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| Master Conservationist Program |
| Master Conservationists are individuals that share an interest in the sustainability of Iowa's natural resources, and in becoming better stewards of Iowa's resources. This program alone will not make a person a "master", but this course is the first step in a journey. In order for individuals to make informed, intelligent decisions, they need to have accurate information. Master Conservationists are given the information necessary to make lifestyle changes that contribute to sustainability. |
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| To become a Master Conservationist you need to: |
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have an interest in conservation and environmental issues and concerns, |
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attend approximately 32 hours of hands-on training sessions, |
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provide 32 hours of volunteer efforts, and |
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have a willingness to learn and share ideas with others. |
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| By participating in the course, you will acquire the tools necessary to make choices about how to lead a life that contributes to sustainability. The 32 hours of hands-on training sessions provide information on Iowa's: |
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physical environment, |
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ecological principles and techniques, |
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wildlife diversity, |
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woodlands, |
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prairies and grasslands, |
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wetlands and waterways, |
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sustainable agriculture and land use, and |
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energy use and waste reduction. |
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| If you are interested in participating in this program, please
contact Jim Pease, jlpease@iastate.edu. |
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| NatureMapping Program |
| NatureMapping is a program that trains people just like you how to monitor and report the wildlife they observe and the habitats they observe them in. This can include wildlife at a backyard feeder, on a woodland or prairie hike, in a school yard, or at your place of employment... anywhere you observe wildlife. The data you collect is reported to us via this website so that it can be used and viewed by you or anyone else that has an interest in Iowa's wildlife and habitats. |
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| Service Learning Programs |
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| Service Learning programs allow people to combine learning about ecosystems and natural areas with volunteer work projects that improve those areas. Most recently, we formed a partnership with several National Wildlife Refuges on the Hawaiian island of Kaui'i. A group travelled there in summer, 2000, learning about tropical ecology and island biogeography while completing several work projects at Kilauea Point and Hanalei National Wildlife Refuges and other places on the island. |
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| Iowa Wetlands & Riparian Areas Conservation
Plan |
| This website is for those particularly interested in wetlands and their role in Iowa's biodiversity. ISU Extension wildlife programs participated as a partner in the development of this plan and maintains the website for it. The Iowa Wetlands and Riparian Areas Conservation Plan is summarized, and the full version of the Plan is also available, along with information about how to order hard copies of the complete or summary versions. This site also provides some of the best information available directly, in the form of articles and research reports, or indirectly, as links to other publications. The best data available on the number and acreage of wetlands in the state is provided here, either directly or as links to other sites. For youth and teachers, the Children's Page offers ideas for fun and learning. And for all, a glossary of terms helps make it all more understandable. |
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| Wilderness Leadership Training Program |
| Since 1984, ISU Extension has been training adults in how to lead youth on trips into wilderness areas. Our philosophy is that young people must experience positive, first-hand experiences in wild areas in order to value those areas in the future. In order to have voters in the future that will continue to value and properly manage wild areas, we must start when they are young. To ensure that youth have such opportunities to have positive wild places experiences, we have trained adult volunteers to lead them. Using canoeing, backpacking, or seakayaking as tools for wilderness exploration, adults attend 8-day training courses. They are pre- and post-tested and learn about: trip planning; equipment selection and use; nutrition, menu-planning, food-buying, drying, and repackaging; reading maps and using a compass; group building and teamwork; youth development; and ecology of the areas in which we travel. Many leaders have gone on to lead all the 4-H wilderness trips, as well as those of other youth organizations, thereby positively impacting the lives of thousands of youth. To find out more, click on the Wilderness Leadership Training Program link. |
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| Youth Hunter Education Challenge |
| Whether you are a youth, aged 12-19, an adult with a desire to contribute time to your community, or a member of an organization or business looking for youth-oriented project, if you have an interest in hunting and the outdoors, Iowa YHEC is an opportunity you don't want to miss! Follow this link to the Calendar page to find out more about YHEC, including: |
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What is YHEC? |
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Who can participate? |
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How do I find out more? |
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| Iowa YHEC is co-sponsored by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa State University Extension Wildlife Programs, and the Iowa 4-H Safety and Education in Shooting Sports program. |
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