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Nature-based learning Book by Cazenovia native helps educators, students connect with nature
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In March 2024, Cornell University Press published Cazenovia native Amy Butler’s book about her success implementing nature-based education in Vermont public schools. The book, “Educating Children Outdoors: Lessons in Nature-Based Learning,” is a resource for educators interested in spending extended periods of time in nature with their students.
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By kate Hill Staff Writer
azenovia native Amy Butler has spent over two decades partnering with teachers, community members, and families to help create opportunities for children to connect to the natural world. Earlier this year, Cornell University Press published Butler’s book documenting her success in implementing nature-based education in Vermont public schools. According to the publisher’s website, the book, “Educating Children Outdoors: Lessons in Nature-Based Learning,” is a resource for educators interested in spending extended periods of time in nature with their students. Its pages offer curricular guidance on nature-
based lessons that align with K–12 education standards and build on children’s innate curiosity and wonder for the natural world. The book features 25 lessons broken down into five units of study aligned with the seasons. It also includes appendixes that offer templates for learning. “You’ll find a whole unit on stick play that includes mathematical thinking and visualizing-verbalizing,” said Butler. “One unit is how to learn with fire, and the winter unit includes lessons on tracking and exploring properties of matter through the melting of snowballs.” According to Butler, who graduated from high school in 1992, her Cazenovia upbringing impacted her connection to the natural world and the value she places on learning outdoors.
“I grew up riding my bike with the neighborhood kids on Pompey Hollow Road, catching turtles in Limestone Creek, and playing hide and seek in the cornfields,” she said. “It was undoubtedly a different time when kids ran freely with little to no adult supervision. Later on, when my family moved to the village, I sought out the same wild places along Chittenango Creek and, of course, swimming at the pier. All these experiences and living in the bucolic setting of Central New York only further supported my relationship with the natural world.” After high school, Butler studied forestry and environmental science at Paul Smith’s College in the Adirondacks. She went on to study social ecology and early childhood education. Nature l Page 11
Houseboat on Caz Lake partially sinks Lecture to commemorate By kate Hill Staff Writer
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Midafternoon on Tuesday, Aug. 13, the Town of Cazenovia and multiple local agencies responded to numerous calls regarding a houseboat that appeared to be sinking on Cazenovia Lake. The registered vessel, which has been on the lake all summer, was situated north of the Cazenovia Rowing Club dock at the south end of the lake. At the time of the response, one side of the houseboat was submerged in the water and stuck in the mud. Town Supervisor Kyle Reger, who monitored the situation with Highway Superintendent Bryan Smith aboard the lake’s weed harvester, estimated that the houseboat was in about six or seven feet of water. “As soon as we learned about this incident, we reached out to all the proper agencies,” Reger said. “The Cazenovia Fire Department, the Cazenovia Police Department, the Madison County Sheriff ’s Department, and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation [(DEC)] Spill Response Team responded im-
On Tuesday, Aug. 13, authorities responded to a situation involving a partially submerged houseboat on Cazenovia Lake.
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80th anniversary of D-Day By kate Hill Staff Writer
Frank T. Stritter, Ph.D., of the Cazenovia American Legion Post 88, will present his annual military history lecture at the Cazenovia Public Library on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Betsy Kennedy Community Room. His presentation, titled “D-Day was 6 June 1944,” will explore the Allied invasion of Normandy, France during World War II. “2024 marks the 80th year since American, British, and Canadian forces landed at Normandy, France in the largSubmitted photo est recorded invasion in history,” said Stritter. “D-Day, or its codename Opera- Frank T. Stritter, Ph.D., will tion Overlord, marked the beginning of present his annual milithe end for Nazi Germany and Hitler’s tary history lecture at the Cazenovia Public Library Third Reich.” During his talk, Stritter will briefly review the invasion and its results. He will also “interview” 10 people who participated in the invasion in different ways. “I have organized [my presentation] so that I simulate a walk Lecture l Page 2
Volume 214, Number 34 The Cazenovia Republican is published weekly by Eagle News. Office of Publication: 35 Albany St., Second Floor, Cazenovia, NY 13035. Periodical Postage Paid at Cazenovia, NY 13035, USPS 095-260. POSTMASTER: Send change of address to Cazenovia Republican, 2501 James St., Suite 100, Syracuse, NY 13206.
history: Cazenovia Heritage offers driving tours of historic barns.
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community: STEPtember for Suicide Prevention, Awareness & Remembrance Walk to be held.
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CALENDAR �������������������� 2 Editorial ��������������������� 4 history ������������������������ 4 letters ������������������������ 4
Obituaries ������������������ 3 PennySaver ���������������� 6 Sports ����������������������� 11