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Papers by Shelby Gull Laird

Urban Environmental Education Review, 2017

Urban Environmental Education Review, 2017

This chapter examines opportunities for developing urban environmental education experiences for ... more This chapter examines opportunities for developing urban environmental education experiences for adults. It first considers the core ideas of three influential adult education scholars—Paulo Freire, Malcolm Knowles, and Jane Vella—before describing two cases of adult environmental education in cities, one in New York City and one in London. It then reviews theory and practice through the binary categories of “emancipatory” versus “instrumental” environmental education, both of which have conceptual roots in the work of Freire, Knowles, and Vella, among others. It also explains how, through the use of andragogic methods such as relationship building, engagement in action, and a focus on the needs of the learner, adult urban environmental education initiatives can help promote environmental literacy and action.

Research Handbook on Childhoodnature, 2020

The Indigenous voice may be muted or lost at complex and controversial cultural heritage sites. B... more The Indigenous voice may be muted or lost at complex and controversial cultural heritage sites. Barriers to interpreting these sites can be bridged through collaboration and co-creation. This process necessitates a long-term investment by both the sites and stakeholders. Lessons learned from this experience can serve as a framework for developing an interpretive strategy that embraces cultural diversity and inclusion

Journal of Forestry, 2019

Open Educational Resources (OER) are freely available materials that can be used in courses and m... more Open Educational Resources (OER) are freely available materials that can be used in courses and modified by instructors. We developed an online OER silviculture textbook (OT). Some sections of OT were developed by the instructor, whereas others were developed by students enrolled in a silviculture course and subsequently edited by the instructor. As a preliminary examination of the effectiveness and student preference of OT, we administered a knowledge assessment and survey to both freshman and junior-level forestry students. We compared OT to a highly respected textbook in the field, The Practice of Silviculture, 9th Edition (Smith et al. 1997). Based on this study, both resources performed similarly and were similarly preferred by students. Although there are a number of limitations to this preliminary study (small sample size, only conducted at a single university, formatting both sources as paper copies) and to OER (time-consuming to create, lack of funding, lack of peer review)...

Early Childhood Education Journal, 2017

This study contributes to the understanding of early childhood educators’ and parents’ attitudes ... more This study contributes to the understanding of early childhood educators’ and parents’ attitudes and practices in relation to outdoor risky play for children. This study included 26 early childhood educators and 112 parents in rural and metropolitan areas of Australia and the United States. Participants completed an online survey about their perspectives and practices related to the provision of opportunities for children to engage in outdoor risky play. Questions also investigated reasons that prevented participants from providing such opportunities for children. Findings indicated that most educators thought it was important for children to be provided opportunities for outdoor risky play and did provide appropriate activities. Types of outdoor risky play opportunities fell into the categories of supporting large motor skills, supporting free exploration of the environment, and supporting assessment of risk. However, educators located in Australia rated outdoor risky play opportunities as significantly more important compared to educators in the US. Many parents also felt outdoor risky play was important and provided appropriate activities. Opportunities provided by parents fell into the same categories as educators, with additional features of nervousness and a desire to avoid hovering. Many parents identified the young age of the child and safety concerns as barriers. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

This paper explores the observations and perceptions of school children as they engage with natur... more This paper explores the observations and perceptions of school children as they engage with nature through place based environmental experiences. The paper reports on two projects, one based in the USA and the other in Australia, designed to promote understanding of sustainability through outdoor interventions. While the interventions share common educational goals the children came from very different places, on many levels. From New York City to regional Australia the children’s collective experiences highlight the capacity of outdoor-based interventions to promote understandings of nature. Originating and enacted in different hemispheres, both interventions demonstrate the value of passive outdoor education in developing ecocentric thinking and values.

