Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia
  • Our Story
    • About EEA
      • About Our Organizational Members
      • About Our History
    • About Env Ed
      • About Env Justice
      • About Env Stewardship
  • Our Team
  • Our Events
  • Our Resources
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Earth Month Activities
    • Garden-based Learning
      • Carbon Gardening
    • EcoEngineering Challenges
      • Biodiversity Challenge: Pollinator Habitat
    • Community (Citizen) Science
    • Problem-Based Learning
    • Place-Based Learning
    • Project-Based Learning
      • Beyond EcoPhobia
    • Teaching about Climate Change
      • Climate Change Course
      • Climate Change - NGSS Expectations
      • Solutions Game Educator Guide
      • P WET Climate Resilience pdf
    • Teaching about EJ
    • Zero Waste Heroes
    • SAGES Project
    • Virtual EE Resources
    • Environmental Clubs
    • Evaluation and Assessment
      • Writing Measurable Student Objectives
  • Our Work
    • Professional Learning
    • Inclusive EE & Outdoor Learning
    • ATEEG Certification
      • ATEEG: Why Get Certified?
      • ATEEG: Certification Details
      • ATEEG History & Accreditation
      • ATEEG Certification Advisory Board
      • ATEEG CAB Portal
        • ATEEG Presentation
        • ATEEG CAB Info Packet
        • ATEEG Responsibilities
        • ATEEG Budget
        • ATEEG Framework
        • ATEEG Reports to NAAEE
        • ATEEG Meeting Notes
    • CoOL
      • CoOL RESEARCH on Outdoor Learning
        • Stanford Key Findings on EE
        • Frontiers Special Edition
      • CoOL AWARDS & GRANTS
      • CoOL ToolKit ToC
      • CoOL Toolkit Survey
      • CoOL Toolkit Map
      • CoOL Toolkit Audits
      • CoOL Toolkit SPACES
      • CoOL Toolkit METHODS
      • CoOL Toolkit SUSTAIN
      • CoOL Toolkit COVID
    • EEinGeorgia.org
      • EEinGeorgia
    • Monarchs Across GA
      • Pollinator Habitats & Certification
        • Pollinator Habitat Certification
      • MAG Awards
      • Mexico Book Project
      • MAG Resources
        • Buy Milkweed
      • Symbolic Migration
      • MAG Volunteers
      • MAG Events
        • 2023 Pollinator Symposium
      • Mapping Milkweeds for Monarchs in GA
    • EEA Memorial Forest
    • Awards and Grants
    • Initiatives
      • CEO Roundtable
      • EE Landscape Analysis
      • Guidelines for Excellence in EE
        • Outdoor Learning Collaboratory
      • EE and Higher Ed
      • GOLD Grant Application Preview
  • Our News
    • EEA News
      • The Dragonfly Quarterly Newsletter
      • EEA E-News
    • Book Club
    • EEA Issues
      • EE Legislation
      • SCORP
      • Teaching During Covid-19
  • Our Impact
  • JOIN or GIVE
    • Make a Donation
    • Become a Member
    • Volunteer
  • Member Portal
    • My Account
    • Field Excursions
  • Contact Us
  • Outdoor Learning Store
  • PassTick2023-4
  • Our Story
    • About EEA
      • About Our Organizational Members
      • About Our History
    • About Env Ed
      • About Env Justice
      • About Env Stewardship
  • Our Team
  • Our Events
  • Our Resources
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Earth Month Activities
    • Garden-based Learning
      • Carbon Gardening
    • EcoEngineering Challenges
      • Biodiversity Challenge: Pollinator Habitat
    • Community (Citizen) Science
    • Problem-Based Learning
    • Place-Based Learning
    • Project-Based Learning
      • Beyond EcoPhobia
    • Teaching about Climate Change
      • Climate Change Course
      • Climate Change - NGSS Expectations
      • Solutions Game Educator Guide
      • P WET Climate Resilience pdf
    • Teaching about EJ
    • Zero Waste Heroes
    • SAGES Project
    • Virtual EE Resources
    • Environmental Clubs
    • Evaluation and Assessment
      • Writing Measurable Student Objectives
  • Our Work
    • Professional Learning
    • Inclusive EE & Outdoor Learning
    • ATEEG Certification
      • ATEEG: Why Get Certified?
      • ATEEG: Certification Details
      • ATEEG History & Accreditation
      • ATEEG Certification Advisory Board
      • ATEEG CAB Portal
        • ATEEG Presentation
        • ATEEG CAB Info Packet
        • ATEEG Responsibilities
        • ATEEG Budget
        • ATEEG Framework
        • ATEEG Reports to NAAEE
        • ATEEG Meeting Notes
    • CoOL
      • CoOL RESEARCH on Outdoor Learning
        • Stanford Key Findings on EE
        • Frontiers Special Edition
      • CoOL AWARDS & GRANTS
      • CoOL ToolKit ToC
      • CoOL Toolkit Survey
      • CoOL Toolkit Map
      • CoOL Toolkit Audits
      • CoOL Toolkit SPACES
      • CoOL Toolkit METHODS
      • CoOL Toolkit SUSTAIN
      • CoOL Toolkit COVID
    • EEinGeorgia.org
      • EEinGeorgia
    • Monarchs Across GA
      • Pollinator Habitats & Certification
        • Pollinator Habitat Certification
      • MAG Awards
      • Mexico Book Project
      • MAG Resources
        • Buy Milkweed
      • Symbolic Migration
      • MAG Volunteers
      • MAG Events
        • 2023 Pollinator Symposium
      • Mapping Milkweeds for Monarchs in GA
    • EEA Memorial Forest
    • Awards and Grants
    • Initiatives
      • CEO Roundtable
      • EE Landscape Analysis
      • Guidelines for Excellence in EE
        • Outdoor Learning Collaboratory
      • EE and Higher Ed
      • GOLD Grant Application Preview
  • Our News
    • EEA News
      • The Dragonfly Quarterly Newsletter
      • EEA E-News
    • Book Club
    • EEA Issues
      • EE Legislation
      • SCORP
      • Teaching During Covid-19
  • Our Impact
  • JOIN or GIVE
    • Make a Donation
    • Become a Member
    • Volunteer
  • Member Portal
    • My Account
    • Field Excursions
  • Contact Us
  • Outdoor Learning Store
  • PassTick2023-4
Search


