Becky Kington FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
406-925-0708
mwca@mtweed.org
www.mtweed.org
Montana’s Youth will now learn how detrimental invasive species are to the environment as part of their science education.
Twin Bridges, MT December 5, 2024 –Megan Hoyer of Montana’s Invasive Species Education Program and Pamela Schwend, Carbon County Assistant Weed Coordinator have done what many others have tried over the years; they worked with an assessment group to OPI Alliance for Curriculum Enhancement to include noxious weed education opportunities in science standards in Montana.
Hoyer and Schwend met with Jenny Combs, Executive Director and MSMP Program Advisor, who is with Alliance for Curriculum Enhancement (ACE). Their mission is to develop and provide meaningful professional learning, curriculum, and relevant resources to build educators’ capacity to support students in achieving proficiency. What this means is that very soon, standards that Hoyer, who is a certified teacher, has already created for all grade levels, will be inserted into the state’s science standards.. Lessons will introduced to teachers on February 4th in Lockwood. This is the first of several workshops that will happen around the state. These workshops will instruct educators on a variety of ways to help teach about invasive plants around the state.
By incorporating an invasive species component into our children’s education, we aim to help them understand how these invaders harm biodiversity and the environment. Our hope is that this knowledge will inspire them to become thoughtful stewards of the land, no matter where life takes them.
“Much like “Don’t Litter” campaigns of years past, it is imperative to reach our youth with education and awareness about noxious weeds. If they can grow up learning how detrimental these plants are to nearly every aspect of our lives, then we have accomplished more with this move than the messaging we’ve tried for years with the public in general,” says Becky Kington, MWCA Executive Director.
For more information regarding this project, please contact Megan Hoyer at 406-594-9171 or megan.hoyer@mt.gov.
