Project WILD and Aquatic WILD involve young people and wildlife, a proven formula for generating interest and participation. They are supplementary education programs emphasizing awareness, appreciation, and understanding of wildlife and natural resources. Attractive and easy to use, Project WILD and Aquatic WILD are ideal ways to supplement your curriculum and fire the imagination of your students.

These programs teach young people how to think about wildlife, not what to think. Students in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade learn basic concepts about wild animals, their needs and importance, and their relationships to people and the environment. The hands-on, diverse activities help develop problem-solving and decision making skills in determining responsible human actions.

Project WILD and Aquatic WILD were developed through a joint effort of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Council for Environmental Education. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies recently became the new home for Project WILD and Aquatic WILD.  This transition took place in 2017 and will continue to enhance the opportunities for conservation education across the country.  Project WILD and Aquatic WILD are endorsed by the National Council for the Social Studies and is consistent with the recommendations of the National Science Teachers Association. The Project WILD and Aquatic WILD curriculums have been aligned with Ohio's PreK-12 academic content standards in Science. You can find references to Project WILD  and Aquatic WILD and their activities throughout the Instructional Strategies and Resources Section of Ohio's Model Curriculum for Science.

Activity guides are available to educators free to low cost, and only when they attend a workshop. Trained volunteer facilitators conduct educator workshops for over 2,000 educators annually around the state throughout the year. In addition, the Division of Wildlife conducts annual leadership workshops to train new facilitators.

For more information, contact the Wildlife Education Coordinator at 1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543) or outdoor.education@dnr.ohio.gov