Presentations (PLI) Public Lands Institute 4-16-2006 Earth Science & Public Policy: Increasing Our Spheres of Influence Margaret N. Rees University of Nevada, Las Vegas, peg.rees@unlv.edu Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/pli_presentations Part of the Educational Leadership Commons, Environmental Health and Protection Commons, Environmental Policy Commons, Natural Resources and Conservation Commons, and the Natural Resources Management and Policy Commons Repository Citation Rees, M. N. (2006, April). Earth Science & Public Policy: Increasing Our Spheres of Influence. Presentation at Earth Science & Public Policy: Increasing Our Spheres of Influence, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Available at: http://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/pli_presentations/12 This Presentation is brought to you for free and open access by the Public Lands Institute at Digital Scholarship@UNLV. It has been accepted for inclusion in Presentations (PLI) by an authorized administrator of Digital Scholarship@UNLV. For more information, please contact digitalscholarship@unlv.edu.
Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead
PUBLIC LANDS Earth Science & Public Policy: Increasing Our Spheres of Influence Margaret (Peg) N. Rees April 2006
Rapid Growth: Environmental and Public Policy Issues 2003
Behavioral Choices: Environmental & Public Policy Issues
Our Mission The UNLV Public Lands Institute is dedicated to strengthening the national fabric that is essential for the protection, conservation, and management of public lands.
Our Goal Increase Advocates for the Public Lands and the Natural Environment Passionate about Natural World Literate in Science Informed Critical Thinkers Action-Oriented regarding Public Policy Intellectual Knowledge & Emotional Commitment
Acknowledge Teaching is Political All teachers choose: What to and not to teach How to teach Who to teach Where to teach
Classroom Engagement: Essential but not Sufficient People must experience the natural world Earth science is an elective science Need to reach a broader & more diverse audience Learning is cumulative over time & space
Engaging the Community: In and Beyond the Classroom Informal Education Formal Education Recreation Free Choice Learners Residents In / Of Place
Residents in/of Place: Free Choice Learners Rapidly Increasing Population in the U. S. Living Longer Ethnically and Culturally Diverse Technologically Literate - Dependent Urban Knowledgably Urban Dwellers New to Place
Collaborative Partnership Go to the People Free Choice Learners Resident Teachers Facilitate Positive Encounters Stimulate Inquiry Entice into Nature Shopping Food Group-Family Settings Age Appropriate Activities Within Comfort Zone
Methods of Engagement Experiential Learning - Teaching Place-Based Activities Inquiry-Based Learner-Centered Activities Resident Teacher - Learner Resistant Feminist Pedagogy Social, Historical, Political, Relevant Context
Measurable Outcomes: Evidence of Shaped Behaviors Increased Passion for the Natural Environment Increased Knowledge in Science More Informed Decision Making Increased Critical Thinking Skills More Skill and Willing to take Political Action
Increasing Spheres of Influence RESEARCH EDUCATION PUBLIC POLICY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
An Interagency Partnership
Growing Network of Community Partners Archaeo-Nevada Society CHOLLA Clark County Parks & Recreation Clark County School District Community College of So. Nevada Desert Research Institute Forever Resorts Friends of Gold Butte Friends of Nevada Wilderness Friends of Red Rock Canyon Friends of Sloan Canyon Great Basin Institute Las Vegas Valley Water District Latin Chamber of Commerce Mojave Rock Art Workshop Nevada Wild Horse & Burro Assoc. Nevada Archaeological Association Nevada Rock Art Foundation Nevada Wilderness Society Outside Las Vegas Foundation Paradise Professional Development School Pictographics Red Rock Canyon Interpretive Assoc. River Mountains Trail Partnership Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program Southern Nevada Interpretive Assoc. Southern Nevada Regional Trails Partnership Southern Nevada Rock Art Assoc. Virgin River Conservation Partnership
Involving Faculty and Students College of Business - Department of Public Administration College of Education - Department of Curriculum and Instruction - Department of Educational Leadership - Center for Evaluation and Assessment College of Engineering - Center for Transportation Research College of Fine Arts - School of Architecture - Department of Film College of Liberal Arts - Department of Anthropology - Department of History - Department of Foreign Language College of Urban Affairs - Department of Environmental Studies - Department of Communication Studies - UNLV-TV William S. Boyd School of Law Facilities Management and Planning - Office of Planning & Construction - Rebel Recycling Program Student Life - Center for Academic Enrichment & Outreach - Campus Recreational Services Harry Reid Center for Environmental Studies National Supercomputing Center for Energy and the Environment College of Sciences - Department of Biological Sciences - Department of Geoscience
EDUCATION Education Environmental Strategy Forever Earth Science Program Discover Mojave Outdoor World Program Red Rock Desert Learning Center
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Cultural Site Stewardship Program Interagency Volunteer Program Get Outdoors Nevada Take Pride in America in Southern Nevada Anti-Litter Program
RESEARCH Science and Research Strategy for Southern Nevada Plants, Animals, Air & Water Monitoring Data Management and Analysis Alternative Workforce Study Anti-Litter Strategy for Southern Nevada
PUBLIC POLICY Praxis in Education Inform Decision Makers Inform Resident Activists or Community Groups Inform Adaptive Management Planning
Advocates for Public Lands
Conclusion Integrating Earth System Science & Public Policy to Affect Change Residence of Place are Free Choice Learners Use Best Teaching Methodologies Entice people to the Out-of-Doors Teaching is Political
PUBLIC LANDS http://publiclands.unlv.edu 702.895.4678