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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: [email protected]
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
The Wisconsin K-12 Forestry Education Program
