For Educators
Education Programs:
- Environmental Education Camps
Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, along with its cooperators, has sponsored several different environmental education camps for local students in the summers. These camps are based in remote locations, and are targeted toward high school or middle school-aged students. At most camps, elders from local villages are invited to attend and share their knowledge with students. Some of the goals of these camps are to increase students' basic biological knowledge, to expose students to the work of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and other land management agencies, to compare and contrast western science to traditional Yup'ik Eskimo knowledge, and to help students develop a sense of stewardship of the environment.
- Cape Peirce Marine Science and Yup'ik Culture Camp
This camp focuses on seabirds, marine mammals, and marine ecology. Students from the villages of Togiak and Goodnews Bay hike along scenic cliffs to view the animals in their natural environments.
- Caribou Ecology and Yup'ik Culture Camp
Students from Dillingham and Manokotak travel to the Nushagak Peninsula to study caribou, vegetation, and marine ecology. The Nushagak Peninsula is home to a caribou herd that was transplanted to Togiak Refuge in 1988. Students learn about caribou management as they assist biologists with radio tracking, and village elders share their knowledge of traditional Yup'ik uses of caribou.
- Bristol Bay Salmon Camp
Students from around Bristol Bay travel to Lake Aleknagik to study salmon biology, aquatic ecology, fisheries management, and the role of salmon in the ecosystem. Students experience hands-on field work under the guidance of experts, such as sampling scales from adult salmon in a live box, and participate in discussions with salmon research scientists, commercial fishery managers, and others.
- Outdoor Skills Camp
New for 2004, this camp brings participants together for a wilderness float trip on Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. Students learn outdoor skills, become informed about wildlife management practices, and come to understand what brings visitors from around the world to their backyard.
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Alaska Waterfowl Calendar Contest
Each year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service produces a calendar with a message of waterfowl conservation. The student artwork and writing that fills the calendar is selected through an Alaskan statewide contest. The purpose of the contest is to encourage local children to learn about waterfowl found near their homes. Several species of waterfowl in Alaska need special attention, including the emperor goose, spectacled eider, and Steller's eider.
Educational Resources:
Togiak National Wildlife Refuge works with local educators by providing information, curricula, materials, and personnel. Information may be used in a variety of ways; for example, caribou population information has been used in local math lessons to practice graphing skills. Educators should contact us for information or to discuss ideas.
The refuge maintains a library of educational activities, curricula packages, videos, and educational books which we are happy to share with teachers. Examples include Project Wild, Teach About Geese, bird identification books and binoculars, and coloring pages for geese and seabirds. In addition we have scientific tools, field kits, and animal specimens which may be useful for hands-on activities. Contact us to learn more about these resources.
Refuge staff may be available to visit classrooms to make presentations, or to lead groups on field trips. Long-standing classroom visit programs include a "getting ready for winter" puppet show, fourth grade birdwatching slide shows and field trips, and aquatic presentations during Alaska Sea Week. We are willing to work with educators in a variety of ways, although making arrangements well in advance to be sure of staff availability and planning time is highly recommended.
Useful Links:
Last updated: July 24, 2008
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