SOE2010.ConnectingPeopleOutline


 * Connecting People with Nature

LEAH-- parks and hiking trails, educational programs (Robin Moore), trash/recycling numbers, county/municipal environmental boards/panels

AMANDA-- mode choice, **** gallons of fuel saved ****, VMT, greenways and bike trails, maps of distribution of parks by population, race, income. Will write intro of value of parks minus park revenue.

LAUREN-- participation numbers, state parks revenue, degree programs and enrollment numbers, membership numbers, backyard habitats, LEED certified businesses and homes

Outline

** • Purpose statement • Include TLC’s Goals • Why connecting with nature is important o Stats: Ecosystem services and our bodily connection to nature o Studies: demonstrating people's access to natural recreation and educational opportunities and the likelihood to make environmental choices. o Studies: regarding the psychological benefits and effects of open space/recreation areas. o Discussion of Literature: Carson, Thoreau, Louv [LAC1]
 * Connecting People with Nature **
 * // Introduction //**

• Include Map of Where all Parks/Activities Located • Acres of parks – Per Person (in Triangle), by county, total • Miles of bike trails and greenways – Per Person (in Triangle), by county, total • Miles of hiking trails – Per Person (in Triangle), by county, total • Variety of recreation opportunities by area o What recreation opportunities available • o Where located • Visitors to parks - Participation ­– hiking, biking, camping, boating, fishing, hunting - Revenue Generated - Jobs Available < > • // Non-Fishable/Swimmable Water Areas <> // • Distribution of Nature Parks and Recreation Accessibility to all Socio-Economic Groups - By County/by TAZ - GIS Proximity Gradient Map - 15, 30, etc. Minute Walk/ Drive from certain recreational facilities. • Curriculum in North Carolina State Schools • Attendance at other educational programs in area - Participation Stats • Children Attending Outdoor Summer Camp - Where/What - Participation Stats • [LAC2]  Higher education availability - University à degree programs available (#) - Community Colleges Outdoor Ed centers (public and private)
 * // Recreation in Natural Areas in Triangle //**
 * // Environmental education opportunities in Triangle //**

• Miles of off street bike paths in terms of how many gallons of fuel saved • Average vehicle miles traveled per capita per county • ** Total Household Trash ** • ** Average proportion of household trash that is recycled ** • Membership in an environmental organization (through time, if possible [LAC3]  ) - TLC - Sierra Club - Scouts - Climate Change Voluntary Program, etc. • Number of backyard wildlife habitats - People certified by NWF • How many businesses are LEED certified ? • Balancing Nature and Development --OPTIONAL o Stats: Carbon Footprint City vs. Suburbs
 * // Environmental choices and Environmental values //**
 * - Growth and Impact of the # of Landfills **
 * - Private Recycling Services **
 * - County Recycling Services **

o Smart Growth Sources

Assignment for 2/18/10:

1. Potential external reviewers for the section: We have contacted them but we haven't heard back from them yet. - Walter Thurman-- Environmental & Resource Economics Professor - Susan Lovelace-- works for NOAA, expertise in connecting people with the environment using scientific studies - Emily Ander in parks and recreation department in Raleigh

2. Identify potential audience for final presentation - Section Readers, TLC - Members of the Chamber of Commerce from various cities throughout the Triangle?

3. Create mock up of graphs, tables, and maps for your section. UPDATED 3/11/10
 * Parks in Triangle (very rough draft that is nearly complete): [[file:List of Parks.xlsx]]
 * Hiking/Walking Trails in the Triangle (very rough draft that is nearly complete: [[file:TRAILS.docx]]

_
 * State Park General Info Table [[file:State Parks Table.xlsx]]
 * County Parks General Info Table[[file:County Parks Table.xlsx]] <>


 * Revenue Generated, Job Rates and Participation Rates in Triangle[[file:Revenue Generated, Job Rates, Participation Rates in Triangle.docx]] <>
 * Miles of Hiking, Biking and Greenways Wake County[[file:Miles of Hiking, Biking and Greenways in WAKE COUNTY.docx]]
 * Alternative to Miles of Hiking, Biking, and Greenways[[file:Greeways.docx]] <>
 * Wake County Recreation Participation Percentages[[file:County Recreation Participation Percentages.docx]]
 * Amount of People/Acres of Park in all Counties[[file:By County Amount of People per Acre of Park.docx]] <>
 * Wake County Recreation Participation Percentages[[file:County Recreation Participation Percentages.docx]]
 * Amount of People/Acres of Park in all Counties[[file:By County Amount of People per Acre of Park.docx]] <>

