Showing papers on "Environmental education published in 1970"

The Concept of Environmental Education

Abstract: I Tithin the past 50 years the United States has become a predominantly urban nation, both in thought and in physical character. Large and middle-sized communities, many within complex urban regions, have evolved to where over 70% of this country's population resides on 1.5% of the nation's land surface. By 1980, eight out of ten Americans will probably live in an urban environment. Consequently, the independent rural-oriented living that once characterized this country's social and political heritage is no longer a dominating influence in the lives of most Americans. In rural surroundings, direct daily contact with the basic natural resources was prevalent, especially within man's immediate environment. As man became progressively urbanized, his intimate association and interaction with natural resources diminished and, with it, his awareness of his dependency on them. Yet it is imperative that man, wherever he lives, comprehend that his welfare is dependent upon the proper management and use of these resources. Man should also have an awareness and understanding of his community and its associated problems. Our communities are being plagued with problems such as: lack of comprehensive environmental planning; indiscriminate use of pesticides; community blight; air and water pollution; traffic congestion; and the lack of institutional arrangements needed to cope effectively with environmental problems. While these problems are legitimate concerns of community governmental officials and planners, the responsibility for their solution rests, to a large extent, with citizens. To an increasing extent citizens are being asked to make decisions that affect (directly and indirectly) their environment. Specifically, citizens make these decisions as they cast votes on community issues; as they elect representatives to policy-making bodies; as they directly act upon the environment itself. Citizens can be effective in influencing sound policy in other ways. They can ask informed questions, at the proper time, of the right people. They can serve on advisory and policy-making committees. They can support sound legislation directed at resolving environmental problems. To perform these tasks effectively, it is vital that the citizenry be knowledgeable concerning their biophysical environment and associated problems, aware of how they can help solve these problems, and motivated to work toward effective solutions. Most current programs in conservation education are oriented primarily to basic resources; they do not focus on community environment and its associated problems. Furthermore, few programs emphasize the role of the citizen in working, both individually and collectively, toward the solution of problems that affect our well-being. There is a vital need for an educational approach that effectively educates man regarding his relationship to the total environment. The Supreme Court decision regarding the one-

SANParks, people and adaptive management: Understanding a diverse field of practice during changing times

Abstract: Biodiversity conservation is often measurable and achievable and has been reasonably successful within the boundaries of national parks. However, the concept of parks providing tangible benefits and hence being seen as ‘valuable’ to the majority of the nation has been more difficult to define, measure and, importantly, deliver on. This function has traditionally fallen under what is currently known as the People and Conservation Department, which has a rich history in South African National Parks (SANParks) of change and adaptive learning in terms of defining core functions and associated management strategies, spanning from its original inception as the Information Services Department over 80 years ago. Learning from and in some cases, adapting to change, is evident throughout this broad scale national evolution of the department, from an initial focus on information sharing and education in the 1930s, to what we see today. This includes the primary focus areas of cultural resource management and indigenous knowledge, community relations, environmental education, awareness, youth outreach, interpretation and training. At a more local, park scale, there is a current drive to formalise the adaptive management and learning process for the people component of protected areas through the alignment of relevant project, programme and park objectives with those at a corporate or national level. Associated with this is an attempt to further align the associated monitoring, evaluation and reporting processes, thereby completing the formal adaptive management loops in order to facilitate and stimulate co-learning within and between relevant responsible departments within the organisation. Conservation implications: Benefit sharing through biodiversity conservation has been shown to be crucial for the long-term success of protected areas, but the practicalities of implementing this are thwart with challenges. Despite this, SANParks is attempting to facilitate and promote benefits through conservation, specifically in the sense of benefits that support livelihoods whilst reducing vulnerability. With this in mind, we acknowledge the importance of the concepts of scale, resilience, complexity and adaptive learning for, and during, this process.

Toward α National Strategy for Environmental Education

Abstract: (1970). Toward α National Strategy for Environmental Education. The Journal of Educational Research: Vol. 64, No. 1, pp. 5-11.

Writing in Paragraphs.

Abstract: A paragraph is a series of sentences focused on a single topic. Each paragraph in your paper will contribute in some way toward advancing your paper’s overall purpose. A well written paragraph is actually much like a well written essay in miniature. Just as an essay presents a thesis about its subject, a paragraph presents a single idea or topic and develops it in a purposeful manner. Just as essays employ smooth transitions between paragraphs, paragraphs should include smooth transitions between sentences. Paragraphs will use evidence, such as quotations, examples, and supporting details to develop their subjects much like essays employ different kinds of support to defend a thesis. If you can write an effective paragraph, you really are able to do the things you need to do to write a good essay.

A Brief Historical Account and Introduction to the Earth Science Curriculum Project.

Abstract: science, which has had a long and varied career as a secondary school subject, is now enjoying a period of rapid increase in enrollment, due in part to a growing disenchantment of most scientists and science educators with general science courses, and in part to a rebirth of interest in the earth and its environs. The rapid advance of science and technology during and following World War II has created the revolution in science education of

A Systems Approach Toward Environmental Education

Abstract: (1970). A Systems Approach Toward Environmental Education. Environmental Education: Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 42-46.