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Studies and Reports

Birding in the United States: A Demographic and Economic Analysis
This report identifies who birders are, where they live, how avid they are, and what kinds of birds they watch. In addition to demographic information, this report also provides an economic measure of birding, placing bird-watching related expenditures at over $82 billion in 2006.
Smart Growth for Coastal and Waterfront Communities
Presented by NOAA and the EPA, this guide helps create coastal and waterfront specific strategies for development, identifies development challenges and opportunities along the water, and provides specific approaches for smart growth.
Great Lakes Wind Council Report, September 1, 2009
Providing a roadmap for the sustainable development of offshore wind energy resources in the Great Lakes, the report identifies the 537 square miles of state-owned bottomlands considered to be most favorable for the sustainable development of offshore wind energy. It also identifies areas that need to be protected by a buffer zone, such as shorelines and habitats of threatened species, and offers appropriate recommendations to guide any development of offshore wind energy.
In Environmental Push, Looking to Add Diversity in Environmental Movement
This article addresses the need for racial diversity in the environmental movement as more Americans support environmentally friendly practices.
"Clear Cut" Documentary Release
Clear Cut tells the story of Philomath, Oregon, a rural logging town that becomes harshly divided by changing environmental and educational beliefs. The conflict hinges upon a local foundation that, in protest to cultural changes, threatens to withdraw its traditional college scholarship program for high school graduates. Clear Cut illustrates the challenges faced by foundations and the communities they serve when ideological differences come to the forefront.
How Farm Animal Production Impacts the Environment
This new Pew Commission report, based on a thirty-month investigation into industrial farm animal production, illustrates how US food animal production is not economically or environmentally sustainable. The report, Putting Meat on the Table: Industrial Farm Animal Production in America, details the risks to public health, the environment, and animal welfare.
Less Classroom Time Spent on Elementary Science:
Results from a Center on Education Policy (CEP) survey shows that approximately 62% of school districts increased the amount of time spent in elementary schools on reading and language arts and/or math, while 44% of districts cut time on science, social studies, art and music, physical education, lunch, and/or recess. The survey examined the amount of time spent during the school week on core academic subjects and how the allocation of time across subjects has changed since the 2001-2002 school year, when NCLB was enacted.
Cultural Competency: What It Is and Why It Matters
By Laurie Olsen, Jhumpa Bhattacharya, and Amy Scharf. Have recently published a study titled Cultural Competency: What It Is and Why It Matters. This report takes a deeper look at the cultural implications of environmental growth and sustainability and emphasizes that these aspects cannot be ignored. Through integrating cultural cognizance into environmental practices, these authors feel that the desired goals will be more obtainable and sustaining.
Go Team Green!
Samantha Cleaver investigates how engaging children in outdoor education has proven to be a positive compliment to the traditional classroom setting. Cleaver analyzes the effects of integrating non-traditional methods of teaching and shows the immense benefits gained through this approach.
Taproot Outdoor Education Journal
This press release from the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors at the State University of New York , (SUNY) contains Ecopsychology issue links to tools to increase personal, social and environmental well-being and sustainability.
Frog Calls Videos
This page provides links to audio clips of frog calls and video clips of scientists discussing frog issues, including declining amphibians and malformed frogs.
Africa Environment Outlook (AEO)
The Africa Environment Outlook for Youth (AEO) is the youth version of the AEO report and has resulted from the combined efforts of young people from all over Africa. It is a report of Africa's environment through the eyes of Africa's youth. This book presents its message through articles, poems, proverbs, drawings and paintings.
Education on Energy - Teaching Tomorrow's Consumers
From the European Commission's Energy Transport DG.ManagEnergy survey report "Education on Energy - Teaching tomorrow's energy consumers" was published by the European Commission's Energy and Transport DG in early 2006 and is being distributed widely throughout Europe. Survey results show student interest in environmental and energy issues.
Water, Our Way of Life: An Action Guide for Community Leaders
This guide explains key principles in encouraging participation in water protection and conservation. The goal is to be a catalyst for creating ways to engage residents in improving their water resources.
Survey Results of Public Attitudes towards Natural Resources
Responsive Management specializes in opinion and attitude research on natural resource and outdoor recreation issues. The 2004 e-reports are on how the public values natural resources; what the participation and attitudes are toward specific issues such as the management of wildlife, endangered species issues; and many more.
Australian Study on Sustainability
The study documents the experiences, achievements and lessons learned from nationwide, whole-school initiatives developing around the world. International initiatives such as Enviroschools, Eco-schools, Learnscapes and Green Schools were reviewed to assist in identifying key features and critical success factors which characterize a Sustainable School. E-copies are downloadable from the Web site.
Nature Helps Fight ADHD
"A Potential Natural Treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Evidence from a National Study" by Frances Kuo, PhD, and Andrea Faber Taylor, PhD, of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign shows that hands-on structured outdoor activities improve behavior and produces positive results for students with ADHD.
Create a Nature Center
The National Association of Interpretation has announced the publication of the revised version of The Nature Center Book: How to create and Nurture a Nature Center in Your Community. The revised edition, co-authored by Brent Evans and Carolyn Chipman Evans, provides up-to-date information and expanded discussion of topics key to nature center development. The 200 page full-color book also successfully provides readers with an understanding of the connection between the formal classroom setting and nature centers in their community. It outlines lessons learned since the first edition and important new developments in the field of nature center development and environmental education.
"Interaction with Nature during the Middle Years: It's Importance to Children's Development"
This is an article by Randy White, discussing the importance of the greening of schoolyards as natural schoolyards where children can interact with nature and as a result develop positive environmental values.