U.S. Fish and Wildlife's Virtually Wild Program

Dive into Watersheds

Live from Lake Houston Wilderness Park, learn about watersheds and water ecology with Naturalist Lauren! In this program, students will learn about freshwater sources and critters that depend on this local aquatic ecosystems. Participants will explore Peach Creek and Lake Dabney located around the park and investigate collected water samples. Wet and wild featured guests will be highlighted and will vary based on what naturalists catch that morning.

Location: Houston Lake Wilderness Park, New Caney, TX

Provider: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Houston Community Partnerships and Engagement Program, Region 4 Education Service Center, Texas A&M Forest Service, Houston Parks and Recreation Department

Cost: Free

Audience: This program is planned at a 2nd - 5th grade level, but students of all ages will gain useful vocabulary and a better understanding of aquatic ecosystems.

TEKS:

Science:
Grade 2- 2A,2C,2F,3C,4A,4B,7B,7C,9A,9B,9C,10A
Grade 3- 2A, 2B, 3C, 4A, 9A, 9B, 9C, 10A
Grade 4- 2A, 2B, 3C, 9A, 10A
Grade 5- 2B, 2C, 3C, 4A, 9A, 9C, 10A 

Social Studies:
Grade 4- 8A, 8B, 8C, 11B

Please register for ONE session:

What's in My Water?

As one of the largest cities in the United States, the City of Houston helps with the production and distribution of more than 146 billion gallons of water every year! That is enough to fill the Astrodome four times a day with fresh water. But what about wastewater and pollution? How does the City ensure we all have safe drinking water? In this program students will learn about the importance of water conservation and how pollution in our waterways creates problems for people and wildlife. Learn about the hard science that goes behind making sure you have a refreshing and safe drink of water.

Location: City of Houston, Houston Public Works, Houston, TX

Provider: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Houston Community Partnerships and Engagement Program, Region 4 Education Service Center, Texas A&M Forest Service, City of Houston

Cost: Free

Audience: This program is planned at a 2nd - 5th grade level, but students of all ages will gain useful vocabulary and an understanding of water conservation and how pollution affects wildlife and people.

TEKS:

Science:
Grade 2- 1B, 2A,3C,7B,7C
Grade 3- 1B, 2A, 3C
Grade 4- 1B, 3C
Grade 5- 1B, 3C, 9C 

Social Studies:
Grade 4- 8A, 8B, 8C, 11B

Please register for ONE session:

Birds of the Bayou

Birds abound at Armand Bayou Nature Center! See several, unique bird specimens and artifacts, discovering more about how bird's adaptations help them survive. Ask experts about birds of prey, learn about bird's natural habitats, and even some beginning birding tricks and tools. With so many various habitats including tall coastal prairie, riparian flatwoods forest, and the tidal marsh, a real nature adventure is guaranteed!

Location: Armand Bayou Nature Center, Clear Lake, TX

Provider: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Houston Community Partnerships and Engagement Program, Region 4 Education Service Center, Texas A&M Forest Service, Armand Bayou Nature Center

Cost: Free

Audience: This program is planned at a K - 4th grade level, but students of all ages will gain useful vocabulary and understanding of birds and bayous.

TEKS:

Science:
Kindergarten- 2A, 2B, 3C, 4B, 9B, 10A, 9B 
Grade 1- 2A, 2C, 3C, 9A, 9C, 10A
Grade 2- 2A, 2C, 2F, 3C, 4B, 9A, 9B, 9C, 10A
Grade 3 - 2A, 3C,4A,  9A, 9B, 9C, 10A  
Grade 4 - 2A, 3C, 4A, 9A,  10A, 10B 

Social Studies:

Grade 4- 8A, 8B, 8C

Please register for ONE session:

Saving a Rare Texas Woodpecker from Extinction

Scientists across the southeastern United States are striving to save the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) from extinction. Once common in east Texas, this bird survives in small family groups on only a handful of managed forest lands. Learn about this magnificent, colorful bird and how foresters and wildlife biologists are managing the forest ecosystem to improve the woodpecker’s habitat.  Meet the scientists who use technology and tree-climbing skills to monitor nests and learn how you can find a career in conservation.

Location: W.G. Jones State Forest in Conroe, TX

Provider: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Houston Community Partnerships and Engagement Program, Region 4 Education Service Center, Texas A&M Forest Service

Cost: Free

Audience: This program is planned at a 2nd - 5th grade level, but students of all ages will gain useful vocabulary and an understanding of how scientists are conducting research and managing the forest for the benefit of an endangered species.

TEKS:

Science:
Grade 2- 2A, 3C, 4A, 9A, 9B, 9C, 10A 
Grade 3 - 3C, 4A, 9A, 9B, 9C, 10A 
Grade 4 - 3C, 4A, 9A, 10A, 10B
Grade 5 - 3C, 4A, 9A, 9C, 10A 

Social Studies:

Grade 4- 8A, 8C

Please register for ONE session:

Who Lives Here?

