Teacher workshop at National Bison Range

MOIESE — The US Fish and Wildlife Service and the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks invite you to spend the day at the National Bison Range discovering ways to get kids outside using the new Growing Up WILD curriculum. The workshop will be held on Friday, April 30 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bison Range. All educators and care providers working with children ages 3-7 are encouraged to attend.

Growing Up WILD is an early childhood education program that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, Growing Up WILD provides an early foundation for developing positive impressions about the natural world and lifelong social and academic skills. The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks coordinates Project WILD training throughout the state. Project WILD is one of the most widely used conservation and environmental education programs among educators of students in kindergarten through high school.

Western Montana provides wonderful opportunities to enjoy nature and the outdoors. And it can be as easy as stepping out your back door. However, a lack of outdoor activity has contributed to a childhood health crisis with climbing rates of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, ADHD, and depression. Research shows being in nature benefits physical and mental well-being. When children experience the outdoors before age 11, it shapes their attitudes about nature as adults. Connecting people with nature has been an official priority for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) over the past few years.

So take some time to get out, go wild and attend the Discovery Workshop at the National Bison Range. Take home ideas and curriculum on how to get youth excited and into the outdoors.

Teachers are eligible to receive OPI credit for attending the workshop. Registration is required and all participants must be registered by April 26 to attend. For more information, contact Pat Jamieson at the National Bison Range by writing 58355 Bison Range Road, Moiese, MT 59824, calling 644-2211, ext. 207, or email pat_jamieson@fws.gov.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit the Service home page at www.fws.gov.