Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee, Inc. (DTPC) integrated environmental education and responsible recreation program
(Book - Regular Print)

Thesis,MSES,Green Mountain College,2012

Includes bibliographical references.

There is a need for public education in the western Mojave Desert about the many human impacts on the desert ecosystem, how to reduce these impacts, and how to recreate responsibly while in the desert. In coordination with the Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee, Inc. (DTPC) an integrated environmental education and responsible recreation program (IEERRP) was developed to reach out to off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts, as well as the general public and other individuals frequently recreating in the region. The IEERRP's mission strives to instill a deeper appreciation for the biodiversity in the Mojave Desert and to motivate all recreationists to follow principles of responsible recreation. While the pieces of the program are ongoing, this project endeavored to develop, implement, and evaluate three components of the program focusing on three forms of educational outreach: 1) classroom-based outreach, 2) onsite outreach, and 3) web-based outreach. Both classroom-based and onsite outreach have thus far proven successful with 84.3% of high school students and 78.1% of visitors at the Desert Tortoise Natural Research Area (DTRNA) stating they will change their behavior adopting more environmentally responsible practices. While the initial data is positive, the long-term success of the program will depend on the frequency and duration of outreach efforts. It is recommended the program's current efforts continue with the goals of reaching out to all school districts in the region and expanding onsite outreach to other locations throughout the western Mojave Desert through a variety of outreach techniques.