Program Information
The St. Joseph County Soil and Water Conservation District offers programs to any school or group located within St. Joseph County.
The SWCD believes that conservation education extends to all ages and that students can develop an understanding of conservation at an early age and hopefully carry those lessons with them throughout their lives.
The St. Joseph County Soil and Water Conservation District provides many educational opportunities throughout each year for schools and other groups serving students and adults committed to life-long learning, including:
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School Programs (List of 2022-2023 School Programs here)
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Outreach Programs
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Teacher Workshops
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Outdoor Environmental Lab Development and Enhancement
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Field Trips
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One-on-One Site Visits
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Conservation Field Days and Workshops
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Special events like Science Alive, Ag Days, and Growing Summit
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Curriculum Development (including remote curriculum)
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Educational Resources and Supplies (ex. Augmented Reality Sandbox and Wildlife Kit)
In many cases, the SWCD has grants available in order to provide programs at no cost.
SWCD Staff
Ally Pudlo
Environmental Education Coordinator
574-936-2024 Ext. 4
Check out this episode of Outdoor Elements where our Environmental Education Coordinator, Ally, talks with Evie Kirkwood about watersheds with our Augmented Reality Sandbox!
Helpful Educational Links
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NRCS - Mighty Mini Microbe - Coloring Book
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Purdue University's Nature of Teaching- Available lesson plans on environmental topics, aligned to NGSS and CCSS
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Indiana Department of Education - Course Titles and Descriptions
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Soil Science Society of America - K-12 Soil Science Teacher Resources
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Hoosier Riverwatch Training: Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring "Basic" Training introduces citizens and educators to water quality monitoring utilizing hands-on habitat, chemical, and biological assessment methods. The sessions are held both inside and outdoors. Any interested adult is welcome to attend, and once certified, may teach students how to monitor.
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INdnr Fish & Wildlife Education Programs - professional training and support for educators and volunteers to promote responsible stewardship of our natural resources.
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Natural Resources Conservation Service's "Teachers and Students"
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National Association of Conservation Districts' Education Resources
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National Association of Conservation Districts' Conservation Hub
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Beginner Farmer Education - an in depth Beginner Farmer curriculum for the small sustainable farm model.
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Landscape for Life - "Landscape For Life shows you how to work with nature in your garden, no matter where you live, whether you garden on a city or suburban lot, a 20–acre farm, or the common area of your condominium."
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50 Ways Forest and Outdoor Learning Experiences Benefit Child Development (Note: This article was based in the United Kingdom)