American Wilderness Leadership School 2019
“ Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” -Albert Einstein.
On July 5, 2019, thirty-six educators from all across the nation converged upon the Granite Creek area of Wyoming at Safari Club International Foundation's American Wilderness Leadership School (AWLS), and I, Tammy Drudy, am privileged to have been one of them. For eight lightning-paced days we soaked in the expertise of Safari Club International members about the science of conservation and the positive role that hunters and anglers play in it. We shot firearms of all sorts, studied many aspects of stream ecology, constructed our own fishing flies, and practiced fly fishing techniques. Additionally, we participated in thought-provoking--albeit sometimes heated--class discussions. We went on ecology hikes, and learned essential outdoor and survival skills. Throughout this time of fellowship, we networked with our fellow educators--and fast friends--to learn how to use the outdoors as a classroom.
To even attempt to convey what this experience has done for my heart and soul is next to impossible, but I'll try. As a primary teacher, it makes perfect sense for me to do so by incorporating the alphabet to summarize this life changing adventure...one letter at a time.
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The Lodge Comfortably houses dorm-style sleeping rooms, a large classroom, and modern dining facility | The Arch Welcomes Us Little did I know that the Don and Patricia Brown Education center had a personal connection. Don was an alumnus of my alma mater, Indiana University. | Camp Attendees Otherwise known as 36 friends for a lifetime |
The Lodge
Comfortably houses dorm-style sleeping rooms, a large classroom, and modern dining facility
The Arch Welcomes Us
Little did I know that the Don and Patricia Brown Education center had a personal connection. Don was an alumnus of my alma mater, Indiana University.
Camp Attendees
Otherwise known as 36 friends for a lifetime
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Granite Falls The location of the Brad Pitt movie A River Runs Through It | A Bridge to Serenity Simply breathtaking! | Indian Paintbrush How exciting for my students to see Indian Paintbrush, the featured flower of one of their favorite legends. |
A Bridge to Serenity
Simply breathtaking!
Indian Paintbrush
How exciting for my students to see Indian Paintbrush, the featured flower of one of their favorite legends.
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Straight Shooter Firearms were a-plenty, and there was a competitive spirit to match. | Sleeping Bag Stuff Shayla was awesome, but none of us could beat the four-second record! | Tomahawk Tammy Don't look for me to win ax-throwing contests anytime soon. |
Straight Shooter
Firearms were a-plenty, and there was a competitive spirit to match.
Sleeping Bag Stuff
Shayla was awesome, but none of us could beat the four-second record!
Tomahawk Tammy
Don't look for me to win ax-throwing contests anytime soon.
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Carson City John This dude knows his stuff, and I left telling him I wish I could've been a student in his school classroom. | Ga-a-a-a-a-ary! He taught me so much, but no one would be surprised if this poor guy resigns after transporting our gregarious and ill-behaved group in the vans. | The Ultimate Fifteen minutes after meeting this Gary I went up to him and told him he was the REAL deal and that I wanted to be him when I grow up. Wow! Just wow. |
Carson City John
This dude knows his stuff, and I left telling him I wish I could've been a student in his school classroom.
Ga-a-a-a-a-ary!
He taught me so much, but no one would be surprised if this poor guy resigns after transporting our gregarious and ill-behaved group in the vans.
The Ultimate
Fifteen minutes after meeting this Gary I went up to him and told him he was the REAL deal and that I wanted to be him when I grow up. Wow! Just wow.
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Ecology Walks Casey, who refused to be called Dr. Weathers, sure knows a lot about Wyoming biology for being a resident of Pennsylvania. | Insect Identification What a wonder to watch the short-lived Mayfly hatch before our very eyes! | Ecology Entertainment Who know stream ecology could be so much fun? The chest wader women get it done! |
Ecology Walks
Casey, who refused to be called Dr. Weathers, sure knows a lot about Wyoming biology for being a resident of Pennsylvania.
