HARRISBURG – With summer recess for schools just around the corner, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is announcing a series of upcoming Project WILD workshops for educators and Scout and youth group leaders this summer throughout the state.

Project WILD is an award-winning, international, hands-on conservation education program. Started nearly 25 years ago, Project WILD focuses on wildlife and the environment and how humans interrelate with both. WILD provides educators, primarily kindergarten through 12th grade, with interdisciplinary activities that help address state and national education standards and help educators comply with mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act. WILD’s materials are scientifically sound and use educational practices proven to be effective.

The basic 500-page, K-12 Project WILD Guide has more than 120 activities to help educators teach skills from observation to synthesis using a variety of environmental-related topics. The activities have been designed so educators can easily incorporate them into almost any classroom curriculum and nearly any subject, such as science, reading, English, social studies, math, civics, physical education or art.

WILD’s mission is to provide wildlife-based conservation education that fosters responsible action. WILD’s goal is to develop the awareness, skills, knowledge and commitment that are necessary for people to make informed decisions and act constructively and responsibly toward wildlife and the environment.

WILD is one of the most widely used conservation and environmental education programs among K-12 educators. Recognized as the nation’s most successful wildlife education program, WILD is bringing hundreds of thousands of students from awareness to action as conservationists worldwide each year.

Theresa Alberici coordinates the program in Pennsylvania through the Game Commission’s Bureau of Information and Education. She works closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Education as well as prominent conservation and environmental education organizations throughout the state and the country. Her dedication to wildlife and environmental awareness, along with her talents in creating curricula and ability to work with educators have earned her recognition from the state Department of Education and Pennsylvania’s conservation education community.

“Educators leave Project WILD workshops with a renewed appreciation of wildlife and are excited about how they’re going to share what they’ve learned with their students,” Alberici said. “This year, wildlife agencies nationwide celebrated one million educators ‘Gone WILD.’ More than one million educators have been trained in the program since Project WILD originated in 1983.

“Project WILD isn’t about teaching kids what to think about wildlife; it’s about teaching kids how to think about wildlife and giving them the skills they need to become responsibly active citizens who recognize the importance of wildlife and the environment. The milestone of training one million educators means that, through Project WILD, more than 53 million people worldwide have experience in thinking responsibly about natural resources. Last year alone, state wildlife agencies ordered more than 65,000 guides for distribution to educators across the country, reaching 1.8 million students with information on wildlife conservation.”

Following is a listing of Project WILD workshops scheduled for the coming months:

MAY

PROJECT WILD (2-day workshop): During this workshop, participants will experience hands-on activities that help address Department of Education state standards. This workshop is for formal and non-formal educators who work with youth in K-12 grades. The workshop will be held on Saturday, May 2, and Saturday, May 9, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, at Prince Gallitzin State Park, 966 Marina Road in Patton, Cambria County. Participants should wear comfortable hiking shoes and dress for the weather conditions as a portion of the class will be held outdoors. Cost of this workshop is $100. To register, contact Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8, 4500 6th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602, (814) 940-0223 or www.iu08.org. This workshop will earn educators IU Credit and Act 48 hours.

PA SONGBIRDS (2-day workshop): Pennsylvania Songbirds is a state-specific bird education program designed for K-12. During this workshop, participants will explore background information of songbirds and their habitat and participate in hands-on activities about birds, bird ID, people and bird habitat. The workshop will be held on Saturday, May 16, and Saturday, May 23, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, at Prince Gallitzin State Park, 966 Marina Road in Patton, Cambria County. Participants should wear comfortable hiking shoes and dress for the weather conditions as a portion of the class will be held outdoors. Cost of this workshop is $100. To register, contact Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8, 4500 6th Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602, (814) 940-0223 or www.iu08.org. This workshop will earn educators IU Credit and Act 48 hours.

WILD about Peregrines! (1-day workshop): Educators will explore the trials and successes of the return of the Peregrine Falcon to our state and have the opportunity to view these majestic birds of prey. The workshop will be held on Friday, May 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Kings College in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County. There is no fee for the workshop. To register, call Nescopeck State Park at 570-403-2006. This workshop will earn educators five Act 48 hours.

