Youth Wildlife Experiences

What We Do

One of our most popular activities explores a simple but important question:

What do trout eat?

Participants are invited to share their ideas before learning about aquatic insects and other food sources that support trout populations. Youth then create a pipe-cleaner replica of a trout food item, reinforcing concepts about food webs and habitat through hands-on crafting.

Activities are adapted to fit the event and audience:

• At large public events, youth may simply enjoy crafting and learning about trout in a relaxed, exploratory setting.

• At structured school-based events, activities are tailored to specific grade levels.

• For 4th–5th grade groups, we may focus on species such as the vivid dancer damselfly, Nevada’s state insect, tying the activity to lessons about wildlife symbols and ecosystems.

Why It Matters

Youth Wildlife Experiences:

• Provide meaningful exposure to conservation education

• Encourage curiosity about aquatic ecosystems

• Reinforce understanding of wildlife and habitat connections

• Offer approachable entry points into broader programs such as Trout in the Classroom and Discover Wild Nevada

By meeting youth where they are — in community settings — we help build lasting connections between young people and Nevada’s natural heritage. For many participants, these events provide their first introduction to conservation organizations.