Wildlife Express

Wildlife Express is a monthly newsletter for elementary school age children that teaches lessons about wildlife species and subjects.

Current Issue

Western Toad– [PDF, 4.82MB]
Western Toad Activities– [PDF, 952KB]

Strengthen your students’ literacy of non-fiction by using Wildlife Express to meet Idaho Core Standards. Wildlife Express is the perfect informational text for you and your students.

Each issue features an Idaho wildlife species and articles related to science and ecological concepts. The articles are written in an educational and entertaining fashion that gets students excited to read and learn about wildlife and their environments.

Teachers click the link next to the current issue for activities and lessons to teach language arts, math, and science that coordinate with each issue.

2021 - 2022 School Year

Pocket Gopher– [PDF, 1.83MB]
Pocket Gopher Activities– [PDF, 845KB]
Migration– [PDF, 3.74MB]
Migration Activities– [PDF, 1.93MB]
Geese– [PDF, 1.69MB]
Geese Activities– [PDF, 1.07MB]
Burbot– [PDF, 7.2MB]
Burbot Activities– [PDF, 1022 KB]

More Issues of Wildlife Express - View the Entire Back Catalog

News

Meet Idaho’s smallest miner, the pocket gopher

Tuesday, April 12, 2022 - 11:31 AM MDT

This month’s Wildlife Express issue features the dirt-loving, seldom seen pocket gopher. These little excavators come in three varieties – Northern, Townsend’s and Idaho – and can dig burrows over a football field long.

Wildlife Express Education Idaho Pocket Gopher (Thomomys idahoensis) Northern Pocket Gopher (Thomomys talpoides) Townsend's Pocket Gopher (Thomomys townsendii)
On the Move: March’s Wildlife Express takes a look at wandering wildlife

Tuesday, March 8, 2022 - 2:52 PM MST

Idaho is home to many different kinds of migrating animals. From salmon and elk to birds and butterflies, migration can be witnessed all across the state at certain times of year. This month’s Wildlife Express newsletter takes a look at several different examples of wandering wildlife.

Wildlife Express Education
Wildlife Express: Geese, the waterfowl socialites taking both rural and urban locations by storm

Friday, February 11, 2022 - 9:34 AM MST

This month’s Wildlife Express issue features the ever-present and always vocal goose. Although abundant across much of the state, geese are an interesting member of the waterfowl family and can be found in four species across Idaho.

Wildlife Express Education Migratory Bird Hunting Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) Snow Goose Ross' Goose (Chen rossii) Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)
It’s known as a ‘Kootenai leopard’ and it tastes like lobster. Introducing, the burbot

Monday, January 10, 2022 - 3:02 PM MST

It might be hard to get your friends out fishing with you this winter, but tickle their fancy with tales of a freshwater cod that looks more like an eel than a trout, and you might be able to change their tune. This month’s issue of Wildlife Express takes a look at the unusual and harrowing life story of burbot, a now highly sought after sportfish that has rebounded from the help of dedicated researchers.

Wildlife Express Education Fishing Panhandle Region Burbot (Lota lota)
Wildlife Express: learn about a secretive forest dweller, the American marten

Wednesday, December 15, 2021 - 12:00 PM MST

Cute is just one way to describe American martens. Learn more about these omnivorous forest-dwellers in this month’s issue of Wildlife Express.

Wildlife Express American Marten (Martes americana)