JUNE

PROJECT WILD (2-day workshop): During this workshop, participants will experience hands-on activities that help address Department of Education state standards. This workshop is for formal and non-formal educators who work with youth in K-12 grades. This workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 3, and Thursday, June 4, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, at the Game Commission Southwest Region Office, 4820 Route 711 in Bolivar, Westmoreland County. Participants should wear comfortable hiking shoes and dress for the weather conditions as a portion of the class will be held outdoors. Cost of this workshop is $100. To register, please contact Intermediate Unit #1, Coal Center, at 724-938-8722 or www.iu1.k12.pa.us. This workshop will earn educators IU Credit and Act 48 hours.

WILD about Owls (1-day workshop): During this workshop, educators explore natural history and identification of Pennsylvania owls and have the opportunity to view barn owls being banded. This workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Game Commission’s Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, along Hopeland Road, just south of Kleinfeltersville, Lebanon County. To register contact, contact the Middle Creek office at 717-733-1512. The registration deadline is June 1. Please plan to bring a lunch and a drink, binoculars, camera, rain coat and comfortable walking shoes. This workshop will earn educators Act 48 hours.

Orienteering (2 day workshop): During this workshop, educators learn how to use a traditional map and compass as well as GPS units and discover how important this new technology is to wildlife and its management while navigating courses on State Game Lands #42. This workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 10, and Thursday, June 11, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, at the Game Commission Southwest Region Office, 4820 Route 711 in Bolivar, Westmoreland County. Participants should wear comfortable hiking shoes and dress for the weather conditions as a portion of the class will be held outdoors. Cost of this workshop is $100. To register, contact Intermediate Unit #1 in Coal Center at 724-938-8722 or www.iu1.k12.pa.us. This workshop will earn educators IU Credit and Act 48 hours.

Project WILD (1-day workshop): During this workshop, participants will experience hands-on activities that help address Department of Education state standards. This workshop is for formal and non formal educators who work with youth in K-7th grades. This workshop will be held on Tuesday, June 16, from 9 a.m. to -3 p.m. at the Game Commission’s Harrisburg Headquarters at 2001 Elmerton Avenue. There is no fee for workshop, and coffee will be provided in the morning. However, participants should bring a lunch. To register, email Theresa Alberici at talberici@state.pa.us or call her at 717-787-1434. The deadline is June 10. This workshop will earn educators 5.5 hours of Act 48.

PA Songbirds (1-day workshop): Pennsylvania Songbirds is a state-specific bird education program designed for K-12. During this workshop, participants will explore background information of songbirds and their habitat and participate in hands-on activities about birds, bird ID, people and bird habitat. This workshop is for formal and non formal educators who work with youth in K-7th grades. This workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 17, from 9 a.m. to -3 p.m. at the Game Commission’s Harrisburg Headquarters at 2001 Elmerton Avenue. There is a $15 fee for this workshop. Coffee will be provided in the morning. However, participants should bring a lunch. To register, email Theresa Alberici at talberici@state.pa.us or call her at 717-787-1434. The deadline is June 10. This workshop will earn educators 5.5 hours of Act 48.

WILD ABOUT BEARS (2-day workshop): During this workshop, educators will explore the world of the black bear and black bear research and management and have the opportunity to view black bears. This workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 17, and Thursday, June 18, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, at the Game Commission Southwest Region Office at 4820 Route 711 in Bolivar, Westmoreland County. Participants should wear comfortable hiking shoes and dress for the weather conditions as a portion of the class will be held outdoors. Cost of this workshop is $180. To register, contact Westmoreland IU 7 in Greensburg at 724-836-2460 or www.wiu.k12.pa.us. This workshop will earn educators IU Credit and ACT 48 hours.

WILD ABOUT BEARS (2-day workshop): During this workshop, educators will explore the world of the black bear and black bear research and management and have the opportunity to view black bears. This workshop will be held on Wednesday, June 24, and Thursday, June 25, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, at the Game Commission Southwest Region Office at 4820 Route 711 in Bolivar, Westmoreland County. Participants should wear comfortable hiking shoes and dress for the weather conditions as a portion of the class will be held outdoors. Cost of this workshop is $100. To register, contact Intermediate Unit #1 in Coal Center at 724-938-8722 or www.iu1.k12.pa.us. This workshop will earn educators IU Credit and ACT 48 hours.

