CONCORD, N.H. - If you enjoy kids and have a thirst for learning about wildlife, then you may be a perfect candidate for becoming a "WOW" volunteer. WOW is short for Wonders of Wildlife, an educational initiative that brings the excitement of wildlife to New Hampshire schools. Fish and Game officials now are recruiting volunteer educators to bolster the Department's instructor ranks and will hold training sessions for prospective volunteers beginning in September.
This fall's WOW training will take place on nine consecutive Tuesday evenings, beginning September 19, at the Fish and Game Department headquarters, 2 Hazen Drive, in Concord. Although volunteers are needed statewide, the need is greatest in the seacoast area and the western part of the state.
During the 1999-2000 school year, 26 WOW volunteers presented 150 school programs across the Granite State. But each year, says Judy Silverberg, education programs supervisor for Fish and Game in Concord, the Department receives more calls for school programs than there are WOW volunteers to present them. Fish and Game will hold training sessions this fall to prepare WOW volunteers. The WOW program has played an important role in broadening New Hampshire's educational landscape since 1992, and Fish and Game staff have held training sessions for prospective WOW volunteers since that time.
"You don't need to be an accomplished public speaker or an expert in wildlife matters to be a WOW volunteer," stresses Silverberg. "What we seek are enthusiastic individuals who appreciate wildlife and want to share that appreciation with others. We provide the training that allows volunteers to take wildlife concepts into the classroom and teach them to children."
The training---approximately 50 hours of it---includes information on the natural history and ecological role of various types of wildlife and their habitat requirements. When completed, volunteers will be prepared to talk knowledgeably about common wildlife and their habitats, endangered species, pond ecology, and the many values of wetlands. Training also includes instruction in teaching and presentation techniques.
To sign up for the training or for more information, call
(603) 271-3211 or visit their Web site: www.wildlife.state.nh.us.
