In 2008 the coordination of Project WILD was transferred to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in cooperation with the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE).

Why WILD?
Numerous studies have shown that when students are provided with hands on, inquiry based, cooperative learning strategies their retention of information is longer, they are better able to make connections between different sets of knowledge and consistently score higher on standardized tests.

Project WILD uses a variety of tested and accepted teaching techniques to provide basic information. Games, observations, discussion, graphing and art are some of the techniques used to allow students of differing interests and knowledge to learn about wildlife their environment.

Finally, kids just love wildlife. What better way to get kids excited about learning then by introducing them to the natural world. Using the outdoors as a living laboratory provides both physical and mental benefits to kids. Project WILD is an excellent avenue to reconnect kids with the living world around them, while building a sense of place within their local community.

Going WILD

There are 3 levels of involvement in Project WILD: Facilitators (who are trained by the state coordinator to spread their knowledge to Educators), Educators (who attend a workshop where they receive their selected activity guides, and are trained in how to use them with their students), and Students (who receive training from Educators and participate in WILD activities in their classrooms or outdoors).

Educators interested in obtaining Project WILD materials must attend a workshop. Workshops are held throughout the state at various times and places. Check the Upcoming Workshops pages to see if a workshop has been planned near you.

Natalie Elkins
Project WILD Coordinator
Office of Communications
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
530 W. Allegan, 6th Floor Mason Bldg.
Lansing, MI 48933
Tel: (517) 373-6919
Fax: (517) 373-1547
E-mail: DNR-ProjectWILD@michigan.gov