Discover Wild Nevada

Discover Wild Nevada is an interactive classroom program that reinforces 4th-grade students’ standard lessons about Nevada’s official wildlife symbols and their role in the state’s history, geography, and culture. Through a fast-paced classroom game, students identify species such as the Lahontan cutthroat trout, desert bighorn sheep, and sagebrush, strengthening what they are already learning in class.

The program helps students build their knowledge of Nevada’s state symbols and understand how wildlife connects to the state’s natural resources and heritage. Discover Wild Nevada is designed to support and reinforce existing classroom instruction, not replace it.

Trout Adventures offers this program to 4th-grade classrooms in Douglas and portions of Lyon County.

How the Program Works

Students are divided into teams and participate in multiple rounds of an interactive classroom game. During each round, clues are provided about a specific Nevada wildlife symbol. Teams work together to identify the species based on its characteristics, geographic region, and role in Nevada’s history and culture.

Teams earn points for correct answers and exchange those points for wildlife-themed stickers featuring Nevada’s official state symbols. These stickers are designed to be collected and traded, adding excitement and friendly competition to the activity.

The game is structured so that all students participate and succeed, reinforcing classroom lessons while making learning engaging and memorable.

What Students Discover

Participants learn about:

• Nevada’s official state animal, reptile, bird, fish, trees, flower, grass, and insect

• Where these symbols are found across Nevada and how they relate to the state’s natural regions

• How wildlife reflects Nevada’s geography, history, and cultural identity

• Why these species were chosen as official symbols of the state

By the end of the session, students have a stronger understanding of Nevada’s state symbols and greater confidence in recognizing them.

Interested in Discover Wild Nevada?

If you are a 4th-grade teacher in Douglas or Lyon County and are interested in bringing Discover Wild Nevada to your classroom, please contact us at Info@TroutAdventures.org.

Teachers elsewhere in Nevada are also welcome to contact us to request program materials, including slides and activity guidance, for use in their own classrooms.

Volunteering 

This program is supported by trained volunteers. Explore Volunteering.

Banner photo by Neal Herbert/NPS.