EEA RESOURCES
​Wildlife Viewing Lessons and Activities
​
​
 
​

EEA Wildlife Viewing Project & Education Resources

Picture
Picture
Picture

Congratulations to EEA's 2023 Wildlife Equipment Winners! 

Thanks to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources / Wildlife Resources Division for the Wildlife Viewing Grant that made it possible for EEA to provide this equipment to schools, parks and other environmental education providers. 
Alcova Elementary School
Athens Montessori School
Big Haynes Creek Nature Center
Cass Middle School
Cirrus Academy Charter School
Cloverleaf Elementary
Double Churches Middle School
EMBARC Community Youth Farm / DeKalb Co Recreation
Parks & Cultural Affairs
​Euharlee Elementary / The Euharlee Grow Getters
​Fayette Environmental Education Center
Gardens For Growing Community
Ila Elementary
​Mason Creek Elementary School

Mission Road Elementary
Okefenokee Swamp Park, Inc.
Pike County Elementary School
Pleasant Grove Elementary School
Radloff Middle School
Red Top Middle School
Riverwood International Charter School
Saddle Ridge K-8
Stockbridge Elementary
Troup County 4-H
Varnell Elementary School
Walton County Master Gardeners
​Woodland Elementary School

Teaching Resources

Click to access species fact sheets from Georgia Biodiversity Portal
Picture

Suggested Wildlife Learning Sequence

Observe the plant and animal species that are evident in the schoolyard or nature area. Ask questions about why some species are present and others are not (or undetected). 
  • Step 1: Identify your ecoregion on this map
  • Step 2: Select a listed wildlife species of interest that lives in your ecoregion
  • Or choose a high priority habitat for the ecoregion and select an animal there
  • Step 3: Learn about your selected wildlife species here if it is an endangered species;
  • Or learn more at the GA Biodiversity Portal (click SGCN tab, then ecoregion, then species)
  • Step 4: Find out where a species is likely to live; search for it on a schoolyard safari
  • Or try to observe it with wildlife viewing equipment, or public wildlife cams (below)
  • Step 5: Brainstorm ways to make sure this species has what it needs to survive 
  • Step 6:  Check out recommendations for this species in the GA Wildlife Action Plan
  • Step 7:  Design and carry out a project to conserve the species or restore its habitat
  • Step 8:  Involve the community in learning about the species; share wildlife photos

Picture
Birds, Bugs and Butterflies  free activities from GA Author Steve Rich's: Outdoor Science
Click below to access free lessons and activities related to wildlife:
Picture


