Educational Model and the Role Educational Model and the Role and Function of Educatorsand Function of Educators

Presentation ObjectivesPresentation Objectives

Review how education can lead to the adoption of low impact behaviors.

Describe the Leave No Trace educational training model.

Describe the role and function of the Leave No Trace Education Review Committee.

Describe some of the core Leave No Trace educational programs.

Leave No Trace: Leave No Trace: Organizational Organizational FocusFocus

Educate, Connect, Protect: We educate people about minimum impact skills and

responsible outdoor recreation.

We connect people to their natural world so that they care about its future health.

We protect ecosystems by creating lifelong outdoor stewards.

A Classification of Visitor Actions A Classification of Visitor Actions that Cause Impactthat Cause Impact

Careless – picking wildflowers

Unskilled – firewood gathering & campfire

building

Uninformed – feeding wildlife

Unavoidable – trampling along a trail

Illegal – theft of cultural artifacts

Which actions can education address?

Exposure

Visitor is exposed to

an educational

message

Attention

Visitor processes

the message

Comprehension

Message is understood

Yielding

Visitor accepts the message and changes their attitude

Retention

Visitor retains the

message and attitude

Behavior

Visitor behaves in accordance with changed attitude

Avoidance/Reduction of Impacts

Resource or experiential impacts are avoided or

reduced

McQuire’sMcQuire’s Model of PersuasionModel of PersuasionThe educational process for altering

behavior

Leave No Trace: Leave No Trace: Core Values Core Values

LNT is founded on outdoor ethics whereby a sense of stewardship is gained through understanding and connecting with the natural world.

Practicing the Leave No Trace principles is the most relevant and effective long-term solution to maintaining the beauty, health of, and access to natural lands.

LNT is science-based and builds ethical, pragmatic approaches to resource protection.

Leave No Trace ResearchLeave No Trace Research

Recreation Ecology research tells us about recreation impacts and how they can be minimized by managers and visitors.

Social science research tells us about visitor perceptions and behaviors.

Education Review CommitteeEducation Review Committee

The Education Review Committee (ERC) is a standing committee of the LNT Board of Directors.

The ERC develops, reviews and revises educational materials, training programs and curriculum.

The ERC ensures that all educational materials are consistently and effectively presented, and are based on the best research and outdoor experience.

ERC MembershipERC Membership

ERC membership is comprised of representatives from federal, state, and local land management agencies, the Center, outdoor education organizations, and scientists.

The ERC brings together a mix of differing perspectives, expertise and experience to develop and refine the best available low impact and educational practices.

Use, Alteration, & Development of Use, Alteration, & Development of Leave No Trace MaterialsLeave No Trace Materials

The ERC reviews new and existing educational material for accuracy and consistency.

The ERC provides a peer-review process for deviations or revisions of previously approved low impact practices or messaging.

LNT Training LNT Training ModelModel

Master Educator Course An intensive 5-day field-oriented

course offered by one of the Center’s approved course providers.

Trainer Course

A 2-day field course taught by Master Educators.

Awareness Workshop A 30 min to full-day introductory workshop for the general public.

Tiered Training Structure

Current Status: Training Current Status: Training OrganizationsOrganizations

The following organizations have been authorized to teach the Leave No Trace Master Educator course:

National Outdoor Leadership School

Appalachian Mountain Club

Landmark Learning

Wilderness Educational Association

USFS Ninemile Wildlands Training Center

Boy Scouts of America

Adirondack Mountain Club

Frontcountry ProgramFrontcountry Program Frontcountry is defined as outdoor areas that are easily

accessible by vehicle and mostly visited by day users.

The Center is working with partners across the U.S. to develop frontcountry programs that help protect these resources and reach the increasing number of individuals recreating in these areas.

Frontcountry Program RootsFrontcountry Program Roots

Approximately 85% of outdoor visits occur near urban centers: day hiking, biking, picnicking, skateboarding, fishing, running, dog, walking, car camping, etc.

Land managers need the ability to tailor specific Leave No Trace information to more effectively reach frontcountry audiences.

FrontcountryFrontcountryImpactsImpacts Pet waste & management

Crowding & user group conflicts

Trespassing, off-trail hiking

Trash, graffiti, vandalism

Traveling Trainer ProgramTraveling Trainer Program

Subaru provides support and vehicles for the Traveling Trainer Program. Traveling Trainers are teams of field educators who provide Leave No Trace outreach and education to diverse audiences across the country.

Beginning in 1999, this partnership has allowed the Center to reach millions of individuals each year.

PEAK: Promoting Environmental PEAK: Promoting Environmental Awareness in KidsAwareness in Kids

The program is presented as a “pack” of six activities. Additional activities, a Teen program and materials in Spanish are also available.

The PEAK program can be purchased or borrowed from the Center or is available through the “Packing with PEAK” grant.

PEAK educates youth ages 6-12 about Leave No Trace through hands-on activities.

PEAK began as a partnership program between the Center for Outdoor Ethics and REI in 2001.

Leave No Trace e-tourLeave No Trace e-tour

The e-tour is a partnership program between the Center and Coleman Outdoor Products.

The e-tour brings hands-on demonstrations, interactive activities and LNT education to retail stores, camps and youth-serving organizations.

The e-tour inspires youth to get outside while promoting Leave No Trace practices. The program focuses heavily on frontcountry recreation.

State Advocate State Advocate ProgramProgram

More than 45 states have Leave No Trace State Advocates.

These volunteers coordinate and conduct training, outreach and education for the public.

Advocates receive training, materials and financial support from the Center.

Tens of thousands are reached annually through the State Advocate program.

BSA Council Outdoor Ethics BSA Council Outdoor Ethics AdvocatesAdvocates

Serves as the local council’s point person for facilitating Leave No Trace training and ethics for youth and adults.

Coordinates with council committees (Training, Camping, Conservation, Program).

Responsibilities: Training (developing instructor corp, organizing courses), Recruiting (youth/adults for courses), Program Promotion (lead promotional efforts), Reporting (to Council and National).

International ProgramsInternational Programs

The Center has international branch organizations in Canada, Ireland and Australia and dozens of partner organizations, agencies and educational institutions around the world. Center staff offer courses and other training options to the international community.

Leave No TraceLeave No TraceSuccess StoriesSuccess Stories

Leave No Trace reaches an estimated 10 million outdoor visitors each year.

More than 400 organizations have partnered with the Center to support Leave No Trace education and outreach.

Many educational materials are translated into Spanish to provide tools for educators working with the rapidly growing Spanish speaking population visiting public lands.

Connect Grants for Culturally-Diverse Communities have enabled the Center to provide educational resources and scholarship funds to organizations working with multicultural populations.

The EndThe End