The NatureMapping Program: Resource Agency Environmental Education Reform

Abstract

Environmental education for youth and adults is being redefined at resource agencies. The driving forces are education reform and citizen demands to be involved in environmental management decisions. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife examined its traditional environmental education programs and identified the need to create opportunities for citizen involvement as a means to educate while directly impacting its mission. Through a partnership with the Washington Cooperative Research Unit Gap Analysis Project, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife created the NatureMapping Program. The NatureMapping Program enables volunteers, including schools, to collect environmental data that are valuable to governments and communities for problem solving and decision making. A recent study of schools actively NatureMapping describes increased school-community links, motivated students, and a systemic change in curriculum through interdisciplinary inquiry. Resource experts have benefited from new species information and increased community involvement.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Karen M. Dvornich

Margaret T. Tudor is the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Project WILD Coordinator and The NatureMapping Program Education Director. Karen M. Dvornich is The NatureMapping Program National Director and the Washington Gap Analysis Project Assistant with the Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife research unit.