IOWA WILDLIFE FEDERATION

School of the Wild Our mission is to awaken an awareness of the wildlife and natural ecosystems in our area, develop an appreciation of the natural world, and encourage a balanced environmental ethic and caretaker attitude concerning the earth. This innovative program partners with local schools to develop curriculum that helps students incorporate academic skills into the natural world. Teachers and School of the Wild staff work together to enhance classroom lessons by providing students the opportunity to practice newly learned skills in a setting outside the classroom. This opportunity not only helps students master basic skills (math, language, social studies, science), taking lessons outside provides a unique opportunity to interact with peers, teachers, and parks. Providing a sense of community that nurtures learning, creativity, and self-esteem. Students use classroom skills to learn new concepts as well as learning about how they are a part of our environment. School of the Wild combines immersive multi-day outdoor experiences with interdisciplinary STEM learning. At School of the Wild, informal educators, such as county naturalists, partner with classroom teachers to provide small-group learning. This differs from traditional field trips where collaboration between informal and formal educators is limited. The program has significant community support evidenced by continued funding and engagement from school district partners. Since 2019, the program has expanded rapidly, more than tripling the number of young people reached across the state. This growth has created a programmatic need for research on ways to prepare educators well (and efficiently) to facilitate informal STEM learning. This need mirrors a critical gap in the literature: how to prepare educators to facilitate engaging and transformative STEM learning in natural spaces. School of the Wild's programmatic reach and the intentional partnering of informal educators with classroom teachers uniquely positions our team to inform research and practice on facilitating learning in natural spaces. Wildlife Programs Gray Fox Research The Gray Fox Project is a collaboration between the Iowa Wildlife Federation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources dedicated to researching, monitoring and conserving one of Iowa's most elusive native mammals. Once common across the state, gray fox populations have declined for more than 25 years, and today, fewer than ten confirmed sightings have been recorded statewide. As their numbers fall, we risk losing not only an iconic Iowa species, but also an important predator that helps balance healthy ecosystems. Across Iowa, native wildlife face increasing pressures, from habitat loss and fragmentation, to changing land use and expanding human activity. The gray fox is especially vulnerable due to its secretive behavior and unique woodland habitat needs. To protect them, we need sound science, field research, and community support. This project uses lightweight tracking collars and camera technology to study how gray foxes live, move, hunt, raise their young, and survive in modern Iowa landscapes. These gentle, minimally invasive techniques are providing the first clear picture of gray fox behavior in decades. Already, the results are extraordinary. One resilient female gray fox, known as GF2, successfully raised six kits on her own in Davis County after losing her mate. Thousands of den-site photos and video clips captured her determination and the everyday challenges these rare foxes face. Trumpeter Swan Restoration Trumpeter swans once thrived in Iowa, nesting in wetlands and waterways throughout the state. The population dwindled for many years due to unregulated hunting and wetland drainage, with the last nesting pair recorded in 1883. But thanks to extensive restoration efforts led by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, more than 5,000 trumpeter swans now winter in Iowa and more than 130 pairs nest across the state. The Trumpeter Swan Society recently released a Swan Activity Book so young wildlife enthusiasts can learn more about these majestic birds. The Iowa Wildlife Federation is proud to partner with Trumpeter Swan Society on the launch of this new book. The fun and educational activity book teaches children all about trumpeter swans and their wetland homes. The book is based on Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and is designed for both individual and classroom learning. While much has been done to restore the trumpeter swan population across the United States, the education and conservation efforts of future generations is key to creating opportunities for wildlife to thrive. Certified Wildlife Habitat In a few easy steps, you can make a big difference for local wildlife! Entice pollinators, like hummingbirds and butterflies, by transforming your outdoor space into a sanctuary enjoyed by humans and animals alike. It all starts with the end in mind by creating a plan for the space that you will transform. Through the Certified Wildlife Habitat(R) program, you can work with the National Wildlife Federation and Iowa Wildlife Federation to turn yards, neighborhoods, schoolyards, work landscapes, places of worship, and roadside green spaces into havens for Iowa's wildlife.