Got Nature? Blog

The summer issue of the Purdue Alumnus magazine highlights Gabrielle Sjoberg, FNR 2008, and the Nature of Teaching. The section titled “The Nature of Well-Being” shares how Boilermakers are making connections regarding the power of nature to improve our health, moods and thinking.

For Gabrielle Sjoberg (A’08), connecting people to nature has become her life’s work.
The wildlife science alumna, whose master’s degree in biology from Miami University focused on outdoor programming, has helped kids discover nature at the Indiana Dunes National Park, ran nature programs and camps at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and led youth conservation corps programs in Angoon, Alaska.

“I’m working with kids who, even though they’ve grown up in these remote wilderness areas, have not necessarily done much exploring in the bays and rivers,” says Gabrielle Sjoberg, FNR 2008.

The rural and Indigenous youths in the program work on projects such as clearing trails and fallen trees with program partners, including the United States Forest Service, and also help with the traditional seasonal harvesting, preservation, and distribution of foodstuffs that are crucial for locals: salmon, clams, moose, deer, herring eggs, blueberries, and beach asparagus.

For full article view, For Gabrielle Sjoberg (A’08), connecting people to nature has become her life’s work.

The Nature of Teaching
In 2005, when journalist Richard Louv published his groundbreaking book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, research on the ways natural environments can benefit humans was just getting started.

The program’s three areas of focus—wildlife, food waste, and health and wellness—provide standards-based curricula along with suggestions for informal “field day” activities, all centered around getting kids outside.

The teachers said they needed training, good science-based lesson plans, and a repository of natural resource–related information they could easily access. In response, Dr. Rod Williams created a comprehensive professional development program for teachers called the Nature of Teaching, housed in the College of Agriculture’s Extension program.

Williams recently left Purdue for Texas Tech, where he serves as vice provost for outreach and engagement, but his legacy lives on in the Nature of Teaching program, which is now codirected by Veronica (Yager) Bullock (A’17) and Jarred Brooke (A’12), who is also an Extension wildlife specialist.

According to Bullock, who has taught many of the Nature of Teaching units as well as workshops for teachers, the lesson plans have been downloaded 400,000 times since the program’s launch. “That shows there’s a real interest in this,” she says.

For full article view, The Nature of Teaching.

The Nature of Teaching includes formal standards-based curricula and informal activity-based curricula all centered around getting youth outside. The three program areas of the formal curricula include: Wildlife, Health and Wellness, and Food Waste. Each program area provides standards-based lesson plans, available as free downloadable PDFs, which are classroom ready for grades K-12.

The Purdue Alumnus magazine, referred to as “Bulletin of the Purdue Alumni Association” in its early years, is the flagship publication of the Purdue for Life Foundation. It aims to inform, inspire and entertain readers through stories that provide insight into Purdue University and its initiatives, alumni, students, faculty and staff.

Resources:
Nature of Teaching, Connecting Youth With Nature for Health and Education, Agriculture Natural Resources, Got Nature? Blog Post
Virtual Workshops, Nature of Teaching
Nature of Teaching, Website, Purdue College of Agriculture
The Nature of Teaching, YouTube channel
Transporting Food Waste, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Benefits of Connecting with Nature, The Education Store
Nature of Teaching: Common Mammals of Indiana, The Education Store
The Nature of Teaching: Food Waste Solutions, The Education Store
The Nature of Teaching: Food Waste and the Environment, The Education Store
The Nature of Teaching: Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
The Nature of Teaching: Adaptations for Aquatic Amphibians, The Education Store
Trees of the Midwest Webinar, Nature of Teaching YouTube channel
Adaptations For Aquatic Amphibians Webinar, Nature of Teaching YouTube channel
Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR)

Diana Evans, Extension and Web Communication Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Jarred Brooke, Wildlife Extension Specialist
Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Veronica Bullock, ANR Extension Educator
Purdue Extension Franklin County

During K-12 Educator workshops, participants learn how to implement TNT curriculum such as building scent stations (pictured above). Photo by Jarred Brooke.

Agricultural & Natural Resources: Richard Louv’s words, “Time in nature is not leisure time, it’s an essential investment in our children’s health (and also, by the way, in our own),” underscores the critical role of nature in children’s well-being. Inspired by Louv’s concept of “nature deficit disorder,” The Nature of Teaching (TNT) was established in 2009 to connect youth to nature. The Nature of Teaching became an ANR signature program in 2019.

