Public involvement and collaboration with partners are critical to the future of ecosystems, natural resources and their management. Conservation education should be the cornerstone for public involvement and partnerships. A coordinated and effective Service-wide conservation education strategy is needed that focuses on communicating sustainability of natural and cultural resources in forests, grasslands and aquatic ecosystems and the interconnectedness of land and people. This strategy will be designed to equip present and future resource users, decision makers and partners with the tools they will need to help them make informed decisions regarding public and private lands, and to simply help them connect. This strategy is an investment in the future of natural resources on America's public and private lands.

SUMMARY

Historically, the Forest Service has been providing education programs since its infancy. day, we provide a myriad of public education and outreach programs at a significant cost of both dollars and personnel. In some parts of the country, we are a conservation education leader. However, we are inefficient. These programs are fragmented, disconnected and lack agency coordination with no clear corporate strategy or prioritized messages As a result, conservation education has been viewed as "nice to do" when available resources permit. Current public demand dictates that the Forest Service shift from piecemeal education programs to a solid and coordinated conservation education system.

Under Chief and Staff direction, the Directors of the Cooperative Forestry, Recreation Heritage & Wilderness Resources and Wildlife, Fish and Rare Plants staffs and the Office of Communication commissioned a task force in September 1996, to develop a national corporate vision for all education programs of the Forest Service. Under the oversight of these staff directors, the Conservation Education Task Force was directed to develop a clear strategy for achieving this vision. To accomplish this, the task force conducted 24 listening sessions around the country involving Forest Service employees and representatives from other Federal and State agencies, non-profit organizations and educators. At these listening sessions, the following questions were asked: Should "educating the public about natural and cultural resources" be a Forest Service priority? What should the main themes be in educating the public? Who should be our target audiences?

Using the valuable input from these sessions1 the task force formulated a Service-wide response to these questions and ten developed a strategy for Service-wide implementation.

I. VISION and MISSION

By the year 2002, Forest Service conservation education will be an effective dynamic, means for the Forest Service to connect the American people with theft environment. The Forest Service will provide the tools Americans need to participate effectively in the critical task of sustaining our Nation's natural and cultural resources. This undertaking shall be a coordinated, Forest Service-wide effort that will affect all aspects or the Agency1s operations.

II. VITAL PRIORITIES NECESSARY TO GIVE CONSERVATION EDUCATION PREEMINENCE IN THE FOREST SERVICE

A. INTER-DEPUTY LEADERSHIP AND COORDINATION
Inter-deputy leadership arid coordination at the national level will ensure all education efforts are integrated across Forest Service program areas.

B. CORE THEMES
Forest Service core conservation education programs will support two key themes:
- Sustainability of natural and cultural resources in forest, grassland, and aquatic ecosystems;
-Awareness and understanding of interrelationships in natural Systems and between people and the land.

C. TARGET AUDIENCES
Forest Service education efforts will focus on three primary audiences--our visitors, youth, and urban communities.

D. PARTNER INVOLVEMENT AND COORDINATION
Partners will continue to be involved both strategically arid tactically in all our education efforts. Emphasis will be given to increasing partner involvement at all levels and in all phases of financing/fund-raising, development arid implementation.

E. PROGRAM COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL FLEXIBILITY
Share successes and failures, information and materials among the different local and national programs.

Increase efficiency in utilization and distribution of conservation education tools and in training staff.

Complement Forest Service Priorities under the Government Performance and Result Act (OPRA).

To accomplish these vital priorities? the following actions will be taken, Implementation plans will be developed in the near future.

A. INTER-DEPUTY BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND TEAM
An inter-deputy board of directors will be responsible for carrying out the recommendations of the Conservation Education Task Force. An inter-deputy team, under the direction of the board of directors, will coordinate implementation.

B. NATIONAL MESSAGES, AUDIENCES AND MATERIALS
Guidelines
Review guidelines and standards for excellence in education developed by the North American Association for Environmental Education. Modify these guidelines to encompass education and interpretative activities in all deputy areas. Officially adopt guidelines and standards for Forest Service conservation education excellence.

Focus messages based on defined themes and target audiences.

Evaluation
Inventory and evaluate existing programs to ensure they target the three identified audiences effectively, support the conservation education themes and meet the guidelines for Forest Service conservation education excellence.

Revise and Develop Programs
Modify existing programs and materials and develop a body of basic conservation education materials as needed.

Develop annual emphasis areas for conservation education programs which complement Forest Service priorities under the Government Performance and Result Act (GPRA) (e.g., riparian initiative). Implement emphasis areas nationally for a full year.

C. FUNDING
Develop sustainable and adequate funding sources for education programs through leveraging partnerships, appropriated funds, and self-sustaining program opportunities.

D. LAND MANAGEMENT PLANNING/COLLABORATIVE STEWARDSHIP
Incorporate educational principles and techniques into the land management planning process (e.g. Leave No Trace for Wilderness planning, Ske-colony for winter sports planning).

Make direct connection between conservation education and collaborative stewardship (e.g,, Children's Forest, Natural Resources Youth Camps, National Envirothon).

E. SUPPORT FIELD EFFORTS
Assist the field in committing time and financial resources to targeted education efforts.

Establish and publicize a national clearinghouse for education materials both in hard copy and Internet formats.

Train line officers on the value of education in meeting Forest Service mission, goals and objectives.

Train all Forest Service employees on the value of conservation education as a tool for customer service.

Facilitate training of Forest Service employees and partners across the country on the basics of conservation education and delivery of effective education programs.

F. PARTNERS
Operate with partners to such an extent that a Forest Service conservation education effort not including partners is a rare exception.

Develop mechanisms with partners to leverage resources, build networks1 develop materials arid implement delivery systems.

Use partnerships to reach as great an audience as possible beyond the targeted audiences recommended by this task force. Seek out national level partners such as PBS, National Geographic and Smithsonian. Continue to nurture partnerships with states, local communities and school systems.

Utilize television, newspapers and magazines as effective ways to reach audiences.

G. MULTI-MEDIA TECHNOLOGY
Enhance Internet and World Wide Web access for Forest Service CONSERVATION education.

Maximize use of multi-media technology for delivering educational messages.

H. ACCOUNTABILITY
Develop desired outcomes and measure their accomplishments. Tie accountability to the adopted standards and guidelines for Forest Service conservation education excellence.

Accomplish accountability through: employee performance standards, systematic evaluation of outcomes, and recognition and awards for employees and partners.