A SURVEY OF CONSERVATION-EDUCATION NEEDS OF THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE United States Department of the Interior, Fred A. Seaton, Secretary- Fish and Wildlife Service, Arnie J. Suomela, Commissioner A SURVEY OF CONSERVATION-EDUCATION NEEDS OF THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE S\jmmary of Replies to Questionnaires Sent to Field Stations of the Service Compiled in Office of Information U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Circular 95 Washington • September 196O CONTENTS Page Introduction 1 Table - Bioreau of Commercial Fisheries. Siommary 2 Table - Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife. S\;mimary .... 6 Summary - Service-wide 11 Conclusions 13 11 INTRODUCTION This report is a summary of the findings of a survey made in 1959 to determine the conservation-education needs of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The survey was prompted by a realization that if we are to meet tomorrow's challenges in the field of fish and wildlife conservation we must have public understanding and support of the Serv- ice's programs. A conservation-education questionnaire was sent in April 1959 "to each of the 6&h field stations of the Service (copy of the questionnaire is appended to this report; see pages 17-20). Completed questionnaires were returned by 4l6 (6l percent) of the stations. In the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, kk percent of the 139 stations responded; in the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, 65 percent of the 5^+5 stations responded. These expressions from the field are important inasmuch as a long-range plan to accelerate conservation education is being prepared, aimed at the field level where public contacts are greatest, and conse- quently field personnel will play an important role in any planning. Answers to the questionnaire were analyzed and siommarized by Charles W. Luscher, of the Bureau of Land Management, as a management trainee project. The data were consolidated in the Office of Information into the following report. The data are given according to Bureaus axid Divisions, with a siom- mary for the Service as a whole. ANALYSIS OF REPLIES TO SERVICE QUESTIONNAIRE ON CONSERVATION-EDUCATION NEEDS (Limited to most cominon needs; rank based on number of Stations reporting need) BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES Item Division of Div . of Industrial Division of Bi ological Research Research & Services Resource Management 1. Sources of request 1. NeVrspapers . 1. Newspapers . 1. Newspapers . for information. 2. Schools . 2. Schools. 2. Schools. 3. Youth groups. 3- Organizations other than game 3. Organizations other than game Services supplied to clubs . clubs . 2. 1. Information. 1: Information,. 1. Photographs . press, radio, and 2. Photographs . 2. Station press 2. Information. television. 3- Station press releases. Press Releases. releases. 3. Service press releases. Movies. 3. Assistance given to 1. Personal 1. Publications. 1. Personal schools . appearances. 2. Pictures. appearances . 2. Displays. 3. Personal 2. Publications. 3. Publications and appearances. Pictures. Assistance given to pictures. 3. Displays. k. 1. Illustrated 1. Films and 1. Station tours. youth groups. talis. slides. Personal 2. Station tours. 2. Publications and appearances. 3. Lectures . 3- station tours. Illustrated Material prepared talks. 5. 1. Charts and 1. Charts and 1. Press releases. locally for Nos . displays. displays. Movies . 2, 3, and Ij-. 2. Movies and 2. Publications. Photographs . slides. 3. Visml aids. Mimeographed 3- Life history News articles. leaflet. displays. Special press releases. Market news (No further breakdown) Services most fre- reports. 6. 1. Publications. 1. Publications . 1. Naturalist quently requested 2. Naturalist 2. Reports on sup- services. by visitors to services. plies of food 2. Information on Stations. 3. Information on fishes. hunting and hunting and 3. Recipes for fish fishing. fishing. and shellfish. Reports on supplies of food fishes. 2 Publications. Item Division of DiM . of Industrial Division of Bi Dlogical Research Research ge Services Resource Management 7. Kinds of publica- 1. Research program. 1. Fishery resource 1. Local Station tions needed at 2. Fishery leaflets conservation. activities (par- Stations. for various 2. Local Station ticularly Colum- areas. activities. bia River Basin) . Illustrated life. 3. Work of FWS. history pubs. h. Fish-cookery. 