Tools and Resources for Educators

Teaching about wildlife and conservation? Check out the resources below, and sign up for email updates about events and new activities great for educators.

National Wildlife Week Resources

We're helping educators across the U.S. celebrate National Wildlife Week, March 18-24, 2013. This year is all about trees. Join the fun "Branching out for Wildlife" and learn about the parts of a tree, the role of trees, and how other wildlife depend on trees for survival.

• Download our Branching out for Wildlife Mega-Poster
• Get great info about wildlife that depends on trees
• Check out these resources and lesson plans to incorporate into your week
   

Schoolyard Habitats® Resources 

National Wildlife Federation's Schoolyard Habitats program helps educators develop outdoor spaces for kids to learn how to plan, create and maintain a wildlife garden with all the elements a habitat needs. Learn more about the program and check out these special resources designed specifically for educators: 

• Creating Schoolyard Habitat Sites: A How-To Guide   
• Certify Your Schoolyard Habitat with NWF  
• Frequently asked questions about Schoolyard Habitats®   
• Schoolyard Habitats® lesson plans
• Ideas for where to get help for your schoolyard habitat in your community  
• "The Schoolyard Habitat Movement: What It Is and Why Children Need It" by Mary Rivkin, Ph.D.
• "Down By the Schoolyard" by Stephen R. Coffee
    

Eco-Schools USA Resources

National Wildlife Federation is working to recruit thousands of K-12 public, private and charter schools across the U.S. to be a part of our Eco-Schools USA program. Register your school and learn how you can work toward greening your buildings, grounds and curriculum.

• Learn how to become an Eco-School
• How can Eco-Schools benefit my school?
   

Young Reporters for the Environment Resources

National Wildlife Federation is hosting the Young Reporters for the Environment program, an environmental journalism competition for youth between the ages of 13-18 to report on topics related to the environment. Learn more about the contest and get resources to help your students compete:

• Tips for choosing an environmental topic to report on
• Resources for Young Reporters
   

Trees for Wildlife Resources

Trees for Wildlife is an educational program of National Wildlife Federation that provides adult leaders with fun, hands-on science-based activities to help young people learn about the importance of trees and how to plant and take care of trees for the future.

• Learn how you can host a tree-planting event
• Trees 101
• How trees make a difference
• How trees benefit wildlife
   

Helpful Links for Educators

• Get To Know Your Wild Neighbors Contest - For over 10 years, internationally renowned wildlife artist Robert Bateman has spearheaded a Canadian program that encourages youth to "get to know their wild neighbors." The contest inspires youth to discover nature, express themselves creatively, and learn to care for the environment through art, writing, and photography.

• Ranger Rick Educators Guide - Ranger Rick® magazine is a great tool for building nonfiction reading skills and conceptual science understanding in children. Make the most of your Ranger Rick subscription with these monthly educational supplements.

• Outdoor Family Fun Guide - Download this brochure of great take-home activities for students to share with their families—the perfect supplement to National Wildlife Week lessons. The brochure includes easy-to-do projects such as creating a pinecone birdfeeder, tode abode and bird bath.

• Wildlife University - A fun, interactive way to learn at your own pace about endangered species and creating wildlife habitats.

Funding Resources for Educators

• America the Beautiful Fund, Operation Green Plant - Provides grants of flower, herb and vegetable seeds.

• National Gardening Association - Provides in-kind grants for school and youth gardens.

• Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Education Grants - Grants to support projects that enhance the public's awareness, knowledge and skills to help people make informed decisions that affect environmental quality.

• NEA Foundation Green Grants - Public school educators are eligible to apply for individual grants worth up to $5,000 for the development and implementation of ideas, techniques, and approaches for teaching “green” concepts.

• Learn and Serve America - Supports grant programs to integrate community service with curricula through service learning.

• Wild Ones, Lorrie Otto Seeds for Education Grant Program - Gives small monetary grants to schools, nature centers, and other non-profit and not-for-profit places of learning with a site available for a stewardship project.

• Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation - Supports public education and community improvement projects.

• National Environmental Education Foundation - Provides grants to support environmental education.

Additional Resources from NWF Partners

• National Gardening Association - Learn about Youth Gardens that encourage children to make good food choices, build a love of nature, stimulate social interaction, facilitate cultural exchange, and more.

• Get to Know Society - An organization that works to increase students' understanding of wildlife and connection with nature. Offers lesson plans for teachers.

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Educators' Page - This site offers curriculum resources and activities, ideas for community service projects, professional development opportunities, and more.

• U.S. Forest Service Kids in the Woods - Learn about the U.S. Forest Service's programs to bring kids to nature—and nature to kids.

• American Forest Foundation, Project Learning Tree - Find environmental education resources for educators, including activities and curricula.

• Project Wet - Find water education resources for educators.