Waupaca County EYCWaupaca County EYC

Environmental Youth Environmental Youth ConnectionsConnectionsConnie Abert, UW-ExtensionConnie Abert, UW-ExtensionInitiated 2008Initiated 2008

University 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.

Project Summary Project Summary /Abstract /Abstract The Environmental Youth

Connections (EYC) project will provide a direct connection between environmental learning experiences for Waupaca County residents (youth and adults) to local parks, trails and natural resource areas (wcptnra).

Needs addressed through Needs addressed through EYCEYC

The UW-SP graduate study research the following needs were identified:

◦ 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/school environmental properties;

◦ 79% of teachers need environmental education equipment. The UWEX survey reinforced the previous information, plus teachers identified:

◦ 66% would be interested in participating in an EYC workshop (learning and service to areas)

In Fall 2007 UWEX invited public stakeholders countywide and they identified a need:

◦ to serve more youth and citizens in natural resource areas they oversee;

◦ to have access to more resources and a volunteer naturalists;

◦ to have outdoor training for staff and volunteers to develop appropriate lesson;

◦ to find financial support for more outreach with volunteers and conservation groups.

Significance of These Significance of These NeedsNeeds

The significance of these issues not being addressed has health, economic, educational, and environmental impacts◦Economics- one of the main economic

drivers◦Educational- taken away from hands on

learning◦Environmental- necessary to have

professional resources available ◦Health- recent research on obesity

Population to be servedPopulation to be servedYouth of school age (primarily)Paid staff and volunteers

◦will assist in reaching youth

Geographic Area to be Geographic Area to be servedserved•Youth & Adults of Waupaca County

•Parks & Natural areas w/ Waupaca County

Reaching these Reaching these populationspopulationsReach youth through staff and

volunteersReach staff and volunteers

◦School administration buy in for staff dev time

◦Classrooms using youth as teachers◦Natural resource professional buyin◦Conservation group volunteers◦Community network

Involvement in Involvement in design/implementationdesign/implementation

Teacher surveysTeacher designed lesson plans,

kits, mapsNatural resource stakeholders

site utilizationFinancial contributionsEYC Advisory Group

Expand/Compliment/Expand/Compliment/CollaborateCollaborateExpand on previous Land and

Water programCollaborate with County Park and

Hartman Creek State Park Compliment conservation groups,

trail groupsBuild system for natural area

network

EYC and mission of EYC and mission of WC/UWEXWC/UWEXWaupaca County

◦Promotes WC natural resource areas◦Promotes stewardship of WC areas

UW-Extension◦Addresses local needs◦Innovative approach◦University resources to residents◦High standard and Quality

programming◦Educational network and partnerships

Community Support & Community Support & CapacityCapacityPast accomplishments

◦Environmental Education Initiative◦Explore and Discover◦Land Use Planning Curriculum◦Financial support◦Resources created

Capacity to accomplish EYC◦School support◦Parks and natural resource

professionals◦Volunteer base◦Advisory board

Project OutcomesProject OutcomesIncreased awareness of natural areasIncreased knowledge of ee topicsIncreased resources availableIncreased resource utilization from

trainingLong term

◦Increased stewardship/ownership of areas◦Increased support for EYC system

EYC benefitsEYC benefitsYouth outcomesStaff and volunteer efficiencies

◦Targeted best practice for eeNatural Resource capacity to support

ee◦Paid staff and increased trained volunteers◦Park educational resources available

System to support ee connections to local natural resource areas◦Access◦Advisory board

Program Program implementation/timelineimplementation/timelineInventoryPromote involvementCreating resources (lessons, kits,

maps)Access (web, libraries, parks, schools)TrainingEvaluationAdvisory oversightAdvisory sustainability (repeat)

Staff and VolunteersStaff and VolunteersConnie Abert-project oversight, training

& evaluation◦Task performed on other grants ◦Parallel to UWEX & Waupaca County mission

Kristi Jackson, consultant-EYC coordinator develop resources, training, communication◦Previous work with Land & Water-EE Initiative◦RR Trail/Tree Advisory Board

Staff and volunteers-create and implement resources ◦Natural resource background for resources◦Natural resource site specialty

Evaluation Evaluation EYC event evaluation by youth (survey)

◦ Increase of awareness and knowledge ◦ Increase stewardship & ownership (long

term survey)EYC event evaluation by staff and

volunteers (survey)◦ Increase capacity to teach◦ Ease in utilization of resources & sites

EYC system &Advisory Board evaluation◦ Easy access to resources and use at sites

(survey and website evaluation)◦ Increased support for EYC purpose to

promote ee connection to natural areas (focus groups/surveys)

Evaluation ResultsEvaluation ResultsWill be disseminated to individuals

and partners in school, communities, business and conservation groups

Will be used for future promotionWill be used for process

improvement and secured fundingWill be used as a guide for best

practice in environmental education

EYC Current & Future EYC Current & Future FundingFundingCurrent

◦Conservation Groups (cg) Whitetails and Pheasants Forever

◦ATC grant◦ Inkind – school, community, cg, business

Future◦ATC grant◦WEEB 1000, 5000, 20000-forest◦Community Foundation◦Conservation groups ◦Service groups◦Inkind - school, community, cg, business