FORT SILL, Okla. (Jan. 30, 2014) -- Like two tectonic plates colliding, there is a great rift between those who actively go outside and those who spend the majority of their time indoors.
Traci Barsuglia, Fort Sill supervisory recreation specialist, believes fixing this fault starts with giving children an education on the outdoors.
"My goal is to ignite curiosities and inspire awareness in our natural resources."
She recently conducted a survey of kindergarten through fifth grade teachers in local school districts to find out how many teach environmental education to students. The research was part of the Fires Center of Excellence's Healthy Base Initiative, and her master's degree research in parks and recreation.
Her findings showed while teachers believe environmental education is important, they felt they did not have enough time to teach it, were not prepared enough on the subject or were unaware of resources.
The data helped guide the development of the Pathway to the Outdoors program. It's a science-based outdoor education program offered by the MWR Outdoor Recreation Department.
She said her method of teaching is simple: They go outside and play.
"You ask people if they play, and they give you a big question mark. It should feel natural to go outside and do something. It doesn't necessarily have to be something like jogging or playing sports, it could be just sitting outside, looking around noticing a hawk that just flew over; noticing that rabbit that's really still in the corner so the hawk doesn't come down and get it. It's just noticing what's going on in life around you," said Barsuglia.
Her report showed 4-in-10 young adults are likely to engage in outdoor recreation either less than monthly or never, according to Roper study ASW 2004. She said the decline is increasing faster than any other age group because of electronics.
Barsuglia also said when this age group has children; the children's lack of time in the outdoors is magnified. She said the lack of time spent outdoors is very negative on a person's well-being. Her research discovered time spent in nature actually improves behavior and critical thinking skills.
"I have noticed that the first thing that kids learn when they're in nature is empathy. There are a lot of people that could learn empathy. It's because you can relate to them, you can see how they're living," said Barsuglia.
She said getting children excited about the outdoors could also create a passion for taking care of it. Future environmental issues will have to be fixed by the next generation, and Barsuglia said learning the fundamentals at an early age will enhance their awareness of how to do so.
"Potassium is one of three major nutrients in the soil that Oklahoma has always had plenty of. However, since 1972, we've lost 30 percent of it. Which means plants will have a difficult time growing. And in the future, nothing may grow."
She said the American population as a whole has become disconnected from nature. She said the way to get back to that is to just take a step outside. Right now that of course means dressing for the weather, but she said in Oklahoma learning about the weather is a great educational opportunity.
"We are mammals. We are meant to be here just like the lion, the wolf, the bear. This is our habitat. And creation that's what we do. We were made that way," said Barsuglia. "I don't think when it's all said and done we shouldn't be who we are, I just think as time goes on we should learn better ways to be who we are."
Barsuglia is currently teaching the Pathway to the Outdoors program at Bishop Public School in Lawton. For more information about the program or other environmental education opportunities, call her at 580-442-3575.
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