ERIC Number: EJ843358
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0814-0626
EISSN: N/A
A Participatory Approach to University Teaching about Partnerships for Biodiversity Conservation
Gladstone, William; Stanger, Robin; Phelps, Liz
Australian Journal of Environmental Education, v22 n2 p21-31 2006
Loss of biodiversity and habitats is one of the greatest threats to the environment and education has a critical role to play in addressing this issue. This paper describes a teaching activity for first-year university students studying sustainable resource management at the University of Newcastle which established a partnership between education, government and the community to rehabilitate a nature reserve where biodiversity values were threatened by weed invasion. Students research the problem (weed invasion), quantitatively assess the impacts of weed invasion and management interventions, and work alongside a community-based bushcare group and government agency during on-ground rehabilitation of the reserve. Key outcomes for students have been knowledge and skills relevant to a critical issue for the Australian environment; a more optimistic attitude towards environmental issues and their potential to develop solutions; a positive perspective about the role of community involvement; continued participation in community bushcare groups outside the classroom; and personal involvement in solving a critical environmental issue.
Descriptors: Environmental Education, Conservation (Environment), Community Involvement, Biodiversity, Gardening, Partnerships in Education, Sustainable Development, School Community Programs, Learning Activities, Instructional Design, Field Experience Programs, Outdoor Education, Foreign Countries
Australian Association for Environmental Education, Inc.. P.O. Box 560, Bellingen, NSW 2454 Australia. Tel: +61-2-6655-1865; Fax: +61-2-6655-1596; e-mail: admin@aaee.org.au; Website: http://www.aaee.org.au/publications/ajee.htm
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A