River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1922-07-13
WHAT CAN TEACHERS DO
FOR THE CONSERVATION
OF WILD LIFE?

Few people recognize the true
meaning Of the word conservation
Judging from observations; and espe-
cially have they nisused the term in
connection with the conservation OF
wild game. For many years people
paid little or no attention to our out
of-door life, but during the past de-
cade more time and effort have been
put on the subjects
Al teacher can further the conserva-
ton of wild life by several means.
These various ways are to educate
the older as we'll as the younger class
Of people in community; to teach
the pupils to love nature thru nature
study:to establish societies; to teach
the pupils what citizen is expected
to and can do in regard to laws, max
ing of laws, enforcing, and obeylng
the laws.
/ believe a rerson should inform
the mothers and fathers in COM
munity about the means of conserv-
ing the wild life If she wishes to ac-
ccmplish very much with the pupils
with whom she works. If teacher
can get the parents interested IN a
subject, it is very evident that the
same topic will lead to an established
interest in their children. The reason
this important matter has been so bad
ly overlooked is the ignorance on the
part of the citizens. Many people do
not know the value of our animals,
birds, and fish; and they ask why
protect the game If these import
ant facts were made known by our
educators, not only those that are IN
terested in game protection but many
others would have their interests
aroused thereby establishing habits
Of conservation and protection.
IL order to get the people interest
ed and to inform them of the value OF
our Wild life, clubs could be formed.
A teacher could act as the leader
These organizations could be like the
Rod and Gun Club in River Falls, or
somthing similar to that. Also, at
the Parent-Teacher Meetings reports
may be given on different kinds OF
animals as to their homes and their
services to man, the need of the for
ests for animals, and any other topic
IF interest about game
Through nature study teacher can
do a great many things. Some OF
the work may seem useless; but al
though their efforts and work
do not show at first, there will be I'M
planted in the pupils something that
will stay with them and be predomin-
ant as they grow older. Nature
study should begin in the first grade
and continued Throughout 'all of them.
Habits must be set up while the child
is young so that the impressions are
more firmly stamped upon the mind
The children should be taken on field
trips, and they should have their at
tentions attracted to all things con-
corning wild life If this is done a
deep interest is kindled. A teacher
must appeal to her pupils senses and
emotions. If they learn the songs
of the various birds and the charac-
teristics of each, they will regard
them as friends. No child would
think of harming friend. In the
same way would he consider the birds.
In connection with learning the ha-
bits, characteristics, and value of the
birds and animals, attention should
also be directed to the places and
things that are Necessary for home
of our friends. This would show the
children clearly that our trees must
be preserved in order that the game
have a home.
Another very good way of arousing
interest in children is through soei-
cites as the Audubon, Boy Scouts, and
Campfire Girss. The Audubon soci-
ETY. has for its purpose the furthering
of the protection of birds. Through
it, if the organization is livly one,
children learn much about our feath-
cred friends Again the teacher has
an opportunity to appeal to the emo
tions of the pupils. Often where
there is a club of this kind children
build bird houses. They learn which
is the best kind of a house for certain
species of birds, what they must do in
order to attract the birds around the
home and school, the value of birds,
what they need to eat, how to protect