<>

___

 Connecting People with Nature Outline (**2/16/10--with editing based on TLCs comments LF)**

**1. Introduction** 
 *  Purpose statement: This section presents background information and indicators that measure access to natural areas, environmental education, and environmental choices and values in the triangle region.
 * Include TLC’s Goals:
 * Access to nature for education, research, and recreation
 * Providing outdoor experiences for children
 * Working with partners to create parks and recreation areas
 * Balancing Nature and Development
 * Stats: Carbon Footprint vs. Suburbs (one sentence acknowledgement)
 * Smart Growth Sources (one sentence acknowledgement)
 * Why connecting with nature is important
 * Stats: Ecosystem services and our bodily connection to nature
 * Studies: demonstrating people's access to natural recreation and educational opportunities and the likelihood to make environmental choices.
 * Studies: regarding the psychological benefits and effects of open space/recreation areas.
 * Discussion of Literature: Carson, Thoreau, Louv (

**Data need: GIS layers-rivers, parks, recreation areas, county boundaries, cities, streets, residential development
 * 2. Recreation in Natural Areas in Triangle**
 * Acres of parks < >
 * Per Person (in Triangle)
 * By County
 * Total
 * Miles of bike trails and greenways < >
 * Per Person
 * By County
 * Total
 * Miles of hiking trails < >
 * Per Person
 * By County
 * Total
 * Variety of recreation opportunities by area < >
 * What recreation opportunities available
 * Where located
 * Participation < >
 * Hiking
 * Biking
 * Camping
 * Boating
 * Fishing
 * Hunting
 * Fishing/Hunting License and Boat Registration < >
 * Visitors to parks < >
 * Revenue Generated
 * Jobs Available < >
 * Discussion: Boosting the Economy <<low priority?>>
 * Include Map of Where all Parks/Activities Located < >
 * Distribution of Nature Parks and Recreation Accessibility to all Socio-Economic Groups < >
 * By County/by TAZ
 * GIS Proximity Gradient Map
 * 15, 30, etc. Minute Walk/ Drive from certain recreational facilities.
 * Possible Sources for section: DENR State of Water Report or Water People Section,** ** eenorthcarolina.org

**3. Environmental education opportunities in Triangle**
 * Curriculum in North Carolina State Schools < >
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Number of Children Having a Nature Education Experience in School (TLC or EEC) < >
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Attendance at other educational programs in area < >
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Participation Stats
 * Demographics < >
 * Children Attending Environmental Education Centers in the Triangle < >
 * Where/What
 * Participation Stats
 * Demographics < >
 * ** Higher education availability **< >
 * University
 * ** Community Colleges **
 * Outdoor Education Centers (private and public)


 * 4. Environmental choices and Environmental values**
 * ** Miles of bike lanes/paths in terms of how many gallons of fuel saved **< >
 * ** Mode choice to work <<high priority- if stats available>> **
 * ** Average vmt per capita <<High Priority>> **
 * Total Household Trash < >
 * Growth and Impact of the # of Landfills
 * ** Average proportion of household trash that is recycled **< >
 * ** Private Recycling Services **
 * ** County Recycling Services **
 * ** Membership in an environmental organization **< >
 * ** TLC **
 * ** Sierra Club **
 * ** Scouts **
 * ** Climate Change Voluntary Program, etc. **
 * ** Formation of municipal boards and committees addressing environmental issues through time **
 * ** Number of backyard wildlife habitats **< >
 * ** People certified by NWF **
 * ** How many businesses are green certified? **< >
 * LEED certified
 * NC Healthy Build homes
 * 5. Conclusion**
 * Summary of Findings (Current Situation) in Triangle
 * Significant Results (to be determined-- actual content)
 * ** Summary of why people connecting nature is important **

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> _ Connecting People with Nature Outline (1/29/10)

