Intermountain Region

Education

Teachers and Youth Leaders

The Forest Service Conservation Education program strives to build upon awareness, knowledge, values and attitudes of adults and youth, to foster understanding, appreciation, and appropriate behaviors concerning natural and cultural resources. The Forest Service is a leader in providing scientific knowledge and outstanding opportunities for place-based learning.

To help assure quality and age-appropriate materials, the Forest Service has adapted learner guidelines established by the National Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE).

Here are some of the Forest Service educational tools that are available to you.

Curriculum & Activity Guides

Natural Inquirer

The Natural Inquirer is a science journal that introduces 4th through 8th grade students to many topics of Forest Service research. Each edition of the Natural Inquirer contains student activities and lesson ideas for the teachers. Many forest offices have copies available for classroom use or copies can be downloaded.

Investigating Your Environment (IYE)

IYE is an inquiry-based education program which provides water, plants, wildlife, habitats, geology and soil investigations. These activities complement science curriculum for upper elementary school through high school. IYE was created in the 1970's, but is still a useful tool for teachers.

Urban Forestry Exercises

The Urban Forestry Exercises help secondary level students to investigate and appreciate urban forests around them.

Ecosystem Matters

The "Ecosystem Matter" activity guide provide hands-on and problem-solving activities that focus on conservation and stewardship of various natural resources. Contact Sierra Hellstrom or Carol Ryan for a free Ecosystems Matters activity guide CD-rom.

PROGRAMS

Smokey Bear

Essential wildfire prevention information, wildfire science and fighting wildfires are only a few of the items that you can learn on Smokeybear.com, you can also learn about the history Smokey. There are a number of interactive activities for children to do as well as resource guides that are available. Online activities and materials for youth. In addition, there is information about the annual poster contest. While you are visiting Smokeybear.com don't forget to take the Pledge and sign up to receive their newletter.

Visit the National Symbols Program to see what products are available to purchase regarding fire education, Junior Forest Ranger, Junior Snow Ranger, Smokey Bear and Woodsey Owl items. These products include activity books, posters, bookmarkers plus a whole lot more.

To receive your free copy of the Illustrated Smokey Bear Story Book complete and fax this form to (218) 327-4604. We would like teachers to keep the number of teachers version to one per teacher, however you can order as many childrens versions that you will need for your class.

Woodsy Owl

Since 1971, Woodsy Owl has inspired kids to care for the natural world. Woodsy's familiar slogan was first "Give a hoot, don't pollute" but now Woodsy would like youth to "Lend a Hand, Care for the Land". Online activities are appropriate for younger elementary students.

Junior Forest Ranger & Junior Snow Ranger

Two programs that may be available on your local forest are the Junior Forest Ranger and the Junior Snow Ranger program. Junior Forest Ranger programs usually are available at many forest recreational sites during the summer. Junior Snow Ranger programs take place in the winter at downhill ski areas or on forest trails. Both of these programs offer hands-on activities that encourage stewardship of natural resources.

Fire Ecology

The FireWorks program focuses on fire ecology and the physics of fire. This program was created by researchers at the Forest Service Fire Research lab in Missoula, Montana. The FireWorks program includes teacher workshops, fire resource trunks, and a downloadable curriculum that is appropriate for upper elementary through secondary. To locate the nearest FireWorks trunk or schedule a workshop, contact Sierra Hellstrom or Carol Ryan .

This extensive Fire Effects database includes technical information on fire ecology and characteristics of many native plants, animals, and fungi. This is an excellent resource students could use for research projects.

Fire Curriculum by Nova.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Educational Trunks

Most forests have educational trunks loaded with hands-on materials and resources you can borrow. Some of the trunks in our Region include: tree trunks, bat box, weed trunk, FireWorks trunk, wilderness box, wolf box, wild turkey box and fish box. Contact your local forest office to find out what is available.

National Interagency Center

National Interagency Fire Center has current wildfire information and links for fire prevention programs such as Firewise.

Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) Publications

The Rocky Mountain Research Station offers many online brochures and research publications. Some of these scientific publications would be helpful for students doing research for science fairs and other school projects.

Videos, Brochures, & Posters

Local forest offices carry a variety of educational materials. If you have a specific interest in additional materials, contact Sierra Hellstrom or Carol Ryan.

CAREER INFORMATION

In addition, Forest staff can present information about career options in the Forest Service. We are archaeologists, computer scientists, fishery and wildlife biologists, range conservationists, botanists, engineers, hydrologists, recreation specialists, interpreters, plus many more. And yes...some of us are forest rangers!

CONTACT US

To request materials or a program presentation, contact your local forest office, Sierra Hellstrom or Carol Ryan.

Conservation Education Coordinators in other Regions.