Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

Hello! As school begins to wrap up for the winter break, we wanted to remind you about some opportunities occurring in the new year. Space is limited. Be sure to sign up today!

Educator Virtual Book Club

The Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Phoenix Zoo have partnered together for a unique professional development opportunity. We are looking for educators who wish to combine their passion of reading with conservation to join us for a virtual book club. We will be reading Aldo Leopold's A Sand County Almanac. This is a great opportunity to read one of the most influential conservation books while networking with other like-minded teachers. Like all book clubs, we will explore the language, themes, content and other elements specific to the book and its author. However, we will take it a step further to make it relevant to educators. We will also share ideas to bring this information into the classroom so Arizona students can benefit as well.

The book club is great for all teachers. However, secondary teachers with an interest in integrating language arts and science will particularly benefit!

The book club will run from January through May 2016. We will meet online to discuss the book.

Participation is free. The only cost to you is the book, which is widely available through most bookstores.

Educators who actively participate in the entire program will receive a certificate for professional development credit at the end. In addition, they will have the first opportunity to register for a unique field-based experience that will explore Aldo Leopold's time in Arizona, including locations highlighted in this book. This experience will take place in summer 2016.

For more information and to register, visit http://tiny.cc/bookclub.

New Workshop Integrates Technology

Geographic Information System, otherwise known as GIS, is an incredibly powerful tool that is used in many aspects of life and research. Through the use of interactive, web-based maps, GIS allows for in-depth analysis on just about any topic. Story Maps add to the power of GIS by allowing you to combine maps with narrative text, images and multimedia to create an engaging and interactive educational tool. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is pleased to announce a new professional development opportunity that will introduce educators to this exciting and easy-to-use technology. The workshop will take place on January 9 and 10 and is absolutely free. By the time the workshop is completed, you will have created your very own Story Map using free tools.

The workshop is free. However, space is limited and registration is required. All educators are welcome, including teams from the same school!

For more information and to register, visit http://tiny.cc/storymaps.

Earn Professional Development through New Webinars

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is pleased to announce a new collection of educator webinars. Join us to learn about unique ways to bring different wildlife concepts into the classroom. Participate from the comfort of your home while you earn professional development credit. Our upcoming webinars are:

January 21, 7pm: It's a Bird, It's a Plane - Learn how the Wright brothers can be used to explore the Nature of Science and biomimicry while integrating wildlife biology, physical science, and history. REGISTER HERE https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8327559601630377473.

February 11, 7pm: Arizona's State Symbols - Learn some history and trivia about Arizona's living state symbols, including a brief history and trivia for each while we showcase some unique lessons that use science and social studies. REGISTER HERE https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6474511973410006529.

Wildlife Management Career Exploration Panel

Do you have students who have expressed an interested in wildlife-related careers? If so, please invite them to join the Arizona Game and Fish Department as we host a Wildlife Management Career Exploration Panel on Saturday, February 6, 2016. Participants will have the opportunity to hear from a panel of current Department employees. This will be followed by a short question and answer period.

The event is FREE to the public and is geared toward high school and undergraduate college students. Children younger than 18 years old need to be accompanied by an adult.

Space is limited and registration is required. Encourage your students to register today by visiting http://tiny.cc/wildlifecareerday.

Focus Wild Arizona - http://www.azgfd.gov/FocusWild.