The Next Generation

Next Generation Education Outreach – a new initiative with in-school instruction beginning in January 2019. We will be visiting schools in Region 8 of the Virginia school system to bring our wildlife program to their grade schools: Amelia County, Appomattox County, Brunswick County, Buckingham County, Charlotte County, Cumberland County, Greensville County, Halifax County, Lunenburg County, Mecklenburg County, Nottoway County and Prince Edward County. Read more here.

So many of our children have not been exposed to the wonderful experiences that the great outdoors can provide – and do not understand why it is so important.  As Richard Louv said, in Last Child in the Woods, “Many children are experiencing nature deficit disorder.” We aim to aid this with youth outdoor education opportunities.

WBWF provides youth outdoor education experiences that range from camping and land projects to hunting, fishing, and much more in an effort to expose children to the endless opportunities to enjoy Mother Nature.  Our hope is in some small way we reach some of the next generation so that they will grow into adults who care about the environment and pass on these values to their children.

In an effort to raise funds to expand our outdoor education efforts, WBWF is developing a series of t-shirts with a wildlife theme to sell to the public. The first one in this series was called “WILD ABOUT NATURE” and featured a whimsical frog locating his next meal.  As soon as our next design is ready, we will post information here. If you would like to support our youth education efforts, please click here to make a tax-deductible donation.

Mentor/Role Model Program

Tabitha Burton, Executive Director of the WBWF, teamed up with Angela Townes-Yancey, Executive Director of the Mentor/Role Model Program to bring the Family Fishing Daytrip to over 40 youth and adults on June 6, 2018. Naturalist Mike Roberts presented a wildlife program after which the participants were treated to fishing in a nearby pond. Many of these children have never fished before, but they left this event equipped for many future fishing trips. The WBWF gave each child their own tackle box filled with tackle and a fishing rod.

Adventure Camp

Mike Roberts, Naturalist and Outreach Coordinator for the WBWF treated youth attending Adventure Camp to an outstanding wildlife program. The event was sponsored by Halifax Soil and Water Conservation District and Southside Soil and Water Conservation District and held on June 21, 2018. Thirteen youth attended and were shown many examples of wildlife including live snakes. Mike led them on a trail through the woods showing them examples of things to avoid such as poisonous hemlock.

Biggy Hunt Camp-out Jamboree

On June 26, 2018, Naturalist Mike Roberts visited the Biggy Hunt Camp-out Jamboree and presented his wildlife program to 70 youth and adults. Mac and Brenda McDannald hosted the camp. Mike’s wildlife conservation education program consists of many life size models that the audience can touch and see up-close. Two examples are his “stuffed” coyote and otter. He also has live snakes, one of which is a timber rattler. Mike has many years of experience educating youth about the wonders of nature.