Insect Identification
What a wonder to watch the short-lived Mayfly hatch before our very eyes!
Ecology Entertainment
Who know stream ecology could be so much fun? The chest wader women get it done!
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Fly Tie Guy Jay Buchner is the master of the art! | The Finished Product How satisfying it was to make my very own wooly-bugger wet fly. | Practice Makes Perfect ...well, not exactly in my case...even though Gary gave it a gallant effort. |
Fly Tie Guy
Jay Buchner is the master of the art!
The Finished Product
How satisfying it was to make my very own wooly-bugger wet fly.
Practice Makes Perfect
...well, not exactly in my case...even though Gary gave it a gallant effort.
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For Purple Mountains Majesty The Teton Range is a mountain range of the Rocky Mountains in North America. | Another Iconic National Park Sign Can you imagine my pure elation when I realized there'd be a field trip to one of my all-time favorite national parks? | Mormons' Row The T. A. Moulton Barn, a historic barn in within the Mormon Row Historic District in Teton County, Wyoming |
For Purple Mountains Majesty
The Teton Range is a mountain range of the Rocky Mountains in North America.
Another Iconic National Park Sign
Can you imagine my pure elation when I realized there'd be a field trip to one of my all-time favorite national parks?
Mormons' Row
The T. A. Moulton Barn, a historic barn in within the Mormon Row Historic District in Teton County, Wyoming
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Pronghorn For over 6,800 years, members of this indigenous herd of pronghorn trek 170 miles and back to the Pinedale, WY region. | Pronghorn Corridor A recent decline in the use of habitat patches, as the pronghorn avoided areas disturbed by natural gas drilling, prompted this first federally protected wildlife corridor in the nation. | Habitat Shuffle AWLS classmates treated us to their rendition of "The Habitat Shuffle," a rhythmic sing-song featuring adaptations and habitat information. I will enlist my 2nd graders for a similar performance. |
Pronghorn
For over 6,800 years, members of this indigenous herd of pronghorn trek 170 miles and back to the Pinedale, WY region.
Pronghorn Corridor
A recent decline in the use of habitat patches, as the pronghorn avoided areas disturbed by natural gas drilling, prompted this first federally protected wildlife corridor in the nation.
Habitat Shuffle
AWLS classmates treated us to their rendition of "The Habitat Shuffle," a rhythmic sing-song featuring adaptations and habitat information. I will enlist my 2nd graders for a similar performance.
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Trappers' Point Education Director Todd Roggenkamp discusses the importance of Trappers' Point, where trappers rendezvous once a year to trade furs for whiskey, credit and their coming year’s supplies | Dean Dishes Details Dean Clause, Pinedale Wildlife Biologist, details the challenges of preserving the wildlife habitat of sage grouse and pronghorn in the face of fracking in the Green River Valley Basin area. | Not Your Ordinary School Cafeteria My lunch with a view was by Pine Creek at Veterans' Memorial Park in Pinedale, WY. |
Trappers' Point
Education Director Todd Roggenkamp discusses the importance of Trappers' Point, where trappers rendezvous once a year to trade furs for whiskey, credit and their coming year’s supplies
Dean Dishes Details
Dean Clause, Pinedale Wildlife Biologist, details the challenges of preserving the wildlife habitat of sage grouse and pronghorn in the face of fracking in the Green River Valley Basin area.
Not Your Ordinary School Cafeteria
My lunch with a view was by Pine Creek at Veterans' Memorial Park in Pinedale, WY.
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Welcome to Jackson Hole! St. Louis has the Gateway Arch, New York the Statue of Liberty, Seattle the Space Needle, but Jackson Hole, the place of our evening out, has the quirky elk antler arch. | The Silver Dollar Bar No trip to town is complete without a visit to this iconic establishment. | Davey...not Crockett; Jackson Fur trading mountain men like Davey Jackson (for whom the valley is named), Jedidiah Smith, Jim Bridger and William Sublette would become synonymous with this kitschy town |
Welcome to Jackson Hole!
