Vicky Beckham Smith of A-Z ANIMALS presents interesting information filled environmental education programs on a variety of wildlife subjects and other environmental subjects. A-Z ANIMALS environmental education classes include a power point presentation, presentation of live animals in a safe way, and hands on experiences with biofacts along with activities that re-enforce information of the class. These programs are a great alternative to field trips as nature is brought into the classroom. Most often requested subjects: bats, reptiles, adaptations, birds, endangered species, creepy critters, manatees and insects.
Look at our calendar to see what dates are available for your program. Schedule a program by contacting Vicky Beckham Smith at batlady1963@yahoo.com
BAT FACTS
A-Z ANIMALS ON YOU TUBE
EEAA Names Vicky Beckham Smith Best Environmental Educator
Before founding her own environmental education business A-Z ANIMALS Vicky was involved with animals and nature. She is a former dance teacher who often brought animals or nature into the classroom to inspire her students not only about the art of dance but by the beauty of nature. She worked as a volunteer and staff educator at the Birmingham Zoo where she had the opportunity to hone her teaching skills and increase her knowledge of environmental issues and her love of bats was increased as well. After moving to Eufaula AL she volunteered at the Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge, while also traveling across the state presenting programs from her A-Z ANIMALS repertory.. Vicky has served on the EEAA Board for 9 years. She continues to train and broaden her knowledge of the natural world by attending various conferences and workshops. She shares her knowledge presenting programs not only to young students but to teachers as well through teacher workshops. ---Her passion, energy, knowledge and willingness to promote a better world has benefitted thousands of indiviuals. Over 7500 people from caving programs with Legacy in North AL to wildlife and nature arts with Auburn University Environmental Institute across the Black Belt of the southern part of our state and to students in various schools across AL were reached last year with environmental education programs presented by Vicky She and her bats were featured on Discovering AL BATS program. She is known as The Bat Lady to many in AL and other southeastern states and she will tell you that Batty About Bats is her favorite environmental education program to teach. Vicky is involved with the Environmental Education Alliance of GA and a member of the National Association for Interpretation. She is also involved in international environmental education programs through her work with the Association of Zoos and Aquairum's Bat Taxon Advisory Group. Vicky is an educator that works tireslessly to provide fun, informative programs and activities.
Attachments:
Bats on GA Public TV
Isis, Phaedra and Juanita are movie stars. They made their GA TV debut on May 20, 2011 on GA Public TV. The program airs again on May 21 at 6 PM.
DISCOVERING AL TV PROGRAM ON BATS
BAT PROGRAM FOR OMG
OMG invited Vicky and her bats to participate in the 2nd Annual OMG Day program for children at Fayette Montessori School. Vicky told the children and adults present that many bats are endangered around the world and that 2 are listed as endangered in GA. She also talked about White Nose Syndrome and the rate at which bats are dying from this fungus. Over a million bats have died since WNS was first discovered in 2006. It is now in 19 states across the US and still spreading we are afraid.
Spring Programs
If you are intersted in scheduling an A-Z ANIMAL program for spring please check my calendar and contact me as soon as possible.
Lubee Trip for EEAA Members
On June11-13 2010 8 members for the Environmental Education Association of AL traveled to Gainesville, FL for a field trip to the Lubee Bat Conservancy. Norma Lewis and I taught a teacher's workshop, BATTY ABOUT BATS, to the group. We had a power point presentation that gave many interesting facts about bats, discussed the myths surrounding these nocturnal animals and that taught the group the differences between micro bats and mega bats. The group then got to help Lubee keepers prepare diets for the 200+ bats that reside at Lubee. After lunch with the keepers the group had a tour led by Lubee keeper, Tasha King. During the tour the group learned more about Lubee's mission and got to view some of the beautiful fruit bats and see them interact with us. Saturday night we took the group over to the University of Florida to see their bat house and see the bats emerge on their nightly hunting flight. See photos to enjoy our group enjoying themselves.
SUMMER CAMP AT COCHRAN MILL NATURE CENTER
"Miss" Vicky will be teaching camp at Cochran Mill Nature Center this summer beginning June 7. Check with Cochran Mill Nature Center to register for a camp of your choice. Choose from Wonderful, Wet Water; Down and Dirty; Legs, Legs, Legs; Warm Blodded Invertebrates, Incredible Invertebrates; Plentiful, Pretty Plants----space is limited.
Are live animals brought into the classroom? Are animal body parts used?
Yes, when available animals are used during the presentation. Yes, I do have biofacts that I allow students to hold and touch. I try to teach the children respect for both the living animal as well as the preserved body parts that we are fortunate enough to have. I have all required state and federal permits for living animals as well as permits to possess the body parts.
A-Z Animals provides hands-on education for students and adults in order to foster a greater appreciation of nature and to foster a desire to conserve our natural resources.
