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Free Lessons Featuring Inspiring Conservation Role Models

Conservation Nation is helping diversify the conservation movement by funding and supporting conservationists from underrepresented communities while educating and inspiring the next generation of leaders.

With Conservation Nation Academy we hope to inspire youth both in the classroom and outside of it. Our education programs expose students from underserved communities to the outdoors — a vital first step to help them engage with nature — connect them to our conservationists, give them access to incredible role models, and provide them with the confidence to explore STEM programs and see themselves as conservation champions.

FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY

NEW LESSON

Think Like a Wolf

Bring Yellowstone National Park into your classroom! In this field-based video students learn to think like both a wolf and a scientist! Students model a trophic cascade and analyze pack roles and communication to connect wildlife behavior to effective teamwork. Along the way, they’ll build SEL skills like empathy, trust, and leadership, and glimpse real conservation careers through authentic researcher stories.
BONUS: The first 500 educators who register and download the lesson receive classroom copies of Rick McIntyre’s The Unlikely Hero.
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Educator Registration Form

We’re excited to share the “Think Like a Wolf” lesson with you and your students! Please provide your details below so we can send you the set of “The Unlikely Hero” books that align with the lesson.

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Teacher Favorites

a female scientist wearing safety glasses, a lab coat, and gloves holding a beaker with blue liquid in a laboratory

Lessons in the Science of De-extinction with Colossal

This interactive lesson takes you into the lab with Dr. Darya Tourzani from Colossal Biosciences, the De-Extinction Company, to learn how scientists use DNA to save endangered animals.
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a Black woman with curly hair wearing glasses uses binoculars to look up, with green foliage in the background

Wingin’ It

Get students outside, curious, and noticing the world around them! Guided by a birding expert, your class will learn simple, no-gear-needed ways to spot, hear, and record bird activity—then connect their findings to real scientific data. Fun and hands-on, it’s the perfect way to turn any schoolyard into a living science lab.
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a black, white, and orange butterfly perched on a yellow and white flower

Tiny Messengers

Tiny but mighty—this hands-on lesson brings insect conservation to life for your students! In Tiny Messengers, students explore leaf litter, assess insect habitats, and learn how biodiversity reveals the health of our planet. Featuring real-world scientists and standards-aligned activities, this lesson is perfect for grades 5–8 and includes a short video, worksheets, and outdoor exploration. Free, flexible and field-tested!
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two manatees near the surface of a clear and shallow body of water

Manatee Tales

Dive into the world of manatee conservation with this interactive storytelling game! Students step into the shoes of community members living near a marine sanctuary, exploring real-world challenges, competing priorities, and creative solutions to protect manatees. It’s hands-on, thought-provoking, and a perfect way to spark critical thinking about wildlife and community.
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Additional Activities

woman wearing outdoor gear kneeling in a wooded area checking on a camera trap that's attached to a tree

Drawing Conclusions

Help your students challenge stereotypes and explore their understanding of what a conservationist is.
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a Black man wearing safety gear while holding a toolbox stands in a grass field with solar panels in the background

Green Careers

Ask your students a series of "would you rather" questions that lead them to green careers that might suit their personalities.
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a Black girl wearing a school uniform and binoculars around her neck drawing with colored pencils while sitting outside

Mindfulness Outdoors

Encourage your students to practice mindfulness outdoors through a collection of short and simple activities you can do in your schoolyard.
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a woman wearing cold weather gear kneeling in the snow while holding a sedated wolf

Wildlife Detectives

Introduce your students to some amazing young scientists working on the frontlines of wildlife conservation.
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two brown, orange, and tan foxes with open mouths facing each other with snow in the background

Conservation Conversations

Encourage your students to explore and articulate their personal beliefs about nature and wildlife conservation.
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an adult male lion looking into the camera

Wildlife Fact or Fiction

Engage your students in a fun movement game to challenge some common myths and test their knowledge about wildlife.
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Special Content

Be a Friend to Cicadas

2025 will be an emergence year for the periodical cicadas of Brood XIV in the United States. This is an amazing opportunity for educators to use our unique bilingual educational resources to help replace fear with fascination and inspire the next generation of nature champions!

Learn More

Be a Friend to Cicadas

2025 will be an emergence year for the periodical cicadas of Brood XIV in the United States. This is an amazing opportunity for educators to use our unique bilingual educational resources to help replace fear with fascination and inspire the next generation of nature champions!
Learn More
Special Content

Educator Signup

Be the first to hear about new lesson resources, trainings, and opportunities with Conservation Nation Education Programs!

We will randomly draw one name quarterly to win your choice of binoculars or a set of nature books!

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