EYC Environmental Youth Connections Connie Abert, Waupaca County UWEX & Gretchen Marshall, UWSP...

EYCEnvironmental Youth Connections

Connie Abert, Waupaca County UWEX & Gretchen Marshall, UWSP

JCEP Conference April, 2011University of Wisconsin, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Wisconsin counties cooperating. UW-

Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming including Title IX and ADA.

Purpose of EYC

To provide a direct connection between

environmental and outdoor learning &

local parks, trails and natural areas.

Needs addressed through EYCUW-SP graduate study:

88% of teachers indicted a need for more in-service/training and curriculum;

63% of teachers indicated a desire to increase outdoor use;

77% of teachers would like to greater utilize community and school properties;

79% of teachers need environmental education equipment.

The UWEX survey results:60% did not know areas close to the school were

permissible to use;66% would be interested workshop that connected

learning and natural areas. 80% were willing to use local forest for outdoor

education;

Goals to address EYC Needs In Fall 2007 UWEX invited public stakeholders countywide

to develop goals that addressed identified needs: to serve more youth and citizens in natural resource

areas; to have access to more places, resources and

volunteesr; to have training opportunities for staff and volunteers to

develop age appropriate lesson plans for local natural areas;

to find support for these efforts through education, outreach, and grants.

National Research & Wise Old Principal•Play is essential to child development

• American Academy of Pediatrics• Nature Deficit Disorder

• Last Child in the Woods, Richard Louv• Better stress coping skills when in homes connected to nature

• 2003 Cornell University Study• City life can lead to less emotional control, ↑ level of aggression

• How the City Hurts Your Brain, Jonah Lehrer• Psychological benefits linked to diversity of its plant life

•University of Queensland, Richard Fuller• Childhood Obesity – access to places increases activity

•American Association of Recreation Professionals

Educators Response

Grant for professional development connected to local natural

areasWorkshops and lesson plans

Leaf (uwsp), Project Wet – Wild - Learning Tree, KEEPSite Visits and Visioning

Each school / communitySchool Forest Designations & WEEB Workshop

WEEB grants

Enriching Students. Sustaining Forests.

The Wisconsin K-12 Forestry Education Program

The Value of

Wisconsin's

Forests

Education

Understanding

Sustaining

Partnership

Wisconsin DNRCollege of Natural

Resources, UW-Stevens Point

LEAF…..• Is Wisconsin focused

• Is long-term and comprehensive

• Incorporates current educational needs

• Connects to schools, organizations, and agencies

LEAF ServicesConsultationCurriculum ResourcesProfessional DevelopmentSchool Forest & Outdoor Classroom Support

www.leafprogram.org

LEAF OpportunitiesWorkshops &

CoursesSchool In-services

Forestry Field Days On-line Networking

• Registered under WI Community Forest Law; established in 1928

• 380 school forest parcels owned by:• 209 different Public School Districts

(363 parcels)• 9 Private Schools• 8 Higher Education Institutions

• Parcels range from 2 to 748 acresPublic School Districts with School Forests

Benefits for Registered School Forests:Benefits for Registered School Forests:• Eligible for grants• Free DNR forest management assistance• Free trees• WI School Forest Education Specialist

assistance• Resources on School Forest Website

WI School Forest SupportWI School Forest Support

WI School Forest Specialist provides information, assistance, and resources

for districts developing and growing their school forest programs.

Contact: Gretchen.Marshall@uwsp.edu715-346-2633

Outdoor classrooms… Outdoor classrooms… …allow students and teachers to:• Gain an appreciation and awareness of natural

resources• Learn core subjects• Build self-esteem, skills, and knowledge• Develop life-long critical thinking skills • Encounter real-life situations, outside• Be engaged by lessons

WI Center for Environmental EducationOther resources:KEEP (WI K-12 Energy Education Program)Resources LibraryEducation for SustainabilityWEEB (Wisconsin Environmental Education

Board)

Where Are We NowSubmitted WEEB grants

for 5 of 7 school districtsDesignated over 20

properties as school forest

Curriculum connect to School Forest

Sustainable Plans for Forest

What do we expect?

Academic SuccessBetter Stewards Health

ImprovementsSustainable Forest

Waupaca County UW-ExtensionEnvironmental Youth Connections

connie.abert@ces.uwex.edu715-258-6226

The Wisconsin K-12 Forestry Education Program

Gretchen.Marshall@uwsp.edu715-346-2633