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Wild About Wildlife Refuges
Pacific Region, June 14, 2004
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?This was one of the best continuing ed classes I?ve ever had? said one school teacher in the first Wild About Refuges class. ?I?ve never seen bald eagles before and the peregrine falcons were really spectacular.? This was one of 4 classes put together by Kathi Stopher of the Southeast Idaho National Wildlife Refuge Complex in partnership with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG), the World Center for Birds of Prey, Idaho State University and others. Basically it was a Project Wild Workshop tailored for and offered on Wildlife Refuges. Teachers received continuing education credit by attending 1 or more of the 3 refuges classes and the follow-up class in Pocatello, ID. The first class was in January during Christmas break 2004 at Minidoka NWR, focusing on raptor biology. Portions of the class were taught by Kathi, the IDFG Project Wild Coordinators, the refuge manager and the World Center for Birds of Prey Outreach Staff, who brought 2 live peregrine falcons. We found 3 adult bald eagles and a few other raptors during the afternoon field trip. The second class was in conjunction with International Migratory Bird Day activities at Camas NWR, one of the premier birding locations in Idaho. This session focused on songbirds. Classes were followed by birding trips by sight and sound. For many teachers, this was their first experience birding ? They were hooked! The third class was at Bear Lake NWR and focused on water birds. This time the field trip provided the opportunity to see geese, ducks, trumpeter swans and colonial nesters like white-faced ibis, egrets and gulls. The last class was the culminating session that focused on applying Project Wild activities to the classroom setting. In-kind services were provided by IDFG, Portneuf Valley Audubon Society, Pocatello Zoo, and the World Center for Birds of Prey. Cash donations were provided by IDFG and the Kimberly Clark Community Partners Foundation. Part of the grant funded teaching trunks on threatened, endangered and sensitive species in Idaho.

Everyone enjoyed these classes - the teachers, the instructors and guest speakers, all thought it was great training. The Project Wild Coordinators from IDFG were enthusiastic about the classes and the partnership. These classes put a unique spin on the normal Project Wild classes and gave the teachers additional background information as well as some outdoor skills. All the sessions brought attention to the National Wildlife Refuge System and to the individual refuges where they were held. They were very well received - All we need to do now is figure a way to repeat them.

No contact information available. Please contact Charles Traxler, 612-713-5313, charles_traxler@fws.gov


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