​Intrigued by the free lessons and activities linked to the left? Consider checking out Georgian Steve Rich's books on outdoor learning, including Outdoor Science: A Practical Guide

Picture
Film Trailer
SEEK app

Wildlife Lessons and  Activities

  • Russel the Mussel, Adopt a Mussel, and Mussel Filtration lessons
  • Disappearing Rusty Patch Bumble Bee lesson from NSTA
  • Bird Sleuth Lessons and Activities from Cornell University
  • Build A Fish interactive online lesson; Trout in the Classroom lessons
  • Salamander Habitat Hunt, Toad Abodes, and other amphibian lessons
  • Create a Gopher Tortoise-Friendly Schoolyard; and lessons, books, coloring sheets​
  • Searching for the Eastern Spotted Skunk​
  • Bats: Night Friends; Bats- Maligned or Malicious?; White Nosed Syndrome ​
  • Food Web lesson from Generation Genius 
  • Birds, Bees, Flowers and Trees lesson from NSTA
  • SEEK App, Educator Guide, Family Guide, BioBlitz Guide, Backyard Wilderness trailer​Note: SEEK identifies theoretically-nearby species and rewards correct image uploads

Picture

Habitat Lessons and Activities

  • Regions of Georgia Virtual Field Trips from GPB
  • Welcome to My Neck of the Woods - Georgia Habitat Mapping from GPB
  • Habitat Web lessons from NWF 
  • Natural Communities of No Georgia (Piedmont, Blue Ridge Mountains, Ridge / Valley)
  • Sandhills of Middle Georgia Teacher Guide​
  • Coastal Habitat Investigations and Lessons from Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Picture
STEAM Teaching Activities related to Georgia Wildlife
This collection of lessons, activities, competitions, games and projects are related to Georgia wildlife species. Click here to review.
​
Project WILD Program Resources for Teachers
World Wildlife Foundation Teaching Toolkits for various (non-Georgia) species

Picture
Picture

Tools for Identifying Plants and Wildlife in the Schoolyard or Nature Area

Online Resources​
  • Merlin Bird Call ID app
  • ​Tracks and prints
  • Frog Call CD
  • Snake Guide
  • Bug Guide
  • GA Freshwater Fishes 
  • SEEK User Guide and SEEK app
  • Backyard Wildlife​
  • Sherpa Wildlife Guide
Books
  • ​Audubon Field Guides 
  • Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia
  • Dragonflies & Damselflies of Georgia
  • Frogs and Toads of the Southeast
  • Kaufman Field Guide to Birds of North America
  • Lizards and Crocodilians of the Southeast
  • Salamanders of the Southeast
  • Snakes of the Southeast
  • Snorkeling the Hidden Rivers of So Appalachia 
  • Turtles of the Southeast

Picture
Picture

Projects for Restoring Wildlife Habitat and Conserving Species of Concern in GA

  • Build Nesting Boxes for  
    • Bluebirds, 
    • Screech Owls, 
    • Nuthatches, 
    • Bats
  • Remove introduced plant species that out-compete native species
  • Plant a Pollinator Habitat and get it certified by Monarchs Across Georgia
  • Plant a Bat Garden
  • Conduct Projects and Implement Strategies for Restoring GA Wildlife​
  • National Wildlife Federation Schoolyard Habitat Certification
  • Project Hero Pollinator Quest
  • Great Project Storylines: Biodiversity Project​
  • Wild Teacher Resource Guide: Intro to Georgia's Natural History

Picture

Live Streaming Wildlife Cameras

  • Berry College Eagle Cam
  • Savannah Bird Cam
  • Cornell University Bird Cams
  • Deer Cam
  • ZooAtlanta Web Cams
  • Wildcam Gorongosa (Africa)​
  • Monterrey Bay Aquarium Live Cams​


Picture

Georgia Wildlife Art Activities

  • Exploring Georgia's Wildlife Coloring Book
  • Monarch Butterfly Coloring Book
  • Quail Coloring Sheet
  • GA Freshwater Fishes Poster
  • GA Wildlife Art Contests​


Picture

Community Science Projects, Activities and Contests

  • Audubon Christmas Bird Count
  • DNR Youth Birding Competition
  • DNR Youth Christmas Bird Count
  • Great Backyard Bird Count
  • Great Georgia Pollinator Census
  • GO Outdoors: Birding Trails

