Jackson Hole, WY - The American Wilderness Leadership School (AWLS) is nearing its 30th year of programs for educators. Each summer hundreds of educators sponsored by SCI Chapters, members, and other organizations attend AWLS. For many, this is the first time they learn about and shoot any kind of firearm. This can be a life changing experience by gaining an understanding of hunting, shooting, and conservation.

Anne Warren, a 2009 AWLS graduate describes her life changing program there, "I would not have been able to experience AWLS without the support of the Northeast Wisconsin Chapter of SCI and I want to thank all of you, and especially Cal Ort, for the privilege of your sponsorship. In my position as Education Specialist for Marinette County's Land & Water Conservation Division, I present environmental education programs to over 4,000 people a year. I hope to incorporate much of my AWLS experience into my programs, and to help people better understand their environment and the responsibility we have in managing and conserving our natural resources properly. Thank you for this wonderful and unforgettable experience, and for belonging to an organization so dedicated to conservation and education."

Anne goes on to describe her experience, "Programs for the week included interesting and exciting activities held in the classroom and outside, on topics such as stream ecology, wildlife conservation & human impacts, resource management, hunting ethics & economics, resource management, outdoor survival, and ecology. In addition to the activities at Granite Creek Ranch, we also traveled to various sites and spoke with staff from the Wyoming Department of Fish & Game, BLM archeologists and range specialists, National Elk Refuge volunteers & staff, and US Fish & Wildlife biologists. A culminating activity was a rafting trip on the Snake River!

We had the chance to experiment with some Project WILD activities, which we took home with us to incorporate into the classroom. A campfire under the stars wrapped up the week, which is one I won't soon forget. I met great people, the staffs were wonderful, and just being there in the middle of one of the most scenic areas in the country was an experience of a lifetime.

I think one of the most impacting moments for me at AWLS was the trip to the Pinedale oil and gas fields, because it really hit home how much humans impact natural habitats. I believe it is important for educators to really instill in students the importance of environmental responsibility and stewardship, as most people don't really get to see an impact as pronounced as in Pinedale. Humans need those resources, and we all benefit from them, but at what expense do we obtain them? It is for this reason that I think that environmental education is such a vital part of our children's upbringing in today's society, and I think that AWLS is a wonderful opportunity for teachers to help "spread the word" to their students."

Surveying the 2009 AWLS participants showed more than 6,005 students this school year were reached with a conservation message and from the 87% educators indicating they taught a class or lesson plan using what they learned at AWLS.

• 72% of the responders indicated they had participated in one or more shooting sports activities since their AWLS experience.

• 64% indicated that AWLS influenced their way of thinking about the role of hunting. Most stated their eyes were opened to the commitment of hunters in wildlife management and understand the role. Many said they were not aware of the economics of the sportsman's dollars before AWLS.

Spots are still available for Workshop 3, July 17-24 and Workshops 4, July 26- August 2. Although most of the scholarships are supported by SCI chapters, anyone or any business can sponsor an Educator that will go back to their schools and communities and share what they have learned. Tuition is $900 for the 8 day session and includes lodging and meals.

Triple Curl Public Relations and Advertising is also sponsoring scholarships for outdoor writers. Members of the Media who wish to attend (AWLS) go to www.triplecurl.com and complete the scholarship form. This is a great opportunity for hunting and shooting writers to develop new stories on conservation, habitat protection and economic development of natural resources. This Scholarship includes tuition for an eight day session, food, lodging and airfare. For applications, brochures and more information go to www.safariclubfoundation.org or send an email request to awlsscif@safareclub.org