Local Chapter of NWTF North Carolina Promotes Conservation Education
The Johnston County Longbeards, a local chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), donated 28 Wild About Turkey Education Boxes to 5th grade classes in Johnston County schools.
The Wild About Turkey Education Boxes are made available by the JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) program, NWTF's youth outreach program. Each box includes a lesson plan, video, poster, and a CD-Rom that teaches children the story of the wild turkey's recovery and the role played by state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies in that recovery.
NWTF National Board member and Johnston County resident Perry Harris spearheaded the project after giving a Wild About Turkey Education Box to a neighbor who is a 5th grade teacher.
"As a local chapter president, I got an Education Box automatically," said Harris. "The lady who lives behind me teaches 5th grade, so I gave the box to her. She used it and fell in love with it."
The positive response he received from his neighbor encouraged him to go to the North Carolina NWTF state chapter quarterly meeting and present a funding request for the Education Boxes.
Elizabeth Tanner, Johnston County Pre-K through 5th grade coordinator, says she's excited to have new tools for 5th grade classrooms.
"We appreciate the NWTF providing Johnston County's 5th grade teachers with the Education Boxes," said Tanner. "The student interest is peaked when a variety of quality materials are included into daily lessons. As fifth graders study eco systems and the interdependence of plants and animals, the students need to understand their role in conserving wildlife."
Through the NWTF's JAKES program, children ages 17 and younger learn outdoor skills through fishing, camping, and hunting seminars. Hundreds of JAKES events are held across the nation each year and reach thousands of children. For more information about the NWTF's JAKES program, call (800) THE-NWTF.