Picture

Habitat and Wildlife Monitoring Activities

  • River Runner interactive - follow path of a drop of water from any point to the ocean
  • Georgia Watershed Manual
  • Stream Habitat Visual Reference Guide and Stream Monitoring Manual
  • Fish Monitoring Protocols
  • ​Freshwater Macroinvertebrate Field Guides and Monitoring Manual
  • Salamander Field Guide and Amphibian Monitoring Manual
  • Wetland Monitoring Manual and Adopt a Wetland Manual
  • Streamside Construction Site Monitoring
  • Tree Frog Field Guide​
  • Gopher Tortoise Handbook​
  • ​Manuals in Spanish


Picture

Crosswalk:  Wildlife Viewing Activities by GA Standards (GSES)

When K-12 teachers and non-formal educators integrate outdoor learning with required standards at each grade level, environmental education can engage students in learning essential concepts. Outdoor observations, explorations, and investigations provide real world context for understanding core ideas and recognizing crosscutting concepts. This approach ensures that environmental education is baked into the curriculum rather than marginalized. Here are the Georgia standards related to wildlife and some ideas for teaching:
Georgia Standards of Excellence in Science: Correlation to K-12 Wildlife Standards

Picture

Professional Learning for Teachers related to Wildlife Conservation

Guidelines for Wildlife in the Classroom
Project WILD Workshops and curriculum
Rivers to Reefs PL program
Georgia Teacher Conservation Workshop
​Conservation Teacher of the Year Grant
​
Crosswalk between GA Standards of Excellence and Wildlife Viewing Activities

Wildlife Viewing Project

Overview 
The Environmental Education Alliance (EEA) will provide wildlife cameras or bird feeders to  20+ schools or non-profit nature centers across the state to help students and the community investigate plant and animal species that frequent their schoolyards, nature centers and neighborhoods. The viewing equipment is funded by a grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division. 

​Participating educators will commit to teaching science standards through outdoor learning activities, as well as in-person and remote wildlife watching. EEA will support educators by providing professional development on outdoor learning and by curating a collection of lesson ideas and learning activities that align observation of real-life phenomena (wildlife watching) to the Georgia Standards of Excellence in Science, and to species and habitats referenced in Georgia's State Wildlife Action Plan.
 
Goals
Wildlife cameras, nest cameras, and other viewing devices will be incorporated into learning activities in order to:
  • Engage more students and educators in outdoor learning 
  • Increase appreciation for and understanding of Georgia plants and wildlife
  • Promote teaching of environmental science standards using local species and habitats instead of faraway examples
  • Engage students in stewardship activities related to conservation of native plants, wildlife, and habitats
  • Prepare students to become future decision-makers and caretakers of Georgia's natural resources
  • Involve communities in wildlife watching
 
Project Timeline
Applications will be accepted and cameras distributed in Spring 2023. Project activities with students will take place in April and May and reports and images will be submitted by wildlife viewing equipment recipients by the end of May.

Targeted Audience
The target audience for the wildlife viewing equipment is pre-K-12 students at school campuses or nature / environmental education centers in a variety of Georgia ecoregions.
 
Use of Wildlife Cameras
Wildlife cameras allow students to observe real world phenomena, including the presence, behaviors, and interactions among wildlife species on campus, as part of learning activities correlated to the Georgia Standards of Excellence in Science. Students may also collect data for community science projects and/or implement student-designed initiatives to restore wildlife habitat. 

Expectations of Wildlife Viewing Equipment Recipients
Wildlife equipment recipients will engage students in wildlife viewing during spring of 2023 and provide images or videos of these activities by the end of the school year.  Specifically, recipients will use Georgia's State Wildlife Action Plan to identify their ecoregion, find listed plant and animal species of interest as well as high priority (vulnerable) habitats for that ecoregion, and select at least one species.  Learn more about it here if it is an endangered species; or here at the Biodiversity Portal.
​
Program Results
Among the anticipated project benefits are:
  • Interest in local, native plant and animal species by teachers, student, and their families
  • More relevance of curriculum and increased student engagement as a result of swapping faraway examples for local ones when studying habitats, endangered and invasive species, human impacts on the environment, climate change impacts on habitat and range, ecological roles and interactions, and other environmental science topics 
  • Greater awareness that plant and animal species can only be conserved by protecting or restoring habitat
  • Increased engagement of students outdoors, observing phenomena and participating in project-based learning
  • Promotion of best practices in teaching outdoors
  • Ongoing wildlife watching in future years
  • Students who grow up interested in protecting Georgia habitats, who also possess the understanding, motivation and know-how to make responsible decisions to care for the state's resources

