Conservation High Nature Immersion Program - Academy of Arts and Academics (A3 High School)

Recent research has shown that “nature immersion” not only develops stewardship values, but that youth are more likely to think beyond themselves and place a higher value on community as they discover that everything in nature is connected, including humans (Netta Weinstein, 2009). Studies have shown that youth do not have as many in-depth nature experiences as previous generations leading to what has been termed “Nature Deficit Disorder.”  The Willamette National Forest considers it part of our mission to develop the stewards of tomorrow.  A3 Conservation High collaborates with partners to create multiple day experiences that result in increased confidence in the “outdoors,” a greater appreciation of nature, and the development of stewardship values. 

In the spring of 2011, the A3 Charter School spent seventeen weeks in total immersion as 120 urban students (ages 14-16) explored conservation and preservation across all subject areas!  In art, students learned various methods of depicting the natural world through Chinese ink painting and scientific illustration.  In History, they explored the origin of the conservation movement.  In drama, they created living history plays.  In math, students collected stream measurement data, determined tree height.  In science, the term was focused on all things aquatic.  The stream continuum concept and threatened and endangered fish species were primary focus areas.  A3 Conservation High students developed PSA’s, You-Tube videos and a Facebook Fan page to communicate conservation principles to other teens as well as younger students.  Students contributed original artwork and stories to be compiled and placed on the Willamette National Forest web page and school/organization websites.

The term culminated with the “Confluence Project,” a forum for sharing their work with their fellow students, families, and the community.   Conservation messages developed through PSA’s were shared.  A model stream, complete with water, flowed throughout the entire studio highlighting the stream continuum concept in three dimensions!   

Through data collection and analysis, completing collaborative restoration projects, and natural resource discovery sessions, students better understand cause and effect, interrelationships between humans and the natural world, and are empowered to do their part to preserve nature and be active in their communities. Exposure to natural resource career possibilities will lead to increases in students who pursue environmental college majors and careers.