Par Gil Natural Resources Learning Center
| 
The LaGrange Country SWCD has carried out an active conservation education program for over 25 years. The District invites educators to take advantage of the resources that are available. As a national award winning conservation education district, the District has developed a tremendous amount of conservation/environmental education curriculum. Books, posters, displays, games, modules and curriculum on soils, water, forestry and wildlife are yours to borrow upon request. Please feel free to call, if you need any assistance with environmental education.
Educators Workshops
Project Wild, Learning Tree, WET, Leopold, Food, Land, and People & Healthy Water/Healthy People (other programs/workshops upon request to meet your needs)
Conservation Library
materials, books, videos, slide sets, portable displays, etc.
Assistance with outdoor school site laboratory
Par Gil Natural Resources Learning Center
The learning center is owned and operated by the SWCD and offers hands-on interdisciplinary activities related to soil, water, forestry and wildlife. Most sessions are supplementary to classroom lessons at the request of the educator. Current programs available:
Be a Tree with Smokey
Targets Kindergarten children teaching forestry. What is a tree?
Be Tree Smart with Smokey
Targets First Grade students teaching Forestry
Adopt a Tree
Targets Second Grade students teaching Forestry, Soil, Water, & Wildlife.
Wetlands & Pond Study
Targets Third Grade students teaching Water, Soils, Forestry, & Wildlife.
Trail of Resources
Targets Fourth Grade students teaching Plants, Trees, Soil & Water.
Envirothon Challenge
Targets Fifth Grade students teaching Soil, Water, Forestry, Wildlife, & a current environmental issue.
Leopold Education Project
Lessons in a Land Ethic is based on 22 essays found in Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold. It is suited to help teachers meet some state education goals with direct application. The objective is to teach the student to see the land, to understand what he sees, and enjoy what he understands.
Par Gil Outdoor Education Program Goals:
Develop an environmental ethic in children so they learn to think, solve problems and make wise decisions about our world.
Provide the opportunity for children to actively participate in identification and resolution of real problems affecting the environment.
Provide a practical purpose for learning in all areas of the curriculum.
Create greater student interest and enthusiasm for earth science.
Students, teachers and parents learn together "on a personal level" in a natural environment utilizing cooperative interaction skills.
Emphasizes the process of learning through direct contact and hands-on experiences.
Increase students' awareness of the interdependence and interaction of all components of the natural environment.
Motivate students in learning more about themselves and the world in which they live.
Utilize the inquiry process to build skills such as observing, classifying, describing, measuring, inferring and predicting.
Create greater student appreciation of their community and its resources.
NOTE: Portions of all programs are appropriate for all adults. They are very interesting and educational for civic and religious groups, service clubs and various other agencies and organizations. Adult group tours of Par Gil via a wagon ride are also available.
Contact the SWCD office for more info:
LaGrange County Soil and Water Conservation DistrictPhone 260-463-3471 ext 3ParGil Natural Resources Learning CenterPhone: 260-463-8822