Nonprofit releases screech owl as part of outdoor education for kids

At the Palouse Nature Center in Moscow, Idaho, kids were getting excited for the release of a Western screech owl that had been rehabilitated at Washington State University. The owl release was at the end of the day for Palouse Roots — an outdoor nature program for kids ages four to seven. The program is run by the Palouse-Clearwater Environmental Institute, or PCEI, in Moscow. 

Tom Lamar is the executive director of PCEI. He said the kids at Palouse Roots are always learning from their outdoor experiences. 

“As we keep seeing from study after study, learning outside is the best way for kids to learn,” Lamar said.

Caitlin Sanchez, a parent, was at the owl release with her daughter.

“I think it’s just important to my husband and I for my daughter to keep playing as she gets older, and be outside as much as she can,” she said.

The program puts a big focus on STEM, which includes science, technology, engineering and math. Palouse Roots places an additional emphasis in restoration and the arts. Lamar calls this “STREAM.”

Kids are also taught the idea of leaving no trace — the concept of reducing their carbon footprint. For adults, Lamar said that could look like biking to work instead of driving.

“For kids, it might be not littering, and not leaving trash behind,” he said. “… We want to make sure that the kids are learning how to be responsible human beings.”

All that education makes its way home — Lamar said kids oftentimes become the best teachers of their parents. 

“That might mean helping their parents learn how to save water, conserve water, you know, turning the water off while they’re brushing their teeth or taking shorter showers, or doing all those things to reduce our impact,” he said.

Dr. Marcie Logsdon, a veterinarian at WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, was overseeing the release of the Western screech owl.

“This is one of the most important things about our work as wildlife rehabbers, is engaging the next generation,” she said. “Being able to instill in some of these kids a respect and a wonder for nature, that’s what’s going to keep wildlife here in the future.” 

Then, the moment everyone was waiting for. Logsdon opened the door to a small wooden cage. And after a pause, the owl flew away into the woods.

Along with the Western screech owl, the kids also got to see a Northern saw-whet owl and a Northern pygmy owl.

This story is part of a continuing series focused on regional nonprofits.