Project Wild and Project Wild Aquatic (the Projects) capitalize on the natural interest that children and adults have in wildlife by providing hands-on activities that enhance students learning in all wildlife and conservation subjects and skill areas. The Projects help educators guide students through a process that begins with awareness, moves toward understanding, challenges preconceived notions, and instills the confidence, skills and motivation to take responsible action on behalf of the environment.

The Projects’ materials, provided to educators through practical, interactive workshops, include activity guides for educators that highlight wildlife habitat and emphasize aquatic wildlife and aquatic ecosystems. The activities are organized around a conceptual framework and are correlated to educational and environmental education national standards. The framework and activities address such major themes as:

1. Ecological Knowledge

• Wildlife Populations
• Habitats and Niches
• Interdependence
• Changes and Adaptations
• Biodiversity

2. Social and Political Knowledge

• Cultural Perspectives
• Economic, Commercial, and Recreational Considerations
• Historical and Geographic Development
• Political and Legislative Frameworks

3. Sustaining Fish and Wildlife Resources

• Attitudes and Awareness
• Human Impacts
• Issues and Trends
• Wildlife Management
• Responsible Action and Service

The Projects have semester-long curriculums that guide students in the investigation of wildlife concerns and encourage them to combine their findings in responsible action projects that benefit wildlife, people, and the environment. Additional supplementary materials focusing on environmental action projects, school nature areas, and elk are also available.

The Projects were developed through joint efforts of the Council for Environmental Education (program administrator) with the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. National organizational sponsors include:

• American Fisheries Society
• Defenders of Wildlife
• National Wildlife Federation
• The Wildlife Society
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The program has international organizational sponsors in Canada, the Czech Republic, India, Iceland, Japan and Sweden.