^ 



YUGO NAYEMATSU 



CONSERVATION EDUCATION 



Several members of the MASWCD Education 

 Committee met in Helena recently including, 

 Yugo Nayematsu, of Hardjn, Chairman, Mrs. 

 Marj Uhlrich of Lewistown, Mr. & Mrs. Don 

 Naegli of Beli^nap, County Agents Terry 

 Wolfe of Great Falls, Allan Pearson, Havre, 

 Bob Racicot, Thompson Falls, and 0. M. 

 «->land, SSCC secretary, Helena. 



This group met with Assistant Super- 

 intendent Dr. L. E. Scarr, and Edward 

 Eschler of the Department of Public Instruc- 

 tion to discuss, I) Conservation Educa- 

 tion Coordinator 2) Curriculum guidelines, 

 3) Advisory Committee and 4) speech Con- 

 test. 



Coordinator - - Dr. Scarr told that the 

 Public Instruction budget request includes 

 funds to fill the position of an Environ- 

 mental (Conservation) Education Coordinat- 

 or but it isn't likely to be funded by legis- 

 lature at this session. Montana law re- 

 quires that conservation be taught as an 

 integrated subject. However, much coordin- 

 ation and curriculum guidance is needed. 

 Grassroots support is needed. 



Curricul urn Guide 



The group was told 



that Dr. Roy White and others are present- 

 ly formulating a curriculum guide designed 

 for grades 1-12. Mrs. Col burg has com- 

 mitted ,unds to this guide which may be 

 --inted this summer. 



Resource People - - Resource people can 

 help. Teachers must know they can turn to 



resource people. Resource people need to 

 know how they best fit in. There is a 

 limit to resource people and what they can 

 do. They need backing of School system be- 

 fore introducing outdoor classrooms, speech 

 contests, materials, etc. 



Advisory Committee - - The idea of an ad- 

 visory committee to the Superintendent 

 of Public Instruction was talked to include 

 representation from school administrat- 

 ors, conservation agencies and organizations. 

 By this means, it was reasoned agencies and 

 organizations under some guidance and ap- 

 proval of the superintendent could pool 

 their resources so as to not all be send- 

 ing out the same material, etc., and dem- 

 onstrate further the need for a coordinat- 

 or. A fol low up to this was suggested 

 for March. 



Communications - - Mr. Eschler suggested 

 the department could cooperate with dist- 

 ricts by announcing SWCD conservation act- 

 ivities such as teacher scholarships, speech 

 contests, films, etc., thru the department 

 newsletter "Montana 

 to all teachers. 



Schools" which goes 



Seminars - - were suggested as a possible 

 means of acquainting teachers, administra- 

 tors and others with Conservation Educa- 

 tion activities and methods. The unveil- 

 ing of the Curriculum guides would make 

 an excellent seminar subject this year. 



Speech Contest - - After meeting with Dr. 

 Scarr and Ed Eschler, the group worked 

 out the details "of a statewide conser- 

 vation speech contest. The education Com- 

 mittee will be mailing a supply of mater- 

 ials to all districts in March which can 

 be used by the district to enter all high 

 schools in a district speech contest. Win- 

 ners of the district contest can advance 

 to the MASWCD Area contest at the A^ea 

 meetings in October; and the winners of 

 the area contests can advance to the state 

 speech contest to be held during the An- 

 nual meeting of Conservation Districts In 

 November. Cash prizes and trophies will 

 be arranged at each level. 



The contestants must chose a subject 

 dealing with conservation of Natural 

 Resources. Each contestant will be limit- 

 ed to a 5 to 7 minute speech. 



