While humans tend to respond instinctively to beauty, we don’t always consciously make the connection between valuing scenic beauty in our communities and the crucial advantages that come with it, such as quality of life, improved physical and mental health, and improved economic opportunity.
That’s why it’s so important to teach young people to value scenic resources. By engaging with the beauty of the natural and built environment, we can help inspire in them a lifelong affection for these qualities – and inculcate a willingness to fight to preserve them.
K-12 Scenic Education Program: Partnership with Project Green Schools
Since 2007, Project Green Schools has been developing the next generation of environmental leaders through education, project-based learning and community service. So far, they’ve impacted:
- 6,300 schools
- 500,000 students
- 43 U.S. states
Scenic America has worked with Project Green Schools to help develop a broad range of educational resources for young people that encourages preservation and appreciation of our scenic heritage. Resources include publicly accessible:
- Lessons
- Curricula
- Games
- Videos
All these resources can be found here. The latest resource is a video lesson for teachers and youth leaders called “Engaging the Next Generation in Scenic Conservation” featuring Scenic America’s President, Mark Falzone.
Agents of Discovery
Scenic America now offers an interactive, hands-on conservation education experience through the Agents of Discovery mobile app. The app can be used in the classroom, at home, or on location in Pittsburgh’s Point State Park. The app is also part of a three-part scenic conservation curriculum. Learn more about Agents of Discovery here.