Canisius College students acted as Ambassadors for Conservation, conducting field studies and presenting at local schools and events. Over the course of 24 days, they reached over 3,700 people at the Buffalo Zoo and Aquarium of Niagara, and had over 80,000 unique visitors to their web pages. The students visited 28 schools, reaching over 2,270 children and 97 teachers through hands-on lessons focusing on wetland and forest ecology at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge.

1. Canisius College
Ambassadors for Conservation

2. Select Canisius Students

3. Field Studies

5. School Presentations
3,700 attendees

6. Buffalo Zoo & Aquarium of Niagara
150,000 attendees

7. Web Pages
80,000+ unique visitors

8. Original Video Productions

9. Iroquois Nat’l Wildlife Refuge ! !

45. 24 CAC days (out of a possible 24)
28 Schools
18 Public Schools
10 Private/Parochial
72 Different classes
2270 School Children
97 Teachers/Chaperones
2367 Program Participants

50. KEY ELEMENTS
1. Suitable field site
- ecologically rich
- charismatic element
- near population
- middle school accessible
2. Choosing select college students
- motivated by exciting travel, prestige, stipend
3. Extensive training
- in wetlands and forest ecology
- in birding
4. Infrastructure/staff for school recruitment
- labor intensive (wide advertisement / low return)
5. Exciting/flexible script for field lessons
- friendly birding competition
- overt coaching for upcoming contest
6. Ecology based games
- pictionary and jeopardy style (somewhat boisterous)

52. end