Educational Programs Offered by
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Outreach and Educational Programs
Lois Balin, Urban and Wildlife Biologist, TPWD
200 N. Clark Drive, El Paso, TX 79905
Voice (915) 774-9603, Fax (915) 774-9823 elpasowild@aol.com
A. WORKSHOPS:
1. Outdoor Classroom. Every outdoor classroom or “schoolyard habitat” is defined as a piece of wildlife habitat growing on school grounds that provides food, water, shelter, and space for wildlife. The main focus of a schoolyard habitat is for teaching environmental education, as well as other multidisciplinary subjects, The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) requirements for all grade levels can be achieved in the schoolyard habitat. The workshop includes an introduction to schoolyard habitats and how to get started.
2. Project WILD and Aquatic WILD. Project WILD/Aquatic WILD is “Wildlife in Learning Design” – a Kindergarten through 12th grade environmental and conservation education program emphasizing awareness, appreciation and understanding of wildlife and natural resources. They are interdisciplinary and supplementary programs that can be used to teach basic learning skills in all the required disciples (science, math, social studies, language arts, art, music, and physical education). Available in Spanish.
3. Texas Nature Trackers. The Texas Nature Tracker’s projects are for people interested in being
out-of-doors, watching and learning about Texas wildlife. Projects offer the opportunity to observe and record data on wildlife while making a valuable contribution to wildlife conservation in Texas. Workshop trainings in El Paso include the Texas Monarch Watch, Amphibian Watch, Horned Lizard Watch, and the Texas Hummingbird Roundup. Visit web site www.tpwd.state.tx.us/nature/tracker for more information.
4. Texas Hummingbirds Workshop. This workshop covers hummingbird identification tips, ecology, flight, migration, gardening for hummingbirds, the proper care of hummingbird feeders and dealing with hummingbird pests. Emphasis is placed on the 15 species of hummingbirds that occur in the Trans-Pecos region of the state.
5. Texas Wildscapes Workshop. The Workshop contains an introduction to the Texas Wildscape Program (Using Native Plants that are Beneficial to Humans and Attract Wildlife). Programs include plants to attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and songbirds, designing a Wildscape Garden, how to create a Wildscape Garden, hands-on groups for Wildscape planning, caring for native plants and tours of the Wildscape Demonstration Gardens.
6. Texas Master Naturalist Program. The TMN Mission is to develop a corps of well-informed volunteers who provide education, outreach, and service dedicated toward the favorable management of local community natural areas and resources. A 13 week course covering the traditional “naturalist” disciplines such as botany, herpetology, mammalogy and ornithology, etc.
7. Birding Festival. An environmental event that focuses on birds! Various bird stations have educational information on flight, nests, diet, migration, identification and ecology, games and hands-on birding experiences on site.
8. Interpretive Wildlife and Nature Talks and Walks. Join the Urban and Wildlife Biologist for an interpretive nature and wildlife walk, hike or tour conducted at various sites in El Paso.
B. PRESENTATIONS (alphabetical order): Presentations are available in slide shows, power point or using interpretive talks and materials.
1. Amphibians and Reptiles of the Trans-Pecos. This program covers the characteristics, identification and habitat descriptions of the amphibians and reptiles found in West Texas. It includes discussion of amphibian and reptile biological adaptations and includes pictures of all the amphibians and reptiles found in the El Paso area.
2. The Aplomado Falcon
3. Animal Tracking. Animal sign and tracks can actually lead to the presence and identification of the animal. Life-size wildlife track stamps and pictures of mammals and birds are provided to help identify the animals. A tracking exercise is included.
4. Bats. Natural history, ecology, and ecological importance are just some of the many topics discussed in this talk. The importance of bats and their benefits to the environment are covered along with myths and fables about bats.
5. Birds of Prey. The program discusses birds of prey with focus on the birds of prey found in the Chihuahuan Desert. Bird of prey ecology and adaptations are discussed along with past and current threats to survival and the ecological importance of these birds.
6. Conservation Development in Urban Areas
7. Deer and Pronghorn Management of Texas.
8. Desert Ecology. This presentation provides students with a basic background of desert ecosystems,
adaptations of Chihuahuan Desert flora and fauna and topics related to desert ecology such as food webs, animal and plant inter-relationships, drought tolerance, and aestivation.
9. Ecologically Sensitive Development of Golf Courses and Parks
10. Endangered Species. This program covers threatened and endangered species found in the USA with emphasis on Texas species and focus on those located in the Trans-Pecos region of the state.
11. Hunting in Texas.
12. Hummingbirds of Texas. This program focuses on the 15 species of hummingbirds that occur in the Trans-Pecos region of the state. Tips on hummingbird identification and the proper care of hummingbird feeders are included.
13. Introduction to Bird watching. This presentation covers information on how to identify birds and how to use binoculars and a bird field guide. Demonstrations of making bird feeders and houses are available in addition to the basics on what bird watching equipment you need.
14. Mammals of the Trans-Pecos
15. Migratory Birds. This program answers questions such as “What is a neotropical migratory bird?" “Where do they migrate from?" “Why do they migrate?" “How do they migrate?" “Why are some migratory birds in trouble?" “Why is migratory bird conservation important?' and “What can you do to assist in the conservation efforts?”
16. Non-native and Invasive Plants
17. Ornithology.
18. Predators and Prey. This program provides some life history information on common predator and prey species of the Trans-Pecos region. Included are differences between generalist and specialist species and the physical adaptations of predators and prey. Visual aids include skulls and skins of various Chihuahuan Desert animals.
19. The Status of Black Bear in Texas
20. Urban Ecology
21. Urban Wildlife
22. Venomous Animals. This presentation covers all species of venomous animals found throughout El Paso and Texas. The geographic distribution, habitat types, food preferences, reproductive strategies, and hunting skills are discussed. The differences between venomous and non-venomous snakes are included. Students (and teachers) leave with a better understanding of these persecuted animals.
23. Wetlands and Rivers. This presentation defines the different types of wetland communities and riparian ecosystems and discusses the ecological and economic importance of wetland systems. The flora and fauna of wetland and riparian areas are included. Issues threatening wetlands and the need for protection of wetland ecosystems are discussed.
24. Wildlife Restoration. This program tells the story saved the legacy of wildlife in North America. The program traces the status of wildlife in North America through a trip in time. Several programs were created to provide federal funding that would attempt to restore our country’s depleted wildlife populations. Numerous examples of wildlife restoration success stories are given, including wild turkey.
C. EDUCATIONAL TRUNKS (Available for Check Out):
1. Bat. Activities, slide show, posters, videos, etc.
2. Birding. Posters, activities, videos, etc.
3. Coastal Wetlands. Activities, books, posters.
4. Endangered Species. Activities, slide show, posters, videos, etc.
5. Freshwater Wetlands. Activities, plant and animal identification materials, tracks, etc.
6. Skins and skulls. Mammal skins and skulls for “hands-on” activities.
7. Tracking. Tracking stamps, books, activities, pictures, etc.