Educational Programs

Paul teaching at an eldercare facility

Birds of Prey – Limited due to covid

Our naturalist will bring the world of raptors into your classroom. This program brings live birds into your classroom. Local species are represented by non-releasable live birds of prey. We will bring in 2-3 birds and talk about the adaptations that allow these majestic birds to survive in the wild. We discuss how our birds came to us and how their injuries prevent them from being released back to the wild.

Location: Indoor or Outdoor
Ages: all
Concepts Covered:
* Avian adaptations
* Bird identification
* Anatomy
* Predator/prey relationships
* Migration
* Ornithology
* May be done in an Auditorium Setting

Owl Ecology – On Hold due to covid

Our naturalist will bring the world of owls into your classroom. This program brings live owls into your classroom. Local species are represented by non-releasable live birds of prey.We will bring in 2-3 owls and talk about the adaptations that allow these unique birds to survive in the wild at night. We discuss how our birds came to us and how their injuries prevent them from being released back to the wild.

Location: Indoor or Outdoor
Ages: all
Concepts Covered:
* Avian adaptations
* Owl identification
* Anatomy
* Predator/prey relationships
* May be done in an auditorium setting

Amazing Animals  – On Hold due to covid

Our naturalist will bring the world of Nature into your classroom. This program will bring a variety of live animals into your classroom. Species of wildlife from around the world will delight all ages. From frogs to insects to birds, we will discuss the natural history of each species.  

Location: Indoor or Outdoor
Ages: all
Concepts Covered:
* Wildlife Adaptations
* Wildlife Identification
* Anatomy
* Not suited for an auditorium setting
* Ornithology
* May be done in an Auditorium Setting

Things That Bug You – On Hold due to covid  

Done June-Sept.

Do you have a fear of creepy crawlies? This program brings live insects and other critters into your classroom to hopefully expel that fear. Species of insects from around the world will visit with you. We will talk about their adaptability to survive and how many are harmless to people. 

Location: Indoor or Outdoor
Ages: all
Concepts Covered:
* Insect adaptations
* Insect identification
* Anatomy
* Differences between bugs and beetles
* Not suitable for an auditorium setting

Basic Survival Skills

We will introduce the students to the basics of wilderness survival including priorities. This interactive program allows the students to use their thinking skills to figure out the best ways to survive in a wilderness survival situation. If we have the proper location we can also teach them how to build survival shelters. Fire building and water purification can be included upon request for an additional fee. 

Location: Outdoor, at your school or local park – Priorities game can be done inside
Ages: 3rd grade to adult
Concepts Covered:
* Survival priorities
* Working in a group / team building
* Plant identification
* Due to health issues we will not teach wild edibles or medicinals to youth.

Fun With Nature

Your students will learn about nature by playing games. The games will teach about predator/prey relationships as well as other aspects of the natural world. This program works best with group sizes between 10-30participants.

Location: Indoor or Outdoor
Ages: 3rd to 6th grade
Concepts Covered:
* Food webs
* Carrying capacity
* Animal adaptations
* Predator/prey relationships
* Competition
* Not suited for an auditorium setting

Wildlife Discoveries

We will discover the wildlife that lives in Western New York through this hands on program. Our Naturalist brings in wildlife pelts and skulls and allow the students to discover the many adaptations that allow these animals to survive. The students will be allowed to touch the pelts to feel the differences in their thickness and softness. Through a”match the skull to the pelt” activity, the students will have a stronger understanding of the animals. 

Location: Indoor or Outdoor
Ages: all
Concepts Covered:
* Carnivore, omnivore, herbivore
* Wildlife adaptations
* Predator/prey relationships
* Not suited for an Auditorium Setting

Nature Exploration Hike

Even if your site has only a small patch of grass, there is much to discover. Let our Naturalist take your group on a hike to discover the natural world. We will explore the plants, animals and insects that we find along the way. 

Location: Outdoor, at your school or local park

Ages: all

Indoor Nature Exploration Hike

If the weather is bad or your site doesn’t allow you to go outdoors, you can still enjoy an educational nature hike in your classroom. We will allow you to use your imagination as we explore the many natural items that our naturalist will present to the group. A Nature show-and-tell.

Location: Indoor

Ages: all

PowerPoint Presentations

PowerPoint presentations on a variety of topics are also available for adult groups. Topics include…Algonquin ExpeditionAttracting Birds to Your BackyardCreating a Backyard Habitat for WildlifeDying to Help the Environment (Alternative/Green burial practices)The EvergladesFascinating Facts About NatureLiving the Green Life (Environmentally friendly lifestyle)Natural Areas in WNYNature Up CloseNatures OdditiesRecyclingShade GardeningThe Winds of Change (Alternative energy)TrackingTransformation Tuesday (upcycling old items)Winter WildlifeYour Diet and the EnvironmentCloud ForestsInvasive Species

  • Attracting Birds to Your Backyard
  • Creating a Backyard Habitat for Wildlife
  • Natural Areas in WNY
  • Nature Up Close
  • Natures Oddities
  • Recycling
  • The Winds of Change (Alternative energy)
  • Tracking
  • Transformation Tuesday (upcycling old items)
  • Winter Wildlife
  • Your Diet and the Environment
  • Cloud Forests
  • Invasive Species

If you are looking for a specific environmental topic, please feel free to ask. We are creating new programs all the time. 

Public Programs

Wild Spiriut does offer public programs throughout the year including online trainings and nature exploration hikes. Our programs will be listed on our Facebook page.

Jodi with Athena the Screech owl

Wild Spirit Education, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to enlightening others to the wonders of the natural world through conservation, preservation and environmental education.