[ Search PSU ]   

Natural Resources Curriculum Committee Meeting Minutes

Conference Call Meeting
March 15, 2004
9-10 AM

Members On-The Call:

Sanford Smith, Chair,
David Miller (Volunteer),
Kathy Sacco (Volunteer),
Helaine Brown (Educator),
Harry Blanchet (Educator),
Susan Taylor (Educator),
Robert Hansen (Educator)

Unable to participate in the call:

Margaret Brittingham (Wildlife Specialist), and
Andy Curtis (Educator),
Vicki Nave (Volunteer)

ITEMS OF DISCUSSION
1. Updates on Water Quality Matters and PA 4-H Fishing Books

Both of these books have been a long time in the making. The Water Quality Matters book is waiting on two final illustrations from the artist, and we need to add the small "relative size" bars along side of the insect illustrations. It should be completed within two months. Taylor stressed that we should include the PA Academic standards information in this book and others. The fishing book is moving along at a slow pace. The PFBC has a draft of the text and they are giving this to their editor/designer soon. They think they might have something by May 1 for us to review. The committee agreed that we could do this in less than a month, and that 5000 books was an appropriate quantity to print for the first two years.

2. Trees+Me=Forestry Revision Planning
Hansen and Smith are working on revising this book and we are looking for suggestions and recommendations. The group suggested adding information on GPS, striking the moose and other non-PA wildlife, and revising the illustrations relating to forest succession. Miller agreed to look the book over carefully and make suggestions. Hansen and Smith have a June 1, 2004 goal to complete this work.

3. 4-H After School Curriculum Discussion
Smith, Taylor, and Brown (sounds like a law firm doesn't it?) shared about the new movement of 4-H into partnerships providing after school and summer programming and curriculum for youth ages 8-11 years of age. Our current 4-H curriculum is not quite in the right format for these groups that need short one or two session activities for youth. We brainstormed on what parts of our current curriculum would work best for this audience. We all agreed that tree identification, compass use, insect lessons, seasonal wildlife activities, and fishing topics would work well in this setting. Smith will continue to pursue the needs and opportunities for our group in this area.

4. 4-H Wildlife and Forestry Field Days
Both of these events are on tap for 2004. The 4-H Wildlife Field Day will be April 24 and the 4-H Forestry Field Day on May 8. Increased advertising this year may net us more participants. The wildlife field day has attracted a group of Penn State Wildlife Society students to assist in the planning of the educational tract on whitetail-deer.

5. Farewell
Harry Blanchet announced at the end of the call that he will be moving back to Louisiana soon. We thank him for his service to our committee and wish him all the best in his future assignment with the Louisiana Department of Fish and Game. He will be missed in Pennsylvania!

6. Next Call
Our next conference call meeting was tentatively set for October 12, 2004 from 9-10 AM.