C. Youth, Environmental Education and Interpretation Programs
Initiative: Provide opportunities for Colorado’s citizens, especially its youth, to learn about and be involved in the protection and enjoyment of parks, trails, wildlife habitat, rivers, and open spaces.
Through its public process GOCO learned that providing opportunities
for all the state’s citizens, regardless of age, race, economic
status or community, to have access to environmental education,
park, wildlife, trails and open space resources, is a priority
for Coloradans. In particular, the engagement of youth in outdoor
activities and opportunities is important, as they are the next
generation of stewards of the state’s natural resources. Youth
opportunities, environmental education and interpretive programs
provide a significant opportunity for GOCO to involve all of Colorado’s
citizens in its mission.
Benchmarks related to Initiative: There exists a continuum of opportunities for youth of the state
to participate in and enjoy the state’s outdoors. This continuum
includes youth education opportunities through the Divisions of
Parks and Wildlife, youth corps established throughout the state,
and other opportunities through volunteer and community organizations.
Access to public lands and education and interpretation opportunities
on public lands is made available to communities throughout Colorado.
Evaluation of programs and activities determines that they are
effective in delivering opportunities and experiences statewide
that are targeted at meeting the needs of youth and underserved
populations and are the most effective methods.
Objective: Support programs for youth to be involved in the protection,
restoration and enjoyment of Colorado’s parks, trails, open space
and wildlife resources.
Approaches: Youth Corps
Support the expansion of youth corps throughout the state, with
strong emphasis on the metropolitan areas.
Youth in Natural Resources/Colorado Youth Naturally
Support existing and new programs of the State of Colorado which
involve youth in employment and environmental education opportunities.
Volunteer and Community Organizations
Support the development and expansion of volunteer and community
organizations which serve youth through employment, experiential,
and environmental education opportunities.
Objective: Support programs that provide education about wildlife
and wildlife environment.
Approaches: Provide information and resources to teachers and other environmental
educators through the Division of Wildlife and in collaboration
with schools and nonprofit partners (e.g. Wonders in Nature/Wonders in Neighborhoods, Project Wet
and Project Wild, Teaching Environmental Science Naturally)
Approaches: Provide opportunities for youth to experience educational programs
in the outdoors beyond the classroom -- through the Division
of Wildlife and in collaboration with schools and non-profit partners.
Objective: Provide access to interpretive and watchable wildlife
opportunities at State Parks, State Wildlife Areas and other locations
across the state.
Approaches: Interpretive Programs
Support interpretive programs and provide interpreters at State
Parks.
Watchable Wildlife
Support watchable wildlife programs and facilities at State Parks,
State Wildlife Areas, and other locations across the state
Access
Provide access for communities to interpretive and watchable wildlife
facilities and programs.
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