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Urban Environmental Education: A Review of Cornell Cooperative Extension Programs

Anthony Burgess

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Published in Urban Environmental Education Review (Cornell In Environmental Education)

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Urban Environmental Education Review (Cornell in Environmental Education)

Urban Environmental Education Review (Cornell Series in Environmental Education)

by Mel Starr

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8255 KB
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Print length	:	330 pages

Urban areas are home to over half of the world's population, and this number is only expected to grow in the coming years. As cities continue to expand, it is more important than ever to find ways to connect people with nature and inspire them to become environmental stewards. Urban environmental education (UEE) is a powerful tool that can help to achieve this goal.

UEE programs aim to provide people with the knowledge, skills, and values they need to make informed decisions about the environment. These programs can take place in a variety of settings, including schools, community centers, parks, and nature preserves. They often involve hands-on activities, such as gardening, nature walks, and environmental restoration projects.

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) is a network of educators and researchers who provide educational programs to people of all ages across New York State. CCE has a long history of providing UEE programs, and its programs have been shown to be effective in increasing people's knowledge of the environment, their connection to nature, and their willingness to take action to protect the environment.

Review of CCE UEE Programs

CCE offers a wide range of UEE programs, including:

Schoolyard Gardens: CCE helps schools to create and maintain schoolyard gardens, which provide students with hands-on experience with gardening and nutrition.
Nature Clubs: CCE supports nature clubs in schools and youth organizations, which provide students with opportunities to explore nature and learn about the environment.
Environmental Restoration Projects: CCE engages volunteers in environmental restoration projects, such as planting trees, cleaning up waterways, and restoring wildlife habitat.
Community Education Workshops: CCE offers workshops on a variety of environmental topics, such as composting, recycling, and energy efficiency.

CCE's UEE programs are designed to meet the needs of diverse audiences, including:

Youth: CCE's UEE programs help youth to develop a love of nature and an understanding of the environment. These programs also provide youth with opportunities to develop leadership skills and make a difference in their communities.
Adults: CCE's UEE programs help adults to learn about environmental issues and to take action to protect the environment. These programs also provide adults with opportunities to connect with nature and to build community.
Families: CCE's UEE programs provide families with opportunities to learn about the environment together and to create lasting memories.

Evidence of Effectiveness

CCE's UEE programs have been shown to be effective in increasing people's knowledge of the environment, their connection to nature, and their willingness to take action to protect the environment. For example, a study of CCE's schoolyard garden program found that students who participated in the program had higher levels of environmental knowledge and were more likely to engage in pro-environmental behaviors, such as recycling and composting.

Another study of CCE's nature club program found that students who participated in the program had increased their knowledge of the environment and their connection to nature. The study also found that students who participated in the program were more likely to take action to protect the environment, such as volunteering for environmental restoration projects.

CCE's UEE programs are a powerful tool for connecting people with nature and inspiring them to become environmental stewards. These programs have been shown to be effective in increasing people's knowledge of the environment, their connection to nature, and their willingness to take action to protect the environment. CCE's UEE programs are a valuable resource for communities across New York State.

References

Cornell Cooperative Extension. (2020). Urban Environmental Education. Retrieved from https://cce.cornell.edu/urban-environmental-education
Louv, R. (2008). Last child in the woods: Saving our children from nature-deficit disorder. Chapel Hill, NC: Algonquin Books.
National Audubon Society. (2019). The Importance of Urban Environmental Education. Retrieved from https://www.audubon.org/news/importance-urban-environmental-education
Pyle, R. M. (2002). Eden in a vacant lot: Special places, species, and kids in the neighborhood of life. Boston: MIT Press.

Urban Environmental Education Review (Cornell Series in Environmental Education)

by Mel Starr

4.6 out of 5