Wildlife & Conservation

Students will examine issues concerning Wisconsin’s native wildlife; topics will include Wisconsin’s rich history of wildlife, hunting regulations, conservation concerns, and Project Wild. The hands-on portion of this class includes learning how to score antlers and the taxidermy process. The course curriculum will also be enhance with field trips to whitetail deer and wildlife bird farms. If you are a student who enjoys the outdoor and wants to understand wild animals, conservation and wildlife in Wisconsin, this class is for you.

Prerequisites: None
½ credit

Unit One: History of Wildlife Management in America

Describe the development of wildlife management in America
List specific actions that led to modern wildlife
Understand the role that wildlife has played in the development of America
Describe the era of exploitation of America's wildlife
Understand the role outdoor enthusiasts have played in the conservation movement in America

Unit Two: Introduction to Wildlife and Game Management/What is Wildlife?

Review basic animal biology
Ecosystems...matter and energy flow
Careers in Wildlife and Game Management

Unit Three: Wildlife and their Habitats

Habitat requirements of wildlife
Human impact on wildlife habitats
Freshwater habitats

Unit Four: Species ID

Large mammals
Small mammals
Upland game birds
Ducks, Geese, Swans and Cranes
Songbirds
Avian Predators
Reptiles and Amphibians
Freshwater fish

Unit Five: Specific Species and their habitats

Large mammals
Small mammals
Upland game birds
Ducks, Geese, Swans and Cranes
Songbirds
Avian Predators
Reptiles and Amphibians
Freshwater fish

Unit Six: Wildlife Management and Your Property

Unit Seven: Hunting and Trapping

Unit Eight: Endangered Species

Extinction Factors
Endangered species act
Management Issues

Unit Nine: Wildlife Parks and Zoos

Early Zoos
Natural Settings
Modern Zoos and Wildlife Parks

Unit Ten: Taxidermy

Student Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, I would like the students to be able to:

Students will explain interrelationships between natural resources and humans necessary to conduct management activities in natural environments.
Students will analyze the relationship between an issue in world environmental history and the related aspects of political, economic and social history.
Students will apply scientific principles to natural resource management activities.
Students will apply knowledge of natural resources to production and processing industries.
Students will demonstrate techniques used to protect natural resources.
Students will use effective methods and venues to communicate natural resource processes to the public.