Why Forestry Education?
Step into any Wisconsin school building and chances are
you'll find students learning about rainforests.
If you ask the students what they have learned, they might
say something about the value of rainforests in sustaining
biodiversity and the capturing of greenhouse gases. They might say
something about the displacement of indigenous cultures, extinction,
or the need to stop deforestation. Ask the same students about
Wisconsin's forests, and they might not have an answer.
Although the understanding of global issues is indeed
important, students first need to understand their own "backyard."
This includes studying local ecosystems, local human
systems (both economic and social), and how they are all
interrelated.
Historically, Wisconsin's forests provided jobs for a
growing immigrant workforce, building materials for a developing
nation, and dollars for a fledgling state economy.
Forests continue today as an important part of Wisconsin. Our
forests cover 46% of the state. They provide habitat for wildlife,
recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, and a basis
for a major part of Wisconsin's economy.
Our forests benefit each of us through the protection of Wisconsin's air and water quality, their beauty, and the products they provide. You might say that our forests are a basic human life support system, affecting the quality of life that we all enjoy.
Today, our forests face the greatest potential for change
since 19th century logging.
On the near horizon are changes in forest ecosystems, forest
demands, and forest values. As our population continues to grow and
the demands on our forests increase, Wisconsin's citizens will need
to play an active role in sustaining our forests as ecosystems and
human systems. To do this our citizens need the knowledge and skills
to make decisions and to understand the impact of their choices.
Why do students know more about rainforests?
Organizations have done a good job of developing and marketing
education materials and resources. Similar efforts related to
Wisconsin forests have been incomplete until now.
LEAF is a long-term program designed to bring together existing efforts and provide the resources necessary to help schools infuse forestry education into their current curriculum.