Understanding the development of pro-environmental behavioral intentions and behaviors remains one of the greatest challenges for environmental educators worldwide. Using the Elaboration Likelihood Model as a theoretical foundation, we developed surveys to evaluate the influence of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Junior Ranger program on…

The article introduces a Czech environmental education middle school program focused on helping students develop place attachment to their community and on increasing their interest in natural area in their region. The evaluation applied a mixed approach combining pretesting/posttesting of the students (N = 158), two group interviews with selected…

Environmental interpretation is a key tool for integrated management of tourism, with potential for greater use in managing visitor numbers, behavior and impacts, and enhancing experience. Evaluation is necessary to determine whether interpretation is achieving its goals. It is vital for park managers to know if their management is effective in…

Uses a travel cost method to quantify benefits received by visitors to Petawawa National Forestry Institute's public awareness facilities. Analysis of data from 697 visitors provided a basis for calculating benefits, which are reported in monetary terms. These benefits ranged from $2.89 to $6.64 in value (United States) per visit. (Author/JN)

Evaluations of visitors' reactions to interpretation in Australian national parks found that guided activities provided more immediate responses to visitors' questions on Aboriginal culture than on-site signs; a well-designed interpretive mural mitigated people's disappointment at visiting wetlands when no birds were present; and ranger-guided…

The standards presented in this document are used to evaluate the educational and recreational programs of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). These standards are grouped into the FWS interpretation and recreation (I&R) program areas of outdoor classrooms, interpretation, recreation, program information, and dedicated areas.…

Describes work done to provide staff of the Sandy Point Discovery Center with methods for evaluating exhibits and interpretive programming. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation measures were designed to assess the program's objective of estuary education. Pretest-posttest questionnaires and interviews are used to measure subjects' knowledge and…

The educational and recreational programs of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are carried out to help achieve the overall mission of the FWS, which is to provide federal leadership to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuous benefit of people. A set of standards and related questions…

This collection gathers together over 50 high-quality materials to support environmental education (EE) curricula. Because each community has unique environmental and educational needs, the guide includes a broad set of educational materials that can be adapted to a variety of settings. The materials can be used to supplement educational…

Three research studies examined the impact of environmental interpretation programs on the environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of student participants. Conducted by Indiana University's Department of Recreation and Park Administration, the studies evaluated variables related to entry level (awareness), ownership, and empowerment…

Describes efforts to assess the effectiveness of high school-aged interpreters through the use of a field experiment and measures of audience response. Concludes that youth naturalists were not always as effective in delivering interpretive programs as are adults; however, data suggest that the efficacy of employing youth as interpreters is strong…

The proceedings contain the text of the major presentations to the interpretation seminar, held September 21-23, 1983 at Bark Lake, Irondale, Ontario, and attended by 66 participants. The proceedings contain the keynote address, which defined interpretation for the participants, and 11 other presentations dealing with planning and evaluating…

Compiled are 61 abstracts of master's theses in environmental education and communications. Three of the these were completed in 1978, 24 in 1977, 15 in 1976, and the remaining 19, prior to 1976. Abstracts are organized into six categories; (1) site analysis: descriptions and development plans for areas to be used for environmental education; (2)…

Selected presentations in this publication include: "AAPRCO, Amtrak, the Railroads, and Interpretation"; "Check It Out!"; "Wildlife Rehabilitation as an Interpretive Tool"; "Improving the Monorail Tour"; "Interpreting Our Heretics"; "Evaluation: A Critical Management Process"; "A…

Compiled are 52 abstracts of recent master's, doctoral, and major project research in environmental education and communications. Most of the citations included describe work completed in the 1981-82 academic year, although a few abstracts of earlier work have also been included. Abstracts are organized into seven topic areas: (1) site analysis --…