Students will learn environmental concepts about our relationship to our planet and how to protect and conserve it. Instruction will begin with range management in preparation for range judging contests. We will then study soil, water and air management. Students will apply what they learned in
Natural resources class to the study of wildlife management and how it affects our society. Study will focus on the management and protection of wildlife species. Throughout the semester students will develop skills in various SAE and leadership activities including updating SAE record books and parliamentary procedure.
Text - Managing Our Natural Resources, Second Edition, Camp and Daugherty,
Delmar
Supplemental Text – Fish & Wildlife , Second Edition, L. DeVere Burton, Delmar
Text –
Chapter 1 – Our natural resources…Then and now.
Objective: Define and discuss the concepts of natural resources, describe the major categories of natural resources in America, understand what makes something a natural resource.
Chapter 2 – A History of conservation in the United States.
Objectives: Contrast exploitation, conservation, and preservation, outline the history of conservation, describe the role of the federal government in conservation.
Chapter 3 – Concepts in natural resource management

Objectives: Understand differences between non exhaustible, renewable, and exhaustible natural resources. Understand role of food chain in maintaining balanced ecosystems and the role of ecology in human efforts of natural resource management.
Chapter 4 – Soil characteristics
Objectives: Outline the process involves in soil formation, describe a mature soil profile,
Understand soil classification.
Chapter 5 – Soil Erosion
Objectives: Differentiate natural soil erosion from erosion caused by humans, Determine the major types of erosion and their causes.
Chapter 6 – Controlling soil erosion on the farm.
Objectives: Learn the main vegetative and mechanical methods farmers use to control wind and water erosion and why soil erosion is important to farmers.
Chapter 7 – Nonfarm erosion control
Objectives: Describe nonfarm erosion and why nonfarm landowners should accept responsibility for soil erosion control and learn important techniques for control.
Understand relationship between mining and construction erosion.
Chapter 8 – Rangeland management (also use Nebraska Range Management Guide)
Objectives: Describe importance of range management, development of rangeland and the relationship between grassing and grassland management
Chapter 11- Water supply and water uses
Objectives: Identify the main water users, common types of irrigation users, and the relationship of the hydrology cycle.
Chapter 12 – Water Pollution
Objectives: Identify three major water pollution groups and methods of control each group
Chapter 13 – Waste Management
Objectives: Identify the three major groups of wastes and explain septic systems and methods of waste disposal.
Chapter 14 – Water use planning
Objectives: Explain the principle water management techniques, how to control water run-off in urban areas, and identify ways to re-use water.
Chapter 21 – Fish and wildlife management in America
Objectives: Explain difference between endangered and extinct species and how to manage endangered species to avoid extinction.
Chapter 22 – Game management
Objectives: Explain most commonly accepted methods of game management, relationships between landowners and game managers, and investigate legislation affecting game management.
Chapter 23 – Marine fisheries management
Objectives: Discuss ocean movements, characteristics of marine life, and how the ocean can be cultivated.
Chapter 24 – Freshwater fishery management
Objectives: Explain the management of lakes, rivers, and farm ponds. Learn characteristics of common fresh water fish and how to manage fisheries.