Environmental Education

Bebette De Vera, Bebette G De Vera Ryan, Martha C. Monroe, Jennifer A. Seitz, andJennifer A. Seitz
Other Contacts: Emily Blum

The purpose of this educational guide is to supplement the Project Learning Tree® (PLT) Environmental Education Activity Guide for PreK-8 grades so an urban educator has the tools to help students understand Florida’s urban forest. It does this by identifying 26 PLT activities that can be used in urban areas; 19 PLT activities that can be changed slightly to be more applicable to an urban space; 6 extensions to existing PLT activities; and 6 new activities. We hope these 57 activities will help you provide a comprehensive study of the urban forest.

Anna M. Prizzia, Mark E. Hostetler, and Martin B. Main

Julie Athman and Martha C. Monroe

Jennifer Seitz, Martha Monroe, and Francisco Escobedo

"FOR-172, a 5-page fact sheet by Jennifer Seitz, Martha Monroe, and Francisco Escobedo, lists and describes resources available to assist educators, extension agents, home school parents, foresters, and nature center staff as they help youth become more aware of the urban forests in their backyard. Published by the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation, January 2008.

Claire Needham Bode, Martha C. Monroe, Mark Megalos

This fact sheet is the second in a series on climate change communication. The first, "Challenges in Communicating Climate Change to Extension Audiences," outlines four areas of communication challenges. This fact sheet provides strategies in response to each of the four challenges presented in FOR324.

Kristen R. Poppell andMartha C. Monroe

Mark Hostetler

Colleen E. Gariton, Matt Benge, Sadie Hundemer, Meredith S. Berry, andT. Grady Roberts

Research shows that youth who interact with natural environments are physically, mentally, behaviorally, and socially healthier (Zhang et al., 2018). Environmental educators, youth professionals, and organizations can implement simple strategies and practices to foster youth interaction with the environment in youth education and programming. This publication is based on research conducted in 2024 focused on environmental education at a 4-H camp in Florida (Gariton, 2024). Written by Colleen E. Gariton, Matt Benge, Sadie Hundemer, Meredith S. Berry, and T. Grady Roberts, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, January 2026.

Emily Marois, Laura A. Warner, andJohn Diaz

This publication discusses the role of interpretive signage as an educational tool that engages visitors in outdoor spaces and promotes understanding, behavior change, and environmental stewardship. The publication outlines best practices of creating educational content and impactful signage and gives an overview of how to assess the effectiveness and impact of educational and interpretive signage. Written by Emily Marois, Laura Warner, and John Diaz, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, May 2026.

Alexandra L. Bijak, Laura K. Reynolds, and Ashley R. Smyth

Ocean acidification, the lowering of seawater pH due to increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, is an emerging environmental challenge associated with climate change. This publication is intended for Florida grade eight educators and other environmental educators of middle school students. We designed a lesson plan to reinforce fundamental concepts in acid-base chemistry, including the pH scale, and to introduce students to waterbody acidification, its negative effects on shell-forming organisms, and the potential role of aquatic plant metabolism (i.e., photosynthesis and respiration) in mitigating these effects. The goal of the lesson plan is to encourage students to link water chemistry and biological processes while learning about the challenges and potential solutions to acidification within a local context. This lesson plan will contribute to state learning standards while generating appreciation for the complexity of the natural environment. 

Jessica McIntosh and Martha Monroe

A simple way to facilitate discovery is through cooperative learning, in which learners work together to meet a shared goal with a leader guiding them to encourage group interactions. This 5-page fact sheet provides teaching techniques and applies cooperative learning to natural resources and environmental literacy in the context of 4-H.

Martha C. Monroe and Alison W. Bowers

"Going on a field trip? Want a spiffy new poster? Looking for a guest speaker? Or do you just need to know more about wildland fire, endangered species, coastal management, or invasive exotics? Many agencies are available to provide information, share resources, support field trips, and contribute to your environmental education programming. This 8-page fact sheet explores federal and state agencies in Florida with major educational resources. Written by Martha C. Monroe and Alison W. Bowers and published by the UF Department of School of Forest Resources and Conservation, December 2012. 

K. A. Carey, Brandon McDonald, A. Lahiri, B. M. Mason, Isaac L. Esquivel, C. T. Callaghan, andCarolina Baruzzi

This publication provides some examples of effectively using camera traps to teach ecological concepts related to wildlife feeding preferences, daily activity, human disturbance, ecosystem engineering, and pollinators. Written by K. A. Carey, B. W. McDonald, A. Lahiri, B. M. Mason, I. L. Esquivel, C. T. Callaghan, and C. Baruzzi, and published by the UF/IFAS Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, June 2025.

Young Gu Her, Ashley Smyth, Jiangxiao Qiu, Elias Bassil, Ulrich Stingl, and Laura Reynolds

A UF/IFAS numbered peer reviewed Fact Sheet. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: ==Water==

Martha C. Monroe

This document outlines the Cooperative Extension Service’s national initiative in Youth Environmental Stewardship, highlighting the importance of engaging youth in environmental education. It covers various educational philosophies, including nature appreciation, conservation education, resource education, environmental education, service learning, wilderness education, and education for sustainability. The document emphasizes the role of 4-H programs and other national initiatives in fostering environmental stewardship among youth, providing resources and strategies for effective program implementation. First published August 2001.