"Caring for the Earth": Exploring the World of Work in Natural Resources

Abstract

"Caring For The Earth" is a two week natural resources and environmental management career workshop for Girl Scouts co-sponsored by the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station and the Woodland Girl Scout Council. In 1990, forty-five Girl Scouts participated in the program which was held at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station, a residential environmental education center operated by the College of Natural Resources of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The Girl Scouts representing 26 states from across the United States as well as two from Canada were selected on a competitive basis. Through this program, participants investigated their relationships to the environment and explored career opportunities in natural resources and environmental management. They worked alongside female professionals such as biologists, forest managers, water quality specialists, soil conservationists and environmental educators. An evaluation of the impact of the program on the participants was conducted to determine changes in their knowledge, awareness, attitudes and skills. The evaluation process included pre- and post-test comparisons, and informal assessment methods. The three main reasons participants attended the program included making friends, learning about natural resource and environmental quality careers, and learning skills that would help participants take better care of the environment. Based on pretest results the participants, prior to the program, were already highly interested, knowledgeable and had a positive attitude towards natural resource and environmental quality careers. Pre- and Post-test comparisons indicated that the program was influential in changing participants' interests, attitudes, knowledge, and action orientations relative to environmental quality and careers in natural resources. Based on the summative evaluations of the program, the participants judged the program to be highly valuable. Using input from the pilot program, the curriculum was revised and a model program was developed for future use by the sponsoring organizations. Applications of this program for use ·by other Girl Scout councils and youth organizations were also recommended.