Education
Teachers and Youth Leaders
The Forest Service Conservation Education program strives
to build upon awareness, knowledge, values and attitudes
of adults and youth, to foster understanding, appreciation,
and appropriate behaviors concerning natural and cultural
resources. The Forest Service is a leader in providing scientific
knowledge and outstanding opportunities for place-based
learning.
To help assure quality and age-appropriate materials,
the Forest Service has adapted learner guidelines established
by the National Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE).
Here are some of the Forest Service educational tools that
are available to you.
Curriculum & Activity Guides
Natural Inquirer
The Natural
Inquirer is a science journal that introduces 4th
through 8th grade students to many topics of Forest Service
research. Each edition of the Natural
Inquirer contains student activities and lesson ideas
for the teachers. Many forest offices have copies available
for classroom use or copies can be downloaded.
Investigating Your Environment (IYE)
IYE is
an inquiry-based education program which provides water,
plants, wildlife, habitats, geology and soil investigations.
These activities complement science curriculum for upper
elementary school through high school. IYE was
created in the 1970's, but is still a useful tool for teachers.
Urban Forestry Exercises
The Urban
Forestry Exercises help secondary level students to
investigate and appreciate urban forests around them.
Ecosystem Matters
The "Ecosystem Matter" activity
guide provide hands-on and problem-solving activities that
focus on conservation and stewardship of various natural
resources. Contact the Regional
Conservation Education Coordinator for a free Ecosystems
Matters activity guide CD-rom.
PROGRAMS
Smokey Bear
Contact your local forest office for Smokey
Bear and fire prevention programs. There are online
activities and materials for youth. In addition, there
is information about the annual poster contest.
Woodsy Owl
Since 1971, Woodsy
Owl has inspired kids to care for the natural world.
Woodsy's familiar slogan was first "Give a hoot,
don't pollute" but now Woodsy would like youth to "Lend
a Hand, Care for the Land". Online activities are
appropriate for younger elementary students. Check the
website for information on the annual poster contest.
Junior Forest Ranger & Junior Snow
Ranger
Two programs that may be available on
your local forest are the Junior Forest Ranger and the Junior
Snow Ranger program. Junior
Forest Ranger programs usually are available at many
forest recreational sites during the summer. Junior
Snow Ranger programs take place in the winter at downhill
ski areas or on forest trails. Both of these programs offer
hands-on activities that encourage stewardship of natural
resources.
Fire Ecology
The FireWorks program
focuses on fire ecology and the physics of fire. This program
was created by researchers at the Forest Service Fire Research
lab in Missoula, Montana. The FireWorks program
includes teacher workshops, fire resource trunks, and a
downloadable curriculum that is appropriate for upper elementary
through secondary. To locate the nearest FireWorks trunk
or schedule a workshop, contact the Regional
Conservation Education Coordinator.
This extensive Fire
Effects database includes technical information on
fire ecology and characteristics of many native plants,
animals, and fungi. This is an excellent resource students
could use for research projects.
Fire Curriculum by Nova.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Educational Trunks
Most forests have educational trunks
loaded with hands-on materials and resources you can borrow.
Some of the trunks in our Region include: tree trunks, bat
box, weed trunk, FireWorks trunk, wilderness box, wolf box,
and fish box. Contact your local forest office to find out
what is available.
National Interagency Center
National
Interagency Fire Center has current wildfire information
and links for fire prevention programs such as Firewise.
Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS)
Publications
The Rocky
Mountain Research Station offers many online brochures
and research publications. Some of these scientific publications
would be helpful for students doing research for science
fairs and other school projects.
Videos, Brochures, & Posters
Local forest offices carry a variety
of educational materials. If you have a specific interest
in additional materials, contact the Regional
Conservation Education Coordinator.
CAREER INFORMATION
In addition, Forest staff can present
information about career options in the Forest Service.
We are archaeologists, computer scientists, fishery and
wildlife biologists, range conservationists, botanists,
engineers, hydrologists, recreation specialists, interpreters,
plus many more. And yes...some of us are forest rangers!
CONTACT US
To request materials or a program presentation,
contact your local forest office, or the Regional Conservation
Education Coordinator by e-mail or
by phone at 801-625-5254, or by fax at 801-625-5240.
Conservation
Education Coordinators in other Regions.
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