Wildlife
National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF)
When the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) was founded in 1973, there were about 1.3 million wild turkeys in North America. After decades of work, that number hit a historic high of almost seven million turkeys. To succeed, the NWTF stood behind science-based conservation and hunters’ rights. Today, the NWTF is focused on the future of hunting and conservation through its “Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt.” initiative – a charge that mobilizes science, fundraising and devoted volunteers to conserve or enhance more than four million acres of essential wildlife habitat, recruit at least 1.5 million hunters, and open access to 500,000 acres for hunting.
As a teacher/educator you can:
- Access K-12 lesson plans revolving around wild turkeys and conservation practices.
- Discover the story of one of the greatest conservation success stories in modern times – the wild turkey.
Resources provided by NWTF:
- Wild About Turkeys Education Box – includes a curriculum book, a collapsible scaled model of a wild turkey transport box, a colorful bulletin board display, wild turkey anatomy and habitat posters, along with a set of pencils, feather bookmarks and rulers. The Education Box also includes a USB drive filled with videos, sound effects, computer games, lesson plans, and more information about NWTF programs.
- JAKES Program – JAKES is dedicated to informing, educating and involving youth in wildlife conservation and the wise stewardship of our natural resources. JAKES stands for Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship.
- National Scholarship – High school seniors can apply to the Dr. James Earl Kennamer National Scholarship Program and earn anywhere from $250 to $10,000 for college.
- Educator of the Year Grant – K-12 and informal educators can apply to earn a $5000 grant to support conservation education.
- The Winchester Museum – located at the NWTF Wild Turkey Center in Edgefield, S.C., it is the only museum in the world dedicated to the wild turkey. Field trips and group tours are available.
Download the following activities from the NWTF website:
- Calling all Turkeys (K-4 activity)
- Turkey Scoring lesson plan + Aging Spring Turkeys Bulletin (5-8 activity)
- Traveling Turkeys (K-12 activity)
To view the entire curriculum, please click here.
For more information, visit www.NWTF.org
Invasive Species
To find general information on invasive species visit the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health, USDA National Invasive Species Information Center, and North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA).
What is an invasive species?
- USDA National Invasive Species Information Center: Invasive species can be plants, animals, and other living organisms that are non-native (or alien) to the ecosystem under consideration and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.
- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: Nonnative species that cause harm are collectively known as invasive species. Invasive species may prey upon, displace or otherwise harm native species. Some invasive species also alter ecosystem processes, transport disease, interfere with crop production, or cause illnesses in animals and humans; affecting both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
- Natural Resources Conservation Service: Invasive plants, designated by state or national agricultural authorities as threatening to agricultural and/or horticultural crops and/or humans and livestock, include everything from the fast growing kudzu vine that blankets the eastern, southern and central states, to the Texas Blueweed of the southwest U.S. Invasive animals (both terrestrial and aquatic) are a type of invasive species and include animals that are threatening America’s habitats and human population. Animals, such as the feral hog, European gypsy moth and sirex woodwasp, constitute a threat to the health and well-being of humans.
- USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture: Invasive species are organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem and whose introduction causes economic, social, or environmental harm.
- United States Forest Service: Invasive species are defined as “an alien species whose introduction does or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health.”
Lists of Invasive Species:
- USDA National Invasive Species Information Center – Invasive Species List
- Invasive and Exotic Species Profiles & State, Regional, and National Lists
- USDA National Invasive Species Information Center – Invasive Species Profiles
- US Forest Service Invasive Species
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service – PLANTS Database
- USDA APHIS
- USDA APHIS Regulated Pest List
Resources for Educators:
- Nebraska Invasive Species Program (K-12)
- New York Department of Environmental Conservation (K-12)
- Washington Invasive Species Council (Middle)
- Science Lessons that Rock (Middle, High)
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (K-12)
- Project Learning Tree (PreK-8 STEM oriented)
- Project Learning Tree (PreK-8)
- Montana Invasive Species Education (K-8)
- Louisiana Sea Grant (K-12)
- Oregon State University (K-8)
- Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development (K-8)
- Michigan State University (Middle, High)
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources (K-12)
Invasive Species Video Series:
- USDA-APHIS YouTube Channel
- Vin Vasive Explains How Invasive Pests Spread
- Emerald Ash Borer Infestation Time Series Spread Map
- Emerald Ash Borer Video Series
- Feral swine in America Video Series
- Asian Longhorn Beetle
- Zebra and Quagga Mussels
- Spotted Lanternfly
- Glossy Buckthorn
- Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle
- Eastern Red Cedar
- Salt Cedar
- Bush Honeysuckle
- Hydrilla
- Palmer Amaranth
- Kochia
- Green Crabs
- Beech Leaf Disease