WDFW launches new curriculum to introduce kindergarteners to wildlife and habitats

OLYMPIA — The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) launched a new kindergarten curriculum centered on an illustrated poetry collection to teach young students about state habitats and native species.

The lesson bundle uses “Many Places, Many Lives” to help children explore the basic survival needs of living things. The interdisciplinary unit aligns with state science and English Language Arts standards through literacy exercises, group collaboration, and creative expression.

The materials expand WDFW’s “Wild Washington” program, which provides standards-aligned lesson plans for kindergarten through third grade and seventh grade, with options for other grade levels.

“Our goal is to help teachers by providing easy-to-teach units and lesson plans that capitalize on students’ interests,” said Autumn Eckenrod, WDFW conservation education curriculum coordinator. “These unit plans connect students with Washington’s wildlife and ecosystems, while helping teachers develop the next generation of wildlife stewards.”

WDFW developed the bilingual English and Spanish materials alongside the Pacific Education Institute (PEI). Since 2023, the partnership has trained more than 350 educators across 123 Washington school districts to integrate place-based conservation science into their daily lessons.

The agency plans a virtual teacher training session focused on the new unit in November, offering clock hours through PEI. Over 300 educators have participated in previous professional development workshops.

The poetry collection is available as a free download on the agency’s website, with printed copies obtainable by online request form. State officials encourage interested parents and teachers to contact local school administrators to bring the lessons to their classrooms.

Photo courtesy of WDFW

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Elkhorn Media Group