United States

Department of

Agriculture

Forest Service

FS-879

March 2007

Conservation Education 

Strategic Plan To Advance 

Environmental Literacy

2007-2012
Forest Service Mission

Sustain the health, diversity, 

and productivity of the Nation’s 

forests and grasslands to meet 

the needs of current and future 

generations.

Forest Service Values

The Forest Service...

... cares for the Nation’s 

forests and grasslands;

... values the varied skills 

and contributions of a 

diverse workforce;

... strives for accountability 

by every employee for the 

efficient management of the 

capital resources they use;

... is responsive to local 

publics; and

...is focused on the needs 

of future generations.
S

ince its establishment in 1905, the Forest Service has recognized a 

role and responsibility to educate people about management and 

conservation of our Nation’s forests and grasslands. Increasing youth 

and adult knowledge of—and environmental literacy about—forests and 

natural resources continues to be critical to the accomplishment of the 

Forest Service mission today. 

Providing Environmental Literacy 

The Forest Service provides expertise in science, land management, and 

outdoor experiences as the foundation for environmental literacy efforts. 

There are a variety of venues for these efforts. 

The agency provides many conservation education activities and 

programs through its three branches: State and Private Forestry, Research 

and Development, and National Forest System. These efforts reach and 

educate people of a variety of ages. Private landowners, local community 

leaders, elected officials, forest visitors, homeowners, and students are 

among the audiences.

Focusing Educational Efforts

The Forest Service Conservation Education Program focuses its specific 

educational efforts on children (pre-kindergarten through 12th grade) 

and their educators in both classroom and informal settings. It also 

coordinates with other Forest Service educational programs directed 

toward adults to ensure continuity and consistency of education materials 

from childhood to adulthood. See Appendix 1 for definitions of programs.

Conservation Education Program staff work with many internal and 

external partners to coordinate, develop, and deliver educational programs 

and materials. These partners include in-house programs plus State, 

tribal, and local agencies; nonprofit organizations; and the interagency 

Service First aligned services partnership between the Bureau of Land 

Management and the Forest Service, among many others. The roles and 

responsibilities of internal partners are highlighted in Appendix 2 .

This Conservation Education Strategic Plan To Advance Environmental 

Literacy was developed with assistance from those internal and external 

partners, who collectively have over a thousand years of experience in 

conservation education.

The Conservation Education strategic plan is consistent with Forest 

Service national strategic goals and objectives. It identifies specific goals, 

objectives, and means and strategies to guide the Forest Service 

Conservation Education Program through 2012.

Agency Contributions 

to Environmental 

Literacy 

Conservation education 

programs are delivered 

internally and externally 

at every level of the 

organization through the 

State and Private Forestry, 

National Forest Systems, 

and Research and 

Development branches.

1

Introduction
2

Vision for the Conservation 

Education Program

The Forest Service plays an effective role in developing an 

environmentally literate citizenry to sustain our Nation’s forests and 

grasslands, public or private, for future generations, and to develop the 

next generation of conservation leaders.

In fostering environmental literacy about forests, grasslands, and related 

natural resources, the Conservation Education Program:

 

• Recognizes that ecosystems are dynamic, that humans are an integral 

part of ecosystems, and that human activity has both positive and 

negative consequences;

 

• Aligns with the Forest Service mission and long-term strategic goals; 

• Coordinates and supports delivery of conservation education programs 

with internal and external partners;

 

• Reaches a broad range of students and formal and nonformal educators 

in rural, urban, traditional, and underserved populations;

 

• Employs best educational practices based on science and technology 

research and established educational guidelines;

 

• Uses the Nation’s forests, grasslands, and experimental forests as 

opportunities for outdoor education to teach fundamental 

environmental processes across many disciplines, and encourages 

place-based education; 

 

• Encourages consumer behaviors that sustain natural resources and 

minimize negative consequences to the environment; and

 

• Incorporates Forest Service science in conservation education 

programs and products.

Mission of the Conservation 

Education Program

The Conservation Education Program works with partners to coordinate development and delivery of high-quality, science-based education 

about forests, grasslands, and related natural resources to pre-kindergarten 

through 12th grade students and their educators, in both formal and 

nonformal settings.

Environmental Literacy 

“A person is environmentally 

literate when they have the 

knowledge of environmental 

processes and issues needed 

to make informed decisions 

and participate in civic 

affairs.”

