Environmental Action as Context for Youth Development

Abstract

This study explored the practices of teachers, nonformal science educators, community organizers, youth program managers, and other educators facilitating youth participation in local environmental action, as well as the experiences of some of the youth involved. We conducted narrative interviews with 33 educators facilitating youth environmental action in communities throughout the United States and group interviews with 46 youth participating in nine environmental action programs in New York State. Through interpretation of educators' stories and youths' reflections, we discovered strong parallels with theory and empirical research in the youth development literature suggesting environmental action is a valuable context for positive youth development.

Keywords:

• educator practice
• environmental action
• narrative
• positive youth development

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Funding for this research was provided by the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station federal formula funds, Project No. NYC-147459, received from the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. We thank Steve Hamilton, Scott Peters, Dan Decker, and Jamila Simon for valuable contributions to this study and two anonymous reviewers for improvements to this manuscript. We are greatly indebted to the practitioners and youth who shared their experiences and reflections on youth environmental action.

This article describes dissertation research conducted at Cornell University. Dr. Schusler currently serves on the faculty at Antioch University, New England.

Notes

1. We thank Dr. Stephen Hamilton and other colleagues in Cornell University's College of Human Ecology for guiding us in the youth development literature. The National Research Council and Institute of Medicine report, edited by Eccles and Gootman, was the product of a two-year project funded by a diverse group of public and private sponsors during which a 15-member committee “… evaluated and integrated the current science of adolescent health and development with research and findings related to program design, implementation, and evaluation of community programs for youth” (Eccles & Gootman, 2002, p. ix). The complete report is available online at: http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?isbn=0309072751.

2. Colleagues at Cornell University Cooperative Extension familiar with youth and/or environmental education programs referred 21 of the educators interviewed. Five educators facilitated youth projects receiving the President's Environmental Youth Award. Four educators facilitated youth projects receiving SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Environmental Excellence Awards. A staff member of Earth Force referred one educator. One educator was identified through a presentation on her work that the lead author attended at a national conference of the Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals. One educator facilitated a youth project featured on the Web site What Kids Can Do. One additional educator was invited but declined to participate due to lack of time.