The primary focus of TNT is to engage K-12 youth with nature to foster environmental awareness and reap the positive health benefits of outdoor experiences. The program achieves this by integrating nature-based education into the school environment through standards-based curriculum. Through this, TNT not only connects students with nature but also provides lessons that align with Common Core and Next Generation Science standards.

The curriculum of The Nature of Teaching is divided into three key areas: Wildlife, Health and Wellness, and Food Waste. The Wildlife curriculum enhances students’ understanding of the natural world, while the Health and Wellness curriculum emphasizes the health benefits of connecting with nature. The Food Waste curriculum explores the environmental impact of food waste. Educators have access to more than 60 free standards-based lesson plans suitable for K-12 classrooms. In addition, TNT includes five informal curriculum units that are not standards-based and are more activity-focused. These informal lessons are great for field days and after-school type programs.

Veronica Bullock teaching a TNT lesson, Adaptations for Aquatic Amphibians, in a Union County classroom. Photo by Jennifer Logue.

Extension educators around the state have delivered TNT lessons to K-12 students since TNT became a signature program in 2019. In 2022 alone, 2,424 K-12 students benefited from TNT instruction, highlighting an impressive average knowledge increase of 16-31% in natural resources topics. The Nature of Teaching further supports K-12 educators through teacher workshops, with 17 teachers attending a workshop at Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge in 2022. Attendees reported a significant boost in knowledge and confidence in connecting youth with nature.

As part of the signature program, Extension educators deliver three educational sessions using TNT formal curriculum to at least 15 students. Educators are also asked to provide students with pre- and post-tests to better understand student learning outcomes. Most educators deliver TNT in their local school system over several weeks. However, others deliver TNT through school clubs, after-school programs, or other avenues. The signature program requirements for Nature of Teaching are on the ANR Intranet. Educators are encouraged to work across program areas to deliver TNT.

Starting this year, The Nature of Teaching will be co-led by Jarred Brooke, Extension wildlife specialist, and Veronica Bullock, ANR educator, Franklin County. Jarred and Veronica have a long history with the TNT program and are excited to lead TNT into the future.

For educators who are interested in TNT, we will host a webinar on April 2 at 10 a.m. EDT to discuss future changes to the Nature of Teaching Signature program.

To see this article and others, please visit ANR Newsletter-February 2024.

Visit Nature of Teaching to learn more and explore the different lessons.

Resources:
Virtual Workshops, Nature of Teaching
Nature of Teaching, Website, Purdue College of Agriculture
The Nature of Teaching, YouTube channel
Transporting Food Waste, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Benefits of Connecting with Nature, The Education Store
Nature of Teaching: Common Mammals of Indiana, The Education Store
The Nature of Teaching: Food Waste Solutions, The Education Store
The Nature of Teaching: Food Waste and the Environment, The Education Store
The Nature of Teaching: Trees of the Midwest, The Education Store
The Nature of Teaching: Adaptations for Aquatic Amphibians, The Education Store
Trees of the Midwest Webinar, Nature of Teaching YouTube channel
Adaptations For Aquatic Amphibians Webinar, Nature of Teaching YouTube channel

Agriculture & Natural Resources (ANR)

Jarred Brooke, Wildlife Extension Specialist
Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Veronica Bullock, ANR Extension Educator
Purdue Extension Franklin County

The clitellum, the set of pale, milky colored segments, is the reproductive organ of earthworms.

Purdue Landscape Report: Asian jumping worms, a group of invasive earthworms, have gained a significant amount of media attention in the last several weeks, and for good reason.  Unlike the nightcrawlers and other earthworms we know, Asian jumping worms do not improve soil health to the benefit of plants.  Instead, jumping worms (also called crazy worms, snake worms, or ‘Alabama jumpers’) almost completely strip nutrients out of soil, altering the soil structure and severely impairing the ability to develop many kinds of plants. After they are done with an area, Asian jumping worms leave behind soil that has a texture similar to that of coffee grounds and very low nutritional value. On top of this, Asian jumping worms are capable of reproducing asexually, allowing their population to grow very rapidly and making them an invasive species of some concern.