St. Louis has the Gateway Arch, New York the Statue of Liberty, Seattle the Space Needle, but Jackson Hole, the place of our evening out, has the quirky elk antler arch.
The Silver Dollar Bar
No trip to town is complete without a visit to this iconic establishment.
Davey...not Crockett; Jackson
Fur trading mountain men like Davey Jackson (for whom the valley is named), Jedidiah Smith, Jim Bridger and William Sublette would become synonymous with this kitschy town
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Institutional-Style Camp Food? No way! Not when gourmet chef Aaron is in the kitchen. He and his amazing kitchen staff served up daily meals that rival any cruise ship (with the help of "hoppers," of course). | The Grillmaster Our final night was a delicious cookout with all of the fixins'...gourmet-style, of course! Aaron is simply the best! | The Picnickers ...all 45+ of us! |
Institutional-Style Camp Food?
No way! Not when gourmet chef Aaron is in the kitchen. He and his amazing kitchen staff served up daily meals that rival any cruise ship (with the help of "hoppers," of course).
The Grillmaster
Our final night was a delicious cookout with all of the fixins'...gourmet-style, of course! Aaron is simply the best!
The Picnickers
...all 45+ of us!
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My Cozy Corner Here is my home-away-from home, my dorm room. | Powder Room Of course we had a powder room...a gun powder room, that is. | Walt Disney World's Wilderness Lodge? Nope, just the staff quarters at Safari Club International Ranch |
My Cozy Corner
Here is my home-away-from home, my dorm room.
Powder Room
Of course we had a powder room...a gun powder room, that is.
Walt Disney World's Wilderness Lodge?
Nope, just the staff quarters at Safari Club International Ranch
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Alpenglow ...it's not just for Alaska | Starry, Starry, Night We could not have asked for a more lovely night sky during our final evening at the ranch. | Don't Be Afraid... ...to take the road less traveled. |
Alpenglow
...it's not just for Alaska
Starry, Starry, Night
We could not have asked for a more lovely night sky during our final evening at the ranch.
Don't Be Afraid...
...to take the road less traveled.
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Aiming Archerer Even after years of convincing from my husband, he couldn't get me to shoot a bow, but staff members John and Laura Valley sure could! | 3-D to a T I'll be the first to say I dragged my team down a bit, but, hey we did have a World Field Archery Competitor on our team. Go, Fawn! | N.A.S.P. Organization is Paramount But assistance from AWLS intern, Morgan, sure does help the cause, too. |
Aiming Archerer
Even after years of convincing from my husband, he couldn't get me to shoot a bow, but staff members John and Laura Valley sure could!
3-D to a T
I'll be the first to say I dragged my team down a bit, but, hey we did have a World Field Archery Competitor on our team. Go, Fawn!
N.A.S.P. Organization is Paramount
But assistance from AWLS intern, Morgan, sure does help the cause, too.
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Succinctly Sables Did you know that my tuition to this incredible school was sponsored entirely by Sables, a constituent part of SCI with a focus on education? | Stellar Staff of SCIF This amazing staff scurried to add me to their already crowded roster for the third summer session. Without help from Todd, Karen, and Marj, I'm not sure it would've happened. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all! | Airfare, too???? Yes, indeed! The Sables organization also gifted me a stipend for my airfare to the school. To learn more about the SCI Foundation and Sables click here. |
Succinctly Sables
Did you know that my tuition to this incredible school was sponsored entirely by Sables, a constituent part of SCI with a focus on education?
Stellar Staff of SCIF
This amazing staff scurried to add me to their already crowded roster for the third summer session. Without help from Todd, Karen, and Marj, I'm not sure it would've happened. My heartfelt gratitude goes out to all!
Airfare, too????
Yes, indeed! The Sables organization also gifted me a stipend for my airfare to the school. To learn more about the SCI Foundation and Sables click here.
