Joshua York

Inspiring Action in Response to Ecological Disaster: A Community-based Conservation Response to Invasive Species Impact. Natural Areas Association Conference, 16 October 2014. Dayton, Ohio

The invasive Emerald Ash Borer (Agrilus planipennis) (EAB) has made its move across much of Northeastern United States, and continues to expand. The beetle has destroyed more than 99% of the ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) it has parasitized. These trees make up about 30% of second-growth forests within the Greater Dayton Area. Additionally, with such a high percentage of eventual canopy loss, invitations for further invasives like honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.) and Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) have been extended, with devastating consequences. For local conservationists dedicating their lives to biodiversity protection, this represents not only an impending ecological disaster, but also a massive hit to morale. This concern has spread across nature enthusiasts and land owners throughout the community.  With passing a recent levy by 70%, it is clear that the Dayton community values Five Rivers MetroParks and its mission to protect the region’s natural heritage. Because It’s Our Nature, staff at MetroParks have taken advantage of this ecological threat to inspire a Culture of Conservation through a massive reforestation effort. The community rallied around the protection of biodiversity, and a new era for MetroParks was born. Volunteers have risen to the occasion, collecting seed, growing trees, and planting them throughout natural areas. Since 2012, with the help of over 1000 local conservationists, over 28,000 trees have been planted throughout the region. This presentation will highlight the methods MetroParks has employed to ignite conservation awareness and action within the Greater Dayton Area.

Building Conservation Advocacy Amongst Pre-teen Youth: A Look into Conservation Kids. Natural Areas Association Conference, 16 October 2014. Dayton, Ohio

Today’s youth have many activities competing for their time, and protecting nature isn’t high on their list. Furthermore, today’s youth are more social than any previous generation, yet conservation is something rarely discussed. Five Rivers MetroParks, in Dayton, Ohio, has launched a new program aimed to challenge this trend through utilizing nature to build confidence and leadership skills among preteens, and giving them the tools to advocate for what gives them life: Earth.  Youth begin their journey by attending Discover programs, where they explore biodiversity and habitats while learning tolerance for rain, heat, cold, dirt, and fear. Youth continue their journey by taking part in two conservation action projects that either help to heal the land, or monitor biodiversity trends through citizen science. Through taking action, they recognize that what they do to nature, they do to themselves. When youth are ready, they are able to take part in a share activity, where they learn how to throw a conservation-themed party at their home. By following through with this peer-peer gathering, youth begin to understand the power of their voice, and take their place amongst young conservationists speaking out for protection of resources. Youth are then recognized as Conservation Leaders, and are encouraged to tell their story amongst their peers.

Inspiring Conservation Action Through Informal Dialogue.  Natural Areas Association Conference, 16 October 2014. Dayton, Ohio

Natural area managers and caretakers throughout the nation come into contact with recreational users every day. They recognize that each moment they have with these visitors represents a chance to build a Culture of Conservation through facilitating connections with nature. However, today’s natural area visitors are diverse, coming from all kinds of backgrounds for a variety of different reasons. But whether they are kayakers, birdwatchers, or student researchers, they all have one thing in common: They are connected through the great matrices of air, water, and soil. Furthermore, these sacred ingredients of life are purified for our use through biodiversity, which these lands aim to protect. Managers and caretakers can utilize this basic fact to quickly build recognition that they are all made of nature, and whatever they do to the Earth, they do to themselves. This presentation aims to give participants conversation starters they can employ in their own lands to help nurture dialogue with casual land users. Through these conversations, users will recognize that the place they came visit also provides ecosystem services that keep them alive. Managers and caretakers can then successfully inspire conservation activism through volunteer projects or community advocacy.

Mobilizing Tikes to Take Action. Environmental Education Council of Ohio, 29 March 2014. Mt. Sterling, Ohio

Conservation education knows no age boundaries, so why are preschoolers neglected from conservation efforts? Young fami-lies are a powerful resource, and we will explore ways for agencies to capture and utilize this overlooked demographic.

Fears to Cheers: Effectively Interpreting "Scary Nature". Environmental Education Council of Ohio, 29 March 2014. Mt. Sterling, Ohio

When exploring the outdoors, encountering poison ivy, snakes, spiders, and the other "scary nature" is inevitable. Explore how to get kids celebrating these things through challenging fears during this hands-on session. NH, OC, Indoors Rocks
 

Mobilizing Tikes to Take Action. Poster Presentation for North American Association for Environmental Education, 10 October 2013. Baltimore, Maryland

Conservation action knows no age boundaries, so why are preschoolers neglected from conservation efforts? Young families are a powerful resource, and in this session we will explore ways for agencies large and small to capture and utilize this overlooked demographic.
 

