CONSERVATION EDUCATION 



^r by: Orvi I le Zeeh 



Where can district supervisors find to- 

 morrow's conservationist today? 



Who has the greatest stake in conserva- 

 tion? 



Who is the most receptive to hearing the 

 great issues involved in conservation? 



We find the answer to these 3 questions 

 in America's youth. 



But how can Soi I & Water Conservation 

 District supervisors reach the youth of Amer- 

 ica to inform them of the need for conserva- 

 tion to keep a safe natural environment and 

 at the same time an efficient high produc- 

 ing agriculture? 



The past 2 years Treasure County Board of 

 SWCD supervisors have discovered and utilized 

 cne way to reach their local youth. 



With the help of the Hysham School offi- 

 cials, the County Extension Agent, and the 

 ''^^ Conservation Service district conserva- 

 t^ffiist, the district supervisors have arrang- 

 ed and conducted an all day spring conservation 

 tour for 5th, 7th, and 8th grade students. 

 Local Conservation problems are identified, 

 viewed and discussed. Representatives of East- 

 ern Montana College, the Fish & Game depart- 

 ment, the Bureau of Land Management, the Agri- 

 culture and Stabilization Conservation Service 

 and the Montana Wildlife Federation have also 

 participated in the tours. 



A written outline is prepared of the tour 

 and is given in advance to the teachers to 

 explain to their students. Each stop with 

 its particular conservation problem and 

 solution is briefly explained. 



On the day of the tour a district super- 

 visor and generally one of the Agency repre- 

 sentatives combine to explain the background 

 of the conservation problem and how it is be- 

 ing solved. This procedure is followed at 

 each stop. 



A noon lunch stop provides a fine oppor- 

 tunity for speakers to answer questions and 

 drive home key conservation points not thor- 

 '^^ly covered by the field stops. 



-5- 



About 90 Persons participated in the 

 1968 tour and 97 persons in the 1969 tour. 



During the noon lunch stop. 

 Eastern Montana College, de 

 ening audience with stories 

 I ife. 



Dr. Dan. Henning, 

 ights his I i st- 

 of rare wi I d- 



The group views a section of concrete can- 

 nal lining installed by the Hysham Water 

 User's Assoc, the year before. A loud 

 speaker mounted on the County Extension 



Agent's car 

 tent ion. 



helps direct the group's at- 



People and Their Environment is the title 

 of a new Teachers Curriculum Guide for 

 Conservation Education for sale by the 

 J. G. Ferguson Publishing Co., Chicago, 

 I I I inois. 



It consists of a series of guides for 

 each of several grades I thru 12. The So. 

 Dakota Women's Garden Club organization to- 

 gether with the SWCDs there have made these 

 available to teachers In that state, and 

 are greatly appreciated by the teachers. 



(This page is sponsored by the Ladies 

 Auxi Nary, MASWCD) 



