Last modified: 16 April 1998

Wildlife Extension -- Programs

You'll find our programs are as diverse as the wildlife on which they focus. Here is a sampling of programs we're involved in. Following the list is a short description of each program.

Landowners/General Public

Youth

WISCONSIN COVERTS PROJECT

The Wisconsin Coverts Project is a woodland wildlife management program for private landowners. At the core of the program is a three-day workshop with field demonstration tours to empower private woodland owners to manage their land for wildlife and to reach out to others in their community. Through this program landowners agree to create and implement wildlife management plans on their lands and to contact other landowners in their communities. For further information visit the Wisconsin Coverts Project webpage.

 

MASTER NATURALIST

Milwaukee County Extension offers an analog to the Master Gardener program for volunteers interested in field ecology and natural history. Volunteers then assist with programs at nature centers, parks and other county facilities. Each year specialists provide training in the ecology of birds, mammals, reptiles, or amphibians.
 

MASTER GARDENER

Specialists provide training via on-site and distance-education instruction in backyard habitat enhancement and coping with wildlife damage and nuisance problems in the home landscape.

 

PESTICIDE APPLICATOR TRAINING

Specialists provide training in rodent and pest bird management for pest control operators seeking pesticide applicator certification.

 

FARM PROGRESS DAYS

Each year Extension Wildlife Specialists, staff a booth at Wisconsin Farm Progress Days. Information and consultations are available on land management for wildlife, wildlife damage control, wildlife-related income opportunities and wildlife-based recreation.

 

4-H SHOOTING SPORTS

Shooting Sports is an action-oriented program offered by the Wisconsin 4-H program that involves over 600 volunteer leaders and several thousand youth. Besides shooting and firearms safety there are educational components on conservation, outdoor ethics, natural resources management and wildlife. Specialists train leaders, conduct wildlife contests, and assist in program administration.

 

FFA WILDLIFE CONTEST

Each April over a hundred schools participate in Wisconsin's FFA Wildlife Contest in Madison. FFA instructors help their three individuals prepare for written and practical exams on Wisconsin wildlife and related subjects.

 

COLLEGE FOR KIDS

Each year specialists teach a week-long "Enjoying Wildlife" class in June for talented and gifted 4th, 5th and 6th graders from the Dane County area. The program is administered by the University's School of Education.

 

FARM AND INDUSTRY SHORT COURSE

Wildlife management information and research data are disseminated each January to aspiring farmers and future landowners enrolled in the 4-week Farm and Industry Short Course.