Using Inquiry to Foster Ownership of Natural Resources. North American Association for Environmental Education, 10 October 2013. Baltimore, Maryland

With inquiry woven through the new Core Standards, teachers are seeking training. Environmental Educators are searching for low-cost methods that drive students to take ownership of environmental issues. Discover how both of these needs can be accomplished through Inquiry Adventures.
 
Connecting With Nature Through Inquiry-based Learning. 101 Educator's Conference, 6 October 2013. Cincinnati, Ohio
 

With the big push of inquiry through standards, teachers are seeking out training opportunities to bring inquiry-based learning to the classroom. At the same time, with Nature-Deficit Disorder running rampant in the US, naturalists are desperately seeking ways to reconnect our children to nature. Discover how both of these needs can be met through an outdoor nature-based program developed by Five Rivers MetroParks, using concepts from Miami University‟s Project Dragonfly.

Outdoor Inquiry Adventures. Science Education Council of Ohio Conference, 7 February 2013. Dayton, Ohio

Learn how to turn your students into scientists using inquiry and the natural world! During this session, teachers will experience outdoor, nature-based inquiry first-hand using the QUEST inquiry method developed by Miami University’s Project Dragonfly.

Inquiry and Connecting to Nature. World Community Conference, 15 December 2012. Cincinnati, Ohio

With the big push of inquiry through standards, teachers are seeking out training opportunities to bring inquiry-based learning to the classroom. At the same time, with Nature-Deficit Disorder running rampant in the US, naturalists are desperately seeking ways to reconnect our children to nature. Discover how both of these needs can be met through an outdoor nature-based program developed by Five Rivers MetroParks, using concepts from Project Dragonfly.

Inquiry and Nature Play. 101 Educator's Conference, 6 October 2012. Cincinnati, Ohio

Inquiry and nature play are like peanut butter and jelly: They are made for each other. With inquiry woven into every grade level in Ohio’s new Academic Content Standards, teachers are seeking training opportunities to help bring inquiry-based learning to the classroom. At the same time, naturalists are desperately seeking ways to encourage children to play outside in nature. Discover how both these needs can be met by participating in a hands-on inquiry-based workshop, and learn how to replicate the experience in the local park or schoolyard.
 

Interpretation Techniques for Outdoor Nature-based Discovery. Educator's Week, 13 June 2012. Hocking Hills, Ohio
Outdoor Inquiry-based Learning. Educator's Week, 15 June 2012. Hocking Hills, Ohio

Nature Deficit Disorder and Living History. Sustainability: Now and Then. Midwest Open-Air Museums Coordinating Council 18 March 2011. Dayton, Ohio

Over the past few decades, research has shown that Children are spending less time engaging in unstructured outdoor play Than they have in the past. Unstructured nature play is a non-adult lead activity, but does not mean there is no adult supervision. Time is spent outdoors in which the child is leading their own discoveries. Come learn how five rivers metroparks has addressed the issue of nature deficit disorder, and learn how it could be applied in a living history or museum setting.

Using Technology to Connect Kids With Nature. Educator's Week, 16 June 2011. Hocking Hills, Ohio
Outdoor Inquiry-based Learning. Educator's Week, 17 June 2011. Hocking Hills, Ohio

Keynote: Nature Play, and the Cure for NDD. 101 Educator's Conference, 3 October 2009. Cincinnati, Ohio

As educators, it is our privilege and responsibility to re-connect our youth with nature. Discuss the facts about Nature-Deficit Disorder, what it does to our society, and the roles educators can play to lead our children away from screen-based activities, and back to the salamanders and butterflies.

Using Technology to Connect Kids With Nature. Environmental Education Council of Ohio, April 2009. Mohican State Park, Ohio
 

Using Technology to Connect Kids With Nature. Michigan Naturalist Training, 20 March 2009. Kalamazoo, Michigan

After delivering the presentation in Arkansas, I was asked to present the same conference for all the state naturalists of Michigan State Parks.

Using Technology to Connect Kids With Nature. North American Education Conservation Conference for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, 28 January 2009. Little Rock, Arkansas

How do we continue to spread the message to “Get outside and play” when newer generations are driven by technology? Can we create strategies that appeal technology minded generations which will also make them future resource stewards and outdoorsmen and women? As natural resources agencies, how do we deal with the constant pull of attention from current technology that is so heavily used by today’s youth? Is there a way to combine technology with getting kids outside? Come learn about some innovative and exciting ways to draw kids outside and away from the computer screen while still appealing to their “techy” side.