Thesis
Presenting wolves as wolves: educational outreach in the debate about wolf management in the west
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2008
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/102263
Abstract
Throughout history the fate of wolves has been a reflection of shifting beliefs about the environment. As United States citizens adopt values and laws to protect the environment and wildlife, the new ideas are often at odds with more traditional utilitarian values. Decades after their extirpation from the west, the reintroduction of gray wolves sparked controversy about wolf management. Like most environmental conflicts, the debate about wolf management in the west is riddled with scientific, social, and political complexities. Many groups have responded to the debate in an attempt to promote understanding and reduce conflict. In light of the underlying values and the issues that emerge from the value-driven nature of the wolf management debate, I sought to identify the role of education in reducing conflict. I interviewed twenty individuals representing wildlife management agencies, organizations advocating wolf conservation, educational organizations, organizations advocating wolf delisting, and the media. My interview analysis revealed many valuable insights into the educational outreach developed in response to the debate about wolf management. In particular, environmental education serves as a means to present science alongside values, break down communication barriers, and create opportunities for unique learning experiences. By building upon the essential themes described in my interviews and the literature, I developed a contemporary paradigm to guide educators working in the midst of environmental controversy. Above all, educators must not only inform their audiences but also connect with them. As environmental controversies become more widespread with shifting value systems and limited resources, educators may use this new approach to foster understanding and reduce conflict.
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Details
- Title
- Presenting wolves as wolves
- Creators
- Audrey L. Willard
- Contributors
- Emmett P. Fiske (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Environment, School of the (CAHNRS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525132301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis