Conservation Education
Conservation education is one of the most vital tools for shaping long-term conservation and enjoyment of fish and wildlife resources. Each member agency of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) offers a variety of programs to educate children and adults about the conservation and of fish, wildlife and other natural resources. Some of these programs include instructions on how to participate in recreational activities such as fishing, boating, hunting, bird watching and more. Visit member agency websites to discover the wide variety of programs available.
The Association also decided to strengthen and unify conservation efforts of Association member agencies and partners and in March, 2005, approved the Association's North American Conservation Education Strategy. This effort began as a result of a Conservation Education Summit held December 2004. See the Conservation Education Summit link for more information on the Summit .
Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' North American Conservation Education Strategy
Mission
To unify and strengthen conservation education efforts of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (Association) member agencies and partners in a manner that effectively advances the Association's Strategic Plan* and the North American Model of Fish and Wildlife Conservation*.
Vision
Conservation Education becomes an effective, dynamic means for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, its members and partners to achieve the Association's Strategic Plan through an informed and involved citizenry that:
- Understands the value of our fish and wildlife resources as a public trust;
- Appreciates that conservation and management of terrestrial and water resources are essential to sustaining fish and wildlife, the outdoor landscape and the quality of our lives;
- Understands and actively participates in the stewardship and support of our natural resources;
- Understands, accepts and/or lawfully participates in hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, wildlife watching, shooting sports and other types of resource related outdoor recreation;
- Understands the need for and actively supports funding for fish and wildlife conservation.
[For the purposes of our Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies' members, Conservation Education is defined as a process by which we achieve this vision.]
Goals
- Elevate the value of conservation education
- Advance the Association's conservation education agenda
- Achieve excellence in conservation education
- Maximize partnerships
- Secure funding
Underlying Principles
- Conservation Education is the foundation to overall conservation success.
- Base all planning, development, implementation, training, and evaluation on Best Practices. **
- The development and implementation of this Strategy is a continuing process, regularly assessed and modified as needed.
GOAL # 1: ELEVATE THE VALUE OF CONSERVATION EDUCATION
Recognize Conservation Education as a mission-critical management component of every fish & wildlife agency. An educated, informed and involved citizenry is critical for effective management and protection of natural resources.
• Strategy: The Association develops agreement among fish & wildlife agencies and partners of Conservation Education's value, which will lead to a more vital function of Conservation Education internally and externally. To achieve this, it is imperative that the Association continue a North American dialog on Conservation Education.
• Strategy: The Association members and partners commit to a North American Conservation Education agenda.
• Strategy: Demonstrate that Conservation Education is mission-critical.
GOAL #2: ADVANCE THE ASSOCIATION'S CONSERVATION EDUCATION AGENDA
To effectively manage fish and wildlife resources, fish and wildlife agencies and partners must establish themselves as a leader in conservation education in order to develop an informed and involved citizenry. The Association can facilitate this process by generating momentum for Conservation Education, by developing a support system and by helping agencies recognize Conservation Education's value as a management tool.
• Strategy: Establish North American Conservation Education goals, needs and objectives that are consistent with the 2005 Association Strategic Plan and North American Model of Fish and Wildlife Conservation .
• Strategy: Identify fish and wildlife management issues to be addressed through Conservation Education.
• Strategy: Develop a North American momentum and a support system for Conservation Education.
GOAL #3: ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE IN CONSERVATION EDUCATION
The Association will support and enhance Conservation Education programs within fish & wildlife agencies and partners by providing resources, training, and expertise for optimizing their effectiveness.
• Strategy: Base Conservation Education on sound education models, best practices and guidelines for excellence. ***
• Strategy: Facilitate and strengthen professional development.
• Strategy : Enable, assist and encourage practitioners to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and materials.
GOAL #4: MAXIMIZE PARTNERSHIPS
Partnerships, at both a North American, national and state/provincial level, are a vital component of the Conservation Education Mission . These partnerships will extend and multiply conservation efforts at the state, provincial, regional, and national level.
• Strategy: Assess where partnerships can further the continued development and implementation of the Conservation Education Strategy.
• Strategy: Maximize existing and pursue new partnerships at the state, provincial, regional and national level through the Association .
GOAL #5: SECURE FUNDING
Recognizing that funding is critical for Conservation Education efforts, additional funding sources are needed in order to improve overall effectiveness of Conservation Education.
• Strategy : The Association takes a leadership role in obtaining funding through Multistate Conservation Grants and other state fish and wildlife grant programs.
• Strategy : Fill a self-supporting position within the Association to increase funding in 501-C-3 America 's Wildlife Association for Resource Education Program (AWARE) and explore grants and/or partnerships with industry.
• Strategy : Explore any opportunity to include financial support for conservation education when seeking any source of funding.
• Strategy: The Association advocates for State Wildlife Grant Program funding to be available for state wildlife education funding.
NEXT STEPS
Conservation Education Concepts
The Association developed an agreed upon list of conservation education concepts that relate to fish and wildlife. In March of 2006 the top 11 concepts were brought before the Association's membership and approved. The longer list of concepts was reviewed and approved by the Education Outreach and Diversity Committee. See Conservation Education Concepts for further information.
Moving Forward
Several subcommittees of the Association's Education, Outreach and Diversity Committee are working to further develop each goal. See Conservation Education Committee Activities . Support for these activities will be needed to reach the full potential of the Strategy. If you would like to help, go to support conservation education. |
