Abstract Type: Independent oral presentation
Abstract TitleUnderstanding youth perspectives on recreation-wildlife interactions through interdisciplinary curriculum
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Abstract
There is a large body of evidence documenting the impacts of outdoor recreation on wildlife. These impacts are highly varied, depending on a combination of social and ecological variables. However, many recreationists are unaware that their presence in natural areas affects wildlife, often transferring responsibility to other user groups or focusing instead on the positive impacts that their visit brings through economic support for protected areas and neighboring communities. The environmental education literature has identified a need to engage youth and new recreators in this topic as an approach to develop environmental values and low-impact recreation habits at an impressionable stage. In response to this need, we established a pilot project to engage youth with the topic of recreation-wildlife interactions. In a sixth grade (ages 11-12) classroom, we developed a set of three modules to engage students with this topic while developing data literacy. Students discussed and mapped the recreational, educational, and emotional values they associate with a local wildlife management area. They contributed questions to a survey of adults visiting the same area, in which we asked respondents to identify and map their landscape values. Provided with data on wildlife use of the area, human visitation levels, survey results, and an environmental variable (temperature), students developed hypotheses regarding relationships between recreation, wildlife, and temperature and tested those hypotheses. Students were also able to compare the values-mapping data they produced alongside data collected through the survey. Analysis of students’ artifacts and in-class interviews demonstrates nuanced understanding of recreational impacts on wildlife. We will present example curriculum activities, excerpts of students’ learning, and future directions of the project.
Related Conference Topic Area
human dimensions of wildlife
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Presenter Information
First Name Anna |
Last Name Miller |
Affiliation Utah State University |
Author(s) Information
Author | First Name | Last Name | Affiliation |
1 | Anna | Miller | Utah State University |
2 | Ha | Nguyen | Utah State University |
3 | Lane | Arthur | Utah State University |
4 | Morgan | Diederich | Utah State University |