**1. Introduction**
 * a.** Purpose statement: This section presents background information and indicators that measure access to natural areas, environmental education, and environmental choices and values in the triangle region.
 * b**. Include TLC’s Goals:
 * Access to nature for education, research, and recreation
 * Providing outdoor experiences for children
 * Working with partners to create parks and recreation areas
 * c**. Studies regarding the psychological effects of open space/ recreation areas <<This can be folded under 'd'>>
 * d**. Why connecting with nature is important <<Amanda C, 2/3: Data needs: 1. Some cool stats on ecosystem services and our bodily connection to nature 2. Studies that show that people who have access to natural recreation and educational opportunities are more likely to make environmental choices, 3. A couple psychological benefits studies, 4. A couple quotes from Rachel Carson or Thoreau maybe>> <<mention the last child in the wilderness or what not LF>> <span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">


 * e** . Discussion of balancing nature and development <<Amanda C. 2/3: This can briefly mention stats such as carbon footprint in city vs. suburbs, and reference smart growth sources of information>> <<LM: maybe switch order of (d) and (e) as discussion points in introduction?>>


 * 2. Recreation in Natural Areas in Triangle** <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> <<Amanda C.-- Each bullet point is a data need. We may narrow it down depending on data availability>>
 * Miles of bike trails/greenways <span style="color: #ff00dd; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><<Total, and by county>>
 * Acres of parks, per person <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><<Total, and by county>>
 * Miles of hiking trails/person
 * Variety of recreation opportunities by area
 * Visitors to parks <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><<AC--Include revenue generated, jobs (this is reported for state parks at least), boosting the economy>>
 * Participation in hiking, camping, boating, fishing, hunting
 * *Fishing/Hunting License and Boat Registration <<AC--lower priority>>
 * Where located--map
 * Non-fishable/swimmable water areas <<can we steal from water people?>>
 * Distribution of nature accessibility to all socio-economic groups (by county, by TAZ?) <<George's comment content included here>> <<george 1/29 - somewhere in here we need a GIS proximity gradient map of some sort - showing areas within a 15, 30, etc minute walk / drive of select recreational facilities>> <<Amanda C. Data need: GIS layers-rivers, parks, recreation areas, county boundaries, cities, streets, residential development>>

Possible Sources for section: DENR State of Water Report or Water People Section, eenorthcarolina.org <<LM>>


 * 3. Environmental education opportunities in Triangle**
 * Curriculum in state schools <<AC--lower priority>>
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Number of children having a nature education experience in school (TLC or EEC) <span style="color: #800080; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><<lower priority than curriculum, less concrete info going to be available LF>>
 * <span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Attendance at other educational programs in area (Participation Stats: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> demographics ) <<LM: lower priority-- if information available>>
 * Children attending outdoor summer camp
 * Children participating in scouts or 4-H <<AC-- lower priority>>
 * ** Higher education availability, community colleges? **

**4. Environmental choices and Environmental values** **5. Conclusion**
 * ** Ecosystem Services <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><<AC--goes in the intro??>> **
 * ** Miles of bike lanes/paths—>gallons of fuel saved <span style="color: #ff00ff; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><<AC--goes under recreation??>> <span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><<I think since we're going to address the impact that riding bikes/mass transit has on the environment this information belongs under eco-values/choices LF>> **
 * ** Mode choice to work **
 * ** Jobs/housing balance <<AC--take out??> <<not sure what that even refers to...LF>> **
 * ** Triangle Transit (look at number of riders, miles of bus routes) **
 * ** Average vmt per capita <<AC--higher priority??>> **
 * ** Average proportion of household trash that is recycled (maybe private/county recycling services and where), Total household trash <<AC--higher riority??>> <<I think that mentioning how much growth is going to impact hte number of landfills needed and yada yada this is an important point to address LF>> **
 * ** Participation in volunteer events such as stream cleanups, tree plantings **
 * ** Membership in an environmental organization: tlc, sierra club, scouts, climate change voluntary program, etc. **
 * ** Number of backyard wildlife habitats (People certified by NWF) **
 * ** How many businesses are green certified **
 * Summary of current situation
 * Significant results (to be determined-- actual content)
 * Summary of development plans for the Triangle Area ** <<AC--??>> <<covered in the intro section? LF>> **
 * ** Mention TLC’s role? <<AC-No>> **
 * ** Summary of why people connecting nature is important **