National Environmental 

Education and Training Foundation and 

Environmental Literacy Council
3

The Framework

This strategic plan sets the framework for the Forest Service’s national 

Conservation Education Program, and for development of conservation 

education workplans at the national and field levels. 

To facilitate effective communication among the varied conservation 

education efforts and activities in Forest Service branches, and to foster 

the value of conservation education, this strategic plan establishes an 

internal Conservation Education Council. 

The strategic planning effort included the development of a logic model 

that defines outputs and outcomes for each objective.

Goal 1: Coordinate the development and delivery of highquality conservation education programs and materials.

Objective 1.1:

Ensure the availability and distribution of high-quality conservation 

education programs and materials about forest and grassland ecosystems 

and their management and conservation to pre-kindergarten through 

12th grade youth and educators in formal and nonformal settings.

Means and Strategies

1.1.1. Catalog and analyze current conservation education materials/

programs used by Forest Service personnel.

1.1.2. Ensure that educational programs and materials developed or 

certified by the Forest Service incorporate the best scientific knowledge; are interdisciplinary and unbiased; support the Forest Service 

mission; and are correlated with appropriate national, State, and 

agency guidelines.

Goals and Objectives
1.1.3. Support training and professional development in conservation 

education for Forest Service personnel, volunteers, nonformal educators, and teachers.

1.1.4. Support professional development in conservation education 

for future educators through partnerships with institutions of higher 

education.

1.1.5. Identify and support service learning opportunities for educators 

and classes. 

1.1.6. Infuse Forest Service-based educational resources (curricula, 

materials, Web sites, etc.) into professional development programs for 

educators/teachers that are offered by the agency and its partners.

Objective 1.2: 

Improve access to Forest Service resources and information.

Means and Strategies

1.2.1. Disseminate Forest Service educational materials and 

information through educational and scientific organizations.

1.2.2. Renew and update Forest Service conservation education 

Web sites, including links to partners, to ensure customer service.

1.2.3. Use accessible community outreach, mass media, public 

programming, Spanish and other language media, the Internet, and 

other new technologies to increase access to Forest Service educational 

resources by students and educators, including underserved audiences. 

Objective 1.3:

Ensure that the Conservation Education Program supports and 

enhances the ability of Forest Service employees to achieve excellence 

in conservation education.

Means and Strategies

1.3.1. Identify basic competencies appropriate at each level and 

position description and develop a comprehensive conservation 

education training program for Forest Service employees.

1.3.2. Provide long-term professional development opportunities 

for conservation education staff within the Forest Service.

1.3.3. Develop tools to improve communications and networking 

among Conservation Education staff and all branches and levels of 

the Forest Service.

“Reducing that deficit— 

healing the broken bond 

between our young and 

nature—is in our self 

interest, not only because 

aesthetics or justice demands it, but also because 

our mental, physical, and 

spiritual health depends 

upon it. The health of the 

Earth is at stake as well.”

Richard Louv—“Last Child in the 

Woods— Saving our Children from 

Nature-Deficit Disorder”

4
Goal 2: Provide strong leadership to and management of 

the Forest Service Conservation Education Program.

Objective 2.1:

Elevate conservation education to mission-critical management status 

in the Forest Service.

Means and Strategies

2.1.1. Achieve a clear, coordinated message about Conservation 

Education’s role in achieving the agency mission.

2.1.2. Demonstrate leadership support for conservation education by 

participation by the Chief and other agency leaders in high-profile 

conservation education efforts, such as Project Learning Tree events, 

Canon Envirothon, or Head Start Hispanic Institute.

2.1.3. Charter a Conservation Education Council with members from 

all Forest Service branches to facilitate effective communication among 

the agency’s various environmental literacy programs and activities and 

to assist in fostering the value of conservation education within the 

agency.

2.1.4. Include conservation education performance elements in the 

Forest Service strategic plan.

2.1.5. Develop peer-to-peer leader champions who demonstrate how 

Conservation Education improves program outcomes and helps achieve 

the agency’s mission.

Objective 2.2:

Ensure adequate resources and operational integrity to accomplish an 

effective and efficient Conservation Education Program at all levels of 

the agency. 

Means and Strategies

2.2.1. Develop and implement a staffing strategy (position descriptions, career ladders, employee development, etc.) for Washington 

Office Conservation Education staff. 

2.2.2. Identify staffing needs and roles and develop standardized 

position descriptions for professional education specialists at all levels 

of the agency.

