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Presentation Abstract

The "Wonders of the Salish Sea" (WSS) is an environmental education program designed to connect residents to the Salish Sea ecosystem through community-based, awe-inspiring education. The program aims to create a community of citizens who love, care for, and want to protect the Salish Sea; and to provide an opportunity for local scientists, naturalists, environmentalists, and enthusiasts to share their passion and expertise with the general public. Started in 2016 in Vancouver BC, WSS fills a gap in education by meeting the needs of beginning youth and adult learners who want to gain an in-depth understanding of the ecosystem in which they live. The program moved to a virtual format in 2021, making it accessible to all residents of the Salish Sea and beyond. WSS is held over a 4 - 5 week period annually in the spring. Attendance has grown every year with many returnees. The response from stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive. For example, participants have said: "It has greatly increased my desire to preserve the Salish Sea and it's inhabitants," "I think the ripple effects of this kind of education cannot be tabulated," and "I've always been careful about what I advocate for but since I took this course I've written 3 letters." This poster will highlight the program model, participant data, outcomes, stakeholder feedback, spin-off initiatives, and plans for the future.

Session Title

Poster Session 4: People Working Together to Protect the Salish Sea

Conference Track

SSE14: Posters

Conference Name

Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)

Document Type

Event

SSEC Identifier

SSE-posters-300

Start Date

27-4-2022 4:30 PM

End Date

27-4-2022 5:00 PM

Type of Presentation

Poster

Genre/Form

conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events); posters

Subjects – Topical (LCSH)

Environmental education--Study and teaching--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)

Geographic Coverage

Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

Type

Text

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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Apr 27th, 4:30 PM Apr 27th, 5:00 PM

Six Years of Adult Education about the "Wonders of the Salish Sea"

The "Wonders of the Salish Sea" (WSS) is an environmental education program designed to connect residents to the Salish Sea ecosystem through community-based, awe-inspiring education. The program aims to create a community of citizens who love, care for, and want to protect the Salish Sea; and to provide an opportunity for local scientists, naturalists, environmentalists, and enthusiasts to share their passion and expertise with the general public. Started in 2016 in Vancouver BC, WSS fills a gap in education by meeting the needs of beginning youth and adult learners who want to gain an in-depth understanding of the ecosystem in which they live. The program moved to a virtual format in 2021, making it accessible to all residents of the Salish Sea and beyond. WSS is held over a 4 - 5 week period annually in the spring. Attendance has grown every year with many returnees. The response from stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive. For example, participants have said: "It has greatly increased my desire to preserve the Salish Sea and it's inhabitants," "I think the ripple effects of this kind of education cannot be tabulated," and "I've always been careful about what I advocate for but since I took this course I've written 3 letters." This poster will highlight the program model, participant data, outcomes, stakeholder feedback, spin-off initiatives, and plans for the future.