//4. Environmental Research// <<LM: Omit this section completely?>> <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">
 * //University Owned Lands//
 * //Educational Co-Op Land//

<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Education Sources (LF):** [|Curriculum Overview] [|Elementary] [|Middle] [|High] [|Ag Edu] <span style="color: #800080; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;">

<span style="color: #808000; font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif;"> I don't mean to junk up your page but want to make sure I connect with correct people re this website: http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/ <<aimee 2010.1.31>>

Opportunities to connect with nature are a key aspect of our region’s ability to attract new businesses and jobs. Outdoor exercise, fresh air, and contemplation support our health and vibrancy, provide relief from modern stresses, and remind us of our place in the natural world. Playing in nature is an important part of our children’s development and health. As more and more of our time is programmed and plugged in, we are losing the connections with nature that can sustain a vibrant, healthy lifestyle.

TLC envisions a Triangle Region in which … … every citizen has convenient opportunities to experience and learn from nature … and environmental conservation supports economic vitality, healthy lifestyles, and widespread understanding of the responsibility we all have as wise stewards of our natural resources.

<<TLC will connect people with nature by: • providing public access to TLC nature preserves for education, research, and recreation • providing recreational and educational outdoor experiences, and places for children to play and learn in nature • working with partners to create parks and other recreational facilities to ensure that all people have convenient access to places to connect with nature. Katherine 1/19>>
 * TLC helps preserve ecosystem services which benefit us all by preserving the quality of the environment (Lauren Forbes)

//_// Our purpose: To come up with topic areas that are important to measure, some background analysis perhaps, and some easily reproducible indicators that measure opportunities for people to connect with nature. These may include the green infrastructure that is available, participation in activities and a reflection of environmental values. Summary of environmental programs in the Triangle (e.g., ask Eno River SP what they do, what does the Eno River Association do, what does DENR do, What does Durham public school do (outside of the classroom), What programs does NCWRC have?, etc…) (kb 1/20/2010)
 * Statement of vision and goals – places for people to learn about and connect with nature
 * Summary – Where are we? What do we know? What don’t we know? WHO are we (kb 1/20/2010)
 * Miles of trails, acres of “nature parks”, sidewalks, greenways, bike lanes on roads, and similar (needs definition)
 * <span class="wiki_link_ext"><< [|Recreation opportunities in the Triangle]: lists hiking areas, parks, water use areas, etc. jessica 1/19>>
 * Proximity of people to “nature parks” and trail (include maps? Lauren) (think about including equity here? Amanda C. 1/20)
 * TLC’s role and contribution
 * Number of people who visit TLC reserves/are reached by their education programs
 * Number of visitors to state parks over time (recession is causing this to increase) [|WRAL article] get info from Division of Parks and Rec? -Ginevra 1/20
 * Survey????? what to Trianglites think about this (kb 1/20/2010)
 * Does TLC have certain partners that they commonly work with who should be highlighted/featured? (Lauren)

<<Note from Leah 2010Jan19: My thought process for this section was that people in the triangle area connect to the environment in several different forms. Firstly, people connect to the environment by participating in the recreational park activities that TLC provides, so there is a section examining and explaining outdoor recreational areas and activities in the area that TLC facilitates. Secondly, there is a significant human health element that keeps us connected with nature; our quality of health depends on our natural environment in many respects, so examination of quality of general human health in the area might be something we should consider. Thirdly, people’s daily activities can connect them to the environment by making environmentally conscience decisions like carpooling and recycling, so taking a look at indicators that represent daily activities that can be environmentally friendly and seeing if/if not these practices are used area wide may supplement this section. There may be problems with all of this, as in is this even the direction we want to go and/or is this even relevant to our audience. Also, just to note, all of these indicators were compiled from going through the examples of State of the Environment Reports we all posted and picking out what seemed relevant to Connecting People with Nature.>>

I. Statement of Vision and Goals (Maybe use the TLC goal for this section in combination of our own based off of the indicators we decide on)

