INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT STEWARDSHIP

  PROJECT STEWARDSHIP INVOLVES HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN AN INTERACTIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGERS TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP.  THROUGH IN CLASS AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, STUDENTS WILL LEARN SKILLS IN BOTANY, ECOLOGY, HORTICULTURE, CARTOGRAPHY, RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, AND TEAM WORK.  PROJECT STEWARDSHIP MAKES YOU LEARN ABOUT SCIENCE AND ALSO GIVES YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET HANDS ON EXPERIENCE OUTDOORS AND LEARN HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE OF BUILDING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

  PROJECT STEWARDSHIP BEGAN IN 1997 AS A PILOT PROJECT WITH STUDENTS FROM 4 PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS ON O'AHU.  OVER THE COURSE OF A SCHOOL YEAR, THESE STUDENTS, THEIR TEACHERS, VOLUNTEERS, AND STAFF WORKED TOGETHER TO ACTIVELY CARE FOR A RESTORATION SITE IN THE NATURE CONSERVANCY'S HONOULIULI PRESERVE.  THROUGH FORMATIVE EVALUATION, PROJECT STEWARDSHIP HAS BEEN MODIFIED AND EXPANDED TO REACH MORE STUDENTS.

PROJECT STEWARDSHIP GOALS:

1. STRENGTHEN OBSERVATION,, HIGHER ORDER THINKING, DECISION-MAKING, AND SOCIAL PARTICIPATION SKILLS AROUND CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES.

2. IMPROVE ATTITUDES TOWARD SCIENCE BY CONNECTING IT TO REAL LIFE.

3. INSTILL AN ETHIC OF STEWARDSHIP TOWARD HAWAII'S ENVIRONMENT, WHICH TRANSLATES TO ACTIVE AND CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

4. INTRODUCE STUDENTS TO CAREERS IN CONSERVATION.