Record Book - FAQs

When is your Early Bird Record Book due?

NOVEMBER 15

Why should I hand in an Early Bird Record Book?

Handing in an Early Bird Record Book will qualify you to join myself and Tim Smail at Penn State University in the spring for a tour of the PSU deer pens AND attend the PA Wildlife Society meeting! This is an awesome opportunity!!

How many Outreach Activities need to go in my Record Book?

For the Early Bird Record Book, you DO NOT to have all 3 of your Outreach Activities fulfilled yet. You may send it in with less than that – but of course more is always better! Your Final Record Books are not due until April 15, 2010.

I know all of you have been very busy this fall with, school, sports, band, work, etc. We chose YOU for Wildlife Leadership Academy because we know you are leaders! So, use what we’ve taught you and motivate yourself to get some great outreach accomplished!

Please ask questions or ask for help if you’re not sure about something! We are here for you!

How do I organize my Record Book?

Use a binder to organize your activities. Activities should be placed by category, in the following order. A tabbed divider should separate each category.

A. Education
B. Service Activities
C. Media Contact
D. Creative Art

Documentation should immediately follow each Activity Form (For example, an activity form on an article you wrote about WLA, should have the article on the next page.)
NEATNESS & CREATIVITY COUNT– Your WLA Accomplishments Notebook will be scored from 20 to 50 points on neatness and creativity.

How do I become an Assistant Team Leader (ATL) for WLA field schools next summer?

Do OUTREACH ACTIVITES and hand in a Final Record Book in April 15! The youth with the most points will be invited back to be ATLs. Remember, we will need extra ATLs for the new field school - PA Drummers!

When do I get my Record Book back after handing it in for Early Bird?

I will review all of your outreach and score each activity and then send your Record Book back to you with a copy of your score so far!


GOOD LUCK BUCKTAILS! I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS!

Nature Journaling...as easy as relaxing on a bale of hay!

Katie's version of stump sitting..."hay bale sitting". Enjoy...

I sit outside on a hay bale in the chilly October air and listen to the wind blow around me. The noisy birds block out the sounds of the houses near mine and allow me to observe my surroundings.

As I look over the hills around my house I see that most of the trees have changed from the summer-time green to the beautiful oranges, reds and yellows of autumn, my favorite season. It makes me sad to think that soon the leaves will fall and winter will be here.

Suddenly, as if by an imaginary conductor, the chorus of birds stop their sounds and for a few seconds it is silent. But the chorus quickly starts up again and the moment of peace is gone.

In the distance I hear geese, and I listen to them for a few minutes, until I see them come over and hill and fly toward me in their V. I count them as they fly directly my head; there were at least 25 of them calling to each other.

After the geese are past, I listen again to the birds in the trees by our creek, calling to each other and gather to prepare to migrate in a short time.

As I gather up my things and prepare to leave my hay bale seat, I keep alert and watch for a group of deer that come through here routinely. But it looks like I will not see them tonight.

Bucktail Outreach Report!!!

Hello Bucktails!

Chris Bannon - Bucktail 2009 - reports to me about one of his outreach experiences...Enjoy!

I completed one of my outreach projects at an outdoor expo sponsored by Andre’s and Buck Forage Oats in Montrose, PA. I was able to be part of the Susquehanna Branch-QDMA table. I met many different people including the owner-president of Buck Forage Oats, John Butler. I spoke with many parents about WLA who have kids interested in this field. Interestingly many did not know a program like WLA was even available. They were very pleased to find out this information. I also was able to answer various questions of what I had learned at camp. The entire event was a success.

Great Job Chris - keep up the good work!

What's your latest outreach experience? Let me know!

Remember - it counts for your record book!

Prepare a County Plant Collection

Hello WLA Students!

One option for for service activites for your record book is a COUNTY PLANT COLLECTION. You will need to submit a minimum of 10 plants to get 30 points!

Guidelines for a good plant mount and scan!

-Well pressed and dried
-The majority of leaves should be open and flat, not folded
- Free of dirt and debris
- Where possible, include flowers, fruit, or seed heads
- Where possible, forbs and grasses should have roots
- Remove or clip away excessive and overlapping clusters of leaves, flowers, or roots

Don't forget - you can use your field school prep for a reference list of what plants deer eat!

Here are some other websites that will help you with your collection:

How to make a plant press at home

Common Trees of PA - DCNR Website

PA List of Plants in your COUNTY

USDA Plants Database

Fall is approaching so don't wait too long to start this project!!

GOOD KIDS: Two W.W. students study deer management - Honesdale, PA - Wayne Independent

Hi everyone - Emily Funk and Chris Bannon were interviewed for their local paper - good job with your outreach guys!

GOOD KIDS: Two W.W. students study deer management - Honesdale, PA - Wayne Independent

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New Name for WLA

Dear Students,

I wanted to update you, so you could spread the word in your outreach activities...

Wildlife Leadership Adventures is now...Wildlife Leadership Academy !

We hope you are as excited about the change as we are! An updated application and information flyers will be available soon.

I hope you all are getting back into the swing of everything with the new school year.

Remember: we are depending on you to take what you have learned back to your community.

I believe in all of you! Feel free to send me an update - I look forward to hearing about your progress!

Sincerely ~ Michele

P.S. The photo above was the winner for the photo-contest - great job again Sean and Appalachian Americans!

Let's Get It Started!

Congratulations Bucktails Class of 2009!

I was just reviewing this year's photos and thinking about how proud I am of all of you for doing such a great job!

Now is the time to continue that great job with your community outreach! To the right on this web page are several organizations that you will be able to find outreach opportunities with in your area. Please feel free to email me if you need help!

I will be using this site as well as a new facebook page (I'll let you all know when it is ready!)to keep you updated about what is going on in your area.

I hope you all are having a great summer - I'm looking forward to hearing from you!

Please feel free to post opportunities or stories yourself - just follow the blogging rules.