Project WILD
What is Project WILD?
Project WILD is a supplementary environmental/conservation education program emphasizing wildlife. The program's innovative, hands-on activities are designed for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Materials are correlated with and easily integrated into all subject areas or programs.
Project WILD assists learners of any age in developing the awareness, knowledge, skills and commitment to make informed decisions and act responsibly concerning wildlife and the environment.
How was Project WILD developed?
Project WILD was developed through a joint effort of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Western Regional Environmental Education Council. The materials were written by educators, resource agency personnel and representatives of private conservation groups. The materials have been extensively tested in classroom settings and are evaluated on an ongoing basis. Project WILD has received numerous awards and endorsements on local, national and international levels.
Project WILD in Indiana
In Indiana, the Department of Natural Resources' Division of Fish and Wildlife sponsors Project WILD. Trained volunteer facilitators conduct local workshops for anyone interested in using the materials for youth education. After attending a six-hour workshop, participants will receive a copy of the curriculum guides at no charge. College credit is also available for attending a workshop
Workshop information
If you are interested in becoming a facilitator or attending a teacher workshop on Project WILD contact projectwild@dnr.in.gov.
You may attend a workshop already scheduled or, if you have 15 or more people interested, a workshop may be scheduled for your group at your location. If you care about Indiana wildlife and the environment, please join the thousands of educators worldwide who use Project WILD in their teaching.
Project WILD materials
Materials include: two activity guides, one terrestrial wildlife guide and an aquatic guide. All publications are for K-12th grade. These guides contain 122 complete activities. Each activity is designed to teach one or more of the following concepts:
- awareness and appreciation of wildlife
- human values and the wildlife resource
- wildlife and ecological systems
- wildlife conservation
- cultural and social interaction with wildlife
- wildlife issues and trends, alternatives and consequences
- wildlife, ecological systems and responsible human actions
These concepts are the basis for the curriculum framework of Project WILD. For each activity, the guide lists objectives, background information, suitable grade levels, reference to the school curriculum, skills developed in the lesson, and ideas for expanding and evaluation of the lesson. Each guide also includes a grade level, subject, topic and skill index, as well as a glossary of terms.
The activities are designed to be used indoors and outdoors, and can be used by nature centers, youth groups and classroom teachers.
Project WILD Calendar
Stay Connected