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Project Wild Curriculum I am now certified in Project Wild, one of the most widely-used conservation and environmental education programs among educators of students in kindergarten through high school. | Oh, Deer! With this lively game, we are simulating a deer population and its “limiting factors” of water, food, and shelter. For more information about the Project Wild curriculum click here. | How Many Bears? This Project Wild activity demonstrates the consequences for a population of bears if one or more habitat components are relatively scarce. What are the limiting factors? |
Project Wild Curriculum
I am now certified in Project Wild, one of the most widely-used conservation and environmental education programs among educators of students in kindergarten through high school.
Oh, Deer!
With this lively game, we are simulating a deer population and its “limiting factors” of water, food, and shelter. For more information about the Project Wild curriculum click here.
How Many Bears?
This Project Wild activity demonstrates the consequences for a population of bears if one or more habitat components are relatively scarce. What are the limiting factors?
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Who? AWLS is for educators who desire a useful hands-on experience that they can bring home to their classrooms. Click here to apply to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. | Where? The Wyoming site is surrounded by Gros Ventre Wilderness area within Bridger-Teton National Forest. | Why? AWLS is about learning to incorporate conservation education lessons into all aspects of the existing curriculum. These experiences can taken back and shared with teachers and students. |
Who?
AWLS is for educators who desire a useful hands-on experience that they can bring home to their classrooms. Click here to apply to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Where?
The Wyoming site is surrounded by Gros Ventre Wilderness area within Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Why?
AWLS is about learning to incorporate conservation education lessons into all aspects of the existing curriculum. These experiences can taken back and shared with teachers and students.
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Barker-Ewing River Rafting This Jackson Hole staple treated us to whitewater rafting along the Snake River. | Rollin' on the River Chet, our guide, offered clear directives as we chartered these waters soaking in amazing nesting fowl along the way. | Whoa!!!! Despite the adrenaline rush, safety was always the #1 priority. |
Barker-Ewing River Rafting
This Jackson Hole staple treated us to whitewater rafting along the Snake River.
Rollin' on the River
Chet, our guide, offered clear directives as we chartered these waters soaking in amazing nesting fowl along the way.
Whoa!!!!
Despite the adrenaline rush, safety was always the #1 priority.
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Experts in Their Field Wherever will you find a finer group of experts in conservation? | Gregarious Gary What's not to love about this first-class adventurer? | Interning in Adventures Morgan has offered up expertise in many areas, particularly in the area of wildflower identification. |
Experts in Their Field
Wherever will you find a finer group of experts in conservation?
Gregarious Gary
What's not to love about this first-class adventurer?
Interning in Adventures
Morgan has offered up expertise in many areas, particularly in the area of wildflower identification.
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The Glue that Holds it All Together Todd Roggenkamp, the Assistant Director of Education, runs the program like a well-oiled machine, and its success is inextricably tied to him! | Delightful DeAnn DeAnn wears many, many hats, but she has a particular gift for photography that she choose to share with AWLS' attendees. | Tomahawk Queen Bri Wow! Who knew this pint-sized beauty could hurl an ax with such fierce power? We are grateful that Bri chooses to spend her summers in WY, and so willingly shares her parents with us. |
The Glue that Holds it All Together
Todd Roggenkamp, the Assistant Director of Education, runs the program like a well-oiled machine, and its success is inextricably tied to him!
Delightful DeAnn
DeAnn wears many, many hats, but she has a particular gift for photography that she choose to share with AWLS' attendees.
Tomahawk Queen Bri
Wow! Who knew this pint-sized beauty could hurl an ax with such fierce power? We are grateful that Bri chooses to spend her summers in WY, and so willingly shares her parents with us.
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Archers' Pens A pared down arrow with an ink pen inserted is a unique reward offering. | Trap Shooting Extraordinaire Isn't this metallic-painted clay bird medal the cleverest? And guess who earned it? | Course Completed! A certificate pales in comparison to the pure satisfaction one feels at the conclusion of this class, but the 85 professional growth points are certainly appreciated, too. |
Archers' Pens
A pared down arrow with an ink pen inserted is a unique reward offering.
