Education/Outreach

ADULT EDUCATION

Workshops
Horse Management Workshop

Watershed Improvement District Formation
The Popo Agie Conservation District recently sponsored an informational public meeting designed to explore the possible formation of a watershed improvement district for the Popo Agie Watershed. A special watershed district is formed by voters to address local resource concerns and provide an opportunity for funding and administration. Various types of special districts were discussed at the meeting, including watershed improvement, water conservancy, and irrigation. Guest speakers were Phil Ogle of the Wyoming Water Development Commission and Grant Stumbough with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture.

YOUTH EDUCATION

Natural Resource Education
The Popo Agie Conservation District offers many natural resource education activities for local schools and youth groups. District staff utilizes Wyoming Ag in the Classroom Tool Chests, Project WET, WILD and Learning Tree, as well as several other sources to provide engaging activities for students which fit current education standards in Wyoming. Each year, PACD assists with Youth Service Day and the Lander Children’s Museum Water Works Festival. PACD education programs also included the Enviroscape, water conservation, soil erosion, tree identification, and much more.

PACD has many educational resources available online in PDF:

Please either scan the list or use the search feature in each list to find just what you are looking for. If you are interested in any of our educational resources call 332-3114 or stop in our office at 221 S Second Street in Lander to learn more!

Annual World Water Monitoring Day
PACD staff leads local field studies each year for the World Water Monitoring Day on October 18th. Nearly 250 local students participate each year by collecting scientific water quality data in the Popo Agie and Little Wind River Watersheds. Students use test kits to collect pH, dissolved oxygen, water temperature, and turbidity, as well as observations of land use, wildlife, and much more.

Students from Wyoming Indian Elementary School, North, South, and West Elementary Schools, and Lander Valley High School use the World Water Monitoring Day as an opportunity to explore our local streams and gain experience collecting and analyzing data. Once collected, the student’s data is included on an internet database for each monitored site. Several sites in the area now have four years of water quality data!

Ag Expo
Each year, the Lander Valley Cattlewomen sponsors an Ag Expo event in order to transport local area third grade students into the exciting world of agriculture. PACD enjoys this opportunity to educate students about the importance of trees for natural resource conservation. Our demonstration includes proper planting techniques where each student is able to ‘dig in’ and plant a seedling tree. For their hands-on efforts, students are able to take a Colorado blue spruce seedling home to plant. PACD is proud to present at Ag Expo!


Annual Soil & Water Stewardship Week 4th Grade Poster Contest
In April, area 4th grade classes participate in Soil & Water Stewardship Week. Each year, the National Association of Conservation Districts sponsors the week-long event to remind us of the importance of healthy soil, clean water, agricultural production, wildlife habitat, and, of course, people! Students learn about conservation topics to raise awareness and involvement for these issues.

Fourth grade students then use their artistic abilities to create posters to convey this message of natural resource conservation. While so many of the posters are excellent, the PACD Board of Supervisors awards four creative winners with prize ribbons and cash awards. Winning artwork is displayed at the PACD office during Soil and Water Stewardship Week April 24th - May 1st.

Adopt-A-Tree Program
In celebration of Arbor Day and Soil and Water Stewardship Week, PACD sponsors the annual Adopt-A-Tree Program. The program presents Colorado blue spruce seedling trees to 2nd grade students at Ethete, Fort Washakie, Hudson, and Lander elementary schools. The students learn the importance of trees for humans and the environment with interactive discussions and activities. The students also learn proper planting and care for their newly-adopted trees. Adoption papers are signed for 200 seedlings every year!