Red Fox students explore beaver habitats at Smokey House
- Manchester Journal
- Apr 11
- 2 min read
Updated: May 19
Press Manchester Journal
Published April 11, 2025
DANBY — Students from Red Fox Community School recently experienced an educational adventure as part of their year-long animal studies program, visiting Smokey House Center to explore and learn about beaver habitats and ecology.
Under the guidance of Smokey House staff members, students toured the beaver habitat on the center's property, discovering firsthand how these "ecoengineers" transform the local ecosystem and are a keystone species vital to our wetland health.
"It was such an engaging way to connect our classroom learning to the natural world," said Karen O'Neill Thomson, Head of School at Red Fox Community School. "Our students were thrilled to observe beaver lodges and dams firsthand, and discovering fresh beaver tracks was a highlight that brought their studies to life. Our Smokey House trip perfectly complemented our study of Vermont animals, especially species like beavers that were once extirpated from Vermont."
During the field trip, students learned fascinating facts about North America's largest rodent, including that beaver teeth never stop growing and contain a protective layer of iron. They observed evidence of beaver activity throughout the property, spotting downed trees, dams, lodges and escape tunnels as well as mounds created to mark the edge of a beaver family's territory.
Students helped cast fresh beaver tracks in plaster for further study and collaborated on the strategic placement of a wildlife camera to capture beaver activity. Smokey House Center will share the footage results with the school in May.
The knowledge gained during this expedition will be featured in Red Fox Community School's upcoming all-school play, where students will share more fascinating beaver facts, including how these animals mark their territory and the purpose of a "beaver deceiver."
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