Earth Tracks Newsletter - Idaho Forest Products Commission

Fall 2008
LEAP into Fall!
Welcome to
EarthTracks, the
environmental
education newsletter
for Idaho teachers.
Here you’ll find
This is the Year of the Frog. You may have heard alerts about anatomical
problems and declines in frog populations. Much research is being done to
figure out the causes and potential solutions to the problems affecting frogs--and
to determine how the plight of frogs affects the world’s web of life. Frogs and
other amphibians have a lot to teach us. That’s why the “Year of the Frog” was
declared—to encourage people to learn more about these fascinating creatures,
and how each of us plays a role in their welfare. You’ll notice a “froggy” theme
hopping through this issue of EarthTracks. Join us as we leap into fall and a
great new school year!
news from Idaho’s
environmental
education leaders
and others interested
in environmental
education. We
encourage your
suggestions and
In this issue of EarthTracks:
•
•
•
•
•
Fall workshop schedule
Idaho 2009 EE Conference
Forest Products Week
New materials and opportunities
Frog resources and Fun Frog Facts
-and
More!
thoughts.
A group of fish is a
“school,” a group of
geese is a “gaggle,”
a group of frogs is an
“army,” and a
group of toads
is a “knot.”
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1
Fall Workshop
Calendar
Sept 26-27
WILD about Zoo Boise—Boise
PLT Walk in the Forest—Boise/Idaho
City
Oct 3- 4
WET— Moscow
WILD about Trout in the Classroom—
Lewiston
Oct 10 - 11
PLT Focus on PreK/Primary—
Plummer
PLT Nat. Res. & Solid Waste—Sandpoint
WILD—Boise
Oct 17 - 18
PLT—Boise
Oct 24 - 25
PLT Ecosystem Services of Trees—
Twin Falls
Nov 7 - 8
Focus on Literature with WILD, WET &
PLT — Coeur d’Alene
WET—Boise
WILD about Turkeys—Blackfoot
Nov 14 - 15
PLT Focus on Communities—Boise
WET— Idaho Falls
Nov 21 - 22
WILD about Early Learners—Boise
See workshop descriptions and updated
schedules at:
PLT: www.idahoforests.org/plt1.htm
WILD: www.fishandgame.idaho.gov/cms/
education/project_wild
WET: http://boise.uidaho.edu/default.
aspx?pid=33434
2
Service Learning
Idaho Environmental Education Conference
Environmental Service: Bring Learning to Life
March 6th and 7th, 2009
Red Lion Hotel, Pocatello
Conference Highlights
- Professional Development Focus: What You Don’t Know About
Service-Learning, presented by Jerry T. Pharr, Jr.
- Showcase of Student Work
- Environmental Educator of the Year Awards
- Presentations of Exemplary Programs
- Displays by Educational Resource Providers
- Field Trips
Conference Fees
$85 IdEEA members
$110 non-members (includes a 1 year membership to IdEEA)
$35 students
Continuing Education Credit Available
Register on-line at www.idahoee.org or contact IdEEA.
Other Service Learning Opportunities
GreenWorks! Grants. Project Learning Tree’s service-learning,
community action program blends service activities with the
academic curriculum and addresses real community needs as
students learn through active engagement. In 2008, $150,000 will
be awarded in two funding cycles. Learn more at www.plt.org. Fall
deadline: October 31, 2008.
New Service Learning Workshop in Development. Keep your
radar up for Take Action with WILD, WET & PLT. The three
“Projects” are joining forces to develop this service learning
workshop for high school teachers. It will be piloted at Deer Flat
National Wildlife Refuge near Nampa in 2009. Contact the WILD,
WET or PLT offices if you’d like to be kept in the loop.
Spring Workshop
Calendar
(so far...*)
National Forest Products Week
October 19-25, 2008
It’s the time of year to recognize the many products that come from
our forests, people who work in and manage forests, people who
make products, and how they all contribute to our daily lives. Visit
www.idahoforests.org to learn more—and access the online order
form for free printed materials, and videos and DVDs for loan.
