Waupaca County EYC Waupaca County EYC Environmental Youth Environmental Youth Connections Connections Connie Abert, UW-Extension Connie Abert, UW-Extension Initiated 2008 Initiated 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.
Waupaca County EYC. Environmental Youth Connections Connie Abert, UW-Extension Initiated 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. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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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,