The public lands education project: a benchmark study to determine if the public lands education project affects participants' trajectory in pursuing a career or educational track in natural resources

The purpose of this benchmark study was to determine if inviting underserved youth to participate in short-term natural resources experiential education increased the likelihood participants pursued a career or educational track in natural resources. The project connected communities of color and under resourced groups to federally managed lands. There were two segments to the program. The first was LEARN AND EARN. This portion of the program taught participants how to manage and restore southern California’s protected lands and offered stipends to 48 youth who participated in the entire three-day experience. Underserved youth is defined as young people from social groups that have been historically absent in natural resources career fields, youth from urban populations of color, and veterans under the age of 25. After the program, participants were invited to participate in the second segment of the PLEP. The YOUTH CORPS segment was an add-on to the first segment where participants explored more complex elements of conservation management and learned about environmental career opportunities. Facilitators who identified as Native American or Latino staffed both segments of the program. These are similar ethnic backgrounds as participants in the program. The sponsoring agencies paid all participation costs associated with this project as well as a modest $125 stipend to all participants for their service in the PLEP-Learn and Earn module. Results from this study showed three major outcomes. First, the Public Lands Education Project increased participant’s interest in a career in natural resources in the short-term one-year trajectory. The second conclusion is PLEP participants learned new information about federal land management agencies and developed skills needed to eventually work in the field of natural resources. The final conclusion from this research study is there are benefits to participating in the Public Lands Education Project, as well as improvements that are necessary to be a more effective program.