PIERRE - On May 12-14, 2006, South Dakota State University’s Oak Lake Field Station will host educators at the WILD About Migratory Birds workshop.
This training opportunity is open to teachers, scout leaders, youth group leaders, and anyone else who has an interest in teaching children about birds. “We’re planning a fun-filled, hands-on workshop that will provide a lot of great information to the participants,” said Chad Tussing, Education Services Coordinator for Game, Fish and Parks.
Some of the workshop topics include participating in an annual spring bird count, experimenting with a computerized bird identification program, and experiencing several educational activities from the Flying WILD curriculum. Participants will receive a copy of this curriculum guide and will also build their own birdhouse to take back to their school, home, or facility. Tussing says, “While the activities we’ll be doing are fun for the participants, they are also very educational. Project WILD activities are easily correlated to state and national content standards. They also fit very well into existing lesson plans.” The workshop will be held at the Oak Lake Field Station, about 22 miles northeast of the SDSU campus. There is no charge for the training and materials, but a $35 fee is charged for meals and lodging for the workshop.
College credit will be available from Dakota State University for those who desire it. For more information, or to register for the workshop, contact Chad Tussing at 773-2541. Information is also available online at http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/Education/Projwild/workshops.htm
Project WILD is an internationally recognized curriculum, which promotes wildlife conservation through education. In 2006, over one million educators will have participated in Project WILD training since 1983. Game, Fish and Parks is the state sponsor of Project WILD in South Dakota. Over 6,000 educators have been trained in South Dakota since 1989. Project WILD workshops and materials are funded by the sale of hunting and fishing licenses.