I-20 Wildlife Preserve & Jenna Welch Nature Study Center

TO ENSURE CONSERVATION, RESTORATION, EDUCATION, RESEARCH AND OUTDOOR ENJOYMENT OF MIDLANDS URBAN PLAYA FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

EDUCATION PROGRAMS:IN 2021, 40 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED IN WILD AT THE PRESERVE - A HYBRID CLASS SERIES WHERE CHILDREN, AGES 18MO 7YRS, LEARN TO LOVE AND EXPERIENCE NATURE IN THE FIRST YEARS OF LIFE. PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS ACCOMPANY THEIR CHILDREN DURING EACH CLASS AS THE PROGRAM EXPLORES AND INTRODUCES ENVIRONMENTAL CONCEPTS OF THE PERMIAN BASIN.DUE TO THE ONGOING COVID PANDEMIC, FIELD TRIPS WERE LIMITED IN 2021 BUT STILL INCLUDED 205 PARTICIPANTS IN THE OTHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS.VAYA TO THE PLAYA - THIS K-2 PUSH-IN CURRICULUM USES HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES IN THE CLASSROOM TO INTRODUCE YOUNG STUDENTS TO THE ESSENTIAL FEATURES OF THE ECOSYSTEMS AND HISTORY OF THE PRESERVEECOSYSTEMS INTERACTIONS - OUR GRADES 3-5 CURRICULUM USES INTERACTIVE TEACHING STATIONS AT THE PRESERVE TO INTRODUCE THE STUDENTS TO ESSENTIAL ECOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - THIS HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM INTRODUCES ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES STUDENTS TO THE CHALLENGES OF PRESERVE MANAGEMENT. IN 2021 132 CLIENTS REGISTERED AND 77 PARTICIPATED IN WILDSPACE WELLNESS AT THE PRESERVE - A PROGRAM WHICH COMBINES THE BENEFIT OF A NATURE SETTING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TO PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN OUR PARTICIPANTS TO MAKE A LASTING IMPACT. LOCAL WELLNESS INSTRUCTORS PROVIDE OUTDOOR CLASSES FOR ALL-LEVELS. WE OFFER OUR PROGRAMS AT NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS.

HABITAT RESTORATION & CONSERVATION PROGRAM:IN 2021 156 VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED SUPPORT TO THE FOLLOWINGLAND MANAGEMENT CREW - SUPERVISED BY OUR LAND MANAGER, THIS CREW OF VOLUNTEERS FOCUSES EFFORTS ON HOLISTIC LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO CONSERVE THE VIBRANT NATURE OF THE URBAN PLAYA ENVIRONMENT. WORK DETAILS INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, AND RESTORATION OF TRAILS, SPECIFIC HABITATS, AND OTHER LAND IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS ON A REGULAR BASIS. IF APPROVED BY OUR LAND MANAGER FIRST, INDIVIDUALS MAY ALSO CHOOSE TO MAINTAIN THE PRESERVE SOLO IF THEY WISH, BY PICKING UP TRASH OR REMOVING INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES.INSTRUCTIONAL DOCENTS - OUR DOCENTS ARE VOLUNTEER EDUCATORS WHO PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND STRIVE TO FOSTER A SENSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN PARTICULAR NATURALIST AREAS. TRAINED BY OUR EDUCATION DIRECTOR, THE DOCENTS UTILIZE HANDS-ON LEARNING STATIONS TO INSPIRE STUDENTS ENROLLED IN OUR VARIOUS CURRICULA. OUR DOCENTS ARE ALSO ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS IN OUR CITIZEN SCIENCE ACTIVITIES HELPING TO CONNECT THE SCIENTIFIC CURIOSITY OF ALL AGES WITH THE PRESERVE'S UNIQUE URBAN PLAYA ENVIRONMENT.ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM - WE WORK WITH VOLUNTEERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE IN WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY, EVENT MARKETING, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND GENERAL OFFICE SUPPORT. OUR COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR MANAGES THE ADMINISTRATIVE VOLUNTEERS WHO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF SUPPORT DUTIES TO THE EDUCATION PROGRAM MANAGERS, INSTRUCTIONAL DOCENTS, AND PRESERVE STAFF.