By Steve Stockmar
Twitter: @stevestockmar

Arizona Game & Fish has been developing new digital resources that can be accessed by students and others from the comfort of their home during safety quarantine conditions due to COVID-19 precautions.

“In the process, we have learned some important tips and tricks on how to make those resources, the department stated March 26. “And, we’d like to share them with you so that you can also utilize some of these free tools to make your own online learning activities. Check out one or more of our upcoming educator webinars focused specifically on creating different digital resources. Registration is required so that you can receive the login information. But, the webinars are free and last approximately 1 hour.”

Game & Fish is responsible for carrying out policy for the management, preservation and harvest of wildlife. The agency employs approximately 500 permanent employees, within four divisions: Wildlife Management, Special Services, Information and Education and Field Operations.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department receives no Arizona general fund tax dollars.

Upcoming educational seminars include:

• 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 1: Create Interactive Maps Using Existing Data - Join educators from the department as they highlight existing GIS mapping tools and provide a short, crash course on creating basic digital maps using existing data layers from the web. Participants will gain a better understanding of how to create these resources for their own students. To register visit https://azgov.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do?nomenu=true&siteurl=azgov&service=6&rnd=0.31166505351925433&main_url=https%3A%2F%2Fazgov.webex.com%2Fec3300%2Feventcenter%2Fevent%2FeventAction.do%3FtheAction%3Ddetail%26%26%26EMK%3D4832534b000000048634fe2ad06ec651e0a160e8165c855d34a6534aa0ec1bfe3d86559fd0382a41%26siteurl%3Dazgov%26confViewID%3D156719750760669800%26encryptTicket%3DSDJTSwAAAATTAlgRA-iAjVJV4DuPBntLn0_k_-6u1f1veKOWY8OALw2%26
• 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 1: Create Interactive Maps Using Your Own Data - Join educators from the department as they expand on basic digital map building skills to show how to import your own locations and data points into an online, interactive map. Participants will gain a better understanding of how to create these resources for their own students. To register visit https://azgov.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do?nomenu=true&siteurl=azgov&service=6&rnd=0.7090666028626865&main_url=https%3A%2F%2Fazgov.webex.com%2Fec3300%2Feventcenter%2Fevent%2FeventAction.do%3FtheAction%3Ddetail%26%26%26EMK%3D4832534b0000000426377b9402fd05ad33a55679c204d36c7aa6ceca4013c2d8b505bd688a7a4614%26siteurl%3Dazgov%26confViewID%3D156720151110132220%26encryptTicket%3DSDJTSwAAAASZhM50RpIJ1hEQobv71phGwIVjBB9us62gJ6Qo4ikohw2%26

Learning from home resource page

Game and Fish continues to update its digital learning information page with new resources from the department and its partners. There are lots of wildlife-related education resources that students can access while they are at home. Visit https://sites.google.com/view/learningfromhome/home

Apply for small classroom grants

After a successful first round of grant applications, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has opened up a new round of proposals due by Friday, May 1. These grants have been designed specifically for Arizona educators with a goal to provide financial resources (up to $2,000) to help implement quality wildlife education in their classrooms. Visit https://www.azgfd.com/wildlife/heritagefund/program/k-12-small-grants/

 Volunteer to help with new education resources

The Arizona Game and Fish Department is looking to develop quality education materials that will help teachers bring wildlife issues and concepts into classrooms, particularly resources that align to the new science standards. This is a volunteer opportunity for those individuals who want to help shape the department’s education programs. Some of the projects include:

• A curriculum that introduces students to the use of trail cameras to study wildlife.
• Wildlife resource databases to support three dimensional teaching with the new science standards.
• An interactive online map to introduce students to Arizona’s early explorers and their views on wildlife.

Most of the work for these projects can be done remotely from anywhere in the state and will take place over the summer. However, it is possible Game & Fish may start this spring if circumstances allow. Visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGImHE776sThgjpK-98QNDtzwZyOT9Vp0W-ZI2jfFVG-2H9g/viewform

Steve Stockmar
News Editor | Sun Life Magazine & Arts & Entertainment YourValley.net
@stevestockmar

sstockmar@iniusa.org

Meet Steve
Steve Stockmar joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, and has been an Arizona journalist for almost 30 years. He serves as editor of Sun Life Magazine and contributes to West Valley communities where he focuses mostly on arts & culture, education, and profiles of neighbors making a difference.

Community: Every season Steve serves as a “buddy” with the Miracle League of Arizona in Scottsdale, has volunteered his time with Family Promise in Glendale, and previously served on the Ghostlight Theatre board in Sun City West.

Education: Graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a Journalism major and English minor.

Random Fact: Steve once won a 50-player live Texas Hold ’Em poker tournament.

Hobbies: Anguishing over his beloved Chicago Cubs and Bears; listening to Beatles and Grateful Dead music.