Wyoming Game and Fish Department

State of Wyoming announces collaborative initiative to offer students expanded opportunities to learn about conservation

9/25/2023 5:28:16 PM

Cheyenne – Wyoming Game and Fish Department Director Brian Nesvik, Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder, and Governor Mark Gordon joined forces last week to announce a collaborative initiative to expand conservation education opportunities for Wyoming’s youth under Game and Fish’s Inspire a Kid campaign.

Wyoming’s conservation heritage is a through-line that goes back generations,” Gordon said. “Ensuring students have opportunities to experience hands-on learning and gain crucial outdoor skills and knowledge should be part of our commitment to tomorrow’s hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts.”

Starting in January, schools can participate in the following conservation education programs that align with Wyoming education standards:

• Trout in the Classroom: This program allows students to explore aquatic ecosystems through hands-on experience. Over a semester, teachers and students raise trout from eggs and release them into approved local waterways. Students will learn about the life cycle and aquatic habitat of trout. This program is made possible by a partnership with Trout Unlimited.
• National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP): NASP teaches students discipline, focus, self-control, and patience. Physical education teachers will receive instructional training and equipment to teach students the sport of archery, focusing on safety and conservation principles. This program is made possible by a partnership with the WYldlife Fund.
• Hunter Education: This program aims to educate students about hunter safety and ethics as part of their school curriculum. The curriculum covers topics such as wildlife management and conservation, wilderness survival, wildlife identification, bear safety, field care of game meat, marksmanship, and game laws. The Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board, in collaboration with Game and Fish, has proposed a hunter education endorsement for licensed teachers. The program is made possible by a partnership with the WYldlife Fund and Wyoming State Shooting Association.

“These programs play a vital role in fostering conservation ethics in our youngest citizens,” Nesvik said. “If we want to inspire the next generation of conservationists, we must start by teaching them about Wyoming’s wildlife and wild places at a young age. There’s no better place to do this than in our state’s schools and classrooms.”

Anyone interested in sponsoring these programs for schools in their area can contact Game and Fish or the WYldlife Fund. Visit the Game and Fish website to learn more about the programs.

(Breanna Ball, Public Information Officer – (breanna.ball1@wyo.gov))

– WGFD –

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article:

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 15: Life on Land

2. Specific Targets Based on the Article’s Content:

• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.
• Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article:

• Indicator for Target 4.7: Proportion of students achieving proficiency in sustainable development literacy.
• Indicator for Target 15.5: Extent of protected areas in relation to terrestrial areas.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Explanation:

The article discusses a collaborative initiative in Wyoming to expand conservation education opportunities for students. This initiative aligns with SDG 4: Quality Education, which aims to ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. The specific target under SDG 4 that can be identified is Target 4.7, which focuses on sustainable development literacy. The article mentions programs like Trout in the Classroom, National Archery in the Schools Program, and Hunter Education that provide hands-on learning experiences related to conservation and wildlife management.

The article also highlights the importance of protecting and conserving Wyoming’s wildlife and wild places. This connects to SDG 15: Life on Land, which aims to take urgent action to reduce biodiversity loss and protect threatened species. The specific target under SDG 15 that can be identified is Target 15.5, which focuses on reducing the degradation of natural habitats and preventing species extinction. The article mentions the importance of teaching students about Wyoming’s wildlife and wild places at a young age, indicating a commitment to preserving the natural environment.

For measuring progress towards these targets, the article does not explicitly mention any indicators. However, based on the nature of the targets, potential indicators can be identified. For Target 4.7, an indicator could be the proportion of students achieving proficiency in sustainable development literacy. This would measure the extent to which students are acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills related to sustainable development. For Target 15.5, an indicator could be the extent of protected areas in relation to terrestrial areas. This would measure the progress in conserving natural habitats and protecting threatened species.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: wgfd.wyo.gov

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