Conservation Education
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. It is based upon the premise that people, the human dimension, ultimately impact the land. Effective conservation, therefore, effectively develops a citizenry of "wiser users."
The Information & Education Section 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 the land.
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. |
| ADVANCED PROJECT WET: Two-day workshop blending intense coverage of Project WET materials with aquatic field studies. Free of charge. Meals and lodging not provided. |
| ADVANCED PROJECT WILD: Two-day workshop blending intense coverage of Project Wild materials with terrestrial and aquatic field studies. Free of charge. Meals and lodging not provided. |
| ADVANCED AQUATIC WILD: Two-day workshop blending intense coverage of Aquatic Wild materials with aquatic habitat studies. Free of charge. Meals and lodging not provided. |
| OUTDOORS EXPERIENCES: Three-day field course providing educators with first hand and often first time outdoor experiences (wildlife identification, seining, firearms safety/handling, fishing, night wildlife watching, etc.). Educators explore the "outdoor classroom" and discover how to utilize this exciting learning atmosphere to increase student academic achievement. Meals fee only. |
| DISCOVERING THE OUTDOORS: Five-day field course based upon "Discovering Our Heritage," a model approach for whole-school integration of environmental education. Educators charged with developing an environmental education "theme" across grade levels and subject areas will find the course most beneficial. Curricula are also correlated to Alabama Science Course of Study. Meals and lodging fee. |
| DELTA DISCOVERY: Five-day field course introducing conservation principles and practices in Alabama's delta region, with particular emphasis on aquatic resources. Educators receive award-winning environmental education curricula, as well as practical guidelines for teaching them inside and outside the classroom. Curricula are correlated to Alabama Science Course of Study. Meals and lodging fee. |
| 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. $175 - includes three days, two nights lodging and all meals at the Alabama 4H 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. |
| FEDERAL JUNIOR DUCK STAMP ART CONTEST: More information. |
| OUTDOOR CLASSROOMS: See our partnership with the Alabama Wildlife Federation. |
Teachers, naturalists, youth leaders, 4-H, and scout leaders interested in workshops should contact the Conservation Education Specialist in their area:
North Alabama: Jason Dockery, 256-737-7216
South Alabama: Lynn Garris, 251-626-5474
For more information, contact Jerry A. de Bin, Information & Education Chief, at (334) 242-3151 or click on Information & Education Office to send email.
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