Project WILD Activities

Project WILD

Activities are available through our Project WILD workshops.

Adaptation Artistry - Students design and create imaginary birds and write reports including descriptions of the birds' adaptations. Upon completion students identify and describe the advantages of bird adaptations and evaluate the importance of adaptations to birds. Requires drawing paper, painting, clay sculpture or papier-mache' materials; construction paper and glue; and pencil and paper.

Bird Song Survey - Students investigate an area and use bird-counting techniques. Upon completion student identify and describe the importance of bird counting as a means of inventorying wildlife populations. Requires paper; pencil for note taking; bird books; drawing paper or magazine photos to illustrate final written project. Optional binoculars, bird call tapes, and tape player.

Deer Crossing - Students are given background information and asked to make recommendations. Upon completion students identify various factors involved in a wildlife management issue and evaluate alternatives in a complex issue involving wildlife. Requires copies of Deer Crossing Student page.

Migration Barriers - Students draw murals showing deer migration routes and the consequences of development of a highway through the area. Upon completion students define migration as it relates to wildlife; describe possible impacts on wildlife migration patterns as a result of human activities; and give an example of the importance of land-use planning as it affects people, wildlife, and the environment. Requires drawing materials; large butcher or poster paper; background information about deer or other animals in your region that migrate seasonally on land; information about the animals' habitat needs.

Aquatic WILD

Hooks and Ladders - Students simulate Pacific salmon and the hazards faced by salmon in an activity portraying the life cycle of these aquatic creatures. Upon completion students describe how fish migrate; identify states of the life cycle of salmon; describe limiting factors affecting Pacific salmon; and generalize that limiting factors affect all populations of animals.

Migration Headache - Students portray migrating water birds traveling between nesting habitats and wintering grounds. Students list limiting factors affecting habitats and populations of migrating water birds; predict the effects of such limiting factors; describe the effects of habitat loss and degradation; and make inferences about the importance of suitable habitat.

Turtle Hurdles - Students become sea turtles and limiting factors in a highly active simulation game. Upon completion students describe the life cycle of seas turtles; identify species mortality factors related to sea turtles; make inferences about the effects of limiting factors on sea turtle populations; and make recommendations to minimize the factors that might lead to the extinction of sea turtles. Requires rope or string; tow jump ropes or hula hoops; one plastic bag per student; identification cards; wooden clothes pins; poker chips; and dried beans.