Environmental education outreach programs from the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center

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5 Outreach

Programs

from the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center 2425 Marben Farm Road Mansfield, Georgia 30255 (770) 784-3059

From Awareness to Action: Environmental Education in Georgia

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Environmental education and interest in wildlife and the
outdoors is growing every day. Whether it is a child asking her parent to identify a bird visiting the feeder outside their window or an adult

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wondering how the actions of today will

effect generations to come, Americans are showing more

concern for the world around them. The Charlie Elliott

Wildlife Center will help Georgians answer some ofthese

questions.

Named for Charlie Elliott, one of the nation's best

known conservationists and outdoorsmen, the Charlie

Elliott Wildlife Center aims to educate Georgia's youth

and adults about wildlife, natural resources and outdoor

skills. By providing young people with environmental

education opportunities, they can learn more about the

world around them and participate in conserving wildlife

Who is Charlie Elliott?
Not only is Charlie Elliott a noted writer, the southern field editor for Outdoor Life and a well known conservationist, but he also served as the first director of the Game and Fish Commission (currently called the Wildlife Resources Division).
For more than fifty years, he has advocated education as the first step in wildlife conservation, His belief is that by educating people on conservation issues, they will become more aware of their actions and the effects they have on the world around them,
Through his leadership, his written expression, and his actions, Charlie Elliott has worked to ensure that each generation of Georgians knows how to protect the wildlife resources in this State. On January 23, 1995, the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center was dedicated in his honor with a mission to educate both children and adults about wildlife conservation so they also may become wise stewards of their environment.

and its habitat for future generations.

Managed by the Georgia Department of Natural

nities while managing for a wide variety ofwildlife

Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, the Charlie

habitats. Through its dynamic programs, educated staff,

Elliott Wildlife Center covers over 6,000 acres ofland,

and state-of-the-art facilities, Charlie Elliott Wildlife

including 29 ponds and a five-acre rock outcrop. While

Center will be a leader in Georgia's environmental

a primary goal ofthe Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center is

education efforts.

education, it will also be used for many types of outdoor

recreation including hiking, fishing, birdwatching and

Outreach Program Overview

hunting.

The Outreach Program ofthe Charlie Elliott Wildlife

Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center will offer numerous

Center brings programs to schools to teach children

programs to Georgia's citizens. Youth programs will

about wildlife, natural resources and the outdoors.

include a three-day residential program, an outreach

Many of the programs use live animals to teach topics

program and a day-use program. A teacher education

such as animal characteristics, adaptations, habitats, and

program is also being designed that will teach educators

classifications.

how to use the outdoors as a classroom. Other adult

In recent years, the Wildlife Resources Division has

education programs will include

had a growing number of requests for environmental

volunteer, intern and

education programs. The outreach programs are

Elderhostel workshops as

designed to assist teachers in their education efforts. By

well as "Super Saturday"

doing this, Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center will help

wildlife programs.

youngsters acheive a greater understanding of the

The mission of Charlie
r Elliott Wildlife Center is to t\, offer a comprehensive wildlife
JV:' education program and to

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environment and develop a deeper motivation for active participation in conservation efforts.
The outreach programs are described on the following panel. Information on how to schedule an outreach program can be found on the opposite side of this

wildlife-related recreational opportu- ': '

brochure.

Outreach Programs: Teaching Children About Wildlife
The Vertebrate Animal Kingdom What better way to learn about Wildh~fe
in Georgia than to have it brought to the classroom? Students learn how to distinguish between the five classes of vertebrate animals -- fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Live animals and/or study skins are used to give students a close-up view of each group. By the end of the program, students will recognize many species ofwildlife found in Georgia.
Snakes and Other Herps
Snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, and salamanders are just a few of the live animals brought to the classroom to teach students about reptiles and amphibians. Students learn to distinguish between reptiles and
~ amphibians through classroom discussions and hands-on demonstrations. By the end of the program, students will be able to name specific reptiles and amphibians and ' t will understand the role these animals play in the environment.
Birds ofPrey
Hawks and owls are brought to the classroom to introduce students ( to ornithology -- the study of birds. Students discuss the characteristics of raptors and how they have adapted to their environment. By the end of the program, students will understand how coloring, eye size, talcons, beaks and other unique adaptations of birds help them survive in the wild.
Aquatic Biology
What animals live in Georgia's lakes and rivers and how do they survive? Both mounts and live fish are
~useadqutoatitceaeccholsotguyd.enStstuadbeonutst learn
~ about fish characteristics,
adaptations, water cycles, and ~ food chains. The program also
~ includes an introduction to fishing
and fish identification.

Steps to Schedule Outreach Programs
:: Outreach programs are designed for 3rd - 5th ~ grade students. Wildlife Resources Division ~': staff will spend the entire day at the school visiting as many classrooms as time allows. However, classes should be limited to 35 students. For maximum effectiveness, the Wildlife Resources Division prefers not to conduct programs for an entire school or grade level in one auditorium setting.
:: Outreach programs are designed to assist ~ teachers with environmental education. Pro.": grams can be conducted indoors or outdoors,
1 depending on the weather. Each program lasts
approximately 45 - 55 minutes. Teachers are required to remain with their students during the program.
:: To schedule an outreach program, call the
I':~ Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center at (770) 784-3059. The office is open Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Outreach programs are normally conducted Tuesday - Thursday. Written confirmation of the reservation and classroom preparation materials will be mailed to the teacher after scheduling an outreach program.
:: A $25 non-refundable reservation fee must be
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received within three weeks of scheduling the
I' outreach program to hold the reservation. No
other fee will be charged. This fee reserves the outreach program for one school for one day.
..~: Due to a limited staff, programs can only be
conducted in schools within an hour and a half
I' drive from the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center. This
includes schools in the Atlanta, Athens and Macon area.
For additional information, call the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center (770) 784-3059 Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center 2425 Marben Farm Road Mansfield, Georgia 30255