Again this year, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is offering a series of upcoming professional development opportunities as part of the agency's Project WILD program. Classroom teachers, early childhood teachers, informal educators, homeschool leaders and Scout and youth group leaders are welcome to participate in these workshops.

"Workshop offerings range from endangered species and wildlife forensics to orienteering and habitat-specific programs, such as 'Wild about Wetlands' and 'Watershed Education'," PGC Bureau of Information and Education coordinator Theresa Alberici said. "In addition to our species-focused workshops on bear, owls and waterfowl, we've added a 'Wild about Turkey' workshop."For a complete list of courses being offered, go to the agency's website at

www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the "2011 Teacher Workshops" icon in the center of the homepage. Listings include a two-page summary of the courses being offered from June through August in various parts of the state, followed by information on how to register for each of the courses.Project WILD is an award-winning, international, hands-on conservation education program focusing on wildlife and the environment and how humans interrelate with both. WILD provides educators, primarily kindergarten through 12th grade, with interdisciplinary activities that help address state and national education standards and help educators comply with mandates of the No Child Left Behind Act.WILD's materials are scientifically sound and use educational practices proven to be effective, and its mission is to provide wildlife-based conservation education that fosters responsible action. WILD's goal is to develop the awareness, skills, knowledge and commitment that are necessary for people to make informed decisions and act constructively and responsibly toward wildlife and the environment."Educators leave Project WILD workshops with a renewed appreciation of wildlife and are excited about how they're going to share what they've learned with their students," Alberici said. "This year, wildlife agencies nationwide celebrated one million educators 'Gone WILD.' More than one million educators have been trained in the program since Project WILD originated in 1983."Project WILD isn't about teaching kids what to think about wildlife; it's about teaching kids how to think about wildlife and giving them the skills they need to become responsibly active citizens who recognize the importance of wildlife and the environment. The milestone of training one million educators means that, through Project WILD, more than 53 million people worldwide have experience in thinking responsibly about natural resources. Last year alone, state wildlife agencies ordered more than 65,000 guides for distribution to educators across the country, reaching 1.8 million students with information on wildlife conservation."**********This year's Eastern Pennsylvania Rendezvous and Muzzleloader Shoot at Blue Ridge Rifles Muzzleloader Club, located off Route 183, south of Summit Station, will hold shooting events for men, women and juniors today and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is no registration or target fee for juniors, 16 and younger.**********Bears Head Archery, Delano, located one mile off Exit 134, Interstate 81, has its 3-D course open daily to the public from dawn to dusk through Saturday, Oct. 15. Donations are accepted, and for information, contact Frank Blazusky at 570-467-0331 or

docblazer@verizon.net.**********Award-winning wildlife and outdoors photographer Tim Flannigan is the guest of Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association member Doyle Dietz on "Experience The Outdoors," Sunday, from 7-7:30 a.m. on 1410-AM, WLSH, from 9:30-10 a.m., on WMGH, 105.5-FM and on the Web at

www.wmgh.com by clicking the "Experience The Outdoors" link.**********A trap shoot will be held, Thursday, June 2, beginning at 6 p.m., at Orwigsburg Gun Club, Gun Club Road, off Route 443 East, Orwigsburg. For information, e-mail

jafone@comcast.net.**********Schuylkill Spurs Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets, Thursday, June 2, beginning at 7:30 p.m., at West Penn Archery, South Tamaqua. For information, call Kevin Titus at 570-668-5903.**********There is a "Spring Open House," Friday-Sunday, June 3-5, from noon to 6 p.m., daily, at the Dan Christ Wildlife Art Studio, 23 Spitzenberg Lane, Kempton. For information, call 610-756-6342 or visit the website at

www.danchristgallery.com