Texas Cooperative Extension

Texas 4-H Sport Fishing Program aims to provide youth and adults with the skills to participate in safe fishing. The areas covered are angling skills, tackle crafting, and management ethics. In addition, self-confidence and critical thinking skills will be developed as part of the process. For more information about this, please contact your local Texas Cooperative Extension at (979) 845-4865.

Texas 4-H Shooting Sports is a program to educate youth on safe practices while participating in shooting sports. The list of shooting sports includes archery, shotgun, rifle, and many more. The participants are taught about local laws and proper behavior as well as discipline and self-confidence. It also teaches the responsibilities of leadership and how a good shooter must also be a leader. For more information, please contact your local Texas Cooperative Extension or the State 4-H Office at (979) 845-1214.

Texas Master Naturalist is a venture directed toward developing local corps of master volunteers to provide education, outreach, and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities. Many communities and organizations rely on such citizen volunteers for implementing youth education programs; for operating parks, nature centers, and natural areas; and for providing leadership in local natural resource conservation efforts.

Texas Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program is a competitive project where youth, parents, and volunteer leaders learn how to manage habitat to meet wildlife needs. The participants engage in five different activities: food identification, habitat evaluation using aerial photos, on-site habitat management recommendations, and writing rural and urban wildlife plans. For more information, please contact your local county extension agent.

The C.L.E.A.R Project (County Level Easily Accessible Resource) was initialized to provide Texas landowners with a unique look at their natural resources. The two counties of Washington and Gillespie were chosen to test this project. The CLEAR system allows you to view different types of data such as soils, vegetation, streams, roads, and more as part of an interactive mapping system. You will also be able to view photo imagery at one meter resolution for both Washington and Gillespie counties. The project is a partnership between the Texas Agricultural Extension Service and the citizens and partners in Washington and Gillespie County.

Texas Land Trends - The Texas Land Trends website and CD are part of research conducted with American Farmland Trust that explores the changing landscape in Texas in light of land ownership characteristics, land value characteristics, and land owner demographics. The full project includes an interactive website that looks at multiple data and land characteristics across political and natural boundaries. An interactive mapping website allows for a spatial look at the patterns of these characteristics across the landscape. A CD version is available for more in depth looks at critical data.

4-H School Enrichment Programs

Predators in the Classroom School Enrichment Module is a new multimedia curriculum teaching how predators are vital to a healthy ecosystem. It was tested in the 1996-1997 school year and will be available statewide in 1998. The lessons are TAAS oriented, including writing and math elements. Contact Dale Rollins at (325) 653-4576 for more information on the program.

Something's Fishy School Enrichment Module was designed to educate fourth graders about fisheries management as well as water conservation and quality through lesson plans, interactive computer programs, videos and hands-on activities. The program schedule is two weeks long and follows the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) methodology. The module can be brought to the school for the two week period. Contact Billy Higginbotham at (903) 834-6191 for more information.

White-Tailed Deer School Enrichment Module is a 4-H enrichment program designed to teach children about the white-tailed deer. It has a display board, a video and lessons aimed to educate a third grade audience. The program is two weeks long and teaches the students about deer body language, wildlife habitat and how to identify other animal=s tracks. Contact Billy Higginbotham at (903) 834-6191 for more information on the program.

Wildlife Success Stories and Endangered Species School Enrichment Module is designed for a younger audience. The Wildlife Success Stories module teaches third grade children about four different endangered species and how they have been protected. The program also features animals that have recovered in numbers because of wildlife management techniques. It teaches through the use of an 8x10 display board as well as Macintosh computers with educational interactive programs installed. Lesson plans that involve activities that support the teachings from the computers and board are included. Contact Billy Higginbotham at (903) 834-6191 for more information on the program.

Texas Brigades The Texas Brigades is a wildlife-focused leadership development program for high school youth (ages 13-17). There are four different camps: Bobwhite Brigade, Buckskin Brigade, Feathered Forces and Bass Brigade. You will be introduced to habitat management, hone your communication skills, and develop a land ethic. Top wildlife professionals and resource managers serve as instructors and mentors. Each camp is 4 ½ days long.

