Project Plans FY08

UMass Envirothon Collaborative

Project Leader: Will Snyder

Project Year: 2008

Brief Description

This plan addresses both youth development and community development issues.

Background on Community Development issues

The state is fragmented into 351 local units (towns and cities) with full governance responsibility, but whose borders make a rational approach to environmental problems difficult.   Almost half of the municipalities do not have professional planning staff; their volunteer boards struggle with increasing levels of responsibility, liability and public pressure.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst possesses a strong academic and research base for addressing many elements of land use planning.  UMass Extension has also built strong collaborative relationships off campus with state environmental agencies and environmental NGOs which also offer important expertise and outreach capacity.

A comprehensive, long term effort to promote informed public participation in land conservation and management must include education aimed at the youth who will be the citizens and volunteer board members in their communities in the decades to come. The teachers who work with these youth are an important group of stakeholders as well, who can offer a multiplier effect in reaching youth, and who may themselves volunteer to serve on local boards.

Background on Youth Development Issues

Effective youth development enables young people to grow into competent, caring, capable, engaged, and well-informed citizens prepared to work and live in the 21st century. Key factors include nurturing relationships with adults and positive relationships with peers; and structured activities and the opportunity for community service and civic participation. Effective youth programs must also ensure inclusive environments for all youth, as well as opportunities for mastery and active participation in determining their futures.

This plan aims to address the following priorities in youth development:

Life Skills - Including communication skills, teamwork skills, and skills and attitudes for community service.

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math - including hands-on, real world experiences in community based settings.

Environmental Science and Stewardship - Including scientific knowledge, skills, and vlaues for stewardship of the environment and natural resources.

Activities

• Massachusetts Envirothon Current Issue Questions & Resources for Teams
• Massachusetts Envirothon Community Awards Information for Teams
• Fall Envirothon Coaches Workshop
• Fall Envirothon team workshop at UMass
• Mass Envirothon winter workshop
• Judges training for Envirothon current issue
• Massachusetts Envirothon Final Competition

Inputs: Time and Effort

Outcomes:

This Project will document progress towards the following:

• Youth are effective team members, communicators, and leaders
• Youth engage in community service learning
• Participants develop the knowledge and skills to adhere to principles of sustainability and smart growth
• Youth develop the knowledge and skills needed to practice competent, applied science