Moose Antler Ring Toss at Kenai NWR. FWS photo, April 2009, KENWR.

Moose for a day - local Soldotna homeschoolers get to "be a moose" at Kenai NWR. FWS photo, April 2009, KENWR.

On April 22 and 23, 2009, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Environmental Educational Specialist, Michelle Ostrowski, and Student Conservation Association Intern, Betsi Oliver, hosted over 25 families at the “Magnificent Moose” homeschool program at the Refuge’s Environmental Education Center.  Each year in Alaska more people are injured from moose than bears, and this discovery program was designed to increase awareness about the biology, habits and behaviors of moose.  Participants learned basic moose facts (Moose 101); the difference between an antler and a horn; what a moose eats (and shouldn’t eat); how to be safe around moose; and what causes local moose populations to change.  Betsi and Michelle led games such as "guess how many moose droppings in the jar", antler ring toss, and assisted students in crafting moose dropping magnets.

Since 2006, Kenai NWR has been reaching out to local homeschool organizations such as Raven, IDEA, and Connections and working with them to create environmental activities that engage and educate.  For more information on Alaska homeschool organizations, visit http://www.home-school.com/groups/AK.html.