News Releases

1,000 school kids to get hands-on outdoor experience

News Release

Friday, October 22, 2010

Media contact: Doc Kokol, 850-488-4676

One thousand sixth graders - 100 per day for 10 weekdays - from schools in Leon and Wakulla counties will visit the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center southeast of Tallahassee for a full day of conservation activities designed to introduce children to the wonders of nature. The conservation field days for local youths will be Oct. 25 through Nov. 5.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Division of Forestry, the Get Outdoors Florida! program, the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center teamed up and received funding for this event though the Forest Service's More Kids in the Woods grant program.

During the conservation field days at the facility in Jefferson County, youths will participate in activities from Project WILD, a conservation-education program used by the FWC.  A Project WILD lesson will be given in a traditional classroom setting as well, to further strengthen knowledge of conservation principles.

In addition to the educational component at the field day, students will have the opportunity to participate in fun, hands-on activities, including fishing, archery, constructing turkey or bird calls to take home, and observing a live controlled-burn demonstration.

More Kids in the Woods projects are designed to spark curiosity about nature and promote understanding of the role of the nation's forests and grasslands in providing clean, abundant water, clean air, wildlife habitat and recreation. Project partners are committed to helping children develop a love for the land that will enable them to meet the conservation challenges of the 21st century through healthy lifestyle choices and natural resource careers.

For more information on the center and the field days, contact the FWC's Kenny Barker at 850-251-0638. For general information about the Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center, go to its website, www.btycc.org. To get to BTYCC from Interstate 10, take U.S. 19 (Exit 225) in Jefferson County and go south for 4.2 miles. The center is on the right. From U.S. 27, turn north onto U.S. 19 in Jefferson County and go approximately 1/3 of a mile; look for the center on your left.