3- Work of FWS. 8. Unavailable material 1. Work of FWS. 1. Work of FWS. 1 . Salmon leaflets . needed for better Illustrated pub- 2. Pamphlet on Conservation public understanding lications on local Station. leaflets. of FWS programs. commercial fisheries. Film on FWS activities. FWS film. 2. Conservation fiijns. Research films. 3. Lists of avail- able pubs. 9. Visual aids prepared 1. Slides 1. Still pictures. 1. Slides. locally to advance 2. Exhibits--dis- 2. Movies . 2. Movies. program . plays . 3. Slides. Still pictiires. 3- Still pictures. Exhibits--dis- plays . 10. FWS activities needed to promote greater understanding of FWS programs and conser- vation of natural re . soirrces according to— 1 (a) Local educator. 1. Slides- -movies. 1. Slides- -movies. Not answered 2. Illus. lectures. 2. Illus. lectures. 3- Conservation posters. Illus. pamphlets. 3- Publications on conservation and wildlife. h. Publications on Visual aids . work of FWS and k. Lists of pubs. wildlife con- and films sei-vation. available . Fish cookery demonstrations . Technical sub- jects illustra- ted by slides. Item Division of Div . of Industrial Division of Biological Research Research & Services Resource Management (b) Newspaper editor. 1. Local interest items. 1. Local conserva- tion news. Not answered. 2. Photographs . Articles on new 2. Articles on fish foods . developments . 3. News of technical 3. Feature stories. Articles on salt- water conserva- tion. and biological research. Articles on new developments, conservation, market news re- ports. (c) Radio station 1. Local interest 1. Local interest Not answered. manager. items . news. Personal 2. Market informa- appearances. tion. 2. Spot announce- ments. 3- Infonnation on Station activ- 3. Fishery seminar announcements . ities and con- servation. Personal appearances. Announcements of special programs. (d) TV station 1- Short film 1. Short spot films . Not answered. manager. fillers . 2. Service films. 2. Short spot film on new develop- ments. Local conserva- tion news . 3. Information on pond stocking, research, new laws. Local interest 3. Personal appear- ances on conser- vation. items. Announcements of special programs. (e) Youth group 1. I llus . lecture s . 1. Slides--movies . Not answered. supervisor. 2. Slides and films. 2. Personal 3. Posters. appearances . Merit badge 3. Publications. counseling. Posters. h. Station tours . Illustrated pub- lications. Pocket conserva- tion cards. Field trips. Suggestions for conservation. projects. Fishing dlinics. Item Division of Biological Research Div. of Industrial Research & Services Division of Resoiirce Management (r) civic -group 1. Illustrated talks 1. Films. Not answered. official. 2. 3. to service or- ganizations. Exhibits . Participation on fishing commit- tees. 2. Illustrated talis to ser- vice organi- zations . BUREAU OF COMMERCIAL FISHERIES Summary 1. People are interested primarily in local areas and local conser- vation matters . 2. Considerable work is carried on with local schools and youth groups. The best approach is through personal appearances, armed with an interesting and well-illustrated tali. 3- A well-trained information worker Is needed in the regions. h. Lists of available publications and films are needed in the field stations . 5. Illustrated publications are needed: (l) explaining activities of the Service and (2) geared to age groups. 6. More than half of the stations (53 percent) reported few or no requests for information on the Service's activities. This may indicate an unawareness of availability of services rather than indifference on the part of the public. It points up the need for making known to the local people the services that are available at the field stations. ANALYSIS OF REPLIES TO SERVICE QUESTIONNAIRE ON CONSERVATION-EDUCATION NEEDS (Limited to most common needs; rank based on number of Stations reporting need) BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AMD WILDLIFE Item Sport Fisheries Technical Services Wildlife 1. Sources of requests for information. Services supplied to press, radio, and television. Assistance given to schools. Assistance given to youth groups. Material prepared locally for Nos. 2, 3, and k. Services most fre- quently requested by visitors to Stations . 1. 2. 3. Schools. Youth groups. Newspapers . 1. 2. 3- Game clubs. Youth groups. Other organiza- tions. 1. 