WILD about Elk (2-day workshop): This workshop chronicles the history and management of elk in Pennsylvania. Meet with elk biologists, habitat managers and Wildlife Conservation Officers and go out to elk range to view habitat and hopefully see elk. This workshop will be held on Thursday, June 11, from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Friday, June 12, from 7 a.m. to noon. On Thursday, lunch and dinner will be provided. A small stipend reimbursement is available to help cover cost of travel (about $40 to $50). On June 11, participants will meet at Parker Dam State Park in Clearfield County, and on June 12, participants will meet in Benezette Township, Elk County, at the Game Commission’s elk viewing area on Winslow Hill on State Game Land 311. If you are interested in receiving more information and a registration form, email Theresa Alberici at talberici@state.pa.us, or call her at 717-787-1434. Participants will earn Act 48 hours.

JULY/AUGUST

WILD about Endangered Species (2-day workshop): During this workshop, educators will examine the Endangered Species Act, learn about Pennsylvania endangered and threatened species, and canoe on the river to view endangered species nesting sites. This workshop will be held on Wednesday, July 1, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wildwood Nature Park/Olewine Nature Center in Dauphin County, and on Thursday, July 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., which will be a day canoeing on Susquehanna River. The cost for the program is $20. To register, call the Wildwood Center at 717-221-0292. Participants will earn Act 48 hours.

Project WILD (1-day workshop): During this workshop, participants will experience hands-on activities that help address state Department of Education state standards. This workshop is for formal and non-formal educators who work with youth in K-7th grades. The workshop will be held on Thursday, July 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Game Commission Southeast Region Office, at 448 Snyder Road in Reading, Berks County. There is no fee for workshop. Coffee will be provided in morning, but bring bag lunch. To register, email Theresa Alberici at talberici@state.pa.us or call her at 717-787-1434. The deadline to register is July 2. Participants will earn 5.5 Act 48 hours.

WONDERS OF WETLANDS (2-day workshop): During this workshop the participants will see first hands the results of interagency cooperation in the construction of the Kirby Wetlands. They will be introduced to water quality testing, wetlands ID, macro invertebrate study, flora and fauna ID and hands – on wildlife habitat projects. This workshop will be held on Monday, July 6, and Tuesday, July 7, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days, at State Game Land 223 headquarters building at 480 Garards Fort Road in Waynesburg, Greene County. This workshop is for formal and non-formal educators who work with youth in K-12 grades. Participants should wear comfortable hiking shoes and dress for the weather conditions as a portion of the class will be held outdoors. Cost of this workshop is $100. To register, contact Intermediate Unit #1 in Coal Center at 724-938-8722 or www.iu1.k12.pa.us. This workshop will earn educators IU Credit and ACT 48 hours.

APPLYING WILDLIFE & NATURAL RESOURCES TO THE CLASSROOM (MSE 820.26): July 14-16 & August 4-6, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. This graduate level course is offered cooperatively through Lebanon Valley College and the Pennsylvania Game Commission and is part of the Lebanon Valley College Masters of Science Education program. It is designed to increase the knowledge base of educators in grades 4-12 regarding native Pennsylvania birds and mammals. Through both classroom and field studies, participants will develop strategies to enhance their student’s learning of local ecosystems, wildlife species, habitat types and develop connections to address some of the science/technology and environment and ecology standards mandated by the state Department of Education. Field work will include explorations of various habitats, hands on educational activities as well as actual banding of waterfowl with commission biologists. For more information or to register call (717) 867-6213, toll free at 1-877-877-0423, or on-line at continuing-education@lvc.edu. Registration deadline is July 10. Participants should bring a lunch and drink, binoculars, camera, rain coat and comfortable walking shoes.

TOPICS IN BIOLOGY-CONSERVATION SCIENCE FOR EDUCATORS (Biology 598):

Aug. 10-14 & Aug. 17-21, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day. This course, offered cooperatively through Millersville University and the Pennsylvania Game Commission, introduces the major conservation controversies and problems within the region and their solutions. The classroom and field work for this course will be held August 10-14, and the on-line and independent study portion will be held August 17-21. Registration information at: www.millersville.edu/registrar/scheduleandregistration/index.php. Or contact: Dr. David Zegers, Dept. of Biology, Millersville University, (717) 872-6147 or David.Zegers@millersville.edu. Registration deadline is July 6. Participants should bring a lunch and drink, binoculars, camera, rain coat, and comfortable walking shoes.

Additional information and links can be accessed for these and other Project WILD-related programs through the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by clicking on the “Educator Workshops” icon in the center of the homepage.