Developing citizens and communities through youth environmental action

Authors: Schusler, Tania¹; Krasny, Marianne²; Peters, Scott²; Decker, Daniel²

Source: Environmental Education Research, Volume 15, Number 1, February 2009 , pp. 111-127(17)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

Although several studies have examined learning outcomes of environmental action experiences for youth, little is known about the aims motivating practitioners to involve youth in action creating positive environmental and social change, nor how practitioners perceive success. This research explored through phenomenological interviews practitioners' purposes for using an environmental action approach. Practitioners in this inquiry, who engaged youth in action addressing a range of environmental issues in varied programmatic and community contexts in the US, expressed multifaceted aims motivating their educational practice. Interpretation of practitioners' stories with respect to their purposes and perceptions of success contributed to a conceptual framework relating environmental action to the development of citizens and sustainable communities. Whereas others have described the stages and learning outcomes of environmental action, this inquiry illustrates the potential of environmental action for concurrently realizing individual and community level impacts.

Keywords: environment; action; youth; citizenship; participation

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13504620802710581

Affiliations: 1: Antioch University New England, New Hampshire, USA 2: Cornell University, New York, USA

Publication date: 2009-02-01

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