Guidelines for Ethical Wildlife Viewing

source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division
  1. Observe animals from a safe distance, for you and for them. Use binoculars, a spotting scope or camera with a telephoto lens for a closer look.
  2. Move slowly and cautiously. Avoid nests and dens. Learn to recognize and respect wildlife alarm signals. If the animal’s behavior changes as you approach it, chances are you are too close.
  3. Do not feed wild animals. Put their safety and health first by leaving them to forage for natural foods. Note: This does not include feeders for birds and squirrels. Also: Be BearWise at home.
  4. Do not harass, chase or harm wildlife. Harassing wildlife is not only illegal, it can be dangerous for you and the animal. Do not disturb resting wildlife. This can cause them to expend energy needed to help survive winter or seasonal migrations.
  5. Be considerate. Respect wildlife, habitats, other people and property. Leave pets at home.
  6. Observe rules and regulations. Stay on marked trails and roads, and off private lands unless you have permission. Observe site and local requirements regarding dogs.
Please practice safety in all wildlife viewing. For example, when snorkeling for fish, children should be closely supervised and adults should not snorkel alone.
Contact Us
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Environmental Education Alliance, Inc.  
P.O. Box 801066 | Acworth, GA 30101


EEA does not does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in its program , activities, or employment. For more information on EEA's non-discrimination commitment click here .
​Grievance officer may be contacted at info@eealliance.org


Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Our Story
    • About EEA
      • About Our Organizational Members
      • About Our History
    • About Env Ed
      • About Env Justice
      • About Env Stewardship
  • Our Team
  • Our Events
  • Our Resources
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Earth Month Activities
    • Garden-based Learning
      • Carbon Gardening
    • EcoEngineering Challenges
      • Biodiversity Challenge: Pollinator Habitat
    • Community (Citizen) Science
    • Problem-Based Learning
    • Place-Based Learning
    • Project-Based Learning
      • Beyond EcoPhobia
    • Teaching about Climate Change
      • Climate Change Course
      • Climate Change - NGSS Expectations
      • Solutions Game Educator Guide
      • P WET Climate Resilience pdf
    • Teaching about EJ
    • Zero Waste Heroes
    • SAGES Project
    • Virtual EE Resources
    • Environmental Clubs
    • Evaluation and Assessment
      • Writing Measurable Student Objectives
  • Our Work
    • Professional Learning
    • Inclusive EE & Outdoor Learning
    • ATEEG Certification
      • ATEEG: Why Get Certified?
      • ATEEG: Certification Details
      • ATEEG History & Accreditation
      • ATEEG Certification Advisory Board
      • ATEEG CAB Portal
        • ATEEG Presentation
        • ATEEG CAB Info Packet
        • ATEEG Responsibilities
        • ATEEG Budget
        • ATEEG Framework
        • ATEEG Reports to NAAEE
        • ATEEG Meeting Notes
    • CoOL
      • CoOL RESEARCH on Outdoor Learning
        • Stanford Key Findings on EE
        • Frontiers Special Edition
      • CoOL AWARDS & GRANTS
      • CoOL ToolKit ToC
      • CoOL Toolkit Survey
      • CoOL Toolkit Map
      • CoOL Toolkit Audits
      • CoOL Toolkit SPACES
      • CoOL Toolkit METHODS
      • CoOL Toolkit SUSTAIN
      • CoOL Toolkit COVID
    • EEinGeorgia.org
      • EEinGeorgia
    • Monarchs Across GA
      • Pollinator Habitats & Certification
        • Pollinator Habitat Certification
      • MAG Awards
      • Mexico Book Project
      • MAG Resources
        • Buy Milkweed
      • Symbolic Migration
      • MAG Volunteers
      • MAG Events
        • 2023 Pollinator Symposium
      • Mapping Milkweeds for Monarchs in GA
    • EEA Memorial Forest
    • Awards and Grants
    • Initiatives
      • CEO Roundtable
      • EE Landscape Analysis
      • Guidelines for Excellence in EE
        • Outdoor Learning Collaboratory
      • EE and Higher Ed
      • GOLD Grant Application Preview
  • Our News
    • EEA News
      • The Dragonfly Quarterly Newsletter
      • EEA E-News
    • Book Club
    • EEA Issues
      • EE Legislation
      • SCORP
      • Teaching During Covid-19
  • Our Impact
  • JOIN or GIVE
    • Make a Donation
    • Become a Member
    • Volunteer
  • Member Portal
    • My Account
    • Field Excursions
  • Contact Us
  • Outdoor Learning Store
  • PassTick2023-4