Project Wild and Below Zero
Overview
WILD Education is a family of conservation education programs sponsored by the Canadian Wildlife Federation that emphasize natural resources. These popular conservation education programs were introduced in Newfoundland and Labrador in 1992 with the introduction of Project WILD through a partnership with the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture. Project WILD was subsequently followed in 2003 by Below Zero, a similar program which focuses on winter conditions and frozen environments. Sanctioned by the Department of Education for grades K-6, WILD Education is designed to be infused into mandated curriculum subjects, such as art, health, math, music, physical education, social studies, and science.
The programs are designed to provide educators with the information and activities they need to integrate environmental education into their existing curriculum The backbone of the programs are activity manuals containing a wide variety of environmental education activities. Each activity contains all the information needed for successful completion, including objectives, method, background, a list of required materials, procedures, evaluation suggestions, recommended grade level, subjects, skills, duration, group size, setting, and key vocabulary.
The programs are based on the premise that young Canadians have a vital interest in learning about their natural world, how their actions affect the sustainability of life on our planet, and how they can become responsible inhabitants of the Earth.
The programs assist learners in developing the awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment needed to make informed decisions and to take constructive action for wildlife, habitat, and the environment.
WILD Educations offers a one day workshop designed to inform educators about the program’s philosophy and illustrates how to integrate the activities of Project WILD and Below Zero into existing curricula.
How to participate in a WILD Education workshop and receive your Activity Guide.
The Project WILD and below Zero Guides are only available to workshop participants.
Workshop participants become familiar with WILD Education materials, activities, and strategies. They gain experience needed to use WILD Education with youth and to integrate program materials and activities into their teaching or to make the activities the basis for a whole course of study.
To book a workshop for your school or group, contact
Salmonier Nature Park
Salmonier Nature Park now offers Facilitators’ Workshops in WILD Education. If you would like to become a WILD Education Facilitator, watch our webpage for upcoming workshops.
National Wildlife Week
Proclaimed by Parliament in 1947, National Wildlife Week falls during the week of April 10, the birth date of the late Jack Miner who is credited with saving the Canada goose from extinction. This year’s theme for National Wildlife Week, Conserve the Wonder, encourages Canadians to recognize just how awesome nature is and to re-acquaint themselves with that feeling of wonder when they were first inspired by an ‘awe-inspiring’ experience in the natural world.
The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, as the provincial sponsor for National Wildlife Week, were excited to join other Canadians in celebrating this year. On Saturday, April 8, Wildlife Division staff partnered with MUN Botanical Gardens and the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board staff to offer public workshops at the Wildlife Discovery Center, Salmonier Nature Park. Workshop topics included Raised Vegetable Gardening and Composting. Schools and other interested groups were invited to access the Division’s newly developed outreach program on Bats from April 10-14. Participants had an opportunity to learn about the importance of bats in our environment, the factors threatening them and how to help with the conservation of this valuable species. Visit http://cwf-fcf.org/en/events/national-wildlife-week/ for more information on National Wildlife Week.