Training Future Leaders to Save Americas Treasure Goals of the Youth Wetlands Education and Outreach Program To instill within students the complexities and consequences of continued unprecedented loss of wetlands on the citizens of Louisiana ID: 638366
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "Youth Wetlands Education and Outreach Pr..." is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
Youth Wetlands Education and Outreach Program
Training Future Leaders to Save America’s TreasureSlide2
Goals of the Youth Wetlands Education and Outreach Program
To instill within students the complexities and consequences of continued unprecedented loss of wetlands on the citizens of Louisiana,
To instill in students that they are ambassadors for responsible environmental stewardship of Louisiana’s natural resources, and
To encourage forward thinking, that results in positive actions, in demonstrating that “Louisiana’s wetland loss is the nation’s wetland loss.”Slide3
Objectives of the Youth Wetlands Education and Outreach Program
Develop hands-on environmental based lesson plans for grades 4-12
Provide opportunities for service-learning wetland restoration activities
Provide field-based, hands-on experiences to youth during organized restoration projects held across the state and during participation in overnight campsConduct trainings for educators and provide in-classroom and field assistance that results in successful program implementationSlide4
Program Sustainability
Year 1
22,000 students in 45 of the 64 parishes
Year 2
1056 teachers
55,000 students in 55 parishes
Year 3
941 teachers
49,000 students enrolled in 54 parishes
Year 4
964 teachers
55,000 students enrolled in 58 parishesSlide5
Program Curriculum
what a teacher receives
Curriculum Binder
Contains all lessons covering 4
th – 12th grade
Educational supplies to teach lessonsAerial photographs
Laboratory supplies
Field materials
Educational videos
“Wet Work” DocumentarySlide6
Wet Work Video Production
Five-part production
modeled after
Dirty Jobs
Teen host profiles wetland
professionals in Louisiana
Goal is to provide information to students
on potential careers in wetland conservation
Wet Work Segments:
Coastal Fisheries
Coastal Marsh Restoration
Freshwater Wetlands
Fish Hatcheries
Alligator Gar
Wet Work was awarded the
2009 Conservation Communicator of the Year
by the Louisiana Wildlife FederationSlide7
Hands-On Activities
Vegetative Establishment
15,000 vegetative species utilized
36,000 tree saplings of 37 species delivered
450,000 seeds of upland woody species collected
7 seven greenhouse sections (5,250 ft
2
) and
6 ponds (
~ 2 acres
) for year-round plant production
Restoration Projects
Vegetative plantings at upland and coastal wetland sites
Tree plantings
Trash clean-up/Beach sweep
Wood duck box construction/installation
Rain garden installation on school groundsSlide8
Summer Education Camps
Sponsored by the Youth Wetlands Program
Marsh Maneuvers
High school students are immersed in wetland ecology lessons and implement wetland restoration projects at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge
Wild Woods WanderingProvides high school students with first-hand experiences in a forested wetland ecosystem in Tensas Parish
4-H Camp Grant Walker
Annual camp held for 4th – 6th grade students. The Youth Wetlands Program sponsors the “Wetlands Track” which exposes campers to hands-on wetland education activitiesLOST Camp
Similar to 4H camp but designed for 7th and 8th grade students. The Youth Wetlands Program sponsors the “Wetlands Track” where campers explore wetland-based profession
sSlide9
Youth Wetlands Program 2010/2011 Timeline
Date
Action
July 1
Agents begin recruiting schools for the 2010/2011 Youth Wetlands Program
Mid August
The online registration form for the 2010/2011 Youth Wetlands Program will be up on the 4-H website
October 1
The
LAST
day schools can be registered
March 1
Agents will have received or picked up all Youth Wetland Week supplies and will begin distributing them to teachers
April 18 – 22
Official start of the 2011 Youth Wetlands Week
Throughout Program Year
Organize wetland restoration field trips, educational booths, and activity days across the stateSlide10
Program Evaluation
Teacher Surveys
used to assess program content and get feedback from educators participating in the Youth Wetlands Education and Outreach Program
Pre and post tests to assess knowledge gained:
11,822 pre and post tests from students participating in the Youth Wetlands Education and Outreach Program
66 pre and posts tests from campers participating in Marsh Maneuvers 38 pre and posts tests from campers participating in Wild Woods WanderingsSlide11
Teacher Evaluation Results
Approval ratings
Handbook aid teaching efforts? 90%Age appropriate?
93%Increase in student knowledge? 95%Fact sheets helpful? 94%
Activities stimulating? 89%Enough materials? 82%
Materials suitable to lessons? 90%Pre and post tests reflect knowledge? 88%Slide12
Very Unsatisfied
Unsatisfied
Neither
Satisfied
Very
SatisfiedSlide13
Pre and Post Test Scores
Youth Wetlands Education and Outreach Program
Grade Level
# of students
Pre Average
(%)
Post Average (%)
Percent
Change
4
1666
54.94
80.16
25.22
5
1494
50.13
81.94
31.81
6
1659
53.65
84.00
30.35
7
2155
54.45
84.20
29.75
8
1994
55.20
81.70
26.50
High School
2854
59.93
82.93
23.00Slide14
Pre and Post Test Scores
Overnight Camp Participants
Marsh Maneuvers
Average score increased 22% across grades 7-12
Wild Woods Wanderings
Average score increased 17% across grades 7-12Slide15
Communication/Publicity
Public announcements
News articles
Public television interviews
Educator workshops
Informational booths at state and national conferences
Displays at public events
Electronic newsletter
Program websiteSlide16
Awards
LA Wildlife Federation –
Governor’s Conservation Award
Wet Work DVD
Dept. of Agriculture –
National 4H Program of Distinction Award
Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana’s –
Coastal Stewardship Award
nominated
National Assoc. of Extension 4H Agents –
Recognition Award
nominatedSlide17
Partnerships and Sponsorships
America’s WETLAND Conservation Corps
AmeriCorps program that helps promote the Youth Wetlands program by working with AgCenter personnel to recruit schools, develop lessons, and assist with in-classroom and field activities.
Wetland Watchers
School-based service learning Learn and Serve AmeriCorps program that engages students in the New Orleans area in hands-on wetland education.Corporate Sponsors
Pepsi Company EntergyCoastal Conservation Association of Louisiana
Curriculum Assistance Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program (BTNEP)
Louisiana State University (LSU) College of Education
LSU School of Plant, Soil, and Environmental Science (SPESS)
Louisiana Sea Grant College Program
Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service (CSREES)