INVOLVING YOUTH IN THE PLANNING PROCESS FOR CONSERVATION PROJECTS

If youth are actively and authentically involved in planning a conservation project, they become motivated and excited partners.

To get to this point, adults need to pay attention to the ways in which they engage youth.  Follow these tips for effective communication, and make an honest assessment of the level at which youth will be involved in your project:

butterflyCommunicating with Youth

butterflyThe Green Street Youth Steering Committee gave their perspective on what youth feel if they are engaged.  Check out this case study that involves a high level of youth engagement.

butterflyAt what level will youth be involved?

butterflyThe Washington Youth Voice Handbook by Adam Fletcher includes over 20 workshop outlines, a youth voice directory, and a resource guide.


Concrete examples and techniques for involving youth are provided for each of these nine planning steps. 

road9 PLANNING STEPS

  1. Understand the opportunity or problem

  2. Develop a Working Group

  3. Develop a Shared Vision

  4. Determine Goals

  5. Identify Stakeholders and Build Partnerships

  6. Develop an Action Plan

  7. Implement

  8. Celebrate

  9. Evaluate

Resources Used:

Hoffman, J. and Staniforth, S.  (May 2007).  The Green Street Guide to Authentic Youth Engagement.  Green Street and the National Youth Engagement Program.  Retrieved from http://www.green-street.ca/files/GreenStreetYouthEngagementManual.pdf

Martin, S., Pittman, K., Ferber, T., McMahon, A. (2007, July). Building Effective Youth Councils: A Practical Guide to Engaging Youth in Policy Making. Washington, D.C.: The Forum for Youth Investment.  Retrieved from http://www.forumfyi.org/files/Building%20Effective%20Youth%20Final.pdf

RMC Research Corporation. (2006/2009).  K-12 Service-Learning Project Planning Toolkit. Scotts Valley, CA: National Service-Learning Clearinghouse.  Retrieved from www.servicelearning.org/library/resource/8542