2. 3. Game clubs. Newspapers . Schools . 2. 1. 2. 3. Information. Station press releases. Service press releases . 1. 2. 3- Information. Station press releases . Movies. 1. 2. 3. Information. Station press releases. Service press releases. 3. 1. 2. 3- Publications. Personal appearances. Pictures. 1. 2. 3- Personal appearances . Publications. Pictures. 1. 2. 3. Personal appearances . Pictures. Publications. k. 1. 2. 3. Station tours. Illustrated talks. Publications. 1. 2. 3- Merit badge counseling. Films — slides. Illustrated talks and field trips. 1. 2. 3. Illustrated talis. Films--slides. Merit badge counseling. 5. 1. 2. 3. Charts and displays . Movies — slides. Lectures. 1. 2. 3- Movies--slides. Charts and displays. Lectures. Publications . Pictures. Taped radio releases. 1. 2. 3- Movies, slides, and pictures. Charts and displays . Lectures. 6. 1. 2. 3. Information on hunting and fishing. Publications. Information on camping and picnicking. 1. 2. 3. Information on hunting and fishing. Publications. Naturalist services. 1. 2. 3- Information on hunting and fishing. Publications. Naturalist services. Item Sport Fisheries Technical Services Wildlife 7. Kinds of publica- 1. Local Station 1. Work of FWS. 1. Local Station tions needed at activities. 2. Conservation. activities. Stations . 2. Fish culture and 3. Local Station Work of FWS. management . activities. 2. Conservation and 3. Work of FWS. 3. management of natural re- sources . Species list for local area. 8. Unavailable material 1. Service film-- 1. Work of FWS - 1. Work of FWS - needed for better slides. publications . publication. public understand- 2. Work of FWS - 2. Service films — 2. Conservation ing of FWS programs . publication. slides . film and slides. 3. Pamphlet on local Station. Public relations manual . Prepared guides for lectures. News releases on specific accom- plishments. 3- Service activi- ties on film and slides. 9. Visual aids prepared 1. Live animals 1. Slides . 1. Slides . locally to advance 2. Exhibits— dis- 2. Movies . 2. Still pict\ires. program . 3. plays . Slides. 3. Exhibits--dis- plays . Posters. 3. Movies. 10. FWS activities needed to promote greater understanding of FW£ programs and conser- vation of natural resources according to-- (a) Local educator. 1. Slides, movies on conservation 1. Slides, movies on conservation 1. Slides, movies on conservation 2. Publications on wildlife and conservation. 2. Publications on wildlife and conservation. 2. Publications on wildlife and conservation. 3. Illus. lectures. 3. Illus . lectures . 3- Illus. lectures. % Station tours. List of films. h. Conservation k. Field trips. and publications posters. List of available films and pub- lications. Item Sport Fisheries Technical Services Wildlife (b) Newspaper editor. 1. Local interest items . 1. Local interest items. 1. Local interest items . 2. Weekly conserva- tion reports. 2. Photographs . Stories on FWS. 2. Information on hunting, fishing, 3. Pictures and stories on local Editorial information. and game popu- lations. Station. Service press 3. Pictures and k. Photographs . Outstanding news. More frequent press releases. releases . k. stories on local area and wildlife. Information on regulation changes. (c) Radio station 1. Short spot 1. Short spot 1. Short spot manager. announcements . on local area. announcements on local area. announcement s on local area. 2. Local interest items - taped. 2. Any program material. 2. Local interest items - taped. 3. Personal appearances. 3. Local interest items - taped. 3- Personal inter- views . k. More frequent press releases. 1+. Taped weekly recordings. Personal appearances . Pictures and stories. l+. Information on local hunting conditions. Material on local area, any conser- vation-education material. (d) TV station 1. Short film 1. Short film 1. Short film manager. fillers. fillers fillers 2. Special event (animated). (animated) announcements . 2. 15 minute Service 2. Short spot 3. Conservation " shorts" . films. News items. announcement s of local interest. 3. List of films available. Prepared announce- ments . Personal appearances . 3- k. Conservation slides and films. Wildlife slides and films. (e) Youth group 1. Station tours. 1. Films and slides.- 1. Films and slides. supervisor. 2. Films and slides. 2. Help in planning 2. Illustrated talks. 3. Illustrated lectures . youth programs. Merit-badge 3. Station tours and field trips. 1^. Publications on counseling. 