Environmental interpretation and education in Indiana

Environmental education and interpretation are vital to the success of conservation efforts and will only grow in increasing importance as urban environments grow and the average American’s knowledge of nature decreases. This thesis will tell the story of environmental education and interpretation in Indiana through a thorough inquiry of the history of environmental interpretation and environmental education in both the United States and Indiana, followed by an analysis of the methods of environmental interpretation in Indiana including discussion on the similarities between accepted environmental interpretation and education practices. This story plays a role in the current practices of environmental education and interpretation in Indiana and will be key in the future of environmental interpretation and education. In the history of conservation and environmental interpretation in Indiana, there has been a trend of making public lands relevant and more accessible to all Hoosiers. Professional approaches in Indiana to environmental interpretation and education grew from the voluntary efforts of Hoosiers and it is the work of volunteers that will continue to forge the connection between the average Hoosier and nature as urban populations grow. In this effort to aid conservation and communicate to Hoosiers the value of nature, environmental interpretation and education is key to an environmentally literate and sustainable Indiana.