Educating Youth Organizations on Fire Risks in the New Jersey Pinelands

Keywords: Environmental Education, Experiential Learning, Web Mapping
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Monday
Session Start / End Time: 2/28/2022 11:20 AM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/28/2022 12:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 16

Abstract

In recent years, groundwater withdrawals, changes in climate, and vegetation patterns all have their part to play when it comes to forest fires occurring in the New Jersey Pinelands. This project was developed with the purpose of creating a web mapping application to educate and inform members of youth scouting organizations, with inherent interests in environmental issues and community involvement, about human impact and fire risk factors. We approached a number of scoutmasters and adult leaders to develop the learning objectives as well as lay out the wireframe for the web application. Utilizing a number of current frameworks and API, we developed a web mapping application that would serve as a learning guide for the scouts in these organizations to use prior to trips into the New Jersey Pinelands. The application will help scouts to identify areas at risk of forest fire in the field, recognize areas where it is safe to start campfires and understand how they can mitigate these risks. Anticipated impacts for this project include raising awareness and understanding of environmental risks taking place in the local communities by disseminating information and the tools needed for geospatial thinking to local scouting organizations.