Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-12T14:42:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Daniele Moraes.pdf: 8273735 bytes, checksum: 9f8283d1a437ef50a7fc91af11f5445a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-04-28 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This research aimed to identify the procedures required for nature trails in forested areas´ deployment and management, considering benefits and problems of its use in small farms. Through literature review and empirical studies, it was possible to survey the methods and techniques of deployment, use and management of trails in forested areas, and to evaluate physical and environmental conditions, the user profile and interpretative activities in two ecological trails located in a small farm open to visitors, called Recanto Renascer, located in the municipality of Francisco Beltrão, state of Parana, Brazil. To assess the impact on the trails, the methodology Monitoring the Impact of the Visitation (IVM) was used. For the analysis of the attractiveness of each track, we used the methodology of Interpretative Attractiveness Index Points (IAPI). Soil analysis for verification of soil compaction on the trails were also done. The results obtained from the research used to develop proposals for physical- environmental and interpretive adequacy of the two tracks of Recanto Renascer, beyond the preparation of a material with technical information to owners of farms interested in establishing nature trails or in adapting existing trails. / Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo principal conhecer os procedimentos necessários para a implantação e manejo de trilhas ecológicas em áreas florestais, considerando benefícios e problemáticas de seu uso em pequenos estabelecimentos rurais. Através da revisão bibliográfica e dos estudos empíricos realizados, foi possível fazer um levantamento dos métodos e técnicas de implantação, uso e manejo das trilhas em áreas florestais, além de avaliar as condições físico-ambientais, o perfil dos usuários e as atividades interpretativas desenvolvidas em duas trilhas ecológicas localizadas em um pequeno estabelecimento rural aberto à visitação, denominado Recanto Renascer, no município de Francisco Beltrão-PR. Para o levantamento dos impactos nas trilhas, foi utilizada a metodologia Monitoramento do Impacto da Visitação (MIV). Para a análise dos atrativos de cada trilha, utilizou-se a metodologia Índice de Atratividade de pontos Interpretativos (IAPI). Também foram realizadas análises de solo, para verificação da compactação dos solos nas trilhas. Os resultados obtidos com a pesquisa permitiram desenvolver propostas de adequação físico-ambiental e interpretativa das duas trilhas do Recanto Renascer, além da elaboração de um material técnico-informativo destinado a proprietários de estabelecimentos rurais interessados em implantar trilhas ecológicas ou adequar as já existentes.

The Mark 0. Hatfield Marine Science Center (HMSC) public education opportunities include interpretive programs offered along the Estuary Nature Trail. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of three informal education programs, interpretive signs, a self-guided trail brochure, and guided naturalist walks, in imparting information on the ecology of estuaries to visitors. A second objective was to determine visitors attitudes towards estuarine and wetland conservation issues. A questionnaire including knowledge and attitude statements and demographics was distributed to 901 participants. Results show that the three programs are effective in teaching visitors about estuarine ecology, with the naturalist walks being the most effective. Knowledge of estuarine ecology and attitudes towards estuarine and wetland conservation issues were associated with visitor characteristics such as level of education, membership in a conservation organization, residence proximity to wetlands, awareness of local wetland controversies, and previous visits to an estuary trail. Observations of visitor behavior along the estuary trail showed that visitor groups spent an average of 16 minutes on the trail. At each interpretive sign between 54 and 77% of the visitors were observed reading the information; those reading times ranged from 16 to 33 seconds per sign. / Graduation date: 1994

If students are to become aware of the vital, but fragile, interrelationships in their environment, they require many firsthand experiences in the out-of-doors. Environmental education is taught in some classrooms and nature centers, but to date, little research has been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the instructional methods used. Nature center managers are finding it difficult to personally educate an increasing number of park visitors. School teachers who may lack expertise in the natural sciences need educational resources that can be used to supplement their science curricula. These situations indicate that there is a growing demand for environmental interpretive methods that are dynamic, convenient, and accessible to a large number of people.The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a particular method of interpretation which involves the use of a taped message and hands-on activities along a nature trail. Middle school students took part in the project. The treatment for the experimental group consisted of taped instruction and nature trail activities. The control group toured Christy Woods Arboretum without a taped message. Both groups completed a short written questionnaire after theirexperience. Responses were analyzed to determine if the taped interpretive method was effective in helping students learn concepts and develop positive attitudes toward the natural environment. Teacher response was also evaluated.

