Developing teaching strategies for environmental education in group discussions.

Associate Professor Yi-Zhen Xue explains interpretation skills.

　On August 17 and 18, 2022, the Environmental Protection Bureau held two special training sessions for Nantou County environmental education volunteers at the Endemic Species Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, to enhance their KSA (Knowledge, Skill, Ability) and interpretation skills. A total of 39 participants attended the sessions. Yi-Zhen Xue, an associate professor in the Department of Ecology and Environmental Resources, National University of Tainan, and a guide team from the Endemic Species Research Institute, were invited to the sessions to discuss and share an introduction to environmental education and tour guide interpretation skills. Through course and lecturer feedback, participants are guided to dive into relevant issues step by step. The Environmental Protection Bureau expects that participants can push, publicize and root for environmental education together.

　The Environmental Protection Bureau pointed out that there have been around 100 environmental education volunteers in Nantou County since 2018. Their primary mission is to go to all kinds of venues and attend various activities to help the Environmental Protection Bureau share environmental education policy and experience, and to advocate for environmental issues. These volunteers raise the environmental awareness of locals in Nantou County, and help them to build environmental habits in their daily lives in order to motivate them to take part actively in environmental protection.

　Yi-Zhen Xue from the National University of Tainan was invited as the lecturer for the morning session to help volunteers learn to discuss environmental education and improve their interpretation skills. Through group activities and worksheets, participants were guided to reflect on the essence of environmental education, and learned how to design environmental education courses. In the afternoon session, the guide team from the Endemic Species Research Institute demonstrated the importance of interpretation skills in activities. The session was primarily focused on the Conservation Education Center, Endemic Species Research Institute. Participants responded enthusiastically throughout the day and reported that the session was fun, interesting and fascinating-- quite different from the typical educational development session. They benefitted a great deal.

　Over the years, the Environmental Protection Bureau has actively invited people to become environmental education volunteers, and holds recruitment events and training every year. Anyone who wants to support and disseminate environmental education can become a volunteer. The Environmental Protection Bureau wants to work with volunteers to publicize and let environmental education take root, and hopes that the public understands the importance of environmental protection.