Natural Resources Sample Syllabus

The Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences course is designed to introduce students to the world in which they live.  Students will learn the importance of protecting and using wisely their natural resources.  Areas of study will include:  Wildlife conservation; Fish and Wildlife management; Soil and Water conservation; Waste and Waste Management; and Park Management.  This is a hands-on course.  Students will be able to apply scientific concepts learned through this course in Biology and Earth Science.

Course Content:

A.    Introduction to Natural Resources

1. Define natural resource
2. List natural resources in our daily lives
3. Discuss the importance of the wise use of our natural resources
4. Discuss the impact of poor natural resource management
5. List careers associated with Natural Resources

B.    Wildlife Conservation

1. Identify types of wildlife
2. Identify uses of wildlife
3. Hatch, grow and re-populate an area with quail
4. Take a picture of wildlife in its natural habitat
5. List methods of wildlife conservation
6. Discuss taxidermy

C.    Fish and Wildlife Management

1. Identify game fish
2. Identify different bodies of water where game fish are found
3. Catch and release a fish and write a report about the event
4. Define habitat and list common cover plants and trees
5. Identify different wildlife foods and bring samples to class for discussion
6. Develop a plan to manage a selected area for wildlife
7. Discuss different careers involved in Fish and Wildlife management
8. Discuss different government agencies involved in Fish and Wildlife management

D.    Soil and Water Conservation

1. Define soil and its importance
2. Determine soil texture from samples and conservation methods for each
3. List different water supplies and their uses
4. Determine water quality through water tests
5. Identify areas of poor soil and water management
6. Determine Land Capability Class and the appropriate use of land
7. Discuss ways to conserve and protect our water resources
8. Identify common water contaminants
9. Identify ways our water supply can become contaminated

E.    Waste and Waste Management

1. Define waste
2. List different types of waste
3. Discuss waste disposal and disposal methods
4. Discuss landfills
5. Determine conclusions from an experiment involving decomposing waste
6. Discuss the differences and effects of human and animal waste
7. Discuss the possible problems associated with large animal feeding facilities
8. Discuss the possible problems with large animal breeding and growing facilities
9. Identify appropriate waste disposal methods

F.    Park Management

1. Identify the careers associated with Park Management
2. Identify common tree varieties
3. Identify common hazards within a Park facility
4. Identify areas of recreation within a Park facility
5. Design a nature trail
6. Discuss costs of upkeep and development of a Park facility
7. Take a nature walk and record the varieties of trees, plants and wildlife seen

G.    Forestry

1. Participate in an FFA Forestry CDE
2. Discuss the importance of Forests and their management
3. Identify uses of trees according to their variety
4. Tour a sawmill

• Students will earn grades according to the level of competency they exhibit on written tests, presentations, and activities.  Written tests will account for 50% of the grade.  Hands-on experiments and reports will account for 25% and projects and presentations will count for 25% of the grade.  The following grading scale will be used:

90-100    A
80-89      B
70-79      C
60-69      D
59-0        F

• Students in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences class will be asked to go outdoors to work in and explore nature, wildlife and wildlife habitat.
• We will be using the Natural Resources curriculum materials developed by the Mid America Vocational Curriculum Consortium and Interstate Publishers.  The content of this course meets PASS outcomes identified for Earth Science.

Note to teachers:  You may also want to list supplies needed, fees necessary, FFA membership requirement or class rules.