This creative project presents a plan for interpreting the natural, cultural, and historical features of the Whitewater Gorge Park in Richmond, Indiana to the people who will visit the park in the future. The plan begins with inventories of natural, cultural, and historical resources, management concerns, and visual character, and also examines patterns of use in the park. The park's greatest assets are summarized in a series of interpretive themes; for each theme, specific interpretive media and methods are proposed and discussed. Interpretive measures are then grouped in lists of short-term and long-term priorities.An appendix to this creative project outlines the results of a questionnaire completed by a group of hikers in the park. The questionnaire was designed to sample hikers' opinions about the usefulness of a printed trail guide with which they had been supplied, and to investigate their reactions to the Whitewater Gorge Park as a whole. / Department of Landscape Architecture

3rd grade -- Math, language arts, fine arts -- Environmental lessons -- Trees and shrubs -- Poetry -- Weather -- Environmental ethics -- Serrano Indians.

Modern society is faced with an increasing level of environmental degradation. One effect of this is the loss of possibilities for children to interact with natural environments. Children’s interactions with nature come with a wide range of benefits, both physical and psychological, accentuating the need to develop outdoor spaces for children in areas of preserved nature. One way to approach this challenge is by developing recreational and educational nature trails aimed at children. Länsstyrelsen Gotland (the county administrative board) requested a theoretical suggestion for a children’s nature trail in a prospective nature reserve in Gotland and this study was done to bring forth such a suggestion. The study focused on what educational and recreational elements would be suitable to include in a nature trail for children and how to build ecological knowledge among its visitors in effective and creative ways. The material for this study was collected through semi-structured interviews with children’s caregivers and educators in combination with observations at existing nature trails for children using a geosemiotic approach. The results were analysed through a thematic analysis that extracted four main themes from the two sets of data with sub-themes to broaden the results. The themes and sub-themes were used to highlight elements suitable to include at the stations in terms of activities and layout of the trail, and how to get and keep children’s attention along the trail. A suggestion for a nature trail for children with eight stations was put together, steeped in the non-consumptive standards of ecotourism and with a clear focus on getting the visitors to learn about nature, especially through the framework of ecological literacy. Fun and play were seen as essential components to effectively build ecological knowledge and it is argued that perhaps the objects and activities provided at built-up ecotourism sites are necessary to get more people to visit nature in the first place.

The goal of this project was to design a masterplan for an outdoor discovery trail on the grounds of the Indiana School for the Blind in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 62 acre site has not been developed for outdoor exploration and is virtually inaccessible due to extreme topographical changes in elevation on the site. Based on guidelines and recommendations recently proposed by the USDA Forest Service and the USDA Park Service for accessibility and interpretation, combined with site research by the author, the masterplan was conscientiously developed. The trail integrates the unique historic background of the site with the sites' diverse, natural features to create a handicapped accessible trail that is an educational and recreational experience for the Indiana School for the Blind campus community. / Department of Landscape Architecture

Title: Development of Competencies in Scientific Education through the Active Work of Pupils (Focused On Field Trips) Abstract The overall concept and strategy of science education is undergoing significant changes, the basic starting curricula are designed to develop key competences necessary for personal development and success of each member of society. Therefore, in addition to traditional, perhaps best methods and forms come into the forefront more participatory and inquiry- based approaches that encourage creative approach to teaching and emphasize their own initiative pupils. Unique role of a comprehensive scientific excursion channeled to various locations in order to accomplish a pre- assigned tasks and sophisticated science and social character. A new look in this direction provide natural areas or nature trails where students can explore, understand and assess phenomena in a broader context with regard to their natural, economic or social importance. This direct and indirect nature study research methods, practical activities, especially experimental enables pupils to create complex scientific skills and competencies. It helps students develop the intellectual gradual transition from a predominantly illustrative exploring the world around to explore the rational, abstract. The issue is also...

The thesis consists of two main parts: a theoretical one which includes a separate chapter about the Jizera Mountains as a whole, introducing their geological structure, climate, botanical and zoological species and three public figures connected with the Jizera Mountains. The second part is a practical one. The first chapter which is divided into ten sub-chapters, introduces typical vertebrates, especially those which can be included in education at primary schools and grammar schools. The next chapter mentions nature trails which are later suggested as enriching elements in zoological excursions. These must follow the official paths within the nature conservation area. Certain thought in this thesis is also given to the SPA (Special Protection Area) established to protect the black grouse and the boreal owl. The last but one chapter involves selected centres of ecological education and other organisations organising programmes focused on vertebrates. Then there is classification of primary and secondary education with emphasizing a short survey of which biology textbooks are used at primary schools around Jablonec nad Nisou. Education at secondary schools is supplemented with international researches called PISA and TIMSS serving as a base for the last chapter, which is about enquiry based...