Professional Development of Nonformal Environmental Educators Through School-based Partnerships

Abstract

Although natural resource professionals are adept at managing resources, they often lack the skills and the desire to fulfill their roles as nonformal environmental educators. School-based partnerships are a potential vehicle for enhancing skills for delivering environmental education. Research shows that teachers benefit from partnerships, but the benefits of partnering for nonformal educators are unknown. This exploratory study investigated (a) if partnerships enable natural resource professionals to better perform their roles as nonformal environmental educators, and (b) if partnerships benefit natural resource agencies and their employees in other ways. Widespread development was self-reported during interviews, both in environmental education practices and in workplace-related job performance, especially in interpersonal skills, thinking and basic skills, and managing resources and information.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Deborah L. Bainer

Deborah L. Bainer is an associate professor at The Ohio State University, Mansfield. Diane Cantrell is a deputy chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and Pat Barron is the executive director of the Science and Mathematics Network of Central Ohio.