And with spring’s arrival…  Are you looking for ways to better connect with nature? If so, Wolf Creek NFH has some great ideas! For families and others looking for engaging ideas on how to enjoy and learn about the outdoors, the hatchery reminds the public to remember the Nature Rocks! Family Nature Club! The monthly event offers plenty of fun activities, snacks and more for families seeking ways to better connect with the natural world around them. There is no charge to attend and the next program will be held at the Russell County Public Library, Russell Springs Branch, in Russell Springs, Kentucky on Tuesday, April 19^th, 2011 from 5 p.m.  – 6:30 p.m. CST. 

In keeping with a theme of resource conservation, global issues facing us all, population growth, sustainability, biodiversity, media literacy or the ecological footprint currently being left behind, there’s no better time to seek out activities that encourage and empower students to think globally. If you’re an educator looking for such lesson plans, then this is the event for you! Utilizing Facing the Future’s “Teaching Global Sustainability in the Primary Grades: A K-4 Curriculum Guide,” this teaching resource contains a set of four multi-faceted lessons covering topics such as identity and culture, food, biodiversity and systems through diverse perspectives and learning modes. The book features hands-on activities, teacher background reading, vocabulary, extension and service learning opportunities, and assessment rubrics. All lessons included in this book have been reviewed and field tested by content experts, teachers, and students. The event is scheduled for Friday, April 15^th, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. CST. Registration costs for attendance are $10 per person. Fee includes all programming, materials, lesson plan/curriculum guide, lunch and snacks.    

Don’t forget the hatchery will host the annual Earth Day Celebration Saturday, April 23^rd, 2011. Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery will be partnering with the Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, Inc and the Russell County Soil Conservation District to celebrate the arrival of spring and the great outdoors by hosting the annual Earth Day Celebration! The Visitor/Environmental Education Center will be open from 8 a.m.– 4 p.m. CST and a variety of organizations and agencies will have booths on hand promoting different ways to get connected to the natural world from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. CST. Agencies planning to attend include the Friends of Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, Inc.; Russell County Soil Conservation District; Russell County Middle School PRIDE Club; Russell County Community Health Coalition; WOW – Working on Wellness Partnership; Kentucky Division for Air Quality; Kentucky Division for Waste; Kentucky Division for Water; and Trout Unlimited. FREE tree seedlings will be given away by the Friends of Wolf Creek NFH, Inc along with many other goodies and helpful information from the other organizations on hand. 

To learn more about programs at the hatchery, including ways to better connect your family with the outdoors and/or how to become a volunteer, please contact Amanda Patrick, Environmental Education/Outreach Specialist, at 270-343-3797 or via email:  Amanda_Patrick@fws.gov