Wildlife Outreach Education Programs

In today's world of urban sprawl, many children grow up without the formative experiences of camping, hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities that help them connect with nature. To many of today's youth, "going out" implies going to the mall. This can lead to anxiety when the neighborhood racoon, opossum or snake arrives on the back porch.

The consequences of this can be far reaching. The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), a standardized test issued in 2003 to measure American children's academic achievement on an international level, reported alarming results:

American 4th graders ranked 8th among the 24 participating countries in 4th grade science.
American 8th graders ranked 13th among the 45 participating countries in 8th grade science.

The flip side of the coin is that naivete about venomous snakes and spiders, alligators, and other wildlife can end in dangerous if not tragic results for kids who wander their backyard playing with every animal they see.

Vanishing Species strives to entertain, excite, and educate children of all ages about science, and in particular biology, by providing safe, affordable, on-site, hands-on, interactive programs that begin to unlock the mysteries of the natural world. These programs are available to schools, libraries, scouts, private organizations, community events, and family gatherings. By allowing participants to touch and ask questions, Vanishing Species hopes to encourage better understanding, care, and conservation of animals from around the world.

If you would like to learn more about our educational programs, please view our Events area