Outdoor environmental education and provision of unstructured exploration of nature are often for... more Outdoor environmental education and provision of unstructured exploration of nature are often forgotten aspects of the early childhood experience. The aim of this study was to understand how adults’ early experiences in nature relate to their attitudes and practices in providing such experiences for young children. This study surveyed 33 parents and early childhood educators at an Australian university-located early childhood service about their own childhood experiences in nature and their current provision of such experiences with their children. Participants completed an online questionnaire consisting of the Nature Relatedness Scale – Short Form (Nisbet et. al, 2009; Nisbet & Zelenski, 2013) and the Inclusion of Nature in Self Scale (Schultz, 2002). Questions regarding adults’ knowledge and behaviour on gardening and sustainability topics were also included. Results indicate that although most participants were strongly engaged in unstructured nature experiences as children, few...

The Thurgoona and Wirlinga region of New South Wales is expected to grow to over 50,000 people in... more The Thurgoona and Wirlinga region of New South Wales is expected to grow to over 50,000 people in the next 30 years. This growth will mean that the area will transition from a rural setting to a more urban environment. The associated changes will impact biodiversity and available habitat, particularly for key threatened species. This shift from more open grassland to suburban housing with fenced and manicured lawns means that many species will be confined to habitat in planned corridors and reserves. This research project collected and summarized baseline data about how the Thurgoona and Wirlinga community residents understand and value biodiversity in their own neighbourhoods. The ability to explore community knowledge and attitudes about biodiversity and conservation before projects or education initiatives are conducted (and in this case before population growth) is a rare one. This baseline data could ultimately lead to more effective on the ground projects that take into consideration local values and target increases in local knowledge on biodiversity.

A Guide for Natural Resource Managers in Southern Forest Ecosystems, 2013

Climate-Induced Migration of Native Tree Populations and Consequences Alluvial Valley, and Mid-So... more Climate-Induced Migration of Native Tree Populations and Consequences Alluvial Valley, and Mid-South) (Burns and Honkala 1990), but we rely on spatial analysis of climatic data (Wear and Greis 2012). This chapter, like others in this book, uses much of the framework described in Chapter 1 and outcomes of the Southern Forest Futures Project (SFFP, Wear and Greis 2012; Chapter 2). For example, climate models and production of CO 2 emissions based on economic projections are taken from the SFFP (Chapter 2). This chapter is organized around three major components:

A Guide for Natural Resource Managers in Southern Forest Ecosystems, 2013

Water is a critical resource of the Southern United States and is intimately linked to other ecos... more Water is a critical resource of the Southern United States and is intimately linked to other ecosystem and societal values. The South is known for its warm climate, rich water resources (Figure 9.1), and large acreage of forest lands that provide an ideal place for people to live. Indeed, water availability is central to sustaining an economy that relies on irrigation agriculture, forestry, recreation,

This research examined the use of volunteers and volunteer monitoring organizations (VMOs) in wat... more This research examined the use of volunteers and volunteer monitoring organizations (VMOs) in watershed studies in order to more accurately assess the optimal inclusion of public participation in watershed assessments. Literature provides a comprehensive review of watershed assessments and the need to include citizen scientists or volunteer monitors. Research on the Black Creek Watershed project indicates the need for specific and purposeful cooperation between researchers, managers, and public ...

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 1533015x 2012 776918, Apr 20, 2013

Complex environmental problems call for unique solutions to monitoring efforts alongside developi... more Complex environmental problems call for unique solutions to monitoring efforts alongside developing a more environmentally literate citizenry. Community-based monitoring (CBM) through the use of volunteer monitoring organizations help to provide a part of the solution, particularly when CBM groups work with research scientists or government managers. This study of volunteer monitoring organizations (VMOs) active in 2009 in the United States was conducted via survey in order to better understand the organizational structure, data collection procedures and data use of water quality monitoring by volunteers, focusing on North Carolina. Organizational structures and origins of monitoring groups are discussed and reveal a wide variety of types and history of programs. Data collection procedures including required training and quality assurance were explored and discussed through the survey. Many groups require training of a varied type, but fewer complete quality assurance plans. Multiple types of volunteer monitoring data uses were indicated, including management and research. This study suggests a lack of structure at the state level may hinder the usefulness of data collected for purposes other than local information and environmental education. Cooperation between research scientists and VMOs may aid organizations in publishing more of their data and developing a quality assurance plan.

