Evaluating the Effectiveness of Residential Environmental Education Programs in Fostering Positive Attitudes Toward Wildlife

This study sought to determine whether residential environmental education programs are more effective at fostering positive attitudes towards wildlife than in-class wildlife experiences, and whether or not these attitudes would last up to 2-3 months after the program. Six residential centers that provide wildlife environmental education were studied, all of which differed in the types of programs offered, types of instruction provided, and duration of stay. Eleven classes (697 students) of fifth- and sixth-grade students from Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota participated by taking part in one of the six residential center programs. Data was gathered through pre-test, post-test, and delayed post-test questionnaires as well as interviews with students, parents and teachers. A control group of eleven fifth- and sixth-grade classes (666 students) from the same geographic area were provided with an in-class wildlife program. Control data was collected through pre-test and post-test questionnaires, as well as teacher interviews. Results of the evaluation were published in the Journal of Environmental Education and Science Teacher for environmental educators, teachers, residential nature centers and other environmental programs to utilize as needed.