Galveston Island is home to thousands of people but its sandy beaches and warm Gulf waters are home to untold numbers of living creatures – many of which you never see! The ever-changing environment of shifting sands and tides requires very special adaptations for wildlife to survive and thrive. In this program, students will join Galveston Island State Park staff on a tour to find what critters are living on the shores and under the surf. Participants will fish with a seine for marine creatures, see them up close, and learn about the important role they play in this unique ecosystem.

Location: Galveston Island State Park, Galveston, TX

Provider: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Houston Community Partnerships and Engagement Program, Region 4 Education Service Center, Texas A&M Forest Service, Galveston Island State Park

Cost: Free

Audience: This program is planned at a 2nd - 5th grade level, but students of all ages will gain useful vocabulary and understanding of marine habitat and it's wildlife.

TEKS:

Science:
Grade 2- 2A, 3C, 9A, 9B, 9C, 10A
Grade 3 - 2A, 3C,  9A, 9B, 9C, 10A  
Grade 4 - 2A, 3C, 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B
Grade 5 - 3C, 9A, 9B, 9C, 10A, 10B 

Social Studies:
Grade 4- 8A, 8C

Please register for ONE session:

Reptile Adaptations

What is an adaptation and how do adaptations enable an organism to survive and flourish in its environment?  Can adaptive behaviors protect an animal?  How can a snake swallow prey larger than its head?  These and more questions will be answered as we closely examine and interact with live alligators, snakes, and turtles. You will learn how these species have adapted to be successful in their environment.

This program will take place on Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, home to these critters and many others! The 44,000-acre refuge is comprised of freshwater sloughs that wind through salt marshes, woody thickets and prairie. It’s a great place to see, enjoy and learn about nature.

Location: Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, Angleton, TX

Provider: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Houston Community Partnerships and Engagement Program, Region 4 Education Service Center, Texas A&M Forest Service, Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, Friends of Brazoria National Wildlife Refuges

Cost: Free

Audience: This program is planned at a 2nd- 5th grade level, but students of all ages will gain useful vocabulary and an understanding of how reptiles have evolved and adapted to their environment.

TEKS:

Science:
Grade 2- 2A, 3C, 9A, 9B, 9C, 10A
Grade 3 - 2A, 3C,  9A, 9B, 9C, 10A  
Grade 4 - 2A, 3C, 9A, 9B, 10A, 10B
Grade 5 - 3C, 9A, 9B, 9C, 10A, 10B 

Social Studies:

Grade 4 - 8A, 8B, 8C

Please register for ONE session:

Save Texas Wildlife with Your Phone- Join the City Nature Challenge and Become a Citizen Scientist!

The City Nature Challenge is a global event (from April 30- May 3 and May 4 -May 9 in 2021) which engages ‘citizen scientists’ from across the planet to observe and record animals and plants in their local communities. Cities compete with each other to see who can (1) observe the greatest number of species (2) have the most observers and (3) or have the greatest number of observations. Texas has done well in this event the last two years because of its amazing biodiversity and we need your help this year!
 
Learn about the City Nature Challenge, the iNaturalist app/webpage (used to make and list observations during the City Nature Challenge), how your students and you can become safely involved even in this time of social distancing, and how scientists are using data from iNaturalist to restore wildlife habitat!
 
Educators’ Toolkit to City Nature Challenge

Location: Live from the field!

Provider: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Houston Community Partnerships and Engagement Program, Region 4 Education Service Center, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas Nature Conservancy in Texas

Cost: Free

Audience: This program is planned at a 3rd - 5th grade level, but students of all ages will gain useful vocabulary and an understanding of how technology is used to help collect research benefitting wildlife and people.

TEKS:

Science:
Grade 3 - 2A, 2E, 3C, 4A, 9A, 9C
Grade 4 - 2A, 2E, 3C, 4A,  10A
Grade 5 - 2B, 2E, 3C, 4A, 9A, 9C 

Social Studies:
Grade 4- 8A, 8B, 8C

Please register for ONE session:

Prairies for the People!

Join the Education Director and Volunteers from Native Prairies Association of Texas to learn about ancient prairies that are helping to make cities more resilient and healthy for both people and wildlife!  We’ll explore the famous Deer Park Prairie, the largest intact URBAN prairie in the Greater Houston region. This prairie is buzzing and hopping with life and its seeds are being used to restore dozens of prairies, including city prairies, in the area. We’ll discuss the coastal prairie ecosystem, the importance of our insects and pollinators, and the benefits that prairies and native plants can provide within city limits.  Remnant prairies are ancient and they help connect Texans to their iconic culture and history. We’ll even show students and schools how they can bring a pocket prairie to their school!

Location: Deer Park Prairie, Deer Park, TX

Provider: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service - Houston Community Partnerships and Engagement Program, Region 4 Education Service Center, Texas A&M Forest Service, Native Prairies Association of Texas

Cost: Free

Audience: This program is planned at a 3rd - 5th grade level, but students of all ages will gain useful vocabulary and an understanding of coastal prairie habitats.

TEKS:

Science:

Grade 3 - 2A, 3C, 4A, 9A, 9B, 9C
Grade 4 - 2A, 3C, 4A, 9A, 9B, 10A
Grade 5 - 2B, 3C, 4A, 9A, 9C, 10A

Social Studies:
Grade 4- 8A, 8B, 8C, 11B

Please register for ONE session: