Project WILD

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Project WILD is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program emphasizing terrestrial and aquatic wildlife resources. The goal of Project WILD is to assist learners of any age in developing awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment resulting in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning wildlife and the environment. From awareness to action, this hands-on approach to learning engages students in investigating the world around them, connecting them to conservation careers, and participating in solid STEM activities.

Workshops

Project WILD's mission is to help students learn how to think, not what to think, about wildlife and the environment. All curriculum materials are backed by sound theory and instructional practices representing many fields of education and natural resource management from across the country. The curriculum guides encourage educators to give students opportunities to address contemporary issues knowledgeably, constructively, and responsibly.

The three major themes of the curriculum guides are:

  • Ecological Knowledge
  • Social and Political Knowledge
  • Sustaining Fish and Wildlife Populations

During workshops, participants learn about Project WILD and sample activities from the Terrestrial and Aquatic guides.

Educator Workshops

During theses one-day workshops, participants receive a set of activity guides that focus on terrestrial and aquatic natural resource concepts. The Project WILD materials have been classroom tested and provide a framework to assist teachers in taking students from an awareness of the nature to responsible actions concerning the environment.

Upcoming Workshops

December 3 & 4, 2024 Triple Educator workshop – Project WILD, WET and Learning Tree at Forston 4H Center in Hampton, GA, 9:00 am – 7:00 pm and 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Register online. Multiple registration options (lodging, meals, etc.) are available. See website for full details.
January 18, 2025 Educator Workshop at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA from 9:00 – 4:30 pm. Cost: $32 per person and bring your own lunch. Register online 

Advanced Workshops

Project WILD hosts advanced workshops for educators who want to learn more about wildlife and the environment. These hands-on programs provide in-depth information on specific wildlife topics to help you prepare detailed lesson plans.

Climate Resilience Workshop: Climate change is a complex topic that can be intimidating to teach. However, understanding climate, including the ways it is changing and how that impacts the environment, is crucial to making informed decisions and building resilience. This training will introduce climate guides from Projects WET, WILD and Learning Tree which include 31 activities to incorporate climate change topics into your lesson plans or programs. This training is open to formal and non-formal educators and activities are created with Middle and High School age students in mind.

Teacher Conservation Workshop: Join us for a five-day summer professional development event that explores forestry and natural resources management and how the two are interconnected. Activities are led by foresters, biologists, educators, and industry professionals. This interdisciplinary workshop focuses on the environmental, economic, and social benefits of Georgia’s forestry and wildlife communities.

Outdoor Wildlife Leadership School: Examines the flora and fauna of the different ecoregions of Georgia though hands-on activities around research and conservation.In 2024 participants will spend five days learning via hands-on activities and day trips in the Piedmont region of Georgia. Educators will explore wildlife forensics by investigating wildlife crimes, hike Ohoopee Dunes, canoe local waterways, discover the granite outcrop ecosystem, and identify regional wildlife species.  Thanks to a grant from The Environmental Resources Network, the cost of this educational experience is only $175 per person.

Growing Up WILD

Growing Up WILD: Exploring Nature with Young Children is an early childhood education activity guide written for children ages 3-7 that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, it provides a foundation for developing positive impressions about nature while also building lifelong social and cognitive skills.

Growing Up WILD’s activity guide:

  • Features 27 field-tested, hands-on, nature-based activities Including crafts, art projects, music, conservation activities, reading and math connections and much more.
  • Supports developmentally appropriate practice allowing children to learn at levels that are individually, socially, and culturally appropriate.
  • Is correlated to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards and the Head Start Domains.

Upcoming Workshops

January 8th, 2025 at Morgan County Extension office in Madison, GA 9:00 am – 12:30 pm. Cost: $25 per person, Register online. Deadline to register is January 2nd.

Flying WILD

Flying WILD is birding based activity guide that introduces students to bird conservation through hands-on classroom activities that are interdisciplinary, standards-based lessons that engage students in real-world learning. The Flying WILD guide includes suggestions, instructions, and resources for doing service leaning activities, such as conducting a school bird festival and participating in habitat improvement projects. Flying WILD was written for middles school grades; however, we have adaptations for the K-12 classroom that we will share.

Upcoming Workshops

February 15th, 2025. Flying WILD educator at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center (Mansfield, GA). Registration fee is $15.00 (includes curriculum & resources). Deadline to register is February 12th.

Facilitator Workshops

For individuals looking to become certified to lead their own workshops in Project WILD.  Most trained facilitators conduct workshops as a part of their duties in their day-to-day employment. Great examples include preservice education professors, extension educators, museum/nature center staff, natural resource professionals, school district curriculum specialists, and more.

Upcoming Workshops

Stay tuned for future dates!

Project WILD Resources

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