1^. Conservation conservation . 2. 3. Conservation publications . Lists of avail- able films and publications. 8 publications. Item Sport Fisheries Technical Services Wildlife (f) Civic-group 1. Films. 1. Illustrated talks 1. Films and slides. official. 2. Illustrated talks to Service to Service orgemizations. 2. Illustrated talks to Service organizations. 2. Information on organizations. 3. Publications on work of Service. Displays. Service programs affecting local areas . 3- Information on local natural resource situa- h. Publicize local 3. Films tion. projects. Publicity on local 1+. Publication on Station tours. projects. Service. BUREAU OF SPORT FISHERIES AND WILDLIFE Summary Division of Sport Fisheries 1. Need manual in public relations and in preparing necessary litera- ture and talks to fit age groups involved. 2. Trained infonnation worker needed in regions. 3. Need official equipment to prepare slides; a regional library of slides on specific subjects, with commentaries and lists of subjects avail- able distributed to all field stations suggested. h. Feeling at field stations that conservation education should be accelerated. 5. Public wants more information on work of Service and of local stations. (Confuses Service -programs and other agencies' programs.) 6. Local information media concerned only in conservation items of local interest. 7. Demand locally for illustrated talks and all types of publications slanted to age groups. Division of Technical Services 1. Same as "2" for Sport Fisheries. 2. Need publications of all types. 3. Same as "3" for Sport Fisheries. k. Same as "5" for Sport Fisheries. Division of Wildlife 1. Need for trained information worker in State or Region, and train- ing of Service field personnel on activities and programs of Service. 2. Need for color films, pictures, and equipment to produce them. 3. Lists of available films and publications needed. k. Enthusiastic over 1-3 minute film strips on TV in past year. 5. Film and slide library needed in Regions. 10 SUMMARY Item Service-wide Ranking of Conservation-Education Needs -• Sources of requests for information. Services supplied to press, radio, and television. Assistance given to schools. Assistance given to youth groups. Material prepared locally for Nos. 2, 3, and h. Services most fre- quently requested by visitors to Stations. Kinds of publica- tions needed at Stations . 1. 2. 3- Newspaper . Schools. Game clubs. Youth groups. 2. 1. 2. 3. 1^. Information. Station press releases. Service press releases. Photographs . 3. 1. Personnal appearances. 2. Service publications. 3. Pictures. h. Displays. Training aids supplied locally: 1. Colored movies or slides. 2. Class talks. 3- Station tours. k. Publications. k. 1. 2. 3. h. Field trips and station tours. Illustrated talks . Films and slides. Conservation merit-badge counseling. 5. 1. 2. 3. k. 1. 2. 3. k. Movies, slides, and photographs. Charts and displays. Talks. Publications. 6. Information on hunting and fishing. Publications. Naturalist services. Information on camping and picnicking. 7. 1. 2. 3. It. Work of FWS. Publication on local Station. Illustrated conservation publication. Species lists of local areas. 11 Item Service-wide Ranking of ConBervation-Education Needs 8. Unavailable material needed for better public understanding of FWS programs. 1. Illustrated publications on work of the Service. 2. Films and slides of Service activities. 3. Conservation films and slides. h. Publications on local Stations and areas. 9. Visual aids prepared locally to advance program. 1 . Slides . 2. Still pictures. 3. Exhibits and displays. U. T.lvp Anlmnls. 10. FWS activities needed to promote greater understanding of FWS programs and conser- vation of natural resources according to— (a) Local educator. 1. Slides and movies on conservation. 2. Publications on conservation and wildlife. 3. Illustrated tables. k. Tours of stations and field trips. (b) Newspaper editor. 1. Short items on local area. 2. Information on hunting and fishing and game. population. 3. Pictures and stories on local area. k. Weekly conservation reports. (c) Radio Station manager. 1. Short spot announcements of local interest. 2. Local interest items - taped. 3. Personal appearances. h. Hunting regulations and local hunting conditions. (d) TV station manager. 1. Short spot films for fillers. 2. Conservation films and slides. 3. Spot announcements of local interest. h. Personal appearances. (e) Youth group supervisor. 