Aquatic Stewardship Education in Theory and Practice

Fostering Aquatic Stewardship with the Help of Best Education Practices

Elaine Andrews

doi: https://doi.org/10.47886/9781888569902.ch3

Abstract.—Practicing good education means knowing your goal, how to achieve the goal, and how to measure effectiveness. This paper describes the state-of-the-art for conservation best education practices. Findings are based on extensive work by educators working with the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation, the Institute for Learning Innovation, and the University of Wisconsin as part of a national facilitation project for water outreach. Concepts include environmentally responsible behavior, essential best education practices, choice of outreach focus, understanding target audiences, implementing best education practices and free-choice learning principles, and the role for agencies in promoting conservation education. Recommendations suggest themes that have potential in building stewardship when applied to programs or experiences. These are organized according to community norms, instruction content, learner needs, learner self-confidence, program context, and program quality.