The Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ Education Center provides professional training and support for educators and volunteers to promote responsible stewardship of our natural resources.

To support this mission we accept the following guiding principles:

• Conservation/environmental education and outreach are critical components of managing Indiana’s natural resources.
• People who have positive experiences with our natural resources are more likely to care about conservation.
• Successful program delivery depends on identifying and implementing best practices. Our unique delivery strategies include the following:
  • Train the Trainer (training adults to teach students and other adults)
  • Participatory learning (participants use the activities, curricula, and materials during training)
  • Use of existing networks (environmental literacy can best be achieved through cooperative efforts in conservation education throughout the State of Indiana)
  • Programs are most accessible to the public when they are offered throughout the state, at a variety of times and days, and at no or minimal cost.
• Ongoing support for participants is critical to their ability to effectively implement conservation and environmental education.
• For long-term behavior change to occur, individuals typically pass through the following stages: awareness (appreciating), knowledge (learning), attitude (evaluating one’s own values and feelings), skills (problem solving) and participation (taking action).

Vision

The Natural Resources’ Education Center will be considered the premier source for exceptional, accurate, and innovative activities and curriculum.