Jan 9 - 10
WILD—Boise
Jan 23 - 24
WET—Boise
Feb 13- 14
Introduction to the Boise WaterShed—
Boise
Essay Contest The 14th annual Forest Products Week Essay Contest
is open to all K-12 students in Idaho. Contact PLT/IFPC or visit
www.idahoforests.org for contest guidelines, writing prompts and
scoring criteria. Winners receive a savings bond, and their class
receives cash. All who write an essay receive a certificate of
participation. Postmark submissions by Oct. 30, 2008.
Feb 20 - 21
PLT Nat. Res. & Solid Waste—Boise
WILD— Jerome
Feb 24 - 26
WILD—Lewiston
Forest Career “Profiles” Go to www.idahoforests.org to learn
about real people who work in Idaho’s forests. Profiles include a
hydrologist, family tree farmers, an urban forester, and many more!
Check the site often to see who has been added.
New! DVD for Loan: Career Options for Women—Forestry.
Meet three women who work in forest-related careers: a helicopter
pilot who transports lumber, a dispatch attendant for a pulp mill,
and a forest technician responsible for ensuring that forest laws are
followed. Contact PLT/IFPC to borrow this 30-min. DVD.
New! Forest Issue Briefs
Eight titles available. These full-color, one-page briefs address
forest-related topics including wildlife, clearcuts, climate change,
woody biomass, drinking water, forest laws, forest ownership, and
transportation. Contact PLT/IFPC to request your free classroom
sets today! Preview at www.idahoforests.org.
Jurrassic Frog?
Frogs are among the
world’s oldest animals. They’ve been around
since the days of the dinosaurs—more than 200
million years.
Mar 13 & 14
WILD about Raptors—Boise
Apr 3 & 4
PLT—Boise
Apr 17 & 18
WILD about Early Learners—Boise
Apr 30 - May 2
Into the Watershed (WET)—Boise and
field location
Date TBA
WET—Sandpoint
PLT—Eastern Idaho
*We’re still working on the spring
schedule. Visit our websites often for
updated information.
3
Workshops, Resources & Opportunities
Guidelines for Excellence Workshop
What: A workshop to introduce participants to the
North American Association for Environmental
Education’s Guidelines For Excellence in
Environmental Education. The Guidelines offer a set
of tools for developing and implementing high-quality
environmental education materials and programs.
When: Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 9 a.m. to
4 p.m. (with one-hour lunch break)
Where: Idaho Fish and Game/MK Nature
Center, 600 S. Walnut, Boise
Facilitators: Alison Heimowitz, Clackamas
Community College, Environmental Learning Center and Amy Luft, Idaho
Department of Environmental Quality
RSVP: Contact IdEEA to register. $25 fee.
Using the strong muscles in their legs, frogs are amazing jumpers. The bullfrog can jump
a distance of 10 times its body length. The South African sharp-nosed frog is the world
record holder with a maximum jump of 44 times its body length!
New Quiz Cards Featuring the Nez
Perce Tribe Created by BLM
Idaho BLM has developed a set of educational quiz
cards for students and teachers to learn about Nez
Perce Tribal life before the Nez Perce War of 1877;
various aspects of archeology; and natural history
and hazards of abandoned mine sites– all of which
may be encountered when enjoying public lands.
The cards pose a question on the front and have the
answer on the back. These are great to supplement
Idaho history studies. Graphics for the cards came
from many sources including Prairie Elementary 4thgrade students. Historic and recent photographs of
Nez Perce Tribal members also appear on the cards.
These cards and a set developed for the Lewis &
Clark bicentennial celebration are available free to
teachers by contacting BLM.
4
Workshops, Resources & Opportunities
Idaho’s New Water Education Centers
This is an exciting time for water education in Idaho.
Two new centers will provide students, teachers and
the public with hands-on, interactive, interpretive
learning experiences.
The Boise WaterShed is an amazing new facility
that features interactive displays, field trips, onsite and classroom lessons and a resource library.
Contact Cindy in Boise at 938-8093, Ext 3605 or
go to www.cityofboise.org/Bee/WaterShed/Home to
learn more. In February, Project WET and the Boise
WaterShed will offer a teacher workshop on how to
best use the facility. Contact Project WET.
Northern Idaho will also have a new water education
center! The WaterLife Discovery Center on the
Pend Oreille River in Sandpoint will feature a living
stream with native trout species, fish ladders, and
exhibits on bugs as indicators of stream health, fish
identification, Bull Trout and other endangered
species, plant identification and landscaping for
wildlife. A classroom and self-guided nature trail
featuring wetlands and the water cycle are already
available! Learn more at www.fishandgame.idaho.
gov/cms/wildlife.wdc, or call Mark or Nancy at
769-1414 to reserve the classroom.
