This report examines the health and wellbeing of children in the United States' largest cities, covering every city with a population of 100,000 or more, as well as the largest cities in states without any cities of this size. Research shows that many cities are becoming more child-friendly, with better access to good education, jobs, and health…

This report, covering 4,562 parks, recreation, and leisure faculty, is part of an annual national survey of faculty salaries. The survey consists of two parts: one covering public and one covering private four-year colleges and universities. Data for the baseline year 1995-96 and the trend year 1998-99 were collected for full-time teaching faculty…

Three articles discuss: (1) the importance of play for developing children's self-esteem and sense of control over their environment; (2) features that will probably characterize children's play in the future; and (3) the need for a national commitment to better playgrounds. Activities of national and international organizations concerned with…

Trends affecting the future of parks and recreation education include: (1) stabilized enrollment; (2) an increasing enrollment of female undergraduates; (3) changing curriculum content; and (4) a generalist approach, rather than the teaching of subspecialities, at the undergraduate level. (CJ)

This study investigates the behavioral responses of urban and semirural residents to a newly initiated Canadian national park environmental policy. The policy involved the reduction of service facilities within the park and a concomitant emphasis on the park's natural environment. (BT)

Describes a mobile interpretive unit of the Cleveland Metroparks that is involved with interpreting natural and cultural history to urban core audiences. The program focuses on plant and animal life in forest, pond, meadow, and urban environments with content targeted to urban youths who are often unable to visit Cleveland Metroparks and are…

Describes the development of a thematic ecosystem curriculum for a K-8 school, in partnership with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in which park interpretation is merged with formal curricula. Notes that teachers and interpreters should work closely to develop curricula, and that interpreters must be familiar with textbooks and subject…

Discussed is a geology education program which includes hikes, lectures, naturalist training sessions, workshops, writing, collecting, upgrading park facilities, and producing exhibits in state parks in the Lake Michigan District of Wisconsin. The importance of public education and sources of public information are stressed. (CW)

Suggests creating a biological park to stress the interrelationships between plants and animals. States that the techniques of a zoo should be applied to paleontology, anatomy, anthropology. Gives advantages of this creative concept. (RT)

This study examined influences of ancestral, generational, and acculturational differences on meanings and preferences regarding outdoor recreation and forest use. A survey of visitors to four recreation sites found significant inter- and intra-ethnic differences, with two sites used primarily by less acculturated Hispanics and two by more…

A 26-day summer field course of West Virginia University's (WVU) Recreation and Parks Department took students to Malaysia's mountains and rainforests to observe how Malaysians are managing national parks, problem elephants, and population pressures on parks. The adventure provided powerful learning experiences. Further exchanges between WVU and…

Federal natural-resource-management agencies combined efforts with volunteer scouting staff to develop a conservation area at the 1997 National Boy Scout Jamboree. Profiles the program, which adopted the theme of environmental stewardship, and focuses on how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers interpreted water resources. The exhibit highlighted the…

An advisory commission was charged by the President of the United States to review public and private outdoor recreation opportunities, policies, and programs and to make recommendations for the future. The body of this publication is the final report of the Commission on Americans Outdoors which was delivered on January 28, 1987. Findings are…

Achievements of the Department of Interior for 1981 in the areas of natural resources, parks, wildlife areas, water, Western lands, Indian reservations, and island territories are reported. Section 1 outlines increases in onshore and offshore oil and gas, coal, and geothermal leases on federal lands. Section 2 describes results in the change of…

Compiled are abstracts of recent master's and doctoral level work in environmental education and environmental communications. The document's objectives are: (1) to make recent research known to professionals and students; and (2) to indicate the current nature of graduate education in these fields. Included in the compilation are sections…