Project WILD is one of the most widely used conservation and environmental education programs among educators of students in kindergarten through high school. Project WILD is based on the premise that young people and educators have a vital interest in learning about our natural world. The program emphasizes wildlife--because of its intrinsic and ecological values, as well as its importance as a basis for teaching how ecosystems function.
In the face of competing needs and pressures affecting the quality and sustainability of life on earth, Project WILD addresses the need for human beings to develop as responsible citizens of our planet.
Since 1983, Project WILD, through a national network of state coordinators and facilitators has provided workshops and materials (Project WILD K-12 Activity Guide and Project WILD Aquatic Education Activity Guide) focusing on hands-on, activity-based, environmental education to over 550,000 educators. Those educators have provided instruction using Project WILD to more than 35 million youth. Project WILD recognizes that in addition to classroom experiences that expand their awareness, knowledge, and skills, young people need to know they can create positive changes--changes for themselves, for others, and for the planet.
"Young people need to know they can create positive changes."
Project WILD uses effective methods to teach problem solving and decision making. It teaches students how to think, not what to think. Project WILD guides the student through a process that begins with awareness; moves toward understanding; challenges preconceived notions; and instills the confidence, skills, and motivation to take responsible action on behalf of the environment.
We know that one factor that contributes to adults taking initiative as citizens is to have experienced some success in the process at an early age. We find this approach is a solid way to encourage responsible ecological citizenship.
The conceptual framework for Project WILD was developed through a rigorous process to ensure its accuracy, balance, and educational validity. It was critiqued and reviewed by more than 500 professionals.
All Project WILD materials are reviewed by science, curriculum, and environmental experts for educational soundness, balance, and content accuracy.
All materials are pilot tested by classroom teachers to ensure that stated instructional objectives are met, to evaluate grade level appropriateness, and to assess the quality of the activity and student involvement.
Activities for the Project WILD Activity Guides (K-12 Guide and Aquatic Education Guide) were written by teachers; school administrators; university faculty members; wildlife professionals; and representatives of private environmental, youth, community, and conservation groups in a series of regional writing conferences.
After hundreds of activities were developed and after stringent review, evaluation, field testing in classrooms all over the U.S., and refinement, final selections were made, and the guides were produced.
We encourage and welcome suggestions for revisions to the existing Project WILD Activity Guides. Each year's printing will accommodate suggested revisions, when possible.
Each participant in a Project WILD workshop is asked to complete a participant survey form. According to an ongoing analysis of these evaluation forms, 99% of our participants report that the workshops were either good or excellent.
A comparative study (based on a field test of the Project WILD Activity Guides in urban, suburban, and rural areas by over 6,000 students) showed that students in all areas acquired knowledge, skills, and an appreciation of wildlife when their teachers used Project WILD activities.
Project WILD has received numerous awards including the 1984 Conservation Education Award from the Wildlife Society, a 1991 Presidents Environment and Conservation Challenge Award for Education and Communications, and recognition from the North American Association for Environmental Education and the National Wildlife Federation.