Subscribe now—and raise student reading scores!
Wildlife Express is a great tool for increasing reading
comprehension through kids’ natural interest in
animals. The newspaper features a different Idaho
animal each month. This year includes pika, black
widow, wild turkey, bobcat, bull trout, bighorn sheep,
bears, Kids Outside and osprey.
Sometimes these animals can be found in your
students’ own backyard. This helps develop that
sense of place that’s so important!
Your $30 subscription comes with supplemental
activities for each issue. Many teachers find local
businesses to sponsor a subscription. Please call
287-2874 for more information, or go to www.
fishandgame.idaho.gov for a subscription form.
Back Issues Online
Go to www.fishandgame.idaho.gov/ to download
back issues of Wildlife Express. The March 2008
issue featured Frogs. Over 40 different issues are
available so far. WOW!
Use these “Project” Activities When Studying Frogs
Project WILD
Are You Me? (K-4th Students match picture card pairs of juvenile and adult aquatic animals.
Aquatic Roots (5th–8th) Students research local aquatic plants or animals to find out whether they are native
or exotic and to investigate their effects on people, other animals and the environment.
The Glass Menagerie (9th–12th) Students create several experimental habitats and observe and describe
changes in their physical characteristics.
Project WET
Where are the Frogs? (Middle school) through experimentation and a simulation, students learn how
acidic water has affected the quality of aquatic life in some parts of the country. Great introduction to water
chemistry and the pH scale!
Project Learning Tree
Forest Field and Stream (1st–8th) Students study three environments, examining biotic and abiotic factors.
Web of Life (4th-8th) Students research and construct a food web, discovering ways that plants and animals are
connected to each other and their environment.
Watch on Wetlands (7th-8th) Students conduct field studies in a local wetland and learn how land use
decisions and legislation affect wetlands.
5
WILD about Turkeys
Who’s talking turkey? We are! Come learn more about this interesting bird and incorporate turkey-themed
wildlife concepts and activities in your classroom— just in time for Thanksgiving! Plan on a field trip for
turkey viewing. Class will take place at Snake River High School, west of Blackfoot, November 7-8. To sign
up contact Project WILD.
Wildlife Trunks on Loan
Books and movies and animal parts, Oh MY! Check out a wildlife education trunk from the state Idaho Department of Fish and Game office. We have trunks about bears, elk, salmon, owls, eagles, and bats. Get kids
excited about critters in our state by checking out a trunk for two weeks. If you’re local, you can pick it up
and drop it off for free. If not, just pay return shipping and you’ve got some great hands-on stuff to add to
your lessons! Contact Project WILD.
Ribbiting books for teaching about frogs
Frogs and other Amphibians by Bobbie Kalman
Frogs – Fascinating and Fragile by Louise Schofield
Growing Frogs by Vivian French
Hop on to Froggy Websites
Focus on Frogs with Dialogue for Kids
www.idahoptv.org/dialogue4kids/season9/amphibians/links.cfm Hear six Idaho frog and toad songs and
watch an amphibian video and a past program of Dialogue for Kids.
Idaho-specific Year of the Frog information
www.idahostatesman.com/235/story/199809.html Native Idaho amphibians, including “Salamanders of
Mystery!”
Educational activities and resources
www.aza.org/YearoftheFrog/YOTF_Activities/index.html
Fun facts about frogs
www.wcs.org/yearofthefrog
Frog crafts
www.dltk-kids.com/animals/frogs.htm
Kermit explains the Year of the Frog
www.yearofthefrog.org/
Photo courtesy Shelley Davis-Brunner
Here are a few ways to help frogs. What ideas do you and your students have?
Minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides on your yard, especially near wet areas
Plant native species
Maintain a vegetative buffer around wet areas
Support efforts to establish and protect natural areas
Recycle and practice energy conservation
Educate yourself and others about frogs
Report frog die-offs or abnormalities
Create frog friendly habitats on your property with leaf or brush piles
Do not release pet frogs, toads or fish (or any other species of pet) into the wild
6
Check out these Idaho Rangeland Resources!
