I want to highlight a wonderful educational opportunity for those interested in learning more about Indiana's natural places and critters! You can become certified as an Indiana Master Naturalist by taking classes endorsed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and taught by wildlife biologist and Purdue University professors. The program operates much the way the Indiana Master Gardening class does, with participants taking the class and performing hands-on-activities. This is a great way to begin learning more about Indiana's wildlife. The program doesn't cost much, classes are taught at several different locations, and the class sessions are generally short. Find more about the program at the following link: www.in.gov/dnr/masternaturalist/.
Stay Wild!
Steve Skirvin
Posts
As I WONDERED about this topic I decided to make it fun, and informative, but I also want people to take action. I want to create the desire for people to become educated and have that education lead to a type of social activism. By donating to a land preserve, or volunteering at a state park people can make a difference in the world around them.
ReplyDeleteThe focus for this project was to explore and present the natural world of Indiana, because I think that to few people realize what a pretty state they live in, and I want to educate them about this world.
The questions, however about how I would do this were a bit difficult because I wanted to show mammals in their natural habitat- so how would I do this? I thought that I would have to settle for birds, or insects, but then along came the opossum in my backyard- he was a real gift. I was able to photograph him and make a video. I was able to focus some research dedicated to opossums, which I did not originally intend to do.
So then I was able to create a set of questions concerning opossums- these came natural and I liked that because it was the sort of thing that you just assume you know but you don't.
1. What do opossums eat?
2. What is the deal with their 'pouches'?
3. Do they really 'play opossum'?
4. What is their natural habitat?
5. Where did they come from?
- I found answers to these questions, but I also used the www.delicious.com bookmark site to allow my readers to find the links and read for themselves- I know at least one friend that did this- without me having to ask him to, so I was happy with that.