GAME COMMISSION TO HOST ELK WORKSHOP FOR TEACHERS
HARRISBURG - Representatives from the Pennsylvania Game Commission will hold a two-day "WILD about Elk" workshop designed to give upper elementary, middle and high school teachers and other educators an opportunity to have an in-depth, hands-on experience with Pennsylvania's largest mammal. The event will be held from 11 a.m. until 7:30 p.m., June 20, at Parker Dam State Park in Clearfield County, and from 8:30 a.m. until noon, June 21, at the Game Commission's elk viewing area in Benezette, Elk County.
This "Wild about Elk" workshop, which has been approved for Act 48 hours for educators, is part of the agency's Project WILD program, an award-winning, international, hands-on conservation education program.
Game Commission biologists, land managers, wildlife conservation officers and educators will offer an in-depth program featuring elk biology; conservation history and the Game Commission's elk reintroduction program; current conservation programs; land management issues related to elk; and other management initiatives.
Additionally, the course will include a field experience to view elk and participate in other hands-on activities, including a demonstration of how Game Commission biologists use radio-telemetry to track elk.
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is offering reimbursements of up to $50 for lodging or travel. Also, on Wednesday, June 20, lunch and dinner will be provided by RMEF. On Thursday, June 21, a snack will be provided by RMEF.
Participants also will receive Project WILD's "WILD About Elk" book, background information, hands-on activities and state and local resource information. The deadline to apply is June 8, and space in the workshop is limited. To make reservations, contact Theresa Alberici, Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Education Specialist, at 717-783-4872 or via e-mail at talberici@state.pa.us.
Administered by the Game Commission, Project WILD is one of the most widely-used conservation and environmental education programs among educators of students from kindergarten through 12th grades. Started nearly 25 years ago, Project WILD teaches people about wildlife and the environment and how humans interrelate with both. WILD provides educators, primarily kindergarten through 12th grade, with interdisciplinary activities that help address state and national education standards and help educators comply with mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act. WILD's materials are scientifically sound and use educational practices proven to be effective.