Idaho rangelands are full of sounds! Skitter, skitter, scratch….Tsk, tsk, tsk and even a hop, hop, hop. Did you
know that 58 percent of amphibians in the United States call rangelands home for at least part of their lives? Observe
the Year of the Frog by incorporating some rangeland curriculum into your classroom today!
The Rangeland Curriculum and Teaching Resource Guide
As we Leap into Fall the Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission has something new! Our teacher resource
guide to educate high school students about Idaho’s rangelands and principles of rangeland management is now
available.
Rangelands cover over half of western North America and nearly half of Idaho. These grasslands, shrub
lands, woodlands and deserts serve as great outdoor classrooms and provide students and teachers hands-on
opportunities to explore ecological principles and develop land management skills.
The guide includes five modules: Introduction to Rangelands, Rangeland Plants, Rangeland Animals, Rangeland
Site Survey and Integrated Rangeland Management. Also included are learning objectives, background
information, student note guides and teacher keys, internet activities, quizzes and student evaluation tools.
The guide was created through a cooperative endeavor of the Rangeland Ecology and Management and the
Agricultural and Extension Education departments at the University of Idaho and the Idaho Rangeland Resource
Commission. It was made possible by the David Little Range Livestock Management Endowment at UI.
To request a free copy, e-mail [email protected], visit www.cnr.uidaho.edu/what-is-range/Curriculum/index.
htm or check out the IRRC website for additional links and resources.
Predator/Prey Interactions at Summer Workshop
Once again, the IRRC summer workshop, Rangeland Ecology, proved to be a great summer learning
opportunity for teachers. They enjoyed the beautiful UI McCall field campus while exploring the dynamics of
Idaho rangelands. As in the past, the predator/prey session was the highlight. Rangeland Ecology is
planned for June 2009! Get your name on the list for this top-rated workshop. Contact the IRRC.
Photo courtesy Jodie Mink
Rangeland Reading Recommendation
Check out how animals live on rangelands in the book
“Dig Wait Listen, A Desert Toad’s Tale” by
April Pulley Sayre.
Idaho FFA Range Career Development Events
High school students can test their knowledge about Idaho rangelands at
the Idaho State FFA Range events this fall. Contest areas include plant
identification, site survey, current and potential use and a team decisionmaking activity. Regional events are planned in Pocatello (9/26), New
Plymouth (9/29), Grangeville (9/30), and Jerome (10/1). The state event
will be held in Burley on 10/14. Contact the IRRC for information
about these educational opportunities.
2008 Rangeland Ecology teachers
sort a test plot. “Is this a forb,
grass or shrub?”
7
For more information on Earthtracks, contact:s
Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Project WILD
PO Box 25, Boise ID 83707
http://fishandgame.idaho.gov
Lori Adams (208) 287-2889
[email protected]
U.S. Bureau of Land Management
Environmental Education
1387 S. Vinnell Way, Boise ID 83709
www.id.blm.gov/environedu/
Shelley Davis-Brunner (208) 373-4020
[email protected]
Idaho Forest Products Commission
Project Learning Tree
350 N. 9th St., #304, Boise ID 83702
800-ID-WOODS www.idahoforests.org
Michelle Youngquist (208) 334-4061
[email protected]
Layout provided by Donna Dillon, Idaho Fish and
Game. Custom artwork courtesy Jacey Adams.
IWRRI—University of Idaho
Project WET
322 E. Front., Suite 201, Boise ID 83702
Julie A. Scanlin (208) 332-4414
http://boise.uidaho.edu/default.aspx?pid=33434
[email protected]
Idaho Rangeland Resource Commission (IRRC)
PO Box 126, Emmett ID 83617
877-ID-RANGE www.idahorange.org
Jodie Mink (208) 566-4501
[email protected]
Idaho Environmental Education Assn. (IdEEA)
P.O. Box 791, Lava Hot Springs, ID 83246
Amy Pike (208) 232-5674 www.idahoee.org
[email protected]
Thanks to the above, and these additional sponsors: Idaho Water
Education Foundation, U.S. Forest Service, and Idaho Dept. of Lands.
Access EarthTracks at www.idahoforests.org/news.htm
Idaho Rangeland
Resource Commission
Project Learning Tree/IFPC
350 North 9th Street #304
Boise, ID 83702
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
BOISE, ID 83702
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