Part 1. Goals and Narrative--Curriculum Plans.

 C/P Team Name

 NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

 C/P Co-Chair Names

 John Donnelly & Bob Townsend

 C/P Team Mission

 To provide outreach education to diverse groups so that they can improve the quality, productivity and sustainability of natural resources.

 Narrative: Justification or Rationale

(Note: John and I will update this before submitting it to the State office late this month)

 Situation Statement: Within the past 25 years, Vermont has grown in population by 25%, more than doubled its economic activity, and doubled the number of miles driven on its highways. Partly resulting from these changes, there are areas of the State that are undeniably altered: less farmland (replaced by some commercial and residential development) and an increase in forest land. Most forests in Vermont are privately owned and provide wildlife habitat, an economic base, and recreational and scenic assets. (Environment 1995. An Assessment of the Quality of Vermont's Environment. The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources).

 As the 21st century approaches, the use of natural resources and the protection of environmental quality are the focus of increased attention not only in Vermont, but throughout the world. The interdependence of ecological systems (and economies) which cross institutional boundaries, as well as the impacts of human activity on those ecosystems, have become key issues in the socio-economic, political, research and education `agendas' of many communities and nations. Dramatic increases in access to information about these issues--coupled with a concentrated demand on the natural resource base in the northeastern U.S.--present the University of Vermont Extension with expanded opportunities and responsibilities for outreach education in natural resources and environmental management (NREM).

  Through new (and existing) partnerships, UVM Extension can provide the expertise and leadership necessary to develop collaborative, issue-focused programs to help people solve problems, strengthen the natural resource base, and ensure the economic security of present and future generations (Shaping the Future. A Strategic Plan for Natural Resources and Environmental Management Education. USDA-Extension Service).

 C/P Educational Goal(s)

 The goals of the NREM program are to ensure that Vermonters:

1. Understand their relationship to the environment.

2. Practice a stewardship ethic.

3. Are capable of making informed decisions about NREM issues.

4. Are knowledgeable about practices that sustain natural resources.

5. Recognize the importance of meeting human needs without compromising production capability for future generations.

6. Understand and appreciate biodiversity and the significance of all species.

7. Have equitable opportunity to participate in problem-solving regarding natural resources and the environment.

C/P Prioritized Goals and Objectives

No. 1 Priority-Sustainable Natural Resources Education and Management

Objective 1. To encourage ecosystem-based approaches to land use, which will allow sustainable production and efficient use of goods and services from renewable resources and conservation of non-renewable resources.

Objective 2. To educate clients (including youth) about issues regarding water quality and to encourage practices which minimize adverse impacts on water resources, including important wetlands.

No. 2 Priority-Public Policy Education

Objective 1. To prepare Vermont citizens to understand and take responsibility for public policies relating to natural resources and the environment.

No. 3 Priority-Conflict Management

Objective 1. To improve the skills of Vermonters in identifying and managing conflict, so as to improve natural resources/environmental management decision-making.

 Curriculum Foci: Major Programs and Activities

1. Sustainable Natural Resources Education and Management

a. to increase the understanding of ecosystem-based approaches to forest land management and use (related to Goal 1, above) by forest landowners, youth, resource managers, forest-based businesses and others, through educational programs on estate planning, diversified forest products, value-added production and marketing, etc.

b. to increase knowledge and proper management of Vermont wetlands, through educational activities (publications, media, workshops, consultations, etc.) for farm and forest landowners.

c. to increase knowledge of water quality issues and practices among youth and middle- school teachers, through pilot `Drinking Water Week programs in several Vermont communities.

 2. Public Policy Education

a. to educate the general public (and specific audiences within, such as forest landowners and youth) regarding the Northern Forest issues and management options and to facilitate their involvement in development of local, state and regional policies relating to thereto

 3. Conflict Management

a. to increase conflict-resolution skills among Extension faculty and staff, NREM partner agencies/organizations and client-groups, through publications, media efforts, and workshops, both as part of the `Vermont Conservation Partnership' MOU and other UVM Extension-initiated activities.

 Ties to Experiment Station Research and Teaching

 Efforts will be made to share technical, human, or other resources which are needed for (or which are developed from) the above programs/activities among the research, teaching and Extension components of the University of Vermont. For NREM program purposes, research and teaching activities in the School of Natural Resources (e.g., the Vermont Water Resources and Lake Studies Center) provide a ready-resource with which to improve outreach education programs offered by Extension faculty and staff. Recent sabbatical leave activities may provide specific teaching opportunities for the two NREM faculty members involved (McEvoy and Howe).

Ties in the UVMExt NREM program have also been established with land-grant university research/teaching/Extension resources outside the State; e.g., conflict management training, to be conducted by a University of Kentucky Extension specialist; also, northeast-regional training for NREM faculty/staff, to be held in Pa. in May, 1998.

 Key Collaborators

These include, but are not limited to, the following:

Local middle-schools in Vermont

Vt. Agency of Natural Resources (various departments)

Vt. Dept. of Agriculture, Food & Markets

USDA-Forest Service

NRCS

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

U.S. EPA

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Vt. Forest Products Association

Vt. Woodlands Assoc.

Vt. Natural Resources Council

Vt. Assoc. of Conservation Districts

Private-sector consultants (engineers, etc.)