American Wilderness Leadership School Summary

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Posy Fletcher
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American Wilderness Leadership School Summary Thank you for sponsoring me for the American Wilderness Leadership School held near

I had an amazing time, experienced many new things, and learned a lot of information about conservation and the role of hunting in the

As a side note, the food was delicious, so I also listed some of my favorite dishes for each day.

I also walked a section of the Bradley Lake Spur.

1 American Wilderness Leadership School Summary Thank you for sponsoring me for the American Wilderness Leadership School held near Jackson Hole, Wyoming July 8 through July 14, I had an amazing time, experienced many new things, and learned a lot of information about conservation and the role of hunting in the management of wildlife. The following letter summarizes my experience in the program. As a side note, the food was delicious, so I also listed some of my favorite dishes for each day. Friday, July 7 I arrived at the airport mid-afternoon and did a 6 mile hike on the Taggart Lake Loop Trail in Grand Teton National Park. I also walked a section of the Bradley Lake Spur. Food/Drink of the Day: Moose Drool Brown Ale Saturday, July 8 I hiked another 12 miles in Grand Teton National Park. I started the morning with a ferry ride across Jenny Lake to the start of the Cascade Canyon trail. This was the most beautiful trail I hiked in the park. It was incredibly scenic and included a large waterfall and a view of Jenny Lake (Inspiration Point). After hiking to the

2 two viewpoints, I hiked part of the way into the canyon along a beautiful clear water stream with mountains in the background. After lunch, I also hiked part of the Granite Canyon Trail to the Phelps Lake Overlook and beyond.

The AWLS program started with dinner Saturday night and included an introduction to the

We were also told about some of the humanitarian services of the SCI Foundation.

communities where you hunt. The bag includes medical, school, and/or hygiene supplies.

trips. I ve included some photo of the building where the program was held.

3 The AWLS program started with dinner Saturday night and included an introduction to the program and safety orientation after dinner. We were also told about some of the humanitarian services of the SCI Foundation. If you are not aware, SCI members can purchase a blue bag for $65 dollars to give to local communities where you hunt. The bag includes medical, school, and/or hygiene supplies. I got the impression that this is mainly used by hunters who take international hunting trips. I ve included some photo of the building where the program was held. The property also has cabins that are available to rent for SCI members. Cabin rentals include three meals per day. Food/Drink of the Day: Rainbow Trout, Butternut Squash Risotto

Sunday, July 9 We began the program with wilderness survival training and an ecology walk of the area.

I started the fire in my group with flint and a Vaseline-soaked cotton ball while others in my group set up shelter and got water.

During the afternoon we started archery training and also collected macro-invertebrates from the onsite stream and calculated stream flow.

5 Sunday, July 9 We began the program with wilderness survival training and an ecology walk of the area. I didn t know you can produce a spark with steel wool and a D battery to start a fire. I started the fire in my group with flint and a Vaseline-soaked cotton ball while others in my group set up shelter and got water. We also practiced using bear spray. During the afternoon we started archery training and also collected macro-invertebrates from the onsite stream and calculated stream flow. Today s lectures were a lot of review of concepts I used to teach in AP Environmental, but because I haven t taught that class in three years, I thought the review was very helpful for me. We discussed the importance of riparian zones for stream health and reviewed general ecology concepts. Food/Drink of the Day: Spinach Salad with Cranberries, Goat Cheese, Strawberries, Bacon and Walnuts; Rosemary Brine Pork Loin; Individual Apple Pie Bombs

I was a little nervous about guns going into the program, so I was appreciative of how they started us small and worked with us one on one to make sure we were holding the gun correctly and taking

7 Monday, July 10 Today began with shooting practice. I came into the program having never shot a gun before, so everything was new to me. We began with an air pellet revolver and a laser shot computer program. I was a little nervous about guns going into the program, so I was appreciative of how they started us small and worked with us one on one to make sure we were holding the gun correctly and taking safety precautions. As someone who has never shot a gun before, I was most nervous about the shotgun, so I was happy they started us slowly with the laser program and taught us proper stance and gun positioning before I had to do it with the real thing. We also did an activity that I can use in my classroom where the students create a new species and discuss the niche of the invented species. For my earth science class, I plan to modify this activity and have students create an animal for a certain period of geologic time. Finally, fly tying was really fun. At night, we hiked to a local waterfall near the AWLS facility. Food/Drink of the Day: Shrimp Tortellini with Shrimp in Alfredo Sauce

Tuesday, July 11 Today we broke into four rotations to work on our shooting skills. I learned and played archery games.

I have to admit I was a little scared about this one, but I forced myself to do it because I knew that I would likely never get an opportunity like

I managed to shoot about 40% of the clays so I considered that a success for me.

9 Tuesday, July 11 Today we broke into four rotations to work on our shooting skills. I learned and played archery games. I also got to shoot a 22 caliber rim-fired rifle. The most challenging for me was the 20 gauge over and under shot gun. I have to admit I was a little scared about this one, but I forced myself to do it because I knew that I would likely never get an opportunity like this again. There was a 75 year old instructor named Gary that helped me and made me feel comfortable. I managed to shoot about 40% of the clays so I considered that a success for me. I liked the progression they had those of us who had never shot before work on. We practiced a dry shot first to work on our stance and follow the clay; then we had to shoot a stick before we tried to hit the clays. As far as shooting goes, I didn t have the best aim as some of the people in the group (as you can see from my target

10 photos), but I was proud of myself for trying everything. The 3D archery course was really fun! At night, we had a lecture from a Yellowstone National Park ranger who told some great stories and discussed the Yellowstone ecosystem. Food/Drink of the Day: Sausage Cheddar Quiche and Spinace Feta Quiche

Wednesday, July 12 Today we experienced some of the lessons in the Project Wet and Wild Curriculum.

