Urban Environmental Education Engaging Students in Local Resources
There has been a sharp decline in participation in outdoor recreation and education amongst youth, particularly in urban areas. Some argue that youth who have meaningful outdoor education experiences are more likely to become engaged in environmental stewardship and invested in outdoor resources as adults. Wilderness Inquiry - in partnership with state and federal agencies, non-profits, and local school districts - is using this appropriation to expand an environmental education and recreation program that provides youth with hands-on educational and recreational experiences centered around the Mississippi River. Funds enable the program to offer experiential, place-based educational experiences to nearly 16,000 additional disadvantaged middle and high school students in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and six greater Minnesota school districts. Experiences will include hiking, canoeing, fishing, aquatic sampling, camping, and conservation-related summer employment.
$1,093,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with Wilderness Inquiry for a collaborative partnership, including the National Park Service, Minneapolis Public Schools, and St. Paul Public Schools, to establish a metrowide system providing place-based environmental education experiences using existing, but underutilized, outdoor environmental resources serving over 15,000 middle and high school students. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2017, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Click on Work Plan under Project Details.
Click on Work Plan under Project Details.