Red Fox Community School students explore Vermont's wild turkey history at Hildene

Students from Red Fox Community School recently embarked on an educational adventure to Hildene, the Lincoln Family home in Manchester, Vermont. The field trip focused on an in-depth exploration of Vermont's wild turkey population, combining history, biology, and environmental studies.

"Our visit to Hildene provided students with a unique opportunity to understand the intricate relationship between wildlife and Vermont's changing landscape," said Karen O'Neill Thomson, Head of School at Red Fox Community School. "It's a perfect example of our commitment to hands-on, interdisciplinary learning."

Students learned about the successful reintroduction of wild turkeys to Vermont in the 1960s, with all current turkeys descending from just 31 birds. The program explored the connection between turkey populations and Vermont's changing agricultural landscape, including the impact of declining dairy farms and the turkey’s adaptation to changing environments.

Red Fox students enjoyed watching one of their classmates be outfitted with the important features of a turkey, complete with wearing a snood. Did you know a snood is the turkey’s way of regulating his emotions?  Depending on the turkey's mood, the snood changes colors from pale red to an intense bright red or a starch white and blue combination.

This field trip aligns with Red Fox Community School's mission to provide students with experiences that connect classroom learning to the real world. By studying local wildlife and environmental history, students gain a deeper sense of stewardship for their natural world.