One of the lessons we played was Oh Deer which involved food webs and predator/prey relationships.

In the past I have taught about population sampling methods, which I can also tie into this lesson.

They discussed how there was a major problem with mortality of the antelope as they crossed a major highway as they made their way from

13 Wednesday, July 12 Today we experienced some of the lessons in the Project Wet and Wild Curriculum. I was also able to take pictures of about 8 lessons from that curriculum that I can use in my classroom in the future. One of the lessons we played was Oh Deer which involved food webs and predator/prey relationships. They also included a hunting connection which looked at how hunting can impact the food web in a positive way. In the past I have taught about population sampling methods, which I can also tie into this lesson. As part of a field trip this day, we saw the corridor for the pronghorn antelope migration at Trapper s Point. They discussed how there was a major problem with mortality of the antelope as they crossed a major highway as they made their way from Grand Teton National Park into the Green River Basin, but the problem was resolved with the construction of migration bridges over the highway. We also visited a Natural Gas Field and had a lecture on how the field was decreasing deer and antelope populations due to habitat destruction and noise pollution. In my energy unit, I

plan to use this as a case study. Since I experienced it by seeing the location and animals first hand, I think the kids will be more interested in it.

Thursday, July 13 Today focused on the biological basis of hunting.

They talked about how population dynamics control how many tags are issued in each area.

14 plan to use this as a case study. Since I experienced it by seeing the location and animals first hand, I think the kids will be more interested in it. Food/Drink of the Day: Strawberry Crepes; Filet with horseradish cream sauce; Butternut Squash Pasta Salad with Cranberries and Goat Cheese. Thursday, July 13 Today focused on the biological basis of hunting. Out of all the lectures, this was the most interesting to me as I had no idea how much hunters contribute to wildlife management prior to attending this program. They talked about how population dynamics control how many tags are issued in each area. I had never really thought about how many legalities go into the hunting industry (who can hunt, when to hunt, where to hunt, what to hunt, methods of harvest, etc). They also discussed how many millions of dollars are generated from hunting revenues/taxes and how the money generated drives the research that goes into managing the wildlife. Because I have a science background, all of the science data they discussed that drives the management of the wildlife made a lot of sense to me and really opened my eyes to the importance of hunting to the management the populations. They also stressed how most hunters make use of their harvest. They are not just killing to kill the animal, which is a misconception I had going into the program. I also had assumed that hunters can kill any species at any time. Now I know that only a certain number of tags are issued in order to keep the population sustainable. I realize now it is all based on science and it makes a lot more sense to me. Although I will most likely never become a hunter, I am definitely pro-hunting after going through this program. After a morning of lectures, we got to eat dinner in Jackson Hole after visiting the Grand Teton National Park visitor s center. Prior to dinner, I rode a ski lift which gave me great views of the town. Food/Drink of the Day: Breakfast Burrito with eggs, potatoes, bacon, and cheese

Friday, July 14 In the morning we participated in a couple more activities that we can use in the classroom, including How

One thing I plan to use in my Earth Science classroom is to have the students find a photo of a national park that speaks to

In the afternoon we got to go on the white water rafting trip on the Snake River which was amazing!

15 Friday, July 14 In the morning we participated in a couple more activities that we can use in the classroom, including How many Bears can live in the Forest and the Spawning Salmon Activity. We discussed how to connect children to nature. One thing I plan to use in my Earth Science classroom is to have the students find a photo of a national park that speaks to them and have them research the geology and environmental significance behind it. In the afternoon we got to go on the white water rafting trip on the Snake River which was amazing! I had never been white water rafting before and it was really fun. The water was freezing, but I jumped in when they gave us an opportunity half way through the trip. Food/Drink of the Day: French Toast

In conclusion, one thing that was mentioned several times throughout the program is that 10% of the population are hunters, 80% are non-hunters, and 10% are anti-hunters.

16 In conclusion, one thing that was mentioned several times throughout the program is that 10% of the population are hunters, 80% are non-hunters, and 10% are anti-hunters. Coming into the program, I was definitely in the 80% category with maybe a slightly negative view on hunting mainly because I was never exposed to it growing up and didn t know anything about it. However, I went into the program with an open mind and my viewpoint about hunting has changed drastically. I am now aware of the positive impact hunting has on wildlife management and conservation. If I encounter someone who is against hunting in the future, whether it be a student in my classroom or another adult, I will use what I learned to educate them about why hunting is important and all of the funding that hunters provide to protect and manage the wildlife. This was a wonderful program and I highly recommend it to other teachers.

OUTDOOR RECREATION. Curriculum Standard: The student will be able to pass the Hunter Safety Test and exhibit skill target practice.

OUTDOOR RECREATION. Curriculum Standard: The student will be able to pass the Hunter Safety Test and exhibit skill target practice. Curriculum Standard: The student will be able to pass the Hunter Safety Test and exhibit skill target practice. 1. The student will be able to apply the basic Hunter Safety Rules in every day hunting experience.