2.2.3. Identify resource needs and potential sources, including grants 

and partnerships, to deliver a more effective Conservation Education 

Program

2.2.4. Advocate incorporation of Conservation Education into program 

direction at the station, area, and regional levels of the agency and into 

National Forest System forest planning efforts. 

“...our most significant 

challenges and opportunities 

are to serve as a bridge between traditional visitors and 

the new faces of America—

offering experiences that 

better appeal to a diversity 

of values and cultures.”

Forest Service Deputy Chief 

Joel Holtrop, 2006

5
Objective 2.3: 

Improve accountability systems and program 

evaluation for conservation education in the Forest 

Service.

Means and Strategies

2.3.1. Identify practical output and outcome 

evaluation models to measure program results and 

provide support to increase their use at all levels of 

the agency. 

2.3.2. Coordinate reporting system revision and 

data entry with internal partners (NatureWatch, 

interpretive services, etc.).

2.3.3. Provide examples of Forest Service employee 

performance evaluation in conservation education 

for use in appropriate line and staff work plans.

2.3.4. Engage scientists and educational experts to 

develop assessment and evaluation tools for conservation education programs and materials.

Goal 3: Maximize partnerships to ensure 

mission success.

Objective 3.1:

Pursue new—and improve existing—partnerships 

with State and Federal agencies, nongovernmental 

organizations, and the education community.

Means and Strategies

3.1.1. Develop criteria for selecting appropriate 

partnerships that can assist in the achievement of 

the Conservation Education Strategic Plan (programs, materials, funding, and so on).

3.1.2. Establish new and strengthen existing 

linkages with external partners working with 

underserved groups.

3.1.3. Ensure that funds are identified for the 

development of new partnerships and/or improvement or enhancement of existing ones at all levels 

of the agency.

3.1.4. Facilitate delivery of tools and training to 

develop appropriate agreement instruments, such 

as memoranda of understanding or participating 

agreements, for conservation education programs.

3.1.5. Participate in the development and 

distribution of partner programs and materials.

3.1.6. Support conservation education research 

efforts of partners.

3.1.7. Work closely with the Forest Service’s 

National Partnership Office to leverage expertise, 

resources, and partnerships for conservation 

education programs and materials.

3.1.8. Work closely with the National Association of State Foresters, Project Learning Tree, and 

National Environmental Education and Training 

Foundation to enhance delivery of programs.

6
“...conservation 

education focused on 

youth is imperative to 

developing a stewardship 

ethic, an understanding 

and connection to natural 

resources, and, ultimately, 

to conservation of the 

Nation’s natural resources.”

— Former Forest Service Chief 

Dale Bosworth, 2005

Forest Service Mission and Strategic Plan Alignment

Managing the natural resources of the Nation’s forests and grasslands 

requires the complex integration of resource assessments, management 

actions, and cooperative partnerships. In the wise stewardship of public 

lands, the Conservation Education Program is a unifying force that crosses 

programmatic boundaries. The Conservation Education Program also has 

an important role to play in specific strategic goals and objectives of the 

Forest Service.

Goal 1: Restore, Sustain, and Enhance the Nation’s Forests and 

Grasslands.

Conservation Education Program efforts focus on explaining forest 

management strategies that are not well understood by many people. 

This also includes wildfire prevention and neighborhood preparedness, 

which are important strategies for helping accomplish this goal. 

Goal 2: Provide and Sustain Benefits to the American People.

The Conservation Education Program plays an important role in educating youth and the general public about the multiple, sustainable benefits 

derived from the Nation’s forests and grasslands. 

Goal 3: Conserve Open Space.

The Conservation Education Program has an important role to play in 

educating urban communities and landowners about the value of 

restoring environmental services in their communities. 

Goal 4: Sustain and Enhance Outdoor Recreation Opportunities.

The Conservation Education Program provides effective education about 

safe and ethical recreation use and the ecological and social values derived 

from wilderness. 

Goal 5: Maintain a Full Range of Basic Management Capabilities 

of the Forest Service.

The Conservation Education Program’s emphasis on building strong 

partnerships, and increasing the capacity of our employees, is an 

important contribution to this goal.

Goal 6: Engage Urban America With Forest Service Programs.

The Conservation Education Program’s efforts are a key factor in the 

agency’s ability to reach and engage urban audiences.