1. Slides and films. 2. Illustrated talks. 3. Station tours and field trips. h. Illustrated conservation publications. (f) Civic-group official. 12 1. Illustrated talks to Service organizations. 2. Films and slides. 3. Information on local natural resource situation. h. Publication on work of FWS. CONCLUSIONS The more important conclusions resulting from an analysis of the questionnaire returns and some of the more outstanding suggestions of field men are given here. 1. During the past year, 50 percent of the field stations have been asked to supply information to various news media and organiza- tions either regularly or occasionally, 2. Press, radio, and television are definitely interested in information from Service field stations, but prefer items of local in- terest, generally prepared locally. Newspapers are interested in local conservation items but prefer them brief. Some papers cooperate by running a weekly conserva- tion column that appears to have considerable merit. Radio and TV stations also are interested primarily in local conservation news. TV has considerable. use for short film strips as fillers or longer film for cancelled-program fillers. Considerable in- terest was manifested in animated film strips seen on TV during last year. Field workers think these strips should be continued and expanded. It was suggested that the Service prepare a "Mark Trail" type series on various wildlife species eind conservation practices. These releases could be used through local newspapers, radio, and TV stations, thus accentuating a particular phase of conservation and relating it to local situations. 3. The schools ask primarily for illustrated talks by Service personnel, adapted to the various age groups. Films and slides molded to age groups are considered excellent teaching aids and are in great demand. Most school authorities prefer scheduling personal appearances well in advance . Youth groups are mainly interested in illustrated talks with films or slides, adapted to the age group, and are greatly interested in organized tours of field station and field trips that show the young people practical conservation practices eind problems. Assistance with conservation projects is greatly needed and appreciated. It is evident that considerable effort is being made to work with schools and other youth groups. This must be increased and materials developed to meet needs of various age groups . Material prepared for ad\ilt audiences is not applicable to elementary school ages. Local educators think lectures illustrated by slides or movies are the best conservation-education tool the Service can supply them. 13 k. A good deal of enthusiasm is being generated for a conser- vation-education program and field workers think it should he accelerated, hut lack personnel, fimds, and "at times specific ability to accomplish desired objectives. About U3 percent of the field stations prepared conservation education material on own initiative, largely slides, movies, photo- graphs, charts, and displays. Most material was prepared with personal equipment . A great deal of interest was manifested in the placing of in- formation specialists in the regional offices, with the primary responsi- bility of directing a conservation-education program and assisting the field personnel in carrying it out. The specialists would train field personnel in preparing press releases and talks, and in carrying on other public relation activities involved in presenting the consejTvation story to the public. Need for film and slide libraries at regional level for use in conservation education was stressed. Field workers would be supplied with lists of available subjects. A series of 60 to 80 slides would be needed on a specific subject and should be accompanied by a commentary. Such a library would save time, money, and equipment and would offer a much wider range of subjects that otherwise could be available with locally prepared material and would prompt wider use of conservation-education tools. Some State game departments have prepared very good films on conservation and wildlife management that the Service may be able to use in building up the regional film libraries. The initiation of an adult conservation-education program such as the State of Montana and several States now conduct could be helpful. These programs have been very successful and the Service should