Public Lands of the USA: the History, Today, and a More Equitable Future Course
Continental Divide Trail Coalition Virtual CourseTuesdays, February 2-23, 2021 -1:00pm-3:30 pm MST
Pre-Course Activities to Complete BEFORE Course begins
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Expand your knowledge of public lands in America. Through interactive discussion-based online learning experience, participants will gain a stronger understanding of federal land designations, history of these lands, and the context in which these places were protected. Participants will gain access to a new public lands curriculum.
The course aims to build connections between people and America’s public lands as well as awareness that the lands and waters we love today were once and still are Indigenous lands. Throughout the course a few guest speakers from federal land agencies and partner groups will engage in unique conversations with participants.
We will explore the many uses and benefits of public lands, as well as the threats they face locally and nationally. Students will choose two course projects from a list including: going out and explore public lands near their homes, creating an ESRI Story Map, book review, current news article review, and reading course text and writing response.
Prepare to complete 10 hours of online zoom course meetings and 10-15 hours of additional course pre-work and homework.
This course is not 'at your own pace, on your own'. There are specific assignment deadlines, synchronous online meetings/classes, and lots of asynchronous on-your-own activities/readings.
The course aims to build connections between people and America’s public lands as well as awareness that the lands and waters we love today were once and still are Indigenous lands. Throughout the course a few guest speakers from federal land agencies and partner groups will engage in unique conversations with participants.
We will explore the many uses and benefits of public lands, as well as the threats they face locally and nationally. Students will choose two course projects from a list including: going out and explore public lands near their homes, creating an ESRI Story Map, book review, current news article review, and reading course text and writing response.
Prepare to complete 10 hours of online zoom course meetings and 10-15 hours of additional course pre-work and homework.
This course is not 'at your own pace, on your own'. There are specific assignment deadlines, synchronous online meetings/classes, and lots of asynchronous on-your-own activities/readings.
Required Learning Tools
Virtual Learning Hardware and Software - these tools will make your learning experience the most effective and pleasant:
- laptop or desktop computer
- computer camera (so you can be seen by others on zoom) and microphone
- ability to learn how to use Canvas LMS to access the course website and all assignments
- must create Padlet.com free login to be able to contribute to course activities and assignments
- ability and willingness to learn to create ESRI Story Map online
Course Project Menu - Pick 2
Choose Two Course Projects to complete by the end of the course:
- Read course text, write response - America's Public Lands: From Yellowstone to Smokey Bear and Beyond 2nd Edition by Randall K. Wilson following directions on course canvas website.
- Go outside, explore public lands, collect data for NASA GLOBE Observer following directions on course canvas website.
- Create ESRI Story Map following directions on course canvas website.
- Find, read, and write response for 4 current event articles following directions on course canvas website.
- Choose book from course book list, read, and write response following directions on course canvas website. This is a growing book list, new suggestions welcome.
Pre Course and Post Course Work
- Participants are sent email communication 1-2 weeks prior to the start of the course with directions for logging into the course canvas website.
- Pre-work assignments are available 7 days before the course begins and are expected to be completed by the first zoom class.
- Post work final assignments are to be completed within 7 days of the last zoom class.
Each Course Participant Receives
- Four 2.5 hour long sessions of engaging interactive virtual instruction from experienced public land educator trainer
- Learning and sharing with professional colleagues
- Access to a lively virtual network of public lands educators and alumni of this course
- Access to and strategies and practices for implementing the Public Lands of the USA curriculum
- Tools, skills, and inspiration to teach others about public lands through formal and informal educational venues
- Certificate of 20 professional development training hours upon completing all course work and attending all course meetings (upon request)
Quotable Reviews from Recent Virtual Participants
The course was relevant and rigorous! - December 2020
I was able to gain different perspectives and feedback on my own perspectives and understanding of public lands and equity in that space. This will help to inform the curriculum I am developing for our program. - December 2020
I'll say that I got a bit out of it, including some different perspectives, but mostly realize that I have more work to do. And that I learned a lot of cool tools to use with students in the future. - December 2020
Sarah Johnson is an excellent instructor that is passionate and knowledgeable of public lands. - December 2020
I enjoyed the interactive activities and course content. - December 2020
It was interesting to have discussions about something I've thought about before but it wasn't as academically intensive as I had expected. - December 2020
The class was comprehensive and a good balance of participant opportunity to share their/our knowledge with conventional "teaching". There was a lot of trust between Sarah [instructor] and the participants, and as such we were able to have a solid exchange of ideas. - December 2020
Good for general education about the history of public lands. - December 2020
It gave me the tools necessary to pass on knowledge to others and left me better equipped to advocate for our public lands. - December 2020
Sarah [instructor] organized the course well and invited fantastic speakers. - December 2020