Goal 7: Provide Science-based Applications and Tools for Sustainable 

Natural Resources Management.

The Conservation Education Program plays a key role in technology 

transfer by interpreting research processes and findings for youth and the 

general public.

7
8

Community programs: Off-site programs 

provided by site staff to community audiences, 

such as clubs, church groups, ElderHostels, or 

Scouts. (Source: Adapted from National Park 

Service Strategic Plan definitions for interpretation 

programs.)

Environmental education: A process that 

promotes the analysis and understanding of 

environmental issues and questions as the basis for 

effective education, problemsolving, policymaking, 

and management. 

Its purpose is to foster the education of 

skilled individuals who are able to understand 

environmental problems and possess the expertise 

to devise effective solutions to these problems. 

In the broader context, its purpose is to assist in 

the development of a citizenry conscious of the 

scope and complexity of current and emerging 

environmental problems and supportive of 

solutions and policies that are ecologically 

sound. (Source: North American Association for 

Environmental Education (NAAEE) Constitution)

Environmental literacy: Environmental 

literacy requires a fundamental understanding 

of the relationships and interactions between 

the living and nonliving environment and their 

functions as systems across multiple scales and 

the ability to deal with problems that involve 

scientific evidence; uncertainty; and economic, 

aesthetic, and ethical considerations. Individuals 

are environmentally literate when they have 

knowledge of environmental processes and issues 

necessary for them to make informed decisions 

and participate in civic affairs. (Source: National 

Environmental Education and Training Foundation 

and Environmental Literacy Council definitions)

Forest Service Conservation Education: The 

Forest Service Conservation Education Program 

carries out environmental education to help 

ensure the environmental literacy of youth—from 

pre-kindergarten through 12th grade—and 

their educators through formal and nonformal 

educational means, in concert with our many 

partners.

Intepretation: A communication process that 

forges intellectual and emotional connections 

between the interests of the audience and the 

inherent meanings in the resource. (Source: 

National Association for Interpretation)

Interpretive Services Program: This Forest 

Service program contributes to the management 

of national forest resources by increasing visitor 

knowledge about (1) national forests, research 

projects, and State and Private Forestry locations 

and resources; (2) the role of conservation in the 

development of the Nation’s heritage and culture; 

(3) recreation opportunities and facilities; and (4) 

where they can experience natural environments. 

(Source: Forest Service Manual 2390) 

Nonformal educators: Teaching in nonformal 

settings such as parks, zoos, nature centers, 

community centers, or youth camps, rather than 

in a classroom or school. (Source: Adapted from 

NAAEE)

Appendix 1—Glossary
9

Conservation education programs are delivered 

internally and externally at every level of the 

organization through the State and Private Forestry, 

National Forest System, and Research and 

Development branches of the agency, in concert 

with partners. 

State and Private Forestry (S&PF) educates and 

coordinates with landowners; Federal, tribal, State, 

and local land management agencies; as well as 

educational institutions and local officials. It also 

houses the national Conservation Education 

Program, which focuses on pre-kindergarten 

through 12th grade youth and their educators. 

National Forest System (NFS) provides 

hands-on conservation education with direct ties 

to local communities through the national forests 

and grasslands. 

Nationally, programs like Interpretive Services and 

NatureWatch and cultural and heritage resources 

educate forest visitors and have responsibilities 

closely linked to conservation education. 

Regionally, programs like Urban Connections in 

the Eastern Region and urban national forest 

outreach activities around the country enhance 

agency relationships with urban and underserved 

populations and provide direct conservation 

education opportunities. 

Locally, festivals and events bring conservation 

education awareness and access to curricula to 

communities and schools.

Research and Development (R&D) provides the 

science and scientific expertise for conservation 

education programs and activities, with direct ties 

to universities. Efforts like the Natural Inquirer

and Urban Treehouse have close ties with the 

national Conservation Education Program.

Office of Communication and the agency’s

public affairs staffs in regions, stations, and the 

area provide agencywide internal information 

and develop external outreach to constituents 

and stakeholders. In addition to providing public 

affairs counsel and planning advice to decision 

makers, they provide products that inform and 

support these decisions. These offices often house 

or directly support conservation education 

programs or coordinators at the national, regional, 

area, station, forest, or district level.

Appendix 2—Roles and Responsibilities
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the 

basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, 

parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part 

of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all 

programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information 

(Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). 

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, 

S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal 

opportunity provider and employer.