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Full-Text Articles in Environmental Studies
Learning Through Action In Whatcom County, Washington: Developing And Assessing The Impact Of Youth For Environment And People (Yep!), Sahar Arbab
WWU Graduate School Collection
In partnership with RE Sources for Sustainable Communities based in Bellingham, Washington, this action research project led to the creation, implementation, and evaluation of the organization’s first youth-led organizing committee called Youth for Environment and People (YEP!). RE Sources for Sustainable Communities is an environmental education nonprofit located in Bellingham, Washington, whose mission is to, “promote sustainable communities and protect the health of northwestern Washington’s people and ecosystems through the application of science, education, advocacy and action” (RE Sources Website, 2017). Using Positive Youth Development (PYD) theory, we* implemented YEP! with the goal of increasing the teen participants’ political self-efficacy. …
Dendrochronology Of Seaside Juniper (Juniperus Maritima), Dustin Gleaves
Dendrochronology Of Seaside Juniper (Juniperus Maritima), Dustin Gleaves
WWU Graduate School Collection
Seaside juniper (Juniperus maritima) is a recently discovered tree species endemic to the Salish Sea region and is an as yet unutilized dendrochronological resource. This study reports the first dendrochronological investigation of the species. We sought to determine if Seaside junipers are capable of crossdating, a requirement for consideration as a dendrochronology study species, and to identify correlations between instrumental climate records and radial growth to determine climate-growth response. We collected tree core samples from Seaside juniper in five sites throughout the San Juan Islands and nearby mainland. Samples collected from one of five sites successfully crossdated. Bootstrapped …
Environmental Interpretation Plan For The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, Rosalie Matsumoto
Environmental Interpretation Plan For The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, Rosalie Matsumoto
WWU Graduate School Collection
As lead researcher and developer of the Interpretation Plan for the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, this document will detail the background, research, and process involved to develop such a plan for the US Forest Service. I will first conceptualize Interpretation as a profession and its relation to and with Environmental Education with supporting research to help give context to the next section: an introduction to my project. After introducing the Interpretation Plan, I will detail my work and process to develop the Foundational Information, or the core of the Plan. Finally, I will conclude with my challenges, learnings, and …
Community Solar: A Pathway Toward Leadership For Higher Education Institutions, Kevin Moens
Community Solar: A Pathway Toward Leadership For Higher Education Institutions, Kevin Moens
WWU Graduate School Collection
Higher education institutions equip their graduates with the skills and knowledge to become leaders and future problem-solvers. Increasingly, higher education institutions are seeking ways to lead in sustainability and ensure a legacy of progressive environmental change. One option for these institutions to enhance sustainability is to hosting community solar projects. Community Solar, defined by Northwest SEED, is a voluntary solar program providing power and/or financial benefits to, or is owned by, multiple community members. This research details two potential community solar models for higher education institutions: non-profit and for-profit. Through informal interviews with key informants, National Renewable Energy Laboratory technical …
Self-Determined Exploration Of The Outdoors And What Students Can Teach Themselves: A Report On The Beach Investigators Summer Program, Mark F. (Mark Franklin) Bryant
Self-Determined Exploration Of The Outdoors And What Students Can Teach Themselves: A Report On The Beach Investigators Summer Program, Mark F. (Mark Franklin) Bryant
WWU Graduate School Collection
For my masters field project, I designed and ran a five-day week long summer program called Beach Investigators that teaches about the beach, and observing and investigating out surroundings. The Program aimed to provide 5th through 9th grade students with skill and internal motivation they could use to engage in more thoughtful and in-depth exploration of their local ecosystem. This program is based in Self Determination theory (SDT), which has the potential to aid in the aims and goals of EE. I found that SDT programming has the potential both increase student ecological knowledge, as well as increase motivation for …
The Benefits Of A Therapeutic Nature Education Intervention For Children With Adhd, Madeline Dineen
The Benefits Of A Therapeutic Nature Education Intervention For Children With Adhd, Madeline Dineen
WWU Graduate School Collection
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) diagnoses have been on the rise in children in the United States for the last twenty years due to multiple possible reasons (NIMH, 2016). Recent work on the subject, however, notes a positive correlation between exposure of children to experience-based nature therapy and the reduction of ADHD symptoms (Taylor & Kuo 2011). I hypothesized that implementing an intervention that is in an outdoor nature environment, that is experience-based and contains a learning objective would be correlated with a reduction of ADHD behaviors in elementary aged children. This study is a probe into the possibility of …
Collaborative Ocean Acidification Mapping For A Changing Salish Sea? Transdisciplinary And Transboundary Barriers, Katrina Radach
Collaborative Ocean Acidification Mapping For A Changing Salish Sea? Transdisciplinary And Transboundary Barriers, Katrina Radach
WWU Graduate School Collection
Fragmented Ocean Acidification (OA) data and collaboration efforts between disciplines and stakeholders for the Salish Sea are barriers to a more effective transboundary ecosystem understanding and governance. While there are presently efforts to research and monitor OA, there is a significant gap of coordinated efforts throughout the entire Sea, especially around OA biological indicators. To help bridge the gaps and increase collaborative resources, I conducted an exploratory case study of OA data mapping for the changing Salish Sea. For this project, I addressed the following research questions. First, what are the most informative ecological indicators to discern critical climate risk …
Policy Analysis Of Water Management: Strategies For Whatcom County, Washington To Address Permit-Exempt Wells In Water-Constrained Watersheds, Sydney Schlotterback
Policy Analysis Of Water Management: Strategies For Whatcom County, Washington To Address Permit-Exempt Wells In Water-Constrained Watersheds, Sydney Schlotterback
WWU Graduate School Collection
Whatcom County, Washington is currently under pressure to develop a water resource management plan to come into compliance with Washington State law, including recent legislation set forth in Engrossed Senate Substitute Bill (ESSB) 6091 (January 18,2018). ESSB 6091 requires Whatcom County to engage in a planning process to mitigate for water withdrawals for new permit-exempt wells and to ensure that new water users over a twenty-year period do not result in decreased ecological function of instream resources. It responds to the Washington State Supreme Court’s recent decision in Whatcom County v. Hirst, Futurewise, et al, often referred to as …
Integrated Food Systems Education: A Network Assessment Of Bellingham, Wa, Ciera Mead
Integrated Food Systems Education: A Network Assessment Of Bellingham, Wa, Ciera Mead
WWU Graduate School Collection
As a community member, student, and educator within Bellingham’s food system I had hoped to contribute to the community's food education programming by developing and teaching an integrated food system curriculum. This project documents the development and repeated roadblocks to applying this curriculum. In response, I considered an alternative approach. Rather than trying to teach something novel as a relative newcomer and novice to an established community, why not learn from the existing network of food system educators. Under this new direction, I pressed forward by interviewing five local food educators from separate institutions that serve varied audiences and teach …