|
|
|
|
|
Media Inquiries
614-265-6860 |
|
|
|
|
|
Sep
19
Written by:
news editor
9/19/2012 12:00 AM
Ohio teachers who have successfully used Project WILD can now provide students with additional hands-on learning about wildlife and habitat through grants.
Project WILD-certified educators may apply to create outdoor classrooms on their school grounds
COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio teachers who have successfully used Project WILD, a supplemental environmental education curriculum for grades K-12, can now provide students with additional hands-on learning about wildlife and habitat through grants from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
With Project WILD, educators use wildlife and wildlife management techniques to teach traditional school subjects, such as math, science and language arts. Now in its ninth year, the Project WILD grant program provides teachers with funding to purchase the materials, equipment and activities needed to develop “WILD School Sites" on their campuses.
Grants, totaling $500 each, will be awarded on a competitive basis to 40 schools currently participating in Project WILD. For the first time, grants will be available for the entire school year, beginning Sept. 1 through May 31. Previously they were only available from Jan. 1 to May 31.
“A WILD School Site project allows teachers to take lesson plans outdoors, bringing conservation education concepts to life for students,” said Jen Dennison, wildlife education coordinator for the Division of Wildlife. “An added benefit is the improvement of a schoolyard habitat for wildlife and people, which enhances outdoor learning experiences.”
The grants are awarded to applicants that best meet the WILD School Site criteria. Criteria includes participation in one of Ohio’s Project WILD programs, direct improvement of the habitat on the school grounds, involvement of the students in the projects as much as possible and correlation of the projects to the school’s curriculum.
Funding for the WILD School Site grant program comes from the sale of Ohio hunting and fishing licenses.
Interested educators should submit an application between Sept. 1 and May 31 to the ODNR Division of Wildlife, Outdoor Education Section, 2045 Morse Road, Building G, Columbus, Ohio 43229. Complete details of the grant program and an application packet can be found at ohioprojectwild.com. To learn more about Project WILD or to find an area workshop, go to ohioprojectwild.com or call 800-WILDLIFE.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.com.
- 30 -
For more information, contact:
Jen Dennison, ODNR Division of Wildlife
614-265-6316
Bethany McCorkle, ODNR Office of Communications
614-265-6860
Tags:
|
|
|