Environmental education programs in Watchung Reservation, New Jersey
(Book - Regular Print)

Thesis,MSES,Green Mountain College,2012

Includes bibliographical references.

For an applied professional project, I created and developed environmental education programs for Watchung Reservation. Watchung Reservation is a 2,060-acre area located in Union County; it is owned by the State of New Jersey and is operated by the Union County Parks and Community Renewal. Education Programs have the ability to increase public awareness for the necessity and value of open space to preserve biodiversity in New Jersey. Environmental education taught through nature centers, outdoor programming, and community outreach allow participants to become informed individuals about the environment around them. Environmental programs present the opportunity for participants to generate a greater respect for the environment. Environmental education also allows for individuals to gain a better understanding of their environment in which they live. This project includes the innovation and origination of programs for the Trailside Nature and Science Center located in Watchung Reservation. The programs highlight open space in New Jersey as well as the unique geology, ecology, topography, and natural history of the Watchung Reservation. Open space in New Jersey is the main conservation issue explored. The natural history of the Watchung Reservation is the foundation for the environmental education programs. The programs have been designed as a resource for the participants, local educators, students, and visitors visiting Watchung Reservation for pleasure or education. The educational programs focus on the following topics: open space, New Jersey biodiversity, ecology of Watchung Reservation, and history of Watchung Reservation (geology, native people, etc.). The basis behind the needs for open space is due to the great importance of it for a variety of reasons. From an economic and environmental standpoint it provides habitat preservation, ecological biodiversity, natural filtration of pollutant, natural buffer zones for flooding, protection of water resources, and revenue from the tourism industry which open space provides. Due to the significance of open space in the state of New Jersey it is the underlying focus of each program.