study them with the idea of establishing a similar program within the Service. Civic groups are most interested in talks illustrated with slides or film, bearing primarily on the local natural -re source situation. It may be advisable to prepare a manual or pamphlet setting out the steps ajid procedures to follow in conservation education. It should give the essentials in preparing news releases, feature stories, posters, displays, and other publicity. Cooperation of the Service with other agencies. Federal, State, and County, to further conservation education is needed. Many States have very effective programs at present and their work should not be duplicated. 5. More requests for hxmting and fishing information and for publications aie made than for any other service, by visitors to the field stations. Ik The type of pu"6lication most needed concerns the various branches of the Service and the local stations and its activities, includ- ing lists of species of wildlife found in local areas. Next in importance are conservation pamphlets and pamphlets on plant and animal identification. 6. There appears to be considerable confusion in the minds of people relative to the Fish and Wildlife Service and its role in conserva- tion. Many field men report their work is confused by the public with that of local State organizations. This situation should be remedied. 7. The suggestion of an open house on a specific date as con- ducted on the Hart Moxmtain Antelope Refuge during National Wildlife Week appears appropriate. They used all media available in presenting a dy- namic program of conservation education during the week. This program should have Service-wide observation. 8. The field men have not been kept informed of the films and publications available for their use. If lists of available films, slides, and publications were supplied them they would not only have the use of these conservation education tools but be able to give the lists to local schools, youth groups, and other organizations interested in conservation. 9. It has been pointed out quite definitely that the field stations cannot wait for the public to come to them, but the personnel must go to the public, if they are to do an effective job. The personnel must also be fully informed of the need and the basis for conservation education before they can accomplish the desired objective. 15 U.S. DEPAFOWm OF THE THTERIOR FISH Al© WIIDLIFE SiSRVICE CONSEBVATIOH EDUCATKaJ QUESTIONHAIRE Same of Station: No. Station Personnel (Ansver all questions for both yourself and your station personnel) . 1. Were you requested during the past year to supply infonnation about the Fish and Wildlife program or your activities in it or to supply education-extension services by the following: Hevspaper Radio T7 Schools Youth groups Game clubs Other orgaMzatlons (other agencies) • Regularly Occasionally Rarely Wever 2. List \ib&t services vere supplied by you or your staff to Press, Radio and Television: Information/ /Service-prepared press release/ /Station-prepared release/ / Photographs/ /Movies/ /Any other pervices How many station personnel took prjt in such activities? 3. List assistance rendered to schools: Service publications/ /Pictures/ /Personal appearances/ /Displays/ / List kinds of teaching aids for conservation you supplied Any other How many of your people took part? h. list ways organized youth groups were assisted_ How many of yovir people took partY_ (IT) ^. Did you dsvalop nev materials for aziy of the above on your ovm Initiative? Yes / / Ho/ / If yes, please list type of material prepared and Indicate approximately number of times It vas used ____^_____________________.„ List number of your people vho did this 6. What if1p<^ of service from your station is most freguently requested by the visiting public? Information on flshlno or hunting / / Information on canning or picnicking / / Reports on siipplies of food fish / / Recipes for cooking fish and shellfish / / Naturalist services / / Publications / / Other services. List 7. What kind of publications do you think are needed to meet public needs at your station? Describe briefly 8. Are there materials not available which you think should be provided in order to give the public a better understanding of the Sei?rlce program and your part in it? Describe (18) 9. What visual aids of your own preparation do you ennploy In your program? Indicate use of each by writing In