SPANISH FORT, Ala. — 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center pulsated with activity Thursday as some 250 area fourth-graders descended upon the environmental education center for Spanish Fort’s third annual Delta Woods and Waters Expo.

“Look at that,” shouted John Michael Lowery, 10, as two stingrays battled for a coveted spot in the corner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ simulated marine habitat.

The hands-on, open-air displays — packed with shrimp, red snapper, flounder, at least one sea squirt and an array of crab indigenous to the area — captivated Lowery and his classmates from W.J. Carroll Intermediate School.

“When we left last year, I told (organizers) to remember the name W.J. Carroll because we absolutely loved every second of the expo. I told them, ‘Please ask us back.’ It was the best field trip we’ve ever taken,” said fourth-grade teacher Linda Loper.

In its third year, Spanish Fort’s expo was created to educate youth and the community at large about the virtues of environmental consciousness and importance of marine safety.

In keeping with tradition, the first two days of the event cater exclusively to area fourth-graders, with Bay Minette’s Delta Elementary School and Loxley Elementary School joining W.J. Carroll on Thursday in an intensive rotating schedule of eight distinct activities.

Karen Brey, advancement coordinator for Boy Scout Troop 177, gave students a crash course in the national No Trace Left Behind initiative that encourages responsible stewardship of the natural world while interacting with it in the least disruptive ways possible.

For instance, she told Loxley Elementary students muddy shoes should be kept on existing trails to prevent “creating an erosion area;” hikers or campers should always remain as quiet as possible to not disturb wildlife in their natural habitats, especially those protecting their young; clothing worn should be “calming” to not obstruct or impede the peace of a natural area.

Meanwhile, Assistant Scout Master Ed Sims walked students through the features of a campsite the scouts erected, before sending them on their way to the rope bridge beckoning down the trail.

Across 5 Rivers’ sprawling campus, John C. Hall schooled Delta Elementary students about life in 19th-century Alabama, explaining only wealthy people of that day could afford shoes with buckles — as opposed to the lace-up variety — which is why there are no portraits of people wearing lace-up shoes. Only the wealthy could afford to have their portraits painted.

Hall, founding curator of the University of West Alabama’s Black Belt Regional Museum, spoke to the students in character, however, as storied naturalist William Bartram, who traveled through the Mobile-Tensaw Delta in 1775.

He also discussed the popular pastime of the day, stickball, telling students that even though the activity was primarily a sport for boys, the girls of the Choctaw tribe were unrivaled in their skill at the game.

Claudine Andress, who helped launch the expo in 2009 but took a more conservative role in this year’s preparations, said she’s thrilled organizers have kept the educational focus while continuing to attract enthusiastic experts as presenters.

“It’s remarkable we’ve found so many new things to do this year, and when you look at all the presenters and volunteers who ask to come back year after year, I think that says we’re definitely doing something right,” Andress said.

Volunteer Nancy Erwin simply beamed as the school children streamed off buses around 8:30 a.m.

“I’m just so glad these children are able to come and get exposure to the natural world like this,” she said.

The final day of the environmental extravaganza, known as Family Day, is set for Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

The day will offer an expanded slate of activities, food and musical performances.

(Staff video by Kelli M. Dugan)

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