Kansas Earth Team Conservation District Manager of the Year Award

Jane Zook is the conservation district manager for the Pawnee County Conservation District at the Larned Field Office. She enjoys being involved in conservation education and especially working with children. By volunteering, she has been able to bring natural resources conservation into the classroom at the Larned Alternative Learning Center.

"The kids are just so enthusiastic about learning something new and responding with eagerness to learn about natural resources," says Zook, about the students at the Center.

Through Zook's resourcefulness, she has helped these students learn about conservation through the annual poster contest and World Water Monitoring Day.

"It's great how receptive my students are to the hands-on presentations Jane has done for them," said Chad Erway, Alternative Learning Center teacher. "They particularly enjoy going to the Pawnee River and performing water tests and can hardly wait to do the tests again."

From Zook's hands-on teaching style, the students have also learned to read legal land descriptions and how to locate a piece of ground as well as discussing the different soils in Pawnee County.

"My students didn't realize how much fun learning about soils and water could be," said Erway.

According to Zook, you need a lot of patience to be able to work with the students and you need to be willing to adapt your style of class instruction for the students.

"My work at the Larned Alternative Learning Center with the staff and students has been a wonderful and rewarding experience," says Zook.

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Featured Earth Team Volunteer - Jane Zook (64 KB)

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Last Modified: 04/30/2008