Conservation Education Program in
Kentucky Schools
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
Resources (KDFWR) currently has nineteen Conservation Education Program Leaders (CEPL's)
teaching in 850 of Kentucky's schools, public and private. The 19 CEPL's also teach at the
Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. These employees are
required to have a college degree in Education, Outdoor Recreation, Biology, or Wildlife
Management. Each month the CEPL presents programs to 5th and 6th grade students in their
assigned areas. These programs include topics such as: Endangered Species, Mammals of
Kentucky, Wildlife Habitat, Firearm Safety, Predators, Kentucky Fish, Amphibians, Earth
Day, Birds, Snakes, Wildlife Adaptations and Restoring Kentucky’s Wildlife. We strive
to instill in Kentucky’s youth, a knowledge about wildlife needs and the desire to
improve the quality of Kentucky's wildlife habitat. Our mission statement: We are the
primary educational component of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
We exist to develop and enhance awareness, knowledge, skills and commitment that will
enable people to make informed decisions which will result in responsible behavior to
sustain wildlife diversity and related recreation.
These monthly programs are approximately 35 - 45 minutes
in length and the class size may range from 15 to 200; depending on the school size and
the availability of a meeting site. The average class size is 60 - 70. The CEPLs visit
each school October through April, with seven scheduled programs during the school year.
Teacher and student worksheets which accompany each month’s program are developed in
accordance with KERA goals and guidelines. These programs are set up on a two year
revolving cycle so as not to have the same program in consecutive years.
KDFWR has been providing this program to Kentucky
schools since the late 1940's, when they were known as "Junior Clubs". These
same 5th and 6th grade students are eligible to attend one of three summer Conservation
Camps operated by KDFWR.
If you would like more specific information, contact
Laura Burford at 1-800-858-1549 or send e-mail to
laura.burford@ky.gov