Marine Education Program is designed to teach students (K-12) and their instructors about marshes, aquaculture, and other parts of marine wildlife as well as how to conserve those resources. Developed by the Texas State Marine Education Center in Palacios. The program includes brochures, audio visuals, nature trails, field trips and day camps. For more information about this program, please contact the Texas State Marine Education Center at (512) 972-5370.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Project AQUATIC WILD applies specifically to aquatic wildlife. The participants are taught how important wildlife is and how we can manage them for future generations. Project AQUATIC is suited for any type of student and has curriculum to promote many different academic skills, such as analysis, problem-solving, and evaluation. Project AQUATIC has two different guides which explains the activities and programs. For more information about Project AQUATIC, please contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at (512) 328-6035 or 1-800-792-1112.

Project WILD is a program guide that will enable group leaders to educate their students about the importance of wildlife. It can be used by school teachers, park and nature personnel and Scout and 4-H leaders. It has activities and background information that can be taught in almost any teaching environment. The activities are supplement school curriculum and enhance the learning process. Project WILD teaches people to manage and share the world with wildlife. To get more information about Project WILD, please contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at (512) 328-6035 or 1-800-792-1112.

Reel Kids is aimed at children who are fishing for the first tim, and will help them learn basic skills during introductory fishing activity. Skills may include fishing safety, casting, knot tying, catch and release or fish identiciation. Each child will recieive a Reel Kids memento for participating in the event.

Junior and Master Angler - Join the ranks of skilled anglers by becoming a Junior or Master Angler. Junior Anglers learn fishing essentials and Master Anglers achieve more advanced skills and knowledge for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Hands-on skill stations offer a chance to learn, practice and demonstrate your skill. After successfully completing the skills stations, you'll receive a Junior Angler or Master Angler fish pin and certificate.

• Fish Identification
• Aquatic Habitats
• Ethics and Responsibility
• Fishing Safety and First Aid
• Fishing Rules and Regulations
• Tackle
• Knot Tying
• Fishing is often included

Be a Volunteer Instructor - Whether you are an avid angler or someone who enjoys working with kids, becoming a Volunteer Angler Education Instructor is fun, exciting, and rewarding. You'll join the ranks of those who share their joy of fishing while teaching kids how to fish safely and responsibly, and how to conserve our aquatic environments. Interested? Find an instructor course and give us a call.

Tackle Loaner Program loans fishing equipment just like a library loans books. Individuals can borrow rods, reels and tackle boxes with hooks, sinkers and bobbers for up to 7 days of fishing. All you need to do is go to a Loaner Site near you (see list), fill out a loaner survey and form, and go fishing.

The Texas Boater Education Program teaches the recreational boater boating practices. The course is a minimum of six hours and is in a classroom setting. There is no charge to take the class through the state and all ages can attend. This program is valuable for teaching younger boaters skills they can use throughout their lives. To get more information on this program, please contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at 1-800-253-4536 or (512) 389-4999.

The Texas Hummingbird Roundup will help the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department determine the numbers and ranges of these beautiful birds so that the state can maintain a proper management program for them. The packet for this program can be ordered from the state and includes a survey form, a packet of native seeds for your garden, and a distribution map, as well as information about hummingbird behavior. When you send in the survey, you will receive a decal and newsletter with the complete survey results. For more information on this, please write to:  Texas Backyard Hummingbird Survey, Nongame and Urban Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744

The Texas Hunter Education Program Every hunter (including out-of-state hunters) born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete a Hunter Education Training Course. Minimum age of certification is 12 years and cost is $10.

If you were born on or after September 2, 1971 and you are:
-under 12 years of age, you must be accompanied*.
-age 12 through 16, you must successfully complete a hunter education course, or you must be accompanied*.
-age 17 and over, you must successfully complete a hunter education course; or purchase a “Hunter Education Deferral,” and you must be accompanied*.

