| For Immediate Release
February 3, 2009
Photos available upon request
To interview youth participants from your readership area or to request photos, contact Michele Kittell, mkittell@piceweb.org; 570-245-8518.
Youth Program Builds Conservation Leadership in Pennsylvania
The Wildlife Leadership Adventures (WLA) is a cooperative program that empowers high school aged students with the skills and knowledge to become ambassadors for conservation in their communities. The Program brings the knowledge and expertise of Audubon PA, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania State University, the Ruffed Grouse Society, the Pennsylvania Deer Association, Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), and the US Army Corps of Engineers directly to high school students. The program begins with the residential field school where students learn through hands-on field experiences how to track wildlife, identify native plants, evaluate habitat quality, use radio telemetry to study wildlife, and more. Mark Banker of the Ruffed Grouse Society explains “WLA goes way beyond teaching kids about wildlife. The program is designed to increase confidence, communication skills and leadership, and it does.” Participants work in teams throughout the week and spend time with education and media professionals learning how to communicate with the public via public presentations, displays, radio, television, and print.
“The Wildlife Leadership Adventures differs from other camps in that our interaction with the youth does not end with the residential program” notes a program advisor, Gail Farmer. “We work with the students all year as they participate in education and service work on conservation issues in their communities. Our goal is to enable youth to be informed participants in conservation throughout their lives.” Recent graduates of the program have taken this challenge to heart. “Since 2007, WLA students have conducted over 127 outreach programs and service projects, had 567 contact hours with the public, and reached an audience of over 5,000 people across 17 counties in the Commonwealth,” Farmer added.
WLA currently examines white-tailed deer management from a range of ecological and social perspectives. “Because of the complex nature of deer management in this state, we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to engage youth and encourage critical thinking and team building skills,” Farmer said. Tim Smail of the Quality Deer Management Association feels strongly about the long-term value of supporting this program “WLA is more comprehensive and in-depth than any other program I've seen or heard of. The participants are led through a focused curriculum that provides hands-on biological, management and leadership experience which continues throughout the year and beyond. This program has the potential to be a true life experience of the type that changes lives and builds leaders.”
The 2009 Bucktails field school will be held July 7-11 at the Raystown Lake in Huntingdon County. Tuition is $350, which includes room, board, and educational materials. Don't let tuition costs stop you from applying -- scholarships are available to help defray tuition costs. Scholarship application information can be found on the general application form. The application deadline is April 15, 2009. For more information and to download application materials visit www.PICEweb.org and follow the Youth Programs hyperlink or contact PICE at 570-245-8518; mkittell@piceweb.org
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