Project WILD 

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Project WILD

 

Program Overview

Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Project WILD is an education program rooted in nature that helps educators bring the outdoors to their students. Free workshops matching state and national teaching frameworks offer valuable education and lesson plans about the natural world. Materials are available for teachers of any age group from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Workshop participants learn about the natural world through hands-on experience they can pass on to their students. Our classroom is the outdoors, and the experience is closer to a day at summer camp than a training seminar.

Teachers of all subjects are encouraged to participate. Workshops and courses cover a variety of subject areas, including science, social studies, language arts, mathematics and physical education. And because the workshops are fashioned according to national frameworks, participants will receive professional development credit.

You don’t have to be a traditional educator to learn and teach through Project WILD. Scout leaders, 4-H coordinators, nature camp counselors and other volunteers are welcome to participate. More than 1 million people have been trained at Project WILD workshops throughout the nation.

Bring the WILD life to your students
Educators attending the free, 8-hour workshop receive two activity guides with more than 150 activities matching state and national frameworks for Kindergarten through 12th grade programs. Free posters of Arkansas’ wildlife and natural resources also are available to decorate classrooms and capture students’ attentions.

Project WILD activity guides are written by teachers, school administrators, wildlife professionals and other educators. Materials are reviewed by science, curriculum, education and environmental experts for accuracy and educational value. Each lesson plan is tested in real classrooms to ensure effectiveness and high-quality student involvement.

 

Program Examples

Sample Activities
Project: Fashion a Fish
Objectives: Students will classify fish according to body shape and coloration.
Methods: Students design a fish adapted for various aquatic habitats.
Project: Oh Deer
Objectives: Students will: (1) identify and describe food, water and shelter as three essential components of habitat; (2) describe factors that influence carrying capacity; (3) define "limiting factors" and give examples; and (4) recognize that some fluctuations in wildlife populations are natural as ecological systems undergo constant change.
Methods: Students portray deer and habitat components in a physical activity.

Black Bear Guide and Workshop
What: Arkansas Black Bear Workshop (includes a comprehensive black bear curriculum guide)
Who: K-6 Educators (min. 10; max. 30)
Where: Location of your choice
When: Must be scheduled three months in advance
Fee: No charge
Contact: Program Staff to schedule

 

WILD Schoolyard Habitat Program

Project WILD educates students about wildlife, habitats, and the environment. To move students from awareness to action, AGFC's Project WILD program provides teachers in Arkansas' public and private schools an opportunity to apply for grant funding to build wildlife habitat on school grounds.

 

Facilitator Information

If you would like to become a Project WILD volunteer facilitator, contact the Project WILD Coordinator.

Requirements:

  • Must have participated in a basic 6 hour Project WILD workshop;
  • Must prescribe to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission goals and mission;
  • Must be trained in a facilitator workshop.

WILD Facilitators receive:

  • T-shirt and other amenities
  • Special invitations to Advanced WILD workshops at a low cost
  • Opportunity to acquire “Facilitator of the Year” award

You must be involved in at least one WILD function per year to maintain facilitator status.

 

Program Staff

Name | Title:Pat Knighten | Project WILD Coordinator
Address:2898 Highway 46 South, Sheridan, AR 72150
Phone | Email:870-917-2085 | Email