Abstract
Increasingly complex ecological and political issues and decreasing conservation program funding have led to a more challenging environment for conservation work. Watershed level partnerships and coalitions offer opportunities for diverse organizations and agencies to unite for conservation initiatives.
The Flathead Watershed Sourcebook is an excellent example of the power of collaboration. A product of the Flathead Community of Resource Educators (CORE), this book and companion website address the need to increase awareness and appreciation of natural, historical and cultural resources of the Flathead and to communicate watershed level interconnectedness to students. This watershed crosses international boundaries, encompasses a Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, nearly six million acres of forests, farms, cities, national park land, wilderness areas, and one of the most biologically intact ecosystems in North America.
This unique collaborative effort offers a central source for watershed information, and includes over 50 “Watershed Perspectives,” short individually contributed vignettes that help tell the story of the watershed from a variety of viewpoints. Authored and coordinated by a master’s graduate student, this project engaged resource professionals, scientists, educators, and citizens to promote place-based learning and conservation. The Sourcebook has been successfully incorporated into classroom learning throughout the Flathead and reprint requests are mounting.
The author will also unveil the ongoing collaboration underway by the Flathead CORE to develop middle school curriculum to accompany the Sourcebook. The curriculum is being designed to aid teachers in increasing their students’ proficiency and introducing them to conservation concepts through diverse activities and exercises.
Start Date
24-4-2015 10:00 AM
End Date
24-4-2015 10:30 AM
Document Type
Presentation
The Flathead Watershed Sourcebook
Increasingly complex ecological and political issues and decreasing conservation program funding have led to a more challenging environment for conservation work. Watershed level partnerships and coalitions offer opportunities for diverse organizations and agencies to unite for conservation initiatives.
The Flathead Watershed Sourcebook is an excellent example of the power of collaboration. A product of the Flathead Community of Resource Educators (CORE), this book and companion website address the need to increase awareness and appreciation of natural, historical and cultural resources of the Flathead and to communicate watershed level interconnectedness to students. This watershed crosses international boundaries, encompasses a Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site, nearly six million acres of forests, farms, cities, national park land, wilderness areas, and one of the most biologically intact ecosystems in North America.
This unique collaborative effort offers a central source for watershed information, and includes over 50 “Watershed Perspectives,” short individually contributed vignettes that help tell the story of the watershed from a variety of viewpoints. Authored and coordinated by a master’s graduate student, this project engaged resource professionals, scientists, educators, and citizens to promote place-based learning and conservation. The Sourcebook has been successfully incorporated into classroom learning throughout the Flathead and reprint requests are mounting.
The author will also unveil the ongoing collaboration underway by the Flathead CORE to develop middle school curriculum to accompany the Sourcebook. The curriculum is being designed to aid teachers in increasing their students’ proficiency and introducing them to conservation concepts through diverse activities and exercises.