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Conservation Education

"There are two dangers in not owning a farm. One is the danger of supposing that breakfast comes from the grocery, and the other that heat comes from the furnace." Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

Conservation is the wise use and management of all our natural resources. It has been described as the state of harmony between people and land. Conservation is based upon the premise that people, the human dimension, ultimately impact the land. Effective conservation, therefore, develops a citizenry of "wiser users."

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provides a menu of resource materials and adventure workshops that promote the conservation ethic. People of all ages can select from formal educational programs (K-12 curricula), non-formal educational programs, and field experiences that reconnect participants with Alabama's natural resources. The Department has Web resources for the general public, students, educators and boy scout leaders.

Programs for conservation education include the Outdoor Alabama Expo, boating education, hunter education, angler education, programs at state parks, teacher workshops, and this Web site! Opportunities also include art contests for students and adults.

By investing in people today, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources invests in conservation for the future. Programs currently offered include:

PROJECT WILD: Six-hour introductory workshop for teachers, naturalists, youth leaders, 4-H, and scout leaders. Participants receive the Project WILD Educational Activity Guide containing over 100 activities designed to teach youth about conservation of wildlife and ecological systems. Free of charge.

AQUATIC WILD: Six-hour introductory workshop for teachers, naturalists, youth leaders, 4-H, and scout leaders. Participants receive the Aquatic WILD Educational Activity Guide containing over 40 activities designed to teach youth about conservation of aquatic habitats and ecological systems. Free of charge.

PROJECT WET: Six-hour introductory workshop for teachers, naturalists, youth leaders, 4H, and scout leaders. Participants receive the Project WET Educational Activity Guide containing over 100 activities designed to teach youth about timely topics such as water chemistry, hydrologic cycles, water uses, watersheds, and water conservation. Free of charge.

BECOMING AN OUTDOORS WOMAN:
Participants receive practical instruction and beginner-level skills in such areas as camping, Dutch oven cooking, map and compass, archery, firearms safety, recreational sport shooting, hunting, fishing, backyard wildlife, nature photography, ATV handling, and first aid. $195 - includes three days, two nights lodging and all meals at the Alabama 4-H Center. Enjoy the comforts of this modern facility hidden along the shore of Lay Lake (Shelby County). All instructional equipment provided.

STEP OUTSIDE:
Finally, an outdoor skills training program for the entire family! Success of the Becoming An Outdoors Woman program (BOW) created demand for a new type of outdoor skills program, namely, one which offers outdoor skills workshops for men, women, and children. Step Outside complements the BOW program in that it offers a series of 1-day and 2-day adventurous outdoor skills events at the local level. Step Outside introduces newcomers to traditional activities of target shooting, archery, hunting and fishing. Because many Alabamians enjoy birding, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, and canoeing, the Step Outside program offers skills training for these activities as well. Step Outside is a partnership between the AL Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the AL Cooperative Extension System, the AL Farmers Federation, the AL Treasure Forest Association, and the AL Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Click here to learn about upcoming Step Outside events.