*Accompanied means: By a person who is at least 17, who is licensed to hunt in Texas, who has passed hunter education or is exempt (born before Sept. 2, 1971), and you must be within normal voice control. Proof of certification or deferral is required to be on your person while hunting. Note: Certification is not required to purchase a hunting license.

New - Hunter Education Deferral (cost: $10) Allows a person 17 years of age or older who has not completed a hunter education program to defer completion for up to one year. A deferral may only be obtained once and is only valid until the end of the current license year. A person who has been convicted or has received deferred adjudication for violation of the mandatory hunter education requirement is prohibited from applying for a deferral. Take the course by August 31 of the current license year and receive a $5 discount. The new, one-time Hunter Education Deferral is scheduled to be available at license vendors and go into effect September 1, 2004.

Other Organizations

Adopt-A-Wetland Program teaches conservation and ecology to its participants by both classroom based activities along with outdoor ones. It educates children about marshes, resource management, endangered species, and much more. It is aimed at groups and organizations that would have a specific interest in the outdoors as well as the general public. There are guidebooks, brochures, and field trips to teach the material. For more information, please contact Ron Smith at (361) 825-3221.

Hooked on Fishing - Not Drugs is an effort to give educators a tool to keep kids drug-free, created by The Future Fisherman Foundation. The program includes guides for parents to learn how to help their kids stay away from drugs and videos that teachers can order to show at school. There is a packet full of stickers and decals that can also be ordered. For more information about the program, please write to: Future Fisherman Foundation, 1033 N. Fairfax St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314.

Kidfish is a fund-raising event that introduces kids to the outdoors- specifically fishing. The kids engage in a fish-a-thon and raise funds for youth outdoor education programs and conservation projects. For more information, please contact J.P. Brazeal at (254) 982-4887.

Project WET Texas is a workshop program consisting of many different forms ranging from only a 3-6 hour in-service up to a 5-7 day course. The idea of the program is to create a higher awareness of water conservation and its associated benefits. It is designed to educate teachers and provide them with activities and materials that they can use in their classrooms. The material covers the life sciences, earth science, and water resource management. For more information, please contact Sara Kneipp at (972) 669-0200.

Texas Watch is a volunteer water monitoring program that the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission has developed. The TNRCC establishes the guidelines for the monitoring and then allows local agencies to carry out the actual program. There are three stages of certification classes that a person must go through to be in this program. The program spans two years, and the information from the water monitoring is sent back to the TNRCC, then posted on their website for the public to view. For more information, contact Eric Mendelman at (512) 239-4720 at TNRCC. For the Corpus Christi area, contact John Jiles at (361) 883-5743.

Texas Youth Hunting Program aims to offer youth hunts that are safe, educational, and very affordable. Sponsored are introductory, instructive youth hunts for deer, turkey, hogs, javelina, exotics, dove, small game, waterfowl, varmints, and other specieds. Normally, mentors, lodging, and meals are provided. For more information on this program, please contact the Texas Youth Hunting Program at (800) 839-9453.

The Texas State Aquarium offers a wide variety of activities for school children and teachers. More than 40,000 South Texas students annually tour the facility. The on-site programs provide hands-on learning opportunities with the wonders of the Gulf of Mexico at your fingertips. Pre-visit materials are provided in advance to all scheduled school groups. Call (361) 881-1307 for reservations, 881-1203 for teacher workshops, or 881-1204 for their other youth programs.

Wildlife Conservation Camp is offered by the Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society for students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school. The camp mainly covers outdoor field activities and programs that include hunter safety and shooting skills, bird and plant identification, and hunting as a management tool. To receive a form or more information on this camp, please see the website http://www.tctws.org.

WOW: The Wonders of Wetlands is 330 page guide of curriculum for educators of grades K-12. The guide contains fifty indoor/outdoor activities that teach about the importance of wetlands and their inhabitants. It also contains basic wetlands restoration ideas and a listing of other educational wetland resources. For more information on this guide, please go to their website or call (410) 745-9620.