Skills in Fish and Wildlife Science
2012-2013
ProjectWILD
Section One: Ecological Knowledge
Wildlife Populations
Interview a Spider
-I can generalize that wildlife ranges in size and occurs in a variety of
forms, colors, and adaptations.
Habitat Rummy
-I can identify components of habitat as food, water, shelter, and space in
a suitable arrangement.
-I can apply knowledge of these components to habitat requirements of
various species of animals.
How Many Bears Can Live in This Forest?
-I can define a limiting factor.
-I can describe how limiting factors affect animal populations.
My Kingdom for a Shelter
-I can identify and describe the materials and techniques used by at least
one wild animal to construct its shelter.
Tracks!
-I can identify common animal tracks.
Spider Web Geometry
-I can recognize spiders as wildlife, and generalize that people and
wildlife share similar environments.
Oh Deer!
-I can identify and describe food, water, and shelter as three essential
components of habitat.
-I can describe factors that influence carrying capacity.
-I can define “limiting factors” and give examples.
-I can recognize that some fluctuations in wildlife populations are natural
as ecological systems undergo constant change.
Habitats, Ecosystems, and Niches
Habitat Lap Sit
-I can identify the components of a habitat.
-I can recognize how humans and other animals depend upon habitats.
-I can interpret the significance of loss or change in habitat in terms of
people and wildlife.
Who Fits Here?
-I can identify characteristic life forms in ecosystems.
-I can describe the importance of adaptations in animals.
-I can generalize that each ecosystem has characteristic life forms adapted
to live there.
Which Niche?
-I can define ecological niche.
-I can give at least one example of an animal and its ecological niche.
Interdependence
Good Buddies
-I can define symbiosis, commensalism, mutualism, and parasitism.
-I can identify animals that live in each type of symbiotic relationship.
-I can describe how symbiotic interactions can be cooperative or
competitive.
What’s for Dinner?
-I can generalize that all animals, including people, depend on plants as a
food source, either directly or indirectly.
Energy Pipeline
-I can explain why energy dissipates at each tropic level.
-I can contrast the transfer of energy and the recycling of organic
material within an ecosystem.
-I can relate the role of each trophic level to ecosystem dynamics.
Changes and Adaptations
Quick-Frozen Critters
-I can describe adaptations related to predator and prey relationships.
-I can explain the importance of adaptations in predator and prey
relationships.
-I can describe how predator and prey relationships limit wildlife
populations.
Adaptation Artistry
-I can identify and describe the advantages of bird adaptations.
-I can evaluate the importance of adaptations to birds.
Muskox Maneuvers
-I can evaluate the effectiveness of some adaptations in predator and prey
relationships.
I’m Thirsty
-I can make inferences about the importance of adaptations in order for
wildlife and other animals to survive.
Biodiversity
Move Over Rover
-I can list factors that influence the distribution of animals in ecosystems.
-I can generalize that each ecosystem has characteristic animals adapted
to live there.
Planting Animals
-I can describe reasons for “transplanting” animals.
-I can identify one animal that has been transplanted in my state.
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
-I can identify and describe causes of extinction within animal species.
-I can define “threatened,” “rare,” and “endangered” as applied to wildlife.
-I can identify any local threatened or endangered animals.
Section Two: Social and Political Knowledge
Cultural Perspectives
Wildlife in National Symbols
-I can identify wildlife used in national symbols.
-I can hypothesize reasons wildlife are used in national symbols.
Prairie Memoirs
-I can interpret different cultural viewpoints.
-I can describe how wildlife and habitat affect cultures and societies.
-I can evaluate cultural factors leading to the endangerment of a species.
Cartoons and Bumper Stickers
-I can identify cartoons and bumper stickers designed to make a
statement about some issue affecting natural resources and the
environment.
-I can describe the influence of humor as a means for conveying
information about such issues.
Economic, Commercial, and Recreational Considerations
Pay to Play
-I can distinguish between consumptive and nonconsumptive uses of
wildlife.
-I can describe the sources of funding for wildlife areas.
-I can relate usage to increased financial demand on managed wildlife
areas.
- I can describe the impact of increased human usage on wildlife habitat.
Historical and Geographic Development
Let’s Talk Turkey
-I can explain the origin and development of a domesticated animal.
-I can evaluate the role and influence of the turkey on different cultures
over time.
-I can describe how human development affected turkey populations.
-I can identify the methods, laws, and management tools used to conserve
turkeys in the wild.
Political and Legislative Frameworks
History or Wildlife Management
-I can define wildlife management.
-I can describe major trends in wildlife management philosophies and
practices.
Section Three: Sustaining Fish and Wildlife Resources
Attitudes and Awareness
Animal Poetry
-I can recognize and experience the inspirational value of wildlife.
Drawing on Nature
-I can generalize that wildlife and other animals are an important
inspiration for art and science.
The Hunter
-I can describe my feelings about hunting.
-I can compare attitudes to those of other people.
-I can make personal judgments about the appropriateness of hunting.
Human Impacts
No Water Off a Duck’s Back
-I can identify ways oil spills can adversely affect birds.
-I can describe possible negative consequences to wildlife, people, and the
environment from pollutants caused by humans.
Migration Barriers
-I can define migration as it relates to wildlife.
-I can describe possible impacts on wildlife migration patterns as a result
of human activities.
-I can give an example of the importance of land0use planning as it
affects people, wildlife and the environment.
Shrinking Habitat
-I can describe some effects of human development of land areas on
plants and animals living or previously living in the area.
-I can evaluate the importance of suitable habitat for wildlife.
-I can recognize that loss of habitat is generally considered to be the
most critical problem facing wildlife today.
Issues and Trends
Rare Bird Eggs for Sale
-I can identify reasons for and consequences of collecting wildlife and
wildlife products.
-I can suggest and evaluate alternatives to collection to satisfy collection
needs.
Wildlife Management
Career Critters
-I can identify five examples of how wild animals and plants can be used
to manage some environmental problems.
-I can describe and give examples of an organism and its niche.
Wildwork
-I can identify and describe a variety of wildlife occupations.
Responsible Action and Service
Litter We Know
-I can identify and evaluate ways that litter pollution can endanger
wildlife.
-I can propose ways to help eliminate these dangers to humans.
Hunting
-I can describe and practice safe hunting techniques.
-I can locate and describe the rules and regulations for various hunting seasons.
-I can describe factors that can affect the hunting situation and property.
-I can describe and demonstrate how to calculate the score for a deer rack.
-I can describe the process in which a taxidermists must do preserve an animal.
-I can describe equipment needed for various hunting situations.
Careers Involving Wildlife