On July 27-28, Program Manager Bret Muter, from the Udall Foundation provided Parks-In-Focus facilitator training at Big South Fork NRRA. National Park Service educators from Obed Wild & Scenic River, Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, and Great Smokey Mountains National Park participated in a hands-on training learning how to connect youth to nature through photography and outdoor learning.
The Stewart L. Udall Parks-In-Focus® program connects middle school youth from underserved communities to nature through photography, environmental education, outdoor recreation and creative expression.
Through partnerships with parks and youth-serving organizations, Parks in Focus®:
* Provides outdoor experiences for middle school youth who have limited exposure to nature.
* Increases participants’ appreciation for their local environment and public lands.
* Encourages participants to use photography as a tool for environmental learning and as an outlet for creative expression.
* Engages participants in service and stewardship.
In 2016, Obed Wild & Scenic River entered into an agreement with Udall Foundation's Parks-In-Focus program, partnering to incorporate Parks-In-Focus into education programs with youth groups in the local community.
Tags: parks-in-focus udall foundation photography education every kid in a park
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
