Wildlife Heritage Education Programs: Connecting Students With Wildlife And Wildlife Management
Warren Gartner, Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife, Natural Resources Education Center, Fort Harrison State Park, 5785 Glenn Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46216; (317) 549-0348; FAX (317) 562-0790; projectwild@dnr.in.gov
Jon Marshall, DJ Case & Associates, 317 E. Jefferson Blvd., Mishawaka, IN 46545; (574) 258-0100; FAX (574) 258-0189; jon@djcase.com
Increasing numbers of students are growing up in suburban or urban settings and fewer of them have contacts with adults who hunt, fish or trap. This results in young people having fewer opportunities to have first-hand experiences with wildlife and wildlife management techniques. Trends of fewer license sales and lack of understanding in the general public of the role of wildlife management is causing concern in wildlife agencies. In 2001 the Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife received a grant from the International Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies to pilot test a classroom program to highlight the relationship between people and wildlife over the years. Research by Susan Gilchrest of the Wisconsin DNR showed that teachers would be most likely to talk about wildlife management, hunting and trapping from a historical perspective, so the program was designed for the 4th grade where Indiana history is in the curriculum. The activities from the program, however, traversed the time span from prehistoric Indiana to modern fish and wildlife management, including issues of funding and policy changes. Participating students were given a pre- and post-presentation test to look at knowledge and attitudes about wildlife and wildlife management. Of a possible score of 32 correct responses, students moved from an average of 13.6 correct responses on the pre-test to an average of 24.3 correct responses on the post-test. Scores were compared by gender and whether the student was from a rural, suburban or urban setting. Based on the success of the Indiana pilot test the Illinois Department of Natural Resources has contracted with DJ Case & Associates to create a Web-based education program with similar activities and themes. This session will present an overview and activities from both the Indiana pilot program and the plans for the Illinois Web based program. Results of the pre/post evaluation of the Indiana program will also be shared.