Identification
The good news is that Asian jumping worms are not well-suited to Indiana’s environment.  They aren’t capable of surviving winters in any life stage except as an egg, meaning their activity periods are limited to late June to the first hard frost of the year.  If you see worms outside of this period, it’s highly unlikely an Asian jumping worm.  There are also a few traits the worms have that you can use to visually confirm their identity.  First off, Asian jumping worms are accurately named; when handled, they writhe and thrash similar to snakes, setting them apart from common earthworms and nightcrawlers.  Jumping worms also tend to have drier skin that has an almost iridescent appearance, as compared to the slimy, moist texture of the beneficial earthworms we need for good soil health.  The most consistent feature is an organ known as the clitellum, or the reproductive organs of worms.  On common earthworms, this looks like a saddle-shape that partially covers several segments, is normally reddish-brown, and is raised off the surface of the body.  On an Asian jumping worm, however, the clitellum is indistinguishable from other segments, save for their pale, milky color.

To view this article and other Purdue Landscape Report articles, please visit Purdue Landscape Report.

Subscribe and receive the newsletter: Purdue Landscape Report Newsletter.

Resources:
The Purdue Landscape Report
Purdue Landscape Report Facebook Page
Gardeners Asked to be Vigilant This Spring for Invasive Jumping Worm, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Fall webworms: Should you manage them?, Purdue Landscape Report
Mimosa Webworm, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Sod Webworms, Turf Science at Purdue University
Bagworm caterpillars are out feeding, be ready to spray your trees, Purdue Extension Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) Got Nature? Blog
Purdue Plant Doctor App Suite, Purdue Extension-Entomology
Landscape & Ornamentals: Bagworms, The Education Store
What are invasive species and why should I care? (How to report invasives.), Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Indiana Invasive Species Council
Ask An Expert, Purdue Extension-Forestry & Natural Resources

Bob Bruner, Exotic Forest Pest Specialist
Purdue Department of Entomology

Among the steel and concrete that make up the urban environment, trees provide welcome relief from heat and potentially unfavorable sights and smells. Trees provide value from ecosystem services, which can refer to any of the benefits humans obtain from nature. Trees in the built environment provide many benefits, such as storing carbon, reducing air temperature and air conditioning costs, filtering air and water pollutants, intercepting rainwater to reduce flooding, and increasing aesthetic value.

The Preparing Indiana’s Urban Forest for Climate Change is an overview of choosing species of trees that will thrive in urban settings has always required careful consideration, but climate change is making that task even more important. In this paper, Purdue and other researchers provide tools to help urban foresters, arborists and planners adapt so that the ecosystem services that trees provide can be maintained.

To receive the free download for the Preparing Indiana’s Urban Forest for Climate Change please visit The Education Store.

Resources:
Urban Forestry, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Sustainable Communities, Purdue Extension Program
How to Find an Arborist Near You!, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Storms Can Cause Damage and Tree Cleanup, What You Need to Know, Purdue Extension – FNR Got Nature? Blog
Purdue Landscape Report, Purdue Science-Based Midwest Landscaping
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store, Purdue Extension’s resource center
Investing in Indiana Woodlands, The Education Store
Woodland Wildlife Management, The Education Store
ID That Tree, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry & Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel

Julie McAulay, Undergraduate Research Assistant in Environmental and Ecological Engineering
Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Lenny Farlee, Sustaining Hardwood Extension Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Brady Hardiman, Associate Professor for Environmental and Ecological Engineering
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

This unit, part of the Nature of Teaching series, explores the effects of barriers and human assistance on wildlife gene flow. Students will learn about the effects of human-induced factors on wildlife movement and gene flow, and the effectiveness of human interventions that promote gene flow among wildlife.  You will find in the complete curriculum: teachers’ notes, vocabulary words, objectives and required materials for activities including gene flow simulation and estimating genetic variations in lady beetles.

The Nature of Teaching includes formal standards-based curricula and informal activity-based curricula all centered around getting youth outside. The three program areas of the formal curricula include: Wildlife, Health and Wellness, and Food Waste. Each program area provides standards-based lesson plans free as a downloadable PDF. Lesson plans are classroom ready for grades K-12.

Resources:
Nature of Teaching website and Nature of Teaching Youtube Channel
Ask An Expert: Anurans (Frogs and Toads) video, Got Nature?, Purdue Extension-Forestry and Natural Resources
The Nature of Teaching, Unit 3: Reptiles, Amphibians, and the Scientific Method, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
The Nature of Teaching: Ecotoxicology and Environmental Health, The Education Store
Introduction to Nature of Teaching Sneak Peek Videos, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources

Rod Williams, Professor of Wildlife Science
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Jason Hoverman, Professor of Vertebrate Ecology
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Purdue Extension wildlife specialist Jarred Brooke was honored by the College of Agriculture PK-12 Council on Thursday with the Staff Excellence Award for his work with PK-12 audiences to expand their interest in and preparation for careers in natural resource sciences.

