Texas Project WILD

06/12/2026

On this we encourage you to get outside and look for Texas wildlife symbols. Animals like the Northern Mockingbird and the Nine-banded Armadillo are easy to find in many parts of the state.

06/12/2026

Meet 2026 Facilitator Forum presenter and TPWD Conservation Education manager, Melissa Felty!

Melissa has been TPWD’s Conservation Education Manager since 2018. She manages two statewide programs, Texas Waters and Texas Aquatic Science, and oversees Project WILD and Nature Tourism. Prior to TPWD, she taught environmental education for 17 years. She teaches audiences about aquatic resources, native landscaping, and wildlife and its habitats, all the while guiding them to take responsible conservation actions. Melissa has a B.S. in Biology from Northern Illinois University and a M.A. in Teaching Biological Sciences from Miami University (OH). She feels the future of our natural resources depends on our ability to make these educational opportunities and outdoor activities relevant and accessible to all. Her love for nature started swimming, fishing, and kayaking the Great Lakes as a child.

06/10/2026

On this WILD Wednesday we look at the state symbols of Texas. Which wildlife signs have you seen before?

https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_lf_k0700_1119.pdf

06/10/2026

Meet one of our presenters for the 2026 Project WILD Facilitator Forum, Dr. Michael Kamen!

Dr. Michael Kamen became a WILD classroom teacher over 40 years ago. He taught at both progressive and traditional schools and earned degrees in education from Stony Brook University (elementary education), Bank Street College of Education (supervision and administration), and the University of Texas (science education). His university courses include Elementary Science Methods, Elementary Math Methods, Educational Technology, Innovative Schools, and The Science and Art of Play. His research interests include innovative schools, the pedagogy of play, science education, math education, creative drama, lesson study, and environmental education.
His current research focuses on the role of play in learning and development. Disheartened by the decline in play in most schools, even in the younger grades, he advocates for play-based learning and the many ways to bring play back into children's lives across a variety of educational contexts. He sees Project WILD as a rich source of engaging and playful outdoor activities. He has been teaching pre-service teachers in science methods courses since he started his graduate work at UT Austin in the late 80's. He always includes a PW workshop in these courses and typically takes these students on overnight field trips where they teach PW lessons to children at a school environmental education camp program.
Dr. Kamen sees WILD ones as a positive force to engage students to playfully to learn science and gain an appreciation for wildlife and the natural world.

06/08/2026

Today is World Ocean Day - and a great day to register for our upcoming Project WILD & Aquatic WILD combo workshop in San Antonio. Learn about terrestrial and aquatic habitats, and how wildlife conservation aligns with education.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/education/wild/project-wild-aquatic-combo

06/06/2026

Hey Project WILD Facilitators! Come get Wild with us at the 2026 Project WILD Facilitator Forum in Bastrop, July 27th & 28th, 2026.
Check your email for the registration link. Didn't get a link? Email us at
[email protected]
Are you already registered? Don't forget to share your WILD story with us by filling out this form:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/ucAYRrZyT1

06/05/2026

Happy - this week we look at research happening in coastal wetlands.

Coastal wetlands are among the most productive and valuable ecosystems in the world—comparable to even rainforests and coral reefs. They are often referred t...

06/05/2026

Meet 2026 Facilitator Forum Presenter, Amanda Adair!

"I have been a Project WILD facilitator since I worked for TPWD at Village Creek State Park (2008-2012). I am now a science teacher and department head at a PK-12 school in Tyler, TX. I still get WILD with my AP Environmental Science class, and train other science teachers in the East Texas region.
I’m from Tyler, Texas. I have a bachelor's in geology from Texas A&M and a master's in education from the same. I teach physics, AP Physics, AP Environmental Science, and 6th-grade Earth/Space Science at All Saints Episcopal School where I am also the department head. I have two daughters (Natalie 15 and Caroline 12) and my husband Mark is a fellow Aggie and middle school life science teacher at school with me. It's wonderful working together. Back when I worked for TPWD, Mark and I worked together with a startup group to launch the Sabine-Neches TMN chapter."

06/03/2026

We are excited about this Growing Up WILD workshop opportunity with the Pease Park Conservancy next month!

Calling all educators! Our very own, Bret Kiester, will be teaching a Growing Up WILD workshop on Friday, July 10th, at the Tudor Cottage. This professional development class is for anyone who works with young children (ages 3-7) and will explore fun, hands-on educational activities about the fascinating world of wildlife and ecosystems. The activities are TEKS-aligned and the workshop provides three hours of TEA-approved CPE and TEEAC credit, a Growing Up WILD early childhood guide, and Texas-specific resources.

$35 pre-registration is required by June 25 through the Texas Parks and Wildlife webpage here:

https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/education/wild/growing-up-wild-workshop-austin

06/03/2026

What do a box of cereal, a crib, and a strainer have to do with wetlands? On this WILD Wednesday, we encourage you to try Aquatic WILD's 'Wetland Metaphors' as students explore different functions and ecosystem services of wetlands.