II. Prelim Outline of Indicators: a. Recreational Services (Discuss outdoor recreational activities, as well as participation levels in the area, where they are located in proximity to people) i. Recreation in forest (nature parks) ii. Freshwater recreational activities iii. Local farm recreational activities

b. Human Health (The lists below are from the EPA State of the Environment Report web page, maybe too detailed/unnecessary information for us, but maybe a start to talk about how understanding our environment can lead to protecting human health????) i. Environmental contaminants exposure 1. Blood Cadmium Level, Blood Cotinine Level, Blood Lead Level, Blood Mercury Level, Blood Persistent Organic Pollutants Level, Urinary Pesticide Level, Urinary Phthalata Level ii. Health status of persons 1. General Mortality, Infant Mortality, Life Expectancy at Birth iii. Human diseases and conditions 1. Asthma Prevalence, Obesity, Birth Defects Prevalence and Mortality, Cancer Incidence, Cardiovascular Disease Prevalence and Mortality, Childhood Cancer Incidence, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Prevalence and Mortality, Infectious Disease Associated with Environmental Exposures or Conditions, Low birth weight, Preterm Delivery

c. Everyday Life/Simple Actions to Promote Change/How one person connects directly with the environment through their daily choices….. (Not sure what to call this section. This section to discuss every day actions people do/can do that effects the environment, possibly this could be recommendations for the general public if we decide that could be an audience for our report.) iv. Efficient Mobility 1. Mass transit systems, Carpool systems, Bicycling commutes, Walking commutes, Single occupancy vehicle trips v. Health Promoting Urban Environment 1. Miles of bike lanes/ Parking for bikes in town, Density vi. Responsible resource use 1. Total tons composted, Percentage of waste diverted, Total tons recycled, Total waste per capita, Total tons landfilled, Alternative fuel use, Renewable electricity generation vii. Safe community (???? I don’t know about this section but it sounded interesting on other reports- none of these indicators may be valid here) 1. Inspected detention ponds, Approved Brownfield projects, Remediated sites, Lead poisoning III. Summary of Findings on Indicators IV. Conclusions: (Questions maybe we should try to answer for the readers?) a. How people are inherently connected with nature, even if they don’t think so… b. Every day changes they can make to help better the environment? c. TLC’s role and contribution>>

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"><<The indicators suggested here (Recreational Services, Human Health, Everyday Life…) are all strongly related to connecting people with nature but they are not so closely connected to the initial goals, at least as I understood them. Looking at some of the goals and interests listed for this benefit it seems that TLC’s emphasis is in offering opportunities for people to connect with nature by recreation and environmental education. The desired consequence is a change in people’s attitudes towards conservation through this connection, as well as raising awareness and activating people. Please correct me if I got it wrong. Keeping the region a healthy place to live and work is part of the mission but I personally think this has more to do with the positive effects of connecting people with nature instead of environmental threats as described by EPA. This is again just my opinion. The Everyday life -section has lots of things which could be mentioned when describing the current state (Where are we?) and different ways people connect with nature. For example the use of public transport and recycling habits together with participation in recreational activities and environmental education programs could be considered as they indicate people’s awareness and activity in the Triangle area. -elina 1/21>>

<<Other thoughts-
 * heat island effect, putting numbers with environmental services (might be something we need to do throughout such as this is how much money is saved through natural filtration methods for water quality), trail miles, state school curriculum, TLC's efforts- publicly accessible lands, school programs/ recreational activities, pattern of development Katherine 1/19>>


 * We could also look at some of the easements that TLC that are in subdivisions or conservation subdivisions. Easements in conservation subdivisions isn't one of their primary goals, but they do have several easements that are in subdivisions, some of which join other TLC properties (Creekwood in Orange County is one that comes to mind). Other aspects or recommendations could be education of residents about the benefits of open space/wildlife habitat. I found some land trusts that have open space in subdivisions and when a new lot is sold the owner gets a one-year membership to the land trust. Another example is a "wildlife friendly development" in Davidson. Each lot is a certified backyard wildlife habitat and with each home sale the owner gets a membership to the NC Wildlife Federation. (Steve Allen)
 * Community benefits of open space []
 * Wake County []
 * UNC report on open space effect on home prices[| http://www.unc.edu/~barronh/our_page/pictures/WC_writeup_Raleigh.pdf]
 * backyard wildlife habitats and schoolyard wildlife habitats in the triangle region--Amanda 1/20