LIFE - Leon Sinks Geological Area

The LIFE ? Leon Sinks Geological Area Program is a partnership between the Department of Environmental Protection Nims Middle School in Leon County, and the University of Florida IFAS Extension (Wakulla and Leon Counties). The Program targets sixth grade students at Nims Middle School and involves four separate field experiences, one every nine weeks. Each field experience involves a number of distinct field labs led by DEP staff, IFAS Extension staff, volunteers, and participating teachers. Field sites include the Leon Sinks Geological Area and St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. The field labs will address priority topics that have been identified by the participating teachers and will use the unique natural resources and ecosystems available at the two locations as examples to illustrate important concepts and principles in Life and Environmental Science. The field experiences delve into such topics as karst features, the slant of the sun?s rays as it relates to the Earth, and plant classification.

This Program is funded primarily through a Hands on the Land (HOL) grant. HOL is a network of outdoor classrooms stretching from Alaska to Florida, and is sponsored by Partners in Resource Education, a collaboration of five Federal agencies, a non-profit foundation, schools, and other private sector partners.

Program Implementation Team

• Kay Collins
  Principal, Nims Middle School: (850) 488-5960
• Presley Charles
  6th Grade Science Teacher, Nims Middle School: (850) 488-5960
• William Sheftall
  Extension Agent III ? Natural Resource Management, The University of Florida, Leon County Extension: (850) 487-3004