DNR Provides Teachers with Wildlife Education Trunks

Annapolis, Md. (August 21, 2012) ─  The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering a tool for educators across the State to teach their students about Maryland’s wildlife. Teachers are invited to borrow wildlife education trunks, which feature unique, hands-on, interdisciplinary lesson plans on white-tailed deer, black bears and the State’s 14 furbearer species.

“Education trunks bring the outside into your classroom,” said Patricia Handy, Wildlife & Heritage Service’s information and education program manager. “These kits are designed to educate students while building on fundamental disciplines like math, art, social studies, science, language arts and physical education.”

Education Trunks are available free of charge to educators in Maryland for a one- to two- week period, depending on availability. Each trunk includes a teacher’s curriculum guide, illustrated books, DVDs and pelts. They also contain a track mold, track replica, scat replica, a skull with jawbone and more.
Incorporated into the teacher’s curriculum guide are activities from Project WILD, an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program, which emphasizes the awareness, appreciation and understanding of wildlife and natural resources. The lesson plans are aligned with the State’s literacy and environmental literacy standards.

Educators interested in borrowing a trunk may call the office location nearest them:
• Western Region, Cumberland: 301-777-2136
• Eastern Region, Salisbury: 410-713-3851
• Central Region, Abingdon: 410-612-1688 or Baltimore: 410-879-2000x1688
• Southern Region, Annapolis: 410-260-8540

More information is available at dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Education/education_trunks.asp or by contacting Patricia Handy at 410-260-8537 or phandy@dnr.state.md.us.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov