education PROGRAMS
Audubon Conservation Education Center Staff
Heather Ristow, ACEC Education Director: hristow@mtaudubon.org
Darcie Vallant, ACEC Center Director
ACEC Office Phone: 406-294-5099
Audubon Conservation Education Center Programs
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AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
Wednesdays 5:30—6:30 PM: Nature and Art for K—1st graders. Course runs for 8 weeks, cost for the series is $40
Thursdays 4:30—5:30 PM: Intro to Canoeing for 4th—6th graders. Course runs for 6 weeks. Cost for the series is $40.
Fridays 6:00—8:00 PM: Creatures of the Night for 2nd—4th graders. Course runs for 8 weeks. Cost for the series is $65.
Registration opens September 1st, and classes begin the week of September 20th.
Call 294-5099 to register.
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PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM
Join us for an 8-week series of classes, the Alphabet Safari on Mondays at 10:30—11:30, starting on September 27th.
Activities are tailored for children 3—5 years old, accompanied by a parent.
Cost is $40 for the series for a parent with one child; or $55 for a parent with two children.
Registration opens September 1st. Call 294-5099 to register.
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SATURDAY FAMILY PROGRAM
Free programs every third Saturday of the month from 9:30—11 AM for the whole family. Pre-registration required by calling 294-5099.
September 18th: Incredible Insects
October 16th: Native Plants
November 20th: Animal tracks
December 11th (2nd Saturday this month): Natural Ornaments
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ADULT LECTURE SERIES
Free, with a suggested donation of $5.
Every 4th Tuesday of the month from 7—8 PM. No pre-registration required.
September 28th: Jim Barron on the ecology of the short-horned lizard
October 26th: Allison Begley on prairie dog reintroduction
November 23rd: Derek Yeager and Fred Bicha on pine beetle ecology
The Outdoor Classroom
The ACEC provides age appropriate field trips for kindergarten through University students. Students participate in hands-on and fun activities focusing on Yellowstone River Natural History, aquatic wildlife and habitat, birds and bird habitat, and a variety of other science-based topics. All lessons are tied to district and/or state science standards. Pre-field trip consultation with ACEC staff allows us to design a program that meets your specific curriculum objectives. Audubon provides instruction, equipment, and activities. Field trips start in late April and run until the end of the school year.
For more information about school field trips, contact Heather Ristow, Education Director, 406-294–5099 or hristow@mtaudubon.org
The Yellowstone Teacher Naturalist Institute
The Yellowstone Teacher Naturalist Institute provides professional development training for teachers, home school parents, and volunteers. Participation in the trainings prepares educators and volunteers for effective, fun, and integrated outdoor learning experiences. These one to two day workshops are offered bi-monthly. Teacher trainings are offered for graduate credit and OPI renewal units. Topics include: Yellowstone Natural History, Birds of the Yellowstone Valley, developing effective outdoor learning experiences, and introduction to ACEC equipment and resources. Up-coming trainings will be posted
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ACEC Habitat Restoration Program
Since 1999, a group of dedicated teachers, community leaders, and students have been diligently transforming a landscape, from gravel pit to wildlife habitat, providing youth with an alternative to video games and television, and giving them an outlet to learn from and explore wild places. The habitat restoration program provides a rich context for learning about the land. The habitat restoration is on-going and integrated with all education activities at the ACEC for students, families, businesses and other community volunteers.
- Saturday work parties are offered every Saturday morning from 8-noon from April to October. All you need to do is show up with a sturdy pair of boots and work gloves.