Outdoor Education Commons^™

Taproot In & Outside The Classroom, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

As demonstrated in this issue of Taproot, human well-being is inextricably intertwined with the insect and arachnid (mites, scorpions, spiders and ticks) life of this planet. Perhaps environmental and outdoor educators too often focus lessons on (difficult to actually see in the wild) mega fauna while insect and arachnid creatures can be easily caught and observed (proper precautions taken of course).

We therefore offer the following (Insect Collecting 101) introduction courtesy of the University of Florida Department of Entomology. It can be accessed at: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/bug_club/ent-events/collecting101.shtml#where

Conference Calendar, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section provides a list of conferences in the field of outdoor education, including:

American Therapeutic Recreation Conference

National Association for Interpretation Conference

From The Editor, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

There was a time not long ago when children living in rural areas of the Northeast or upper Midwest could roam freely and not be concerned with bodily harm. Stay-at-home moms chased children outdoors telling them to “go play,” and choices were often left to the imagination of the child. Knowing to avoid poison ivy or oak, children could pick a spot most anywhere to lie in the grass or forest floor. Wading or swimming in the nearest creek or pond with buddies was pursued without second thought. Those days appear to be gone.

What Every Primary Care Clinician Should Know About The Diagnosis Of Lyme Disease, Elizabeth Maloney

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

A great deal of misunderstanding, even in the medical profession, exists concerning Lyme disease. Dr. Maloney’s article provides an in-depth discussion of the illness. It was written with physicians in mind but is not so heavily laden with medical terminology that the layperson will fail to understand its contents.

Lyme Testimonials, Taproot Editors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Most people (estimates suggest about 80%) who become infected with Lyme disease recover after a month or two of antibiotic treatment. However, there are many individuals who suffer long bouts of chronic Lyme disease. One only has to google “Lyme testimonials”…to find hundreds of stories, written and video format, regarding the devastating effects of Lyme disease. Some share how victims continue to suffer and others describe how certain treatments either improved or restored their health. It is important to note that a person is never totally cured, as victims of Lyme disease are always subject to relapse.

A Conversation With Christy Merrick, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

A Taproot: Journal of Outdoor Education interview with Christy Merrick, Director of the Natural Start Alliance that explores the mission of the Alliance and the North American Association’s special programs designed to connect young children to nature. Discusses role of parents, preschools, nature centers, zoos, and other community organizations.

Understanding Commonalities, Albert Schweitzer, And Aldo Leopold, Minnie Lauzon

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act has fostered nostalgia and reflection among environmentalists. Signed into legislation by Lyndon B. Johnson on September 3, 1964, the Wilderness Act presented a duality of purpose—to maintain a level of defense to 9 million acres of wild land while also creating an “enduring resource of wilderness.” This 50th anniversary necessitates another observance—the presentation of Albert Schweitzer’s Reverence for Life philosophy in his 1923 book titled The Philosophy of Civilization. Even a brief reading of Schweitzer’s seminal works will prove to be reminiscent of Aldo Leopold, who is often seen as the godfather of …

Nebline, August 2015

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Nutrition Education Program Reaches 15-Year-Milestone Teaching Nutrition in Lincoln Schools

Food & Health

Family Living

Farm & Acreage

Home & Family Living

Horticulture

Pests & Wildlife

4-H & Youth

Extension Calendar

and other extension news and events

Special pullout section: Lancaster County Super Fair 2015 Schedule & Map

Nebline, July 2015

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: Reduce Bullying and Cyberbullying Through Social and Emotional Learning

Food & Health

Family Living

Farm & Acreage

Horticulture

Pests & Wildlife

4-H & Youth

Extension Calendar

and other extension news and events

Nebline, June 2015

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: After-Harvest Care Of Asparagus

Food & Health

Family Living

Farm & Acreage

Horticulture

Pests & Wildlife

4-H & Youth

Extension Calendar

and other extension news and events

The Impacts Of Youth Conservation Corps On Participants: A Multi-Method Examination 2015, Nicholas Justin Prechel

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the benefits that participants receive from serving in youth conservation corps. The entire population of one youth conservation corps was selected to participate in the study during the summer of 2012 trail work season. The study utilized a mixed-method approach that included a one-time pre/posttest with a retrospective pretest adapted from the American Camp Association’s Youth Outcomes Battery (YOB) and an open ended interview session. Of the 109 participants in the field at the time, 101 chose to participate in the quantitative survey. The YOB tested four areas: independence, responsibility, teamwork, and …

Nebline, May 2015

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: It is Important for Youth to Keep Learning and Stay Active During Summer

Food & Health

Family Living

Farm & Acreage

Horticulture

Pests & Wildlife

4-H & Youth

Extension Calendar

and other extension news and events

Nebline, April 2015

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: 4-H Clubs of Excellence Award Recognizes Successful Clubs

Food & Health

Family Living

Farm & Acreage

Horticulture

Pests & Wildlife

4-H & Youth

Extension Calendar

and other extension news and events

Special Pullout Section: Weed Awareness

Nebline, March 2015

NEBLINE Newsletter Archive from Nebraska Extension in Lancaster County

Feature: 4-H Ag Literacy Teaches Youth Where Their Food and Fiber Comes From

Food & Health

Family Living

Farm & Acreage

Horticulture

Pests & Wildlife

4-H & Youth

Extension Calendar

and other extension news and events

False Idyll, J.B. Mackinnon

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

A provocative essay awaits those who peruse prize-winning author J.B. MacKinnon's article, False Idyll. MacKinnon posits that many of us romanticize nature as a sacred place ( one of succor and comfort) overlooking that most places visited have been tamed by humans. The absence of real wildness (predators that can kill us) creates an "imaginary connection with nature" instead of a tangible one. We settle for occasional visits to such sanctuaries and "see little purpose in returning to a deeper and more risky engagement:' Thus "seeing only nurture in nature" reinforces the concept that we are apart and above it.

Research Updates: A Conversation With Alan E. Watson, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

A February 2015 conversation between Wilderness Institute Research Social Scientist Alan Watson and Taproot editor Charles Yaple reveals the evolution of wilderness social science research, current issues, and trends in the wilderness preservation movement.

Review Of Wilderness And The American Mind, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

This section reviewed the book "Wilderness and the American Mind, Fifth Edition", written by Roderick Nash and reviewed by Kendra Liddicoat.

Taproot In & Outside The Classroom, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The following Wilderness History lesson has been adapted from Wilderness.net a public wilderness information website formed in 1996 through a collaborative partnership between the Arthur Carhart National Wilderness Training Center and the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute – the federal government’s wilderness training and research arms, respectively – and the College of Forestry and Conservation’s Wilderness Institute at the University of Montana. Additional and extensive wilderness education lessons can be obtained by visiting their websites.

Contents, Coalition For Education In The Outdoors

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

The Coalition for Education in the Outdoors is a non-profit network of outdoor and environmental education centers, nature centers, conservation and recreation organizations, outdoor education and experiential education associations, institutions of higher learning, public and private schools, fish and wildlife agencies, and businesses that share the mission to support and further outdoor education and its goals.

From The Editor, Charles Yaple

Taproot: A Journal of Outdoor Education

Last year, 2014, marked the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Wilderness Act whereby laws (vows) were created to make certain designated federal lands forever wild-places "where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain:' While the wilderness preservation system that has evolved (109,511,038 acres, roughly 4.5% of the USA) can celebrate a golden anniversary, it is not clear whether it will ever expand again or even survive another 50 years. There are many forces that do not value the concept of designated wilderness areas and especially oppose …