Congratulations to Amanda Bowering, the NWTF’s 2009 National Scholarship Winner. This Hesperia, Calif., co-ed took a break from her studies at Georgia Tech, where she is currently majoring in aeronautical engineering, to join her dad and an audience full of Federation volunteers at the convention in Nashville, to be officially recognized for her achievement. 
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Christine Rolka Director of Education |
A convention-style education
The NWTF’s annual convention brings together some of the most entertaining wildlife experts — champion turkey callers, biologists and college professors. That much knowledge under one roof is an educator’s dream.
This year’s convention was full of fun learning opportunities enjoyed by students, educators and families alike. At the NWTF, we believe learning should be fun, and lessons are best taught through hands-on experience. From teacher workshops to interactive exhibits, we made sure the information-hungry left well versed in the ways of wildlife conservation with these programs:
Spend a Day with the Wild Turkey: More than 700 elementary school children from the Nashville area learned about wildlife and forestry principles through an entertaining program that addressed their curriculum standards and requirements. Highlights included:
- stories by Ralph Duren, who can make 150 animal vocalizations with his voice.
- turkey calling lessons from the Armistead kids, ages 7 to 16.
- a talk from Land Between the Lakes Fire Management Officer Jim McCoy on the benefits of prescribed fire.
- visits from conservation mascots Jake, Smokey Bear and Lightfoot.
The Roost: The interactive kids exhibit hall stayed packed with thousands of families and children of all ages all three days of convention. Activities included archery and airgun shooting, turkey call making, and a photo booth where kids could dress up in prescribed burn gear. Hands-on workshops and seminars were scheduled for each day and included fly tying, turkey calling and geocaching.
Let’s Talk Turkey Workshop: Educators including K-12 teachers, park rangers, extension agents and nature center program coordinators enjoyed a workshop on how to teach wildlife and forestry concepts through the comeback story of the wild turkey. Their day included:
- wild turkey history from TWRA biologist Gray Anderson.
- an exhibit hall scavenger hunt.
- a presentation from Dr. Joe Baust, director for the Center of Environmental Education at Murray State University.
In addition to having plenty of fun and learning, I hope our volunteers left with ideas for conservation education programs in their own areas. Maybe they found inspiration for school assembly programs or ways to involve the entire family at local banquets. Perhaps our educator workshop sparked an interest in similar seminars elsewhere.
Whether you’re a parent, teacher or student — or just plain curious — I hope you’ll join us next year. Students of all ages are welcome. — Christine