Urban Environmental Education Review, 2017

Urban Environmental Education Review, 2017

This chapter examines opportunities for developing urban environmental education experiences for ... more This chapter examines opportunities for developing urban environmental education experiences for adults. It first considers the core ideas of three influential adult education scholars—Paulo Freire, Malcolm Knowles, and Jane Vella—before describing two cases of adult environmental education in cities, one in New York City and one in London. It then reviews theory and practice through the binary categories of “emancipatory” versus “instrumental” environmental education, both of which have conceptual roots in the work of Freire, Knowles, and Vella, among others. It also explains how, through the use of andragogic methods such as relationship building, engagement in action, and a focus on the needs of the learner, adult urban environmental education initiatives can help promote environmental literacy and action.

Research Handbook on Childhoodnature, 2020

The Indigenous voice may be muted or lost at complex and controversial cultural heritage sites. B... more The Indigenous voice may be muted or lost at complex and controversial cultural heritage sites. Barriers to interpreting these sites can be bridged through collaboration and co-creation. This process necessitates a long-term investment by both the sites and stakeholders. Lessons learned from this experience can serve as a framework for developing an interpretive strategy that embraces cultural diversity and inclusion

Journal of Forestry, 2019

Open Educational Resources (OER) are freely available materials that can be used in courses and m... more Open Educational Resources (OER) are freely available materials that can be used in courses and modified by instructors. We developed an online OER silviculture textbook (OT). Some sections of OT were developed by the instructor, whereas others were developed by students enrolled in a silviculture course and subsequently edited by the instructor. As a preliminary examination of the effectiveness and student preference of OT, we administered a knowledge assessment and survey to both freshman and junior-level forestry students. We compared OT to a highly respected textbook in the field, The Practice of Silviculture, 9th Edition (Smith et al. 1997). Based on this study, both resources performed similarly and were similarly preferred by students. Although there are a number of limitations to this preliminary study (small sample size, only conducted at a single university, formatting both sources as paper copies) and to OER (time-consuming to create, lack of funding, lack of peer review)...

Early Childhood Education Journal, 2017

This study contributes to the understanding of early childhood educators’ and parents’ attitudes ... more This study contributes to the understanding of early childhood educators’ and parents’ attitudes and practices in relation to outdoor risky play for children. This study included 26 early childhood educators and 112 parents in rural and metropolitan areas of Australia and the United States. Participants completed an online survey about their perspectives and practices related to the provision of opportunities for children to engage in outdoor risky play. Questions also investigated reasons that prevented participants from providing such opportunities for children. Findings indicated that most educators thought it was important for children to be provided opportunities for outdoor risky play and did provide appropriate activities. Types of outdoor risky play opportunities fell into the categories of supporting large motor skills, supporting free exploration of the environment, and supporting assessment of risk. However, educators located in Australia rated outdoor risky play opportunities as significantly more important compared to educators in the US. Many parents also felt outdoor risky play was important and provided appropriate activities. Opportunities provided by parents fell into the same categories as educators, with additional features of nervousness and a desire to avoid hovering. Many parents identified the young age of the child and safety concerns as barriers. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

This paper explores the observations and perceptions of school children as they engage with natur... more This paper explores the observations and perceptions of school children as they engage with nature through place based environmental experiences. The paper reports on two projects, one based in the USA and the other in Australia, designed to promote understanding of sustainability through outdoor interventions. While the interventions share common educational goals the children came from very different places, on many levels. From New York City to regional Australia the children’s collective experiences highlight the capacity of outdoor-based interventions to promote understandings of nature. Originating and enacted in different hemispheres, both interventions demonstrate the value of passive outdoor education in developing ecocentric thinking and values.

