ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

WITH THE GREENWAY FOUNDATION'S RIVER RANGER PROGRAM

Students gain a wide range of knowledge and skills through environmental education (EE) programming. From environmental knowledge to public speaking skills, EE gives students tools that help them well into the future. The Greenway Foundation's River Ranger program particularly gives students the skills and confidence they need as they continue high school and beyond.

Environmental Education Training
The Greenway’s Certified Environmental Educator will facilitate a series of workshops focused on environmental education best practices and environmental issues.  Students will put theory into practice by teaching activities for elementary students and compile a professional portfolio based on this experience.
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Leadership and Teambuilding Initiatives
Through teambuilding challenges, group problem solving initiatives, and teaching responsibilities, students will develop strong leadership skills that will help them succeed in whatever career they choose.  As students become role models for elementary children, they will start to examine how their choices affect others and learn how to be a positive force in their own communities. ​
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Hands-on Teaching Experience
When students step into the role of teachers they develop confidence and a heightened sense of responsibility.  Interns will team teach in groups of two for up to 15 elementary students at a time.  They will be asked to teach students about their local environment through structured and unstructured activities at Denver public parks along the South Platte River and its tributaries, all with the support of experiences educators.
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Science Education
In addition to teaching experience, students will learn through real-world application of subjects including chemistry, biology, geology, and other science education.  Interns will get to know their local environment while teaching at public parks in Denver and by learning to identify native plant and animal species and conduct water quality testing.
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Communication and Public Speaking
Through team challenges and teaching experience interns will gain practice speaking in front of their peers as well as groups of students.  Almost all River Rangers said they gained more confidence and communication skills as a result of the program.
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Career Awareness and Preparation
As students develop their knowledge and skills about the environment, Greenway staff will provide guidance on how their experience can translate to real-world career opportunities.  Greenway staff will wrap up the internship with a one-on-one meeting to help students with summer job planning and goal-setting.
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Job Interview Experience and Resume Building
All interns must apply and interview to be selected for the program.  Greenway staff allows students to practice their interview skills in a supportive environment and offers feedback for future job endevors.   Students will take part in a resume-building workshop and each will create a resume focused on STEM-related careers.

Academic Performance

Research indicates that students engaged in environmental education experience numerous benefits including:

• Greater pride and ownership in their community
  
• Strengthened sense of empowerment to make a difference in their community\
  
• Increased engagement and enthusiasm for learning
  
• Increased school attendance
  
• Greater sense of relevance and interest in what they learn in school
  
• Better performance on standardized measures of academic achievement in reading, writing, math, science, and social studies

Careers In The Environmental Field

Colorado has the fourth-highest concentration of green jobs in the U.S. with nearly 20,000 renewable energy and research jobs (3). Recreation and tourism provide employment to many of Colorado’s residents and represents a significant source of income to its state and cities. These industries are vital to the state’s economy.

National studies indicate that 47% of all natural resource agency field staff and 77% of all leadership staff are expected to retire by 2015, leaving a void in outdoor and science positions in Colorado and across the nation (4).  This presents a significant opportunity for students pursuing careers in the environmental and recreational fields, and trends indicate that these students will continue to see jobs becoming available in the future.

(Research content extracted from the Draft Colorado Environmental Literacy Plan).

1 Archie, Michele L. (2003). Advancing Education Through Environmental Literacy. Danvers, MA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.   

2 Lieberman, G. & Hoody, L. (1998). Closing the Achievement Gap: Using the Environment as an Integrating Context for Learning. Results of a Nationwide Study. Education and Environment Roundtable. Retrieved December 2010, from http://www.seer.org; National Environmental Education & Training Foundation. (2000). Environment-Based Education: Creating High Performance Schools and Students. Retrieved from http://www.peecworks.org/PEEC/PEEC_Research/S001877D2-00187940; Ernst ,J. A, Monroe, M. (2004). The effect of environment- based education on students’ critical thinking skills and disposition toward critical thinking. Environmental Education Research, 10(4): 507-522.  

3 Governor’s Energy Office - Recharge Colorado: Green Jobs. (2010). Retrieved September 14, 2011 from http://rechargecolorado.com/index.php/who_is_the_geo/green_jobs/.

4 Unger, K. (Spring, 2007). Graying of the Green Generation. The Wildlife Professional.