EDUCATION SERVICES


LEVEL 1 PROGRAMS: Introductory projects that begin the education process and stimulate further interest in the outdoors.


Wild about Wetlands School Kits
These reusable kits provide elementary students and their teachers with three weeks of easy-to-use activities and all materials needed for hands-on learning about wetlands, animals, and habitat restoration. The kits serve as a complete unit, as a supplement to an existing unit, or as a pre/post field trip lesson plan.


CWA maintains 52 kits for loan in 10 Northern California counties. Activities use wetlands as the theme to teach language arts, social science, math, and science. All the lessons align with California content standards for public schools. There is no fee to use the kits; the recommended loan period is three weeks, depending upon the number of activities used. Learn more by clicking here>>


Marsh Madness Field Days
Elementary students spend a day exploring local wetlands and learning about habitats, wildlife, and conservation. Students examine pond water and soils, study wetland plants, learn about local wildlife, keep a journal, taste wetland foods, and more. They tie concepts together by creating a life-sized model wetland, which illustrates partnerships, finances, the food web, and other issues that promote critical thinking. If your school qualifies as Title 1 and is located in the greater Sacramento area, learn more by clicking here>>

For up-to-date news on Marsh Madness and other field events click here>>


Junior Duck Stamp Project
This classroom unit for K-12 students promotes conservation through the arts. Sketching, drawing, and painting expand observation skills and provide opportunities to reflect upon nature. Lessons also teach natural history, science, conservation, and biology. Final projects have students creating images that require consideration of waterfowl form and behavior as well as habitat. Images are entered into an annual state contest (deadline March 15). The Best of Show from California competes nationally as well. Prizes are awarded. Teaching resources include federal curriculums, waterfowl calendars, activity posters, teacher newsletters, and student folders. For program details, click here>>


Exhibits for Festivals
CWA has exhibits at 30-plus festivals each year. Interactive exhibits contain tracks, scats, nests, and other wildlife artifacts, as well as displays on the food web, grassroots action, and more. A wood duck exhibit has juniors role-playing as ducklings to learn about this duck’s life cycle. To check on upcoming festivals, click here>>



Outdoor Adventures Day Camps
Discover the outdoors at these one-day camps for juniors ages 8-13. Activity stations cover topics such as archery, shooting, fly tying, decoy painting, nest building, nature’s camouflage, bird calls, and more. Juniors have a great time learning and make projects to take home. To see a schedule of upcoming camps, click here>>



Discovery Packs
CWA has several backpack kits available for self-guided trips to wetlands in the Sacramento Valley. Packs contain water trays, dip nets, magnifiers, instructions for six activities, and info about wetland plants and organisms, and are great for small group trips. Partners include Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge and Central Valley Joint Venture. Email CWA to check one out.

LEVEL 2 PROGRAMS: An intermediate stage where projects offer more intensive training and participation opportunities.


Youth Hunter Camps
Boys and girls ages 10 to 15 enjoy fantastic outdoor experiences through overnight Youth Waterfowl Hunter Camps held at locations across the state. Lessons include firearm safety, shooting, calling, decoy painting and layout, site selection, duck ID, game preparation, first aid, and conservation actions. Other activities include fishing, archery, and location-specific opportunities such as duck banding, egg salvage, and hiking. Juniors also earn their hunter education certificate during the camp. To check on upcoming camps, click here>>

Skills Clinics and Shoots
CWA hosts hunter skills clinics and shoots to fill gaps in training for individuals who have earned their hunter education certificate and want to start bird hunting. Clinic topics cover the entire spectrum of considerations for novice hunters, from the history of hunting and good sportsmanship to the details of gear and dress, decoys, calling, as well as handling and cooking game. Shooting days increase comfort with handling firearms and tracking moving targets. For those who plan to bird hunt, it is critical that we reinforce safety, skills, and conservation messages to establish good life-long habits, to check on upcoming clinics, click here >>


Cleanup Days
To help maintain quality public areas, CWA is partnering with several refuges and wildlife areas to host and promote volunteer-based cleanup days. These types of events not only remove trash and spruce up hunting sites but also use volunteer labor for tasks such as checking nest boxes and refurbishing kiosks and other public use structures. Check our Events Calendar for a cleanup near you.


Wood Duck Nest Box Projects
Wood duck projects serve as “outdoor classrooms”, providing valuable hands-on experience with waterfowl. CWA has instructional materials such as slide shows, nest boxes, data simulations, posters, and taxidermy birds. CWA also maintains support services for its network of wood duck volunteers (youth and adult) who build, install, and monitor wood duck nest boxes and collect nesting data. To learn more, click here>>


Wild Duck Egg Projects
CWA partners with several egg salvage facilities in farming regions of the state. Wild eggs about to be lost to farming operations are collected by volunteers and delivered to these licensed incubation facilities, where duckling are hatched, raised, and released into the wild. For more information or to get involved, contact us at cwa@calwaterfowl.org



Outdoor Expeditions
Junior Hunts: Each fall and winter, licensed junior hunters have several special hunting opportunities on public and private lands. CWA is often on-hand with displays and activities to encourage hunter safety, good sportsmanship, and improved hunter skills. For details, click here>>



Project Tours: Adults can attend tours of habitat project sites, led by CWA biologists and staff from partnering agencies. Tours provide insight regarding wildlife use, management techniques, habitat incentive programs, and more. If you’re interested in attending a tour, call (916) 648-1406 or e-mail cwa@calwaterfowl.org.

LEVEL 3 PROGRAMS: An advanced mentoring and continuing education network to train tomorrow’s conservation leaders.


Internships for Young Professionals
College students majoring in wildlife biology, conservation education, and related fields work alongside CWA staff and gain real-world experience. Interns help develop educational materials, work with schools, interact with the general public as interpreters, and assist with waterfowl studies. Some positions are also available at partnering sites such as national wildlife refuges. Students come away with a clear understanding of conservation values and techniques. To find out about current opportunities, click here>>


Youth Leadership Program
California Waterfowl's youth leadership program trains high school students in leadership skills. Teens build their own ecology knowledge and then instruct younger students in the classroom and at outdoor settings. Teams of 20 to 30 high school students participate in these five-step courses. To read more on this program, click here>>


Educator Workshops
CWA hosts workshops and in-service trainings for teachers and youth group leaders, covering topics such as the Wild About Wetlands kits, the Junior Duck Stamp Program, and other valuable environmental education resources. These training sessions familiarize educators with the resources, reveal clear relationships to teaching objectives, and provide contacts within the environmental community. Find out about upcoming workshops or request a workshop in your area by e-mailing us at cwaeducation@calwaterfowl.org.


Outreach Volunteer Docents
Volunteer your time to help educate youngsters about the outdoors. Whatever your interest, skills, or location, we have opportunities for you to get involved. CWA has about 200 active youth program volunteers, but many more are needed to reach youths and families statewide. We can help you get started with mentoring and training services. Build your biology knowledge, interpretive techniques, and outdoor recreational experience while sharing your skills and enthusiasm with others. To learn about volunteer opportunities, click here>>


Flyway Journeys Fellowships
To introduce young adults to a broader picture of conservation, CWA awards fellowships to high school and college students for learning opportunities both in Canada and here in California. Fellowships currently focus on wildlife art and include expert instruction by professional artists. Recipients are asked to complete a related projects to demonstrate the benefits of the experience and provide a service for conservation. For fellowship application deadlines and details, email us at cwaeducation@calwaterfowl.org.

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For information about any of CWA’s education programs, call (916) 648-1406 or e-mail cwaeducation@calwaterfowl.org.