Environmental Education Resources Directory

Animals

Classes/workshops

• Recreational angling instructor course
  Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
  During this eight- to 12-hour workshop for educators, participants learn basic freshwater angling and ecology. They are also provided with the Aquatic Resource Education Curriculum and taught how to use it in developing classroom lessons. Contact DGIF for additional information.

Curriculum materials

• Project WILD
  Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
  This multidisciplinary wildlife education program is designed for K-12 classroom teachers and non-formal educators, and is correlated to the new Standards of Learning. The materials consist of two activity guides made available during teacher workshops.Contact DGIF for information on a workshop in your area.

• Zoopack
  Virginia Zoological Society
  This 12-page full-color teacher's guide to the zoo provides on-site information as well as classroom activities for elementary age students. No charge; contact VZS.

Exhibits

• Wildlife exhibit
  The Wildlife Center of Virginia
  This traveling exhibit consists of an environmental pictorial display and staff handlers with unreleaseable wild animals. Schedule at least eight weeks in advance, as staffing is limited.

• Natural History Exhibits Program
  Virginia Museum of Natural History
  Interactive and educationally effective traveling exhibits.Call VMNH for a complete listing of exhibits. Fees vary ($200 to $1,000).

Field trips/site tours

• Zoo tours
  Mill Mountain Zoological Park
  Self-guided tours through zoo exhibits (consisting of domestic and exotic species) are available. Occasionally it is possible to arrange for a docent or a live animal program. Fees vary with time of year; reservations are necessary for groups of ten or more.

• Site tours
  National Fisheries Research Center
  This 400-acre facility is a center for fisheries research. Exhibits open to the public include: displays depicting the importance of fish and water to humans; pools with live fish; and nature trails. Contact NFRC to arrange a visit.

• Birdwalks
  Richmond Audubon Society
  RAS conducts birding field trips in the Richmond area. Contact RAS for additional information.

• Aquarium tours
  Virginia Institute of Marine Science
  The VIMS Aquarium focuses on York River and Chesapeake Bay species and habitats. Specific exhibits are being developed that will highlight research in progress at the institute. Tours are primarily self-directed and self-guided. Visits must be pre-arranged; group size is limited to 30. Please contact VIMS to schedule; no charge, but must make reservations at least six weeks in advance.

• Site tours
  Virginia Museum of Natural History
  VMNH offers tours of the exhibit halls during regular hours for groups of all ages and abilities. Exhibits focus on current research in natural history and environmental issues. Admission is free. Call VMNH in advance to arrange for a program or a docent.

• Zoo tours
  Virginia Zoological Society
  Docent-led tours or live animal demonstrations are available for school groups. Call VZS at least six weeks in advance to schedule.

• FOCUS
  Virginia Zoological Society 45-minute presentations are available for elementary age groups on various topics with live animals and biofacts. Contact VZS; must schedule at least four weeks in advance. Fees are $1 per student, plus zoo admission.

Newsletters/magazines

• The Naturalist News
  Audubon Naturalist Society
  This monthly 24-page newspaper covers local and regional environmental issues and includes book reviews and original articles. Provided to ANS members; contact ANS for membership information.

• Richmond Audubon Society Newsletter
  Richmond Audubon Society
  This newsletter covers issues of interest to the Richmond Audubon Society. Contact RAS; subscriptions are $23.

Organizational membership

• Trout Unlimited
  Trout Unlimited
  This organization provides a variety of educational services and programs about America's coldwater fisheries. Contact TU for information on membership and other services.

Outreach programs/speakers

• Where Have All the Bluebirds Gone?
  Fauquier Outdoor Lab
  This 45-minute lecture (with slides) is about the life history of bluebirds, causes of population decline and what must be done to help. Contact FOL; charge is $45, plus travel expenses.

• Outreach Program
  Mill Mountain Zoological Park
  Zoo staff are available to speak on a variety of topics such as mammals, reptiles, birds of prey and backyard habitats. Programs are usually accompanied by curriculum guides. Fees range from $35 to $100, depending on distance traveled, group size and time of program.

• Outreach programs
  National Aquarium in Baltimore
  NAIB offers one-hour to one-day programs on marine animals and habitat for groups of all ages. Trained naturalists will travel throughout Maryland and Northern Virginia. Costs vary with length of program and distance traveled. Contact NAIB for details and to schedule programs.

• Audubon speakers
  Richmond Audubon Society
  Speakers are available to groups in the Greater Richmond area for presentations on several environmental issues. No charge; contact RAS.

• Environmental education outreach programs
  The Wildlife Center of Virginia
  These interactive programs include stories, songs, games, activities and up-close experiences with native wildlife. Programs must be scheduled at least three weeks in advance; programs cost $125, plus travel expenses.

• Chesapeake Bay marine lab
  Virginia Marine Science Museum
  The traveling marine lab is a 26-foot truck equipped with functioning aquaria and touch tanks that bring the Chesapeake Bay to your doorstep. Contact VMSM; fees vary with program.

• Wildlife speakers
  Virginia Wildlife Federation
  Speakers are available statewide to discuss the activities of VWF and various environmental topics. Contact VWF; requests will be referred to the appropriate district organization.

Posters

• Common Saltwater Sportfish of Virginia
  Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
  This full-color poster features 24 of Virginia's common saltwater sportfish. Send DGIF a check for $8 (payable to "Treasurer of Virginia"); quantities are available at a discount.

• Common Freshwater Fish of Virginia
  Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
  This poster (with identification key) features 23 common freshwater fish of Virginia. Send DGIF a check for $8 (payable to "Treasurer of Virginia"); quantities are available at a discount.

• Roanoke Logperch
  Friends of the Roanoke
  This poster is a color photograph of an underwater scene featuring the endangered Roanoke River Logperch. Available from FRO for $3, plus $1.50 shipping.

Publications

• Informational pamphlets
  Audubon Naturalist Society
  Several pamphlets are available on topics related to birding; titles include "Waterfowl Migration in the Chesapeake Bay Region," "The Care and Feeding of Baby Birds," and "Nest Boxes for the Birds in Your Backyard." No charge; contact ANS.

• Is Aetosaur a Dinosaur?
  Virginia Museum of Natural History
  This children's book is based on dinosaur tracks found in Culpeper, Virginia. Available from VMNH for $11.95, plus $1.50 shipping.

• Chadwick Forever
  Watershed Initiative/The Tides Foundation
  This is the latest in the popular "Chadwick the Crab" series of children's books by Priscilla Cummings. Chadwick and his friends meet and learn about endangered species. Available from WI/TF for $8.95; educational discounts are available.

Slide shows/films

• Discover Wildlife in Your World
  National Wildlife Federation
  This 10-minute filmstrip for elementary and middle school students is filled with tips and ideas for discovering and attracting wildlife in urban, suburban and rural settings.

• We Care About Eagles
  National Wildlife Federation
  This 15-minute filmstrip for elementary and middle school students offers a close look at eagles and the environmental problems that have threatened some species. Discover how conservationists are trying to solve these problems. Available from NWF for $5. Also available as a slide set.

• Predators! They're Part of the Picture
  National Wildlife Federation
  This 15-minute filmstrip for elementary and middle school students shows the power and beauty of predators. Predators are often surrounded by misconceptions. Available from NWF for $5; also available as a slide set.

• Birds slide show
  Richmond Audubon Society
  A slide program about birds is available for elementary students in Richmond and surrounding counties. Contact RAS for scheduling information.

Videos

• A Question of Balance: Protecting Virginia's Endangered Species
  Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
  This 16-minute video discusses the relationship between pesticides and Virginia's endangered plants, animals, birds and aquatic creatures. Contact DACS; can be borrowed for up to three weeks.

Youth camp/projects

• Wildlife Internship Program
  Mill Mountain Zoological Park
  A number of volunteer opportunities that provide a close look at wildlife management are available. Contact MMZP for volunteer program brochure.

• Summer Safari
  Virginia Zoological Society
  The seven-week day camp for elementary-age students at the zoo involves visits with animals, behind-the-scenes tours, games, songs and crafts. Children must have completed kindergarten. Fees vary ($50 - $100); contact VZS for registration information.

Education directory table of contents

Updated 10/7/98