Carlsbad FWO Wildlife Biologist Marybeth Woulfe introduces 5-year old Isabella Woulfe to some local species at Hope Elementary School in Carlsbad, CA. Credit: USFWS

by Jane Hendron, Carlsbad FWO
Biologists from the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office have been working with local schools to provide children of all ages with presentations on native plants and animals, and the work of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to conserve species and their habitats.

The programs have been delivered to more than 250 students ranging in age from Pre-School to Fifth grade from four different schools, including Hope Elementary and Pacific Rim Elementary in Carlsbad; Oasis Community School in Encinitas, and the Coastal Academy in Oceanside, California.

Materials used in the classroom presentations include wildlife specimens the children can touch to hands-on art projects and take-home activities such as coloring books.

One of the most popular hands-on activities developed by Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Biologists Susan Wynn and Joel Pagel involved cardboard wings representing various species of raptors, including owls, accipiters, eagles and falcons.  The children then used their respective ‘wings’ to mimic the type of flying and foraging behaviors each raptor species would typically exhibit.  The kids were then able to paint the wings and take them home as reminders of the day.

Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office staff involved in the development and delivery of classroom programs this year include MaryBeth Woulfe, Susan Wynn, Joel Pagel, David Zoutendyk, and Heidi Crowell.