Developing Principles and Concepts
Building an understanding of the connections between individual human actions, government policies, economic decisions and their effects on natural Earth systems is a critical component of environmental literacy.
Fostering connections between self and the environment in a local context within the social framework of one’s community and the associated regional resources makes literacy lessons more powerful and longer lasting.
The Ohio Lake Erie Commission, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Office of Coastal Management, ODNR Division of Wildlife - Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve, and the Ohio Sea Grant College Program are developing a unified strategic plan for Lake Erie education and outreach.
As part of this effort, the agencies identified a need for a place-based environmental literacy framework for Lake Erie.
A project team initiated the development of this framework by adapting Ocean Literacy: The Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts to Lake Erie.
The Lake Erie Literacy Principles and Concepts are presented here in DRAFT form and appear the same as will be presented at the International Association for Great Lakes Research Conference (May 2009). This conference is serving as the formal introduction of the effort to develop Lake Erie Literacy Principles and Concepts.
Input is desired from researchers, educators, non-government agencies and others involved with and interested in Lake Erie protection, restoration, research, education and outreach throughout the watershed, including from the United States and Canada.
Recommendations can be provided on each Principle's comment page, by taking the survey or by contacting one of the project team members.
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