Lori Adams goes WILD in Idaho

As a high school student working for the Youth Conservation Corps, Lori Adams had no idea she’d eventually make a living teaching about the natural world.

Her education came from both the classroom (a University of Montana co-ed pursuing a degree in elementary education) and the field (fighting forest fires for the USDA Forest Service). Both experiences helped build her enthusiasm for natural resources.

“I taught sixth grade for five years in Montana, and I was nervous about teaching science to my students,” Adams said. “I signed up for a joint class of Project WILD, Learning Tree and WET. I had found another passion. Never had I been more excited about spreading the word.”

Her job and a handsome young man led Adams to Idaho, a state that has been in the forefront of Project WILD since it originated. “John Gahl, my predecessor, was involved with the original group who developed Project WILD,” she said.

Now an award-winning Project WILD Coordinator for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game herself, Adams spends her days developing lesson plans and workshops for teachers who want to incorporate conservation principles and wildlife into their classrooms.

Teachers participate in 15-hour, two-day workshops filled with hands-on activities. “Doing an activity helps a teacher visualize how it will fit into his or her curriculum and how they can modify it to work better with their students,” Adams said.

Teachers also get university credit for the Project WILD classes they take. And educators in Idaho can choose from more than 70 classes.

But Project WILD Turkey is one of Adams’ favorite specialized workshops. “Wild turkeys are outstanding for teaching about wild versus domesticated animals, introduced species, habitat, animal adaptations, conservation, plus you can throw in a little hunting,” she said.

Both of the wild turkey-themed workshops Adams has coordinated have been well received. And she appreciates the support she’s gotten from the NWTF Idaho State Chapter, who provided the teachers who attended her spring workshop with materials from the Federation’s educational resources.

“Seeing what teachers do with what I can share with them gives me such a great feeling,” Adams said. “It’s the teachers who make my job so rewarding.” — Karen Lee

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