​霍克伍德学校的一年级学生在2016年6月迎来了来自亚伯达野生动物保护研究所（AIWC）的特邀嘉宾，与他们进行了现实生活的连接，了解到他们如何产生影响。

在期待AIWC的访问之前，学生们撰写了关于加拿大物种的详细报告，研究了这些动物的生物学特征以及可能影响它们的威胁因素。一年级的走廊挂满了这些物种的绘画。教室外面还放着一个气球动物，它是一个秃鹰的形状！

学生们迫不及待地想要了解动物被救助的过程。AIWC中心的许多动物都是幼崽，需要特别照顾。大家惊讶地得知一些年幼的动物，尤其是鸟类，每15分钟就需要喂食一次。

会见特邀嘉宾格里芬是AIWC访问学校的重头戏。格里芬于2013年因头部受伤来到AIWC，可能是与汽车碰撞时受伤的。事故造成他一只眼睛失明，非常温顺，所以无法返回野外，但他已成为一个很好的教育形象大使。格里芬是一只引人注目的鸟，羽毛呈独特的深色。早上，他会飞到AIWC高高的天花板上的栖木，用他的翅膀伸展和小跳来娱乐工作人员和志愿者，并发出一名志愿者形容为“翼龙”般的尖叫声。他以老鼠为食。

见到格里芬是一次令人大开眼界的经历，学生们显然与他产生了共鸣。在野生动物救援项目之后，五个一年级班级向AIWC捐赠了622.45美元的支票，用于照料和康复亚伯达省受伤的野生动物。学生们通过为父母和邻居做额外的家务和收集瓶子和罐子来努力筹集捐款。

很高兴看到学生和教师与当地动物建立联系，并受到他们的鼓舞，以任何方式帮助野生动物。霍克伍德学校的一年级学生是即使是小人物也可以产生巨大影响的完美榜样。

​Grade 1 students at Hawkwood School made real life connections as to how they can make a difference when a representative and special guest from Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) came to visit in June 2016.

In anticipation of AIWC’s visit, students wrote detailed reports on Canadian species, researching the animal’s biology and the threats that could affect them. The Grade 1 hallway was covered in drawings of the species that had been researched. Sitting outside the classroom was a balloon animal – made into the shape of a bald eagle!

Students could not wait to learn all about how animals are rescued. Many of the animals at the AIWC centre are babies and need lots of special attention. Everyone was astonished to learn how some young animals, especially birds, have to be fed every 15 minutes.

Meeting the special guest, Griffin, a red-tailed hawk, was the highlight of AIWC’s visit to the school.
Griffin came to AIWC in 2013 with a head injury, which was likely sustained in a collision with a car. The accident left him blind in one eye and very docile, so he was not a candidate to be returned to the wild, but he has become a great educational ambassador. Griffin is a striking bird, with unusual, darkly tinged plumage. In the mornings he flies to his perch in the lofty ceiling of AIWC and entertains staff and volunteers with his morning routine of wing stretches and little hops, while uttering what one volunteer described as “pterodactyl” shrieks. He is fed a diet of mice.

Seeing Griffin was an eye-opening experience and it was clear that the students connected with him.
Following the wildlife rescue programs the five Grade 1 classes presented AIWC with a cheque for $622.45 which was donated to help care for and rehabilitate Alberta’s injured wildlife. Students worked very hard to raise the donation money by doing extra chores for parents and neighbours and collecting bottles and cans.

It was wonderful to see students and teachers connect with local animals and become inspired to help wildlife any way they can. The Grade 1 students of Hawkwood School are a perfect example of how even small people can make a big difference.