Trap Shooting Extraordinaire
Isn't this metallic-painted clay bird medal the cleverest? And guess who earned it?
Course Completed!
A certificate pales in comparison to the pure satisfaction one feels at the conclusion of this class, but the 85 professional growth points are certainly appreciated, too.
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Proud Pronghorn Georgia Kerr's bronze pronghorn statues salute these majestic animals' annual migratory trek. | The Veterans' Memorial Park 68,000 pounds of glossy, black granite, engraved with the names of those Pinedale, WY residents who served the military. | Veteran's Memorial Monument Here, a single column is topped with a bronze sculpture of two soaring eagles with the inscription "Honor, Service, Pride." |
Proud Pronghorn
Georgia Kerr's bronze pronghorn statues salute these majestic animals' annual migratory trek.
The Veterans' Memorial Park
68,000 pounds of glossy, black granite, engraved with the names of those Pinedale, WY residents who served the military.
Veteran's Memorial Monument
Here, a single column is topped with a bronze sculpture of two soaring eagles with the inscription "Honor, Service, Pride."
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Fawn and Momma There was not a shortage of mule deer fawns on the SCI Ranch property. | What a Pair! How blessed we were for a moose cow and her calf to come up to visit during the evenings. | Taxidermy Territory If you are ever not having much luck with wildlife viewing outside, then come on into the classroom. There's plenty on the walls. |
Fawn and Momma
There was not a shortage of mule deer fawns on the SCI Ranch property.
What a Pair!
How blessed we were for a moose cow and her calf to come up to visit during the evenings.
Taxidermy Territory
If you are ever not having much luck with wildlife viewing outside, then come on into the classroom. There's plenty on the walls.
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Safety 1st Gary prioritizes safety at the range, and he's an expert at making sure that happens. | Flyin' High with John Jay isn't the only fly tying expert, John knows his stuff, too. | Identifying with the Expert Jay assists in identifying out finds from the creek out front...some of which were hatching before our very eyes! |
Safety 1st
Gary prioritizes safety at the range, and he's an expert at making sure that happens.
Flyin' High with John
Jay isn't the only fly tying expert, John knows his stuff, too.
Identifying with the Expert
Jay assists in identifying out finds from the creek out front...some of which were hatching before our very eyes!
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Harlan Kredit Harlan, who is just shy of his 80th birthday, is an incredibly knowledgeable park ranger at Yellowstone National Park. He spoke to our hearts about his job and the importance of ours. | Bison's Back The outrageously dynamic Mr. Kredit discusses the hump on that mighty ungulate's back. | "Oh, Give Me a Home..." "where the buffalo (actually Bison) roam" |
Harlan Kredit
Harlan, who is just shy of his 80th birthday, is an incredibly knowledgeable park ranger at Yellowstone National Park. He spoke to our hearts about his job and the importance of ours.
Bison's Back
The outrageously dynamic Mr. Kredit discusses the hump on that mighty ungulate's back.
"Oh, Give Me a Home..."
"where the buffalo (actually Bison) roam"
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Sleep Much at AWLS? Think again!!!! The pace is a mile a minute, and the only time for catching those zzzzzzs is at home. | Be Zany! These large-scale paintings that grace the buildings in Jackson Hole served as marvelous photo props for being zany. | Even the Zealous need R & R Half of our crew chose to rest our tired muscles in the beautiful Granite Creek Hot Springs. |
Sleep Much at AWLS?
Think again!!!! The pace is a mile a minute, and the only time for catching those zzzzzzs is at home.
Be Zany!
These large-scale paintings that grace the buildings in Jackson Hole served as marvelous photo props for being zany.
Even the Zealous need R & R
Half of our crew chose to rest our tired muscles in the beautiful Granite Creek Hot Springs.
