Natural Resource Institute Part IV: Earth’s Land & Soil Resources

The Natural Resource Institute Part IV “Earth’s Land & Soil Resources” is accepting registrations for summer 2023. Space is limited. The institute will be held on Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB) campus June 7-8, 2023. This is the fourth in a series of professional development classes for both formal and informal educators.

Educators from throughout North Dakota are invited to attend the institute which has proven to provide an excellent mix of professionals an opportunity to gain experience from one another according to Angie Bartholomay, Professor of Science at Dakota College, and coordinator of the workshop.

This Institute is a partnership between ND Natural Resource Trust, Association of Food, Land & People, USDA, ND Department of Agriculture and Dakota College at Bottineau where educators are provided an opportunity to experience current land management and issues in North Dakota.

While exploring the issues and identifying solutions, participants will receive real-world, user-friendly, and classroom-ready instruction from specially trained Food, Land & People facilitators, resource professionals, and scientists. Participants also may receive one graduate credit. Housing and meals are provided.

Following the institute participants will be able to transfer the institute’s field studies to practical classroom applications. The hands-on, minds-on learning presentations, activities, field tours, and environmental investigations are transferable to the classroom settings. Each participant will receive a Food, Land & People guide containing educational activities for them to take back to their classrooms.

Dakota College believes that educating both formal and informal educators will assist in increasing environmental awareness among students, eventually leading to public awareness of the importance of natural resources and their conservation.
Dakota College instructors and ND Forest Service (USDA) professionals will facilitate the classes. During the institute participants will:

• Familiarize themselves with agriculture literacy concepts such as the ecosystem balance, diversity, sustainability, watersheds, and community. The National Agricultural Literacy Curriculum Matrix provides K-12 educators with relevant standards-based instructional resources. The lesson plans and companion resources use agriculture as a context for science, social studies, and nutrition education content.
• Receive resources, lessons, and classroom-ready activities ready to integrate into their current curriculum.
• Build confidence to transfer the institute’s field studies to practical classroom applications.
• Learn about the applications of agriculture techniques in the study of natural resources.
• Discover the science behind how a drone works, explore their use in agriculture & natural resources and operate a drone.
• Participate in field trips to the International Peace Garden, local pollinator garden and an agricultural producer.

For additional information, please contact Angie Bartholomay or additional information is available online www.dakotacollege.edu/nri