Welcome
This conference, eighth in a series, explores teaching and learning innovations and issues facing educators in natural resource fields. Penn State (1996), Utah State (1998), the University of Missouri-Columbia (2000), North Carolina State (2002), Northern Arizona (2004), Michigan State (2006) and Oregon State (2008) hosted the six previous conferences.
The series arose from two prior conferences, held in Denver (1992) and then Syracuse (1994). This tradition of examining and sharing ideas in natural resources pedagogy extends from the early roots of professions represented by participants in these conferences.
The conference typically blends plenary and breakout sessions devoted to issues surrounding and methods for engaging students in learning. Topics reflect the diverse subject areas, techniques, and perspectives of faculty and administrators across a broad spectrum of interests and responsibilities.
The conference is aimed at faculty and administrators interested in national trends in curricular issues and innovative teaching methods in natural resource fields. Graduate and undergraduate students, as well as agency and organizational partners who both receive and help design and conduct educational programs are encouraged to attend.
While much of the focus is on strategies and practices associated with college and university classes, the conference will include techniques and programs associated with the full spectrum of Extension and continuing education audiences, ranging from K-12 students and teachers to scientists and professional resource managers. It will include practices used within universities to foster and reward good teaching and effective learning.
Education in forestry and wildlife has been the traditional focus of the conference, but for this conference we are reaching out to include all natural resource-related disciplines. Most participants come from the United States and Canada, but international guests are welcome. This conference will make a special effort to broaden its geographic scope and learn about trends and approaches shaping educational programs in other parts of the world.