The Lakeshore Environmental Resource Network (LERN)
Expanding Awareness and Action through Education and Partnerships – LERN engages the best of existing, locally-focused, environmental education resources in a systematic effort to fill gaps and better disseminate community understanding of environmental issues throughout the Lakeshore Basin.
LERN is a dedicated partnership lead by the Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP) and includes support from the Sturgeon Bay Public Library and the Ridges Sanctuary
The purpose: to assess Door County’s environmental needs in education and research through a Community Needs Assessment process. We will fill identified gaps with up to date resources and create a clearinghouse of educational materials and research documentation providing all in the community the foundation necessary to explore and investigate local environmental issues to address the critical needs of our community.
This effort creates a systems approach to environmental literacy, action and ecological sustainability providing vital benefits to include:
- an increase in the flow of ideas throughout the community and schools
- alternatives and information beyond the contemporary linear model
- creating a web of solutions, partnerships and cooperative action
All to solve environmental problems of this ecologically rich ecosystem.
The LERN concept creates a dynamic, adaptive and fluid system of committed people dedicated to the education of the community
Project Description Year One
Our focus on community environmental education through the LERN project within Door County is an effort to address the documented need for education and awareness regarding natural systems and biodiversity, and the impact each citizen has through their choices and actions.
- LERN engaged the best of existing, locally-focused, environmental education and research resources to conduct a Door County Community Needs Assessment in environmental education, and research programs.
- In year one of the initial three year project LNRP coordinated educational initiatives to identify community needs, existing resources, and program gaps for environmental education programs within Door County through needs assessment conferences and teacher outreach to all Door County Schools.
- We also coordinated efforts to assemble past environmental research projects and define future monitoring and research needs for the protection and management of Door County’s natural resources.
- The Sturgeon Bay Library maintains the LERN Center for Community Engagement; a library of resources and online catalog housing research and educational materials on the county’s natural heritage.
- These materials are available to everyone in Door County and to all Northeast Wisconsin Library patrons through inter-library loan.
Project Description Year Two
LNRP and Crossroads at Big Creek hosted two graduate-level courses as part of the LERN project. Credits are granted through the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. However, the courses could also be taken for no credit.
- 0577C Land and Water: Teaching the Geology of the Southern Door Peninsula (1 graduate credit) Sturgeon Bay Open
- 0513C Teaching About Ecosystems of the Great Lakes (1 graduate credit)
Sturgeon Bay Open - Check the UWGB website for more information:
http://www.uwgb.edu/educationoutreach/html/educsubeventlist.aspx?id=19
LNRP also hosted a Project WET workshop http://projectwet.org/
- Great Lakes Focused Educator Workshop with Wisconsin’s Project WET and Water Action Volunteers
- Where: Crossroads at Big Creek Learning Center, Sturgeon Bay.
- When: May 1st 8:30a.m.-5:00p.m.
- Seize the buzz surrounding the Great Lakes and bring them into your classrooms using Project WET activities and a variety of Great Lakes focused publications. Project WET is a curriculum guide filled with water-related, fun, hands-on, and easy-to-use activities related to atmospheric, surface, and ground water, water history, chemistry, watersheds, economics, wetlands, water rights, conservation and stewardship. Great Lakes workshop participants receive activity guides for Project WET, participate in a variety of activities from the guide and learn how to implement these activities with K-12 students. In addition, participants will learn about stream monitoring and citizen science from Water Action Volunteers coordinator, Kris Stepenuck.
- Participants left the workshop with the Project WET guides and a collection of educational resources from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that compliment Project WET. These programs meet state teacher and academic standards.
- Needed to Register by April 24.
- Cost: Free, including substitute teacher costs and lunch.
- Contact: Jim Kettler 920-304-1919