A Community Needs Assessment to Explore the Feasibility of Expanding Environmental Education Programming
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Date
2015-05Author
Swatek, Carly J.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, College of Natural Resources
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Show full item recordAbstract
Education programs are often conceived with a phone call, an idea, or a conversation.
Even popular programs that are initiated without a defined purpose or problem are difficult to
defend. Conducting a needs assessment allows project managers to take a step back and
systematically consider whether or not there is a gap in existing services or materials, and if so,
the nature of the gap. Due to an increase in requests for programming, this study uses Schmeeckle
Reserve, a natural area in Wisconsin, to explore the feasibility of expanding educational programs
beyond existing efforts. Data were collected in three major ways and complemented a three-phased
planning framework commonly proposed in needs assessment research. To understand
existing programs, semi-structured interviews were conducted with key targeted education
program coordinators. A series of three surveys were sent to target audiences: teachers, youth and
adult program leaders, and homeowners to determine the unique interests, barriers, and needs for
educational programming. A final report was given to reserve decision makers and identified
perceived critical needs and determined potential strategies to move forward. Results of the three
phases showed that there is a perceived gap in educational programming among non-formal youth
and adult program leaders within the community. Education program coordinators (phase one)
indicated youth are an audience that is underserved currently (n = 14, 82.2%). Additionally, when
asked, “what is your level of interest for educational programming at Schmeeckle Reserve”
(phase two), the strongest interest was reported among youth and adult program leaders (n = 19,
82.6%). Lastly, during the group process decision meeting (phase three), decision makers
indicated that Schmeeckle Reserve is interested in allocating resources to fill the gap in providing
educational programs and services to non-formal youth audiences. The findings of this research
are locally important for determining the role that Schmeeckle Reserve can play. Broadly, there is
implication for replicating this study among informal learning centers experiencing similar
concerns for new or expanded program efforts.