Conservation Education Kits for Teachers and Students

Alaska Department of Fish and Game educators, working in cooperation with teachers, biologists and other agencies or nonprofits, have developed the following kits to provide educators with hands-on materials, information and activities. Kits are housed in a variety of locations throughout Alaska and are available for loan.

If you are looking for other educational kits available statewide, beyond those developed by ADF&G, download the Educational Science Kits in Alaska (PDF 184 kB) list here.

Check out the Critter Cam Kit

Critter cam kit inventory Critter cam snapshot Critter cam snapshot

Have you or your students ever wanted to find out more about the wildlife living in your area? There are now Critter Cam Kits available for loan to educators across the state. Trail cameras provide an excellent opportunity to get kids outdoors and excited about wildlife, and can be integrated into class curricula in a variety of ways. Each portable kit contains motion-activated trail cameras and all the supplies needed to begin observing animal activity day or night. An Activity Guide (PDF 1,463 kB) containing lesson plans and classroom activities is also included. Critter Cam Kits may be shipped to any Alaska school. The Critter Cam Kits are made available through a partnership between Alaska Department of Fish and Game's Wildlife Education Program and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

To check out a Critter Cam Kit contact the office in your area:

Read about Critter Cam Kits in Alaska Fish and Wildlife News: Candid Trail Cameras Solve a Mystery Trail Cameras For Alaska Schools

Animal Tracks Kits

Wolf track in snow Teach about wildlife tracks, animal structure and more with ADF&G's wildlife tracks kits. These kits contain:

  • latex tracks of birds and mammals
  • activity guides
  • life-size track stencils

Kits are available from:

  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Douglas (907) 465-4265 or 465-4292
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Fairbanks (907) 459-7206 or 459-7306
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Ketchikan (907) 225-2475
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Palmer (907) 861-2100 or (907) 861-2104

Aquatic Insect Kit

This kit contains everything you need to teach about aquatic insects, including collection nets, containers, magnifying viewers and a teacher manual.

Kits are available from:

  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Douglas (907) 465-4292
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Fairbanks (907) 459-7206 or 459-7306

Bear Kits

Various bear education kits are available for teaching about bears and bear safety. In general, these kits typically contain bear furs and skulls, and a variety of resource materials. Kits are available from:

  • Alaska Resources Library and Information Services in Anchorage (907) 272-7547
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Douglas (907) 465-4292
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Fairbanks (907) 459-7206 or 459-7306

Birding Kits

Regional Division of Wildlife Conservation education specialists have limited materials and equipment to loan out to teachers and educators for birding. Check with the following educational specialists in the following regions to find out about materials available for loan.

  • Alaska Resources Library and Information Services in Anchorage (List of available bird mounts PDF)
  • Douglas (907) 465-4292
  • Kotzebue (907) 442-1714

Clam and Clamming Discovery Kit (Grades K-3)

This kit from the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve introduces students to clams and clamming. Included are the following materials:

  • a kit guide with lesson plans
  • books and resources about clams and clamming
  • clam anatomy cards
  • 1 clam dissection mount
  • buckets and shovels

Kits are available from:

  • Alaska Resources Library and Information Services in Anchorage (907) 272-7547

Crab Discovery Kit (Grades 4–6)

This kit from the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve introduces students to Alaska's crab species and crab anatomy. Included are the following materials:

  • a kit guide with lesson plans
  • a blue crab dissection mount
  • crab anatomy charts and field guides
  • 10 crab bingo game boards
  • books and resources about crabs

Kits are available from:

  • Alaska Resources Library and Information Services in Anchorage (907) 272-7547

Fur Kits

Bring a three-dimensional, tactile resource to your teaching. Check out a variety of animals furs to use for education purposes including wolf, beaver, lynx, otter and seals. The contents of each kit may vary regionally. A teacher's manual, Furs of Alaska Mammals (PDF 2,094 kB), is available to accompany kits. Kits are available from:

  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Anchorage (907) 267-2168 or 267-2216
  • Alaska Resources Library and Information Services in Anchorage (List of available furs PDF)
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Douglas (907) 465-4292 or 465-4265
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Fairbanks (907) 459-7206 or 459-7306
  • Southeast Alaska Visitors Center in Ketchikan (907) 228-6220
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Nome (907) 443-8196
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Palmer (907) 861-2100 or (907) 861-2104

Loons Kit (2–6)

Gavia arctica This kit teaches students about the five species of loons in Alaska, their adaptations to their environment and issues concerning their continued existence. The kit contains a comprehensive curriculum developed by loon biologists and educators. It includes:

  • slides,
  • a cassette tape of loon vocalizations,
  • videos,
  • posters,
  • books,
  • a loon costume,
  • and more!

This kit is geared towards students in grades 2-6 and is available from:

  • Alaska Resources Library and Information Services in Anchorage (907) 272-7547
  • Anchorage School District in Anchorage (907) 787-3057
  • Alaska Public Information Center in Anchorage (907) 271-2741
  • Alaska Public Information Center in Fairbanks (907) 456-0527
  • Kenai National Wildlife Refuge in Kenai (907) 262-7021
  • Southeast Alaska Visitors Center in Ketchikan (907) 228-6220
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Palmer (907) 861-2100 or (907) 861-2104

Moose Kit

  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Homer (907) 235-8191

Raptors of Alaska (K–12)

Falco peregrinus This kit introduces students to the fascinating birds of prey that live in Alaska. Included are lesson plans and materials you will need to guide your students through such topics as:

  • adaptations and identification,
  • habitat and migration,
  • predator and prey, and
  • conservation and research.

The kit contains materials suitable for students K-12 and covers science, math, language arts and art. Raptors of Alaska kits are available from:

  • Alaska Resources Library and Information Services in Anchorage (907) 272-7547
  • U.S.Forest Service in Juneau (907) 789-6267

Skull Kits

ADF&G has wonderful scientific skulls available, including an extensive teacher's manual, Skulls of Alaskan Mammals (PDF 1,284 kB). Kits are available from:

  • Alaska Resources Library and Information Services in Anchorage (List of available skulls PDF)
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Douglas (907) 465-4265 or 465-4292
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Fairbanks (907) 459-7206 or 459-7306
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Ketchikan (907) 225-2475
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Nome (907) 443-8196
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Palmer (907) 861-2100 or (907) 861-2104

Wolf Kit (K–12)

Canis lupus This kit introduces your students to the many stories of wolves. The Wolf Kit materials and information are for K-12 students and include:

  • a teacher resource notebook with background information,
  • hands-on activities to do with students,
  • a wolf hide and skull,
  • literature and reference materials,
  • puppets,
  • replica wolf tracks,
  • life size drawing of wolf on canvas,
  • video and cassette tapes,
  • and much more!

Kits are available from:

  • Alaska Resources Library and Information Services in Anchorage (907) 272-7547
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Douglas (907) 465-4292
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Nome (907) 443-8196
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Palmer (907) 746-6300
  • Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Tok (907) 883-2971
  • Southeast Alaska Visitors Center in Ketchikan (907) 228-6220
  • Wynn Nature Center in Homer (907) 235-5266