Resources:
Nature of Teaching, Purdue Agriculture
Natural of Teaching YouTube Channel
Indiana 4-H Youth Development, Purdue Extension
4-H Academy, Purdue Extension
College of Agriculture PK-12 Council Outreach and Engagement Awards, Purdue Agriculture
National Wildlife Habitat Education Program (WHEP), Teaching Youth Valuable Skills

Jarred Brooke, Wildlife Extension Specialist
Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

The Nature of Teaching Extension program includes formal standards-based curricula and informal activity-based curricula, all centered around getting youth outside. Topics included are Food Waste, Health & Wellness, and Wildlife. Each program area provides standards-based, classroom-ready, free lesson plans with downloadable PDFs.

The resources keep growing with now opportunities to take the virtual workshops and receive a certificate of completion. The webinars include all the links to the material for K-12 curriculum and activities available. Whether you are a teacher, natural resource leader or a 4-H leader you have the opportunity to use the prepared curriculum with fun activities while teaching K-12 youth about natural resources, conservation, and the environment.

Resources
Virtual Workshops, Nature of Teaching
Nature of Teaching, Website, Purdue College of Agriculture
The Nature of Teaching, YouTube channel
Transporting Food Waste, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
Benefits of Connecting with Nature, The Education Store
Nature of Teaching: Common Mammals of Indiana, The Education Store

Rod Williams, former Professor of Wildlife Science & Wildlife Extension Specialist
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

This Nature of Teaching lesson plan teaches students how the transportation of food and food waste affects the environment. Students will expand their vocabulary, broaden their geography, and have fun working on their math skills as they calculate food miles. A list of materials needed and activity instructions for interactive, hands-on activities are included, along with Next Generation Science Standards and/or Core Standards met by these lesson plans.

The Nature of Teaching includes formal standards-based curricula and informal activity-based curricula all centered around getting youth outside. The three program areas of the formal curricula include: Wildlife, Health and Wellness, and Food Waste. Each program area provides standards-based lesson plans free as a downloadable PDF. Lesson plans are classroom ready for grades K-12.

Resources
Nature of Teaching, website and Youtube Channel
The Nature of Teaching: Food Waste Solutions, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
The Nature of Teaching: Food Waste and the Environment, The Education Store
Food Waste and Natural Resources Lesson Plans, The Education Store
Introduction to Nature of Teaching Sneak Peek Videos, Got Nature? Blog, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources

Rod Williams, Professor of Wildlife Science
Purdue Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

Calling all teachers and parents: Do you need some new ideas on how to get students out in nature or teach them science lessons?

We’ve got you covered with our Nature of Teaching program. We’ve created more than 40 sneak peek videos that introduce you to our lesson plans, offering a quick way for teachers and other K-12 leaders to view the lessons as well as the related activities.

Many of the lesson plans meet state specifications for Next Generation Science Standards and/or Core Standards, while also offering informal curriculum items and fun activities for all K-12 leaders.

The Nature of Teaching program offers three areas of formal and informal activity-based curricula centered around getting youth outside: wildlife, health and wellness, and food waste.

Sneak Peeks videos include topics ranging from producers, consumers and natural resources and food waste from farm to fork, to exploring nature with your senses and emotional vocabulary exploration, to trees of the Midwest and healthy water/happy home.

Subscribe to the Nature of Teaching YouTube Channel for more Wildlife, Food Waste, and Health and Wellness information.

Resources
Nature of Teaching Website
Nature of Teaching YouTube Channel
Nature of Teaching Program Receives Environmental Education Award, College of Agriculture, Purdue University
Resourceful Animal Relationships, The Education Store, Purdue Extension resource center
The Nature of Teaching: Food Waste Solutions, The Education Store
Benefits of Connecting with Nature, The Education Store

Rod N Williams, Professor of Wildlife Science
Purdue University Department of Forestry and Natural Resources

The Nature of Teaching, a Purdue Extension signature program, was honored as the third place finisher in the central region for the Environmental Education Award presented by the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Science (NEAFCS).