Environmental YOUth Connections

Waupaca County ATC Grant EYC Powerpoint
A grant that supports educational programs to utilize local lands.

School Forests

                                                                                                                                                             

Lesson Plan Form (Blank Form: Doc, Pdf)

Wisconsin and Waupaca County School Forests powerpoint

School forests have incredible value. 
Education Standards – Education Programs at school forests can achieve diverse education standards in science, language arts, math, social studies and agriculture. Enviornmental education integration into curriculum – Environmental education shouldn’t be seen as another subject area. Using school forest with environment education across subject areas increases standardized test scores, improves attendance, and decreases behavior problems (Lieberman and Hoody 1998). A school forest should be an extension of the classroom used for hands-on, experiential learning that can’t be accomplished inside the school. Connect youth to local nature – School forests can localize education and connect students to their natural and human communities.   We  identify ourselves through a sense of place and relationships with family, neighbors, land  and community.  School forests serve as the context for understanding our responsibility to nature, how decisions are made and life-style choices are related. As Wendell Berry  says, “If you don’t know where you are, you don’t know who you are.” (The Broken Ground 1964 to Sabbaths 1987 reveal his growing concern with the abuse of the land and with the need to restore the balance of nature). Sustainable natural resource management – The goal of sustainable natural resource management is to supply ecological, economic, and social benefits now and into the future.  Students will manage their school forest through developing plans, implementing activities, and utilizing forest products. The school forest may provide the only opportunity to experience resource management for most students. Strengthen school and community relationships – The school forest can serve as a community resource with expanded educational and recreational opportunities. School forests are a less formal setting for parents and community members to become involved in students’ education. Recent research found that continuing involvement in outdoor education also “increased willingness of parents and adults to come into school for events and meetings” (Peacock 2006).  Provide income –  The environment and tourism are an important economic driver of Waupaca County. Forest products, non-timber forest products, recreation and rental of facilities can generate income for a school/community.  Ideally these funds would be invested in the school forest to maintain and support the program. School forest are an incredible opportunity at the local level to enhance income and the connection between the school forest and the community.

Waupaca County Environmental Sites Park Pictures  Explore-and-Discover-Map 

Environmental groups and helpful links

Connecting our youth to the environment…We aren’t the only ones that think it is a good idea.

Literature Resources

John Bates, http://www.manitowish.com/NWComp.html
John Muir, http://www.nps.gov/index.htm
Last Child in the Woods (saving our children from a nature-deficit disorder), Richard Louv, http://richardlouv.com/
Lewis and Clark, http://www.sierraclub.org/lewisandclark/
Silent Spring, Sense of Wonder, Books by Rachel Carson http://www.rachelcarson.org/

EYC Advisory Board

*Summaries: March 2009 (County Board), June 2009, December 2009, February 2010

More in this Section

Section Home
  • Local Parks
  • Weyauwega/Fremont Class Experience at Hartman Creek Pictures
  • #428 (no title)