Youth Education

The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission offers environmental education programs for school and youth groups, professional development for teachers, and presentations for civic organizations. Education and Information Department staff members will travel anywhere in Arkansas free of charge to provide these programs to groups.

Pre-K to 2nd Grade

Each program centers around a short storybook, followed by a hands-on look at related objects. Programs last about 20-30 minutes.

All About Growing

Every living thing has a beginning and every living thing needs food to grow. This program explores the life-cycles of butterflies, frogs, and even plants through puppets, posters and a story about a kitten named Oscar in Oscar and the Frog: A Book About Growing, by Geoff Waring.

Butterflies and Flowers

Throughout their life-cycles, butterflies and flowering plants help each other. This program explores the life-cycle of butterflies through puppets, posters, and a colorful story, Waiting for Wings, by Lois Ehlert.

Which Nest is Best?

This program explores the wide variety of birds’ nests through a hands-on look at nests, bird puppets, a beautifully illustrated poster, and a story, Birds Make Nests, by Michael Garland.

3rd Grade to Adult

Programs are tailored to the age level of the audience. Each program begins with a PowerPoint presentation, followed by a hands-on look at objects and/or an activity.

Arkansas Bats

Bats are a lot like us, but we also have some fascinating differences! Learn about echolocation, bat habitat, cave systems, Arkansas endangered bat species, and what we can do to help bats. Participants will get a hands-on look at a real bat skeleton and guano replica.

Arkansas Eco-regions/Natural Divisions

Arkansas is a land of diverse geography. This program describes and compares features of six major eco-regions. Participants gain a better understanding of our natural heritage and how human development has been shaped by the features of each division.

Arkansas Native Plants for Pollinators

Featuring Arkansas native plants and pollinators, this presentation explores pollination, flower-pollinator interactions, and pollinator conservation in our state.

Arkansas Woodpeckers

Arkansas is home to nine woodpecker species. This program explores characteristics common to all woodpeckers, why they are a keystone species, why some are endangered or extinct, and conservation efforts in Arkansas.

The Grand Prairie: Roth Prairie Natural Area

The Grand Prairie ecosystem in eastern Arkansas once contained approximately 400,000 acres of tallgrass prairie. Roth Prairie Natural Area is an unplowed prairie remnant of the Grand Prairie. Through this program, participants discover how the prairie has changed over the last 200 years and the unique value and beauty of the prairie. The program looks at the natural area through a historical lens using journal notes from the Louisiana Purchase surveyors in the 1800s; photographs from the early 1900s; and a video produced by the ANHC around 1993. A group activity may also be a part of this program.

Nature Journaling Workshop

Nature journaling strengthens observation skills and leads to new discoveries. Participants learn tips to improve journal sketching and note-taking. The program may be presented outdoors or indoors. A variety of natural objects will be provided for use during practice exercises. Program length: one hour. Maximum Group Size: 30 per session.

Super Spiders

What makes a spider a spider and not an insect? How do spiders make webs? Participants will find the answers as they learn about these unique, sometimes scary, creatures. This program includes a group web-making activity that is best done outdoors or in a large open room. Maximum Group Size: 25 per session.

Program Request Form

To request a program with staff from the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, please fill out the form below.

Organization, School, or Group

Organization Mailing Address

City

Zipcode

County

Organization Phone

Contact Person Name

Contact Person Phone

Email Address

Program(s) Requested [if requesting multiple presentations of the same program (ex: ecoregion programs for three 5th grade classrooms) indicate that here]

First Program Date Requested

Second Choice Date Requested

First Choice Time

Second Choice Time

Program Length (in minutes)

Age/Grade Level (if adult, please indicate)

Estimate Number of Attendees in Each Presentation

Program location (if different than Organization Address listed above)

Equipment notes (please indicate if site has digital projection equipment or if ANHC staff need to provide)

Additional Information

Library / Summer Reading Programs

Each program begins with background information about the featured animal, followed by the reading of a story and a hands-on look at related objects. Programs last about 45 minutes.

Dig Into Reading: Burrowing Owls

Why do burrowing owls line the entrance to their dens with dung? Why do they hiss like rattlesnakes? Find out as we read My Little Book of Burrowing Owls, by Hope Irvin Marston, and learn about this unique bird. The program includes owl puppets and an owl pellet display.

Fly Into Reading: Bats

Learn about these nocturnal flying mammals in a fun story, Bats at the Library, by Brian Lies.Participants will get a hands on look at real bat skeleton and guano replica.

Which Nest is Best?

This program explores the wide variety of birds’ nests through a hands-on look at nests, bird puppets, a beautifully illustrated poster, and a story, Birds Make Nests, by Michael Garland.