Evaluating and Expanding the Environmental Education Program at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Abstract

An evaluation of the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge's Environmental Education (EE) was undertaken in 1991-1992. If the Refuge EE program was meeting the needs of its clientele was determined through questionnaires, focus groups and interviews. An effort to gain community support and reach urban youth of color methods of expanding the Refuges audiences were examined. In general the Refuge programs were on target with teacher's desired outcomes. Teachers and Refuge staff agreed on the need for expansion of EE activities and workshops offered through the Refuge. In 1990 the incorporation of EE was mandated in Minnesota for grades K-12 without development of teacher training courses. Educators expressed the need for training on environmental issues as well as implementation methods. The Refuge was a viable and desirable avenue. Schools located within five miles of the Refuge's thirty-four mile border, and urban schools were targeted for expansion of the EE program. The development of a teacher network was examined for border schools. To reach urban youth of color the formation of partnership was discussed.