"Hands-on" Natural Resource Learning

Program or Category: Conservation Education

Overview: Matt Murphy, Soil Conservation Technician, USDA-NRCS Glenville Field Office, received approval from the West Fork Conservation District to sponsor a Conservation Field Day for 6th graders in Gilmer County. The event was held on June 4, 2003, and 83 three students and 6 teachers attended the event to learn about our natural resources.

Accomplishments: Four learning stations were set up, and the students spent 30 minutes at each station One natural resource subject was covered at each station The subjects covered were forestry, wildlife management, soils, and beekeeping. Instructors used a “hands-on” approach to teach the students. After all four stations were completed, lunch was served, and Carlos Cole, USDA-NRCS American Indian Program Manager for West Virginia, presented information on Native American cultures, and how they used natural resources. Students not only learned about natural resources, but they had fun doing it. Other organizations part of the Conservation Field Day were: the Gilmer County Farm Bureau, Gilmer County Recreation Center, and Calhoun Banks.

Program Benefits to Community: By educating the students about our natural resources, we are passing our knowledge of these important resources on to the next generation. Now that these students are aware of natural resource issues, these students can pass the importance of conserving our natural resources on to their friends and families.

Contact Information:

< Back to West Virginia Success Stories