2021 Speed Session Bundle: Conservation

This bundle is worth 0.1 CEU and contains the following three speed sessions from NRPA's 2021 annual conference:

Impact of Mathematics to Preserve Nature (Session 014)
This session will highlight how mathematics connects to nature, and emphasize looking at nature from the lens of a mathematician that consists of patterns and repetition. Some key questions include: How does time play a role in this? and How has the human impact affected this connection between nature and mathematics? The presenter will provide examples of some projects and tasks that can be done in classroom, or as a family, and how park and recreation professionals can bring in learning by observation in the distance learning setup. In addition, the speaker will share some websites and resources that attendees can use to tailor learnings for their target learners. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Use nature as a source of learning in a mathematics classroom.

Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation: Wetland Restoration Project (Session 031)
Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation is in the process of restoring a decommissioned city golf course back into a functional wetland system and nature study area. The restoration is a community-driven project that will conserve a rare and diverse habitat in Nevada's Great Basin Desert. Conservation of Wetlands, especially in desert systems, is vitally important due to their disproportionately high levels of biodiversity and ability to store large amounts of water. Not only will the restoration of this property conserve vital habitat for native wildlife, but it also will create a high-quality nature study area that is easily accessible. The property is located adjacent to a high-traffic parkway and is near public transportation, allowing the area to be visited easily using alternative forms of transportation. This project is able to uniquely blend conservation goals with community needs. Not only will the restoration of this property conserve vital habitat for native wildlife, it will also create a high quality nature study area that is easily accessible. The property is located adjacent to a high traffic parkway and is near public transportation allowing the area to be visited easily using alternative forms of transportation. This project is able to uniquely blend conservation goals with community needs. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Gain a greater understanding of the importance of maintaining open space in communities. 
2. Understand the role the community can play in conservation and stewardship of parks, trails and open spaces.

Conservation for the Future: Land Management Issues on the PCT (Session 008)
From Canada to Mexico, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) passes through three states. Day hikers access the trail regularly and over 7,000 thru-hike permits are issued per year (PTCA, 2019). Popularity of the trail increased after the 2014 movie Wild (Williams, 2015), and this impacted land managers' ability to conserve and protect the land. If future generations want to enjoy the trail, the agencies in charge must carefully manage and conserve the land. As the trail crosses multiple jurisdictions, the best practices for conservation and management are complicated. Each agency has its own approach to manage access, trail behavior, education, and conservation. The purpose of this study was to examine conservation themes of land managers and thru-hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail. A total of 40 interviews were conducted in 2019.  Findings focused on conservation and included management implications related to trash, rule enforcement, permitting and education. 

Learning Objectives:

1. At the end of this session, attendees should be able to list 3 conservation issues facing land managers of the PCT.   
2. At the end of this session, attendees should be able to apply qualitative findings to address land management issues in their geographic area.  
3. At the end of this session, attendees will apply education techniques to address land management issues in their geographic area.