Outdoor environmental education and provision of unstructured exploration of nature are often for... more Outdoor environmental education and provision of unstructured exploration of nature are often forgotten aspects of the early childhood experience. The aim of this study was to understand how adults’ early experiences in nature relate to their attitudes and practices in providing such experiences for young children. This study surveyed 33 parents and early childhood educators at an Australian university-located early childhood service about their own childhood experiences in nature and their current provision of such experiences with their children. Participants completed an online questionnaire consisting of the Nature Relatedness Scale – Short Form (Nisbet et. al, 2009; Nisbet & Zelenski, 2013) and the Inclusion of Nature in Self Scale (Schultz, 2002). Questions regarding adults’ knowledge and behaviour on gardening and sustainability topics were also included. Results indicate that although most participants were strongly engaged in unstructured nature experiences as children, few...

The Thurgoona and Wirlinga region of New South Wales is expected to grow to over 50,000 people in... more The Thurgoona and Wirlinga region of New South Wales is expected to grow to over 50,000 people in the next 30 years. This growth will mean that the area will transition from a rural setting to a more urban environment. The associated changes will impact biodiversity and available habitat, particularly for key threatened species. This shift from more open grassland to suburban housing with fenced and manicured lawns means that many species will be confined to habitat in planned corridors and reserves. This research project collected and summarized baseline data about how the Thurgoona and Wirlinga community residents understand and value biodiversity in their own neighbourhoods. The ability to explore community knowledge and attitudes about biodiversity and conservation before projects or education initiatives are conducted (and in this case before population growth) is a rare one. This baseline data could ultimately lead to more effective on the ground projects that take into consideration local values and target increases in local knowledge on biodiversity.

A Guide for Natural Resource Managers in Southern Forest Ecosystems, 2013

Climate-Induced Migration of Native Tree Populations and Consequences Alluvial Valley, and Mid-So... more Climate-Induced Migration of Native Tree Populations and Consequences Alluvial Valley, and Mid-South) (Burns and Honkala 1990), but we rely on spatial analysis of climatic data (Wear and Greis 2012). This chapter, like others in this book, uses much of the framework described in Chapter 1 and outcomes of the Southern Forest Futures Project (SFFP, Wear and Greis 2012; Chapter 2). For example, climate models and production of CO 2 emissions based on economic projections are taken from the SFFP (Chapter 2). This chapter is organized around three major components:

A Guide for Natural Resource Managers in Southern Forest Ecosystems, 2013

Water is a critical resource of the Southern United States and is intimately linked to other ecos... more Water is a critical resource of the Southern United States and is intimately linked to other ecosystem and societal values. The South is known for its warm climate, rich water resources (Figure 9.1), and large acreage of forest lands that provide an ideal place for people to live. Indeed, water availability is central to sustaining an economy that relies on irrigation agriculture, forestry, recreation,

This research examined the use of volunteers and volunteer monitoring organizations (VMOs) in wat... more This research examined the use of volunteers and volunteer monitoring organizations (VMOs) in watershed studies in order to more accurately assess the optimal inclusion of public participation in watershed assessments. Literature provides a comprehensive review of watershed assessments and the need to include citizen scientists or volunteer monitors. Research on the Black Creek Watershed project indicates the need for specific and purposeful cooperation between researchers, managers, and public ...

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1080 1533015x 2012 776918, Apr 20, 2013

Complex environmental problems call for unique solutions to monitoring efforts alongside developi... more Complex environmental problems call for unique solutions to monitoring efforts alongside developing a more environmentally literate citizenry. Community-based monitoring (CBM) through the use of volunteer monitoring organizations help to provide a part of the solution, particularly when CBM groups work with research scientists or government managers. This study of volunteer monitoring organizations (VMOs) active in 2009 in the United States was conducted via survey in order to better understand the organizational structure, data collection procedures and data use of water quality monitoring by volunteers, focusing on North Carolina. Organizational structures and origins of monitoring groups are discussed and reveal a wide variety of types and history of programs. Data collection procedures including required training and quality assurance were explored and discussed through the survey. Many groups require training of a varied type, but fewer complete quality assurance plans. Multiple types of volunteer monitoring data uses were indicated, including management and research. This study suggests a lack of structure at the state level may hinder the usefulness of data collected for purposes other than local information and environmental education. Cooperation between research scientists and VMOs may aid organizations in publishing more of their data and developing a quality assurance plan.