlife Management Area. https://wildlife.utah.gov/list-all/location/173-ogden-bay-wma.html Head west on 12th street to 7500 West and travel South or head west on 5500 South in Roy until you get to 7500 West. Walk the dikes and see what is out there.
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Willard Bay https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/willard-bay/ Play on the beach, float and fish in the water, skip some rocks, look for the birds.
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Bonneville Shoreline trail system. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/bonneville-shoreline-trail-mt-ogden-section Go to the 29th street trail head and take a hike.
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Fort Buenaventura. http://www.webercountyutah.gov/Parks/fortb/ Play disc golf, chase the “cotton” falling from the trees, paddle in the pond, watch the geese, find your own hiding place, and even take your family camping here.
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Ogden Nature Center on 12th street in Ogden https://www.ogdennaturecenter.org/ Has a maze of trails, and volunteers to guide you and answer questions. There is an entrance fee.
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Bike Park https://www.visitogden.com/blog/ogden-bike-park/ At the east end of 9th street provides fun trails for all skill levels.
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Float the Ogden river in a tube. http://www.saltproject.co/blog/tubing-ogden-river-adventurin Tube rental available at Gear 30 for $10. Float Lorin Farr Park to the Walmart parking lot crystal wave.
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Bear River Bird Refuge in Brigham City. https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bear_river_migratory_bird_refuge/ Visitors center just west of freeway on Forest Street. Auto tour route heads west from there. Amazing place to see birds and bugs and mammals too.
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Beus Pond https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/beus-pond-trail On the South East corner of Country Hills Drive in Ogden is a lovely place to watch wildlife and take a hike if you have the energy.
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Pineview Reservoir https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/uwcnf/recarea/?recid=74213
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Wheeler Creek Canyon https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/wheeler-creek-trail
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Maples Campground by Snowbasin. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/uwcnf/recreation/recarea/?recid=9477&actid=50 No longer maintained, this campground is a nice place to adventure and make some discoveries. Go for a hike or bring your camping gear. There are no toilets.
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Waterfall canyon. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/waterfall-canyon-trail Start at the 29th street parking lot and enjoy the hike.
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Environmental Center
Benjamin Prall Environmental Center Administrator (801) 745-2057
Swanson's North Fork Environmental Center is dedicated to providing a safe outdoor experience for students K-12, helping them understand core curriculum and the workings of the natural world. Consider it your destination field trip spot.
Mission Statement
The Environmental Center will be a facility and a setting for all students to safely learn about the workings of nature, about themselves, and to build positive relationships with each other and the natural world.
Experience
Experience the joy of learning in nature's laboratory. Through recreational pursuits kids will learn about nature and themselves.
Serving grades K-12 the Center provides a central lodge with kitchen, dining and restroom facilities. Equipment for activities year round is available at the Center.
The Center provides a natural setting for a fine field trip, that will provide fun and great memories. The Center can be used to teach key scientific concepts that may be hard in the traditional classroom.
The Center can also be a great location for Team Building and student conferences. A great location for student and teacher leaders to build unity while learning and working.
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Environmental Center
