Conservation Education
The Conservation Education Program (CEP) works with partners to coordinate the development and delivery of high-quality, science-based education about forests, grasslands and related natural resources for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students and their educators, in both formal and informal settings.
Defined as a lifetime learning process that promotes the understanding of natural resources and ecosystems – their interrelationships, conservation, use, management and value – conservation education is an effective, dynamic means for the Forest Service to connect the American people with their environment.
The State, Private and Tribal Forestry Program works with partners in both the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to promote educational programs that:
- Are founded in science.
- Promote the concept of “systems thinking,” for students to recognize their role in natural surroundings.
- Foster a land ethic amongst students and their educators.
Project Learning Tree
Project Learning Tree is an award-winning environmental education program that is supported by a network of over 500,000 trained educators across the globe. By training teachers, educators and community leaders to use the PLT curriculum, this program integrates environmental education and outdoor learning components into all subject areas of the classroom. Using the PLT materials, students are taught how to think, not what to think, about complex environmental issues.
Studies show that when environmental education and outdoor learning components are integrated into school programs, students improve their mastery of science, math, language and spelling, while simultaneously exhibiting enhanced cooperation and conflict resolution skills and gaining in self-esteem.
The Institute is proud to show its commitment to increasing environmental literacy through science-based education by sponsoring PLT for the very first time in the Caribbean!
Conservation and Resource Management Education
In February, 2015, the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) Southeast Region chapter celebrated its Annual Workshop in Humacao, Puerto Rico. The activity was hosted by the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER). The workshop offered training on interpretation skills for communities, environmental organizations, concessionaires and DNER staff. The workshop proceedings were published and NAI recognized Puerto Rico as one of the jurisdictions with the highest number of certified interpreters.
Green Contact Program
The Puerto Rico Legislature approved the Green Contact Program Act (Law No. 36 of March 2015). The Program will be administered by the Puerto Rico Department of Education and developed in coordination with the DNER. The program promoted the participation of students in workshops and visits to areas of ecological value in order promote their contact with nature. The Department of Education in collaboration with the DNER designed a Circular Letter to implement this Law. Local Commonwealth and federal agencies, NGO and private entities representatives were identified to create a Green Contact Network.
Guide for Safer Trees in the Landscape
A publication funded by the U.S. Virgin Islands Urban and Community Forestry Program, the University of the Virgin Islands, and the U.S. Forest Service’s Renewable Resources Extension Act was printed and is available for distribution.
The Guide for Safer Trees in the Landscape, a 43-page handbook provides information on how to recognize and manage hazardous tree conditions. The handbook is illustrated with photographs of tree conditions that can be seen along roadways throughout the U.S. Virgin Islands and includes symptoms of tree stress on the roots, trunks, and canopy, and other symptoms of unhealthy trees, such as cracks, advanced decay, and deadwood. It includes sections on the value of trees in the environment, basic tools for tree management, and how to hire an arborist. The handbook is intended to be used by U.S. Virgin Islands citizens in their evaluation of their own trees for possible hazardous conditions.
For more information about the Guide for Safer Trees in the Landscape publication, please contact U.S. Virgin Islands Urban and Community Forestry Program Coordinator Akil Andrews.
Program Contact: Magaly Figueroa
magaly.figueroa@usda.gov