OutdoorNebraska

Basic Actions Expand awareness about outdoor recreation education across all user groups. Expand awareness of the importance of outdoor recreation education opportunities across user groups (e.g., students, educators, families, seniors, young children, underserved populations) through various media platforms and how-to clinics. • Encourage collaboration. Encourage collaboration among environmental education providers, such as groups, organizations, and natural resource agencies, when creating project goals (e.g. National Recreation and Park Association, Fish and Game agencies, environmental friends groups). • Use guidance documents for outdoor recreation education efforts. Use resources within the NGPC Education Strategic Plan to guide outdoor recreation education efforts where applicable. Intermediate Actions • Market natural play and outdoor classrooms. Provide emphasis on natural play and outdoor classroom environments through marketing efforts. If you do not have these in your community, consider creating them as a less costly investment compared to traditional playground equipment (see Natural Playscapes Guide on page 55). Provide opportunities for students and adults to engage in citizen science programs. Examples include helping gather data regarding Nebraska's wildlife species or classroom service learning projects about native species, biodiverse habitats, climate change, and how to protect natural resources for the future. • Educate diverse audiences. Educate diverse populations about outdoor recreation ethics, and create programs that are welcoming to all cultures with content the participants can relate to. Advanced Actions • Encourage the next generation of stewards of the outdoors. Encourage youth and young adults to participate in outdoor recreation activities to create the next generation of stewards of the outdoors. Create mentoring programs to encourage outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Mentoring programs can encourage the next generation of outdoor recreation users with resources from partners such as NGPC's youth mentoring hunts, Take 'Em Hunting and Take 'Em Fishing campaigns. • Provide more courses in natural resource education in primary, secondary, and post- secondary schools. Increase the number of formal educators who will incorporate environmental education into curriculum. Work with school administrators to develop a greater appreciation and support for environmental education in the classroom. • Explore other avenues of creating and disseminating outdoor recreation education resources. Continue to develop Nebraska-specific resources for citizens, families and educators, including informational web sites, classroom curriculums, printed materials, and outdoor classrooms teaching about natural ecosystems and wildlife. • Increase funding for education projects and programs. Funding for education projects and programs can assist schools and teachers in meeting state standard requirements through the use of nature-based concepts. Consider how the programs will aid in offering affordable outdoor education options for low-income families. 87 ACTION ITEMS G U I D I N G S U C C E S S

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