Wildlife and the Outdoors, from the Classroom to Nature
Extension Education
Carter Oliver
County Director
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Logan
Abstract
Iowa has a rich agricultural history that has shaped the culture and economics of the state and its people. Natural Resources education is lacking within schools’ science curriculum and agriculture classes. To create a balance between agriculture and natural resources education, I created the Wildlife and the Outdoors curriculum. This class used two existing programs frameworks, the adult Master Conservationist Program and the youth Wildlife Habitat Education Program. This unique class was offered at the IGNITE Pathways Regional Center, a Career and Technical Education facility. Harrison County is a rural county dominated by row crop agriculture but blessed with distinctive landscapes. The Wildlife and the Outdoors class taught ninth grade students using classroom and field outings focused on conservation practices, soils, landforms, and forest/prairie/aquatic ecosystems management and the wildlife found in these ecosystems. Post-class survey results showed that awareness of natural resources increased, and knowledge of the proper management of those critical resources increased too. This curriculum was effective in integrating natural resources education into agricultural classes, with the opportunity to expand throughout Iowa and the Midwest.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Carter Oliver
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Oliver, C. County Director, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Iowa, 51546