Education

Are you looking for a presentation that is educational, interesting and filled with fun?  Have you wanted to learn more about the fascinating wildlife with whom we share our neighborhoods?  Are you looking for a fun yet educational craft project for your group of campers, students or scouts?

TWRC Wildlife Center offers exciting, educational presentations with introductions to our amazing Animal Ambassadors.  We can also “customize” our presentation to expand upon specific curriculums.  We have given presentations at schools for children of all ages, libraries, garden clubs, senior living communities, women’s clubs, Homeschool groups, Boy Scout and Girl Scout meetings and camps, many types of spring and summer camp programs, veterinary schools and veterinary student group meetings.

Our presentations are flexible, interesting and educational to all ages and are offered in thirty minute, forty-five or sixty minute formats and we can also give back-to-back presentations if needed.

The standard presentation includes the following:

A quick introduction to TWRC Wildlife Center and what we do to assist Houston’s wildlife. We explain how children and adults can help an animal found in need, as well as how to determine whether or not an animal is actually in need of help, or is better off left alone.

An introduction to our Animal Ambassadors follows which can include:

• Two Three-toed Box Turtles
• One or two native Texas snakes
• An Eastern Screech Owl
• A Virginia Opossum

With each introduction, we share fun and educational facts about each species, including the importance of each animal to our urban and suburban neighborhoods, as well as how we can help to keep our community ecosystems vital. We also explain how many of these species help to make our lives more comfortable and how they actually help to keep us healthy.

Depending upon the size of the audience, we can either walk among the group, allowing them to touch our reptile ambassadors, or we will pass through the audience, allowing all to see the ambassadors very closely.

Please have a look at some of the quotes from the returned surveys that we give to the person(s) responsible for scheduling each presentation (Our average score on each survey is 49.5 out of 50):

“The Presenter did an excellent job maintaining their interest as well as presenting the information that was developmentally appropriate for our kids. Thank you again for coming to our campus. Your program does wonders for our students. They loved learning about the animals and would not stop talking about it!” ~ Cassie S., Shadow Oaks Elementary School

“Fantastic use of time in our classroom! Presenter gave so many interesting facts. Thank you!” ~ Gilda S., Cedar Brook Elementary School

“I am so glad my students had the opportunity to learn about and see and touch Texas wildlife animals. Students were very engaged and they enjoyed being able to touch the animals. I hope TWRC comes to our school again.” ~ C. M., Humble Elementary School 

“Every elementary school should have this presentation for their students. Urban city students can get a different perspective of wildlife which they usually do not experience.” ~ Carmen C., Sherwood Elementary School 

“Amazing program – very age appropriate for 1^st graders! The ladies were so gentle with the animals which was a wonderful model for the students!” ~ Peggy M., Science Coach, Humble Elementary School 

“The Presenter was so much fun.  The kids learned a lot and had a great time.”  ~ Sean F., Stevens Elementary School

“I am no longer afraid of possums.” ~ Tina M., Cedar Brook Elementary School 

“Fantastic presentation. Our students left the room wanting to learn more about TWRC and the animals. We enjoyed every moment. Congratulations!” ~ Luis G., Sherwood Elementary School

“I now love (o)possums! This was my second time to see the presentation.  I would see it again!” ~ Sue S., Frostwood Women’s Club

“[Presenter] gave an excellent presentation! Her presentation would be great for all age groups!” ~ Chuck F., Galleria/River Oaks Rotary Club 

“We had an amazing presentation from [presenter]. She was informative and let us get close to the animals. She really fostered the love of animal and nature.” ~ Erica P., private birthday party presentation held at TWRC Wildlife Center

“One of the best presentations, ever!” ~ Jana S., Memorial Drive Garden Club

“Very nice! Enjoyed presentation” ~ Kari R., private birthday party presentation

TWRC is proud to also be able to offer a craft program following a presentation that includes the following:

Opossum Footprint Artwork Craft – Our Ambassador walks through animal/kid-friendly paint, with the help of the audience, on white paper, leaving artwork that the audience can take home with them while teaching them about fascinating opossum adaptations, including their prehensile tails, dexterous fingers and the opposable thumb located on their rear feet.

Toad Abode Craft – Houston’s toad and frog population is declining and the audience would make a Toad Abode to place in their yard, re-purposing broken or cracked pottery, which will be painted, decorated and made unique by each child.

Secondary Rescue Nest – The audience would make a temporary nest in which they can place a baby that has been found on the ground, and then suspend the nest from the tree where the parents are located. The nest allows the baby to be off the ground and safe, yet the parents are still able to care for the baby until it is ready to leave on its own. These nests are decorated, allowing each child to create a unique nest all their own.

The addition of a craft to a presentation is $75.00 with TWRC providing the supplies needed for the craft. (The fee is for a group of up to 30 children.  There is an additional fee of $5.00 for every additional  10 children.)

A presentation can be “customized” to fit a specific curriculum for an additional $100.00.

We would be thrilled to introduce Houston’s wildlife to your group and if interested in scheduling a presentation, please contact Victoria at [email protected] and we will book a date for you!

TEXAS WILDLIFE NEWS

Houston is expanding at an unprecedented rate, threatening countless species of Texas wildlife. TWRC is committed to caring for urban wildlife suffering from loss of habitat and strives to educate the public on appreciating and protecting our natural flora and fauna.