2003 Education & Outreach Newsletter

Environmental Stewardship Think Tank

The Department has long recognized the value of education toward achieving its mission. Unfortunately, the Department has not been very successful at developing a vision for this effort or at acquiring the resources to make it a reality. Since our future depends upon developing a public understanding and support of our mission and the role the Department plays in the life of all Californians, it was decided that it was time to reevaluate our educational efforts and opportunities. In this light, we've been engaged in a spirited planning process to identify opportunities and prioritize goals for education and outreach in the Department.

We recently invited representatives from a number of organizations to help us come up with concepts and practical strategies for partnering efforts. Responding participants formed a "Think Tank" that convened September 23 and 24, 2003, at the Rancho Jamul Interpretive Center, Jamul, California. Organizations involved in the process included State Parks, Cal EPA, US Forest Service, USFWS, Calif. Waterfowl Association, Calif. Wildlife Foundation, San Diego State University, Natural Resources Defense Council, and others. A number of DFG division and branch chiefs were also present, listening and offering feedback.

This report is the outcome of that Think Tank, and as documented herein, the results are very promising. Broad interest has been expressed in helping the Department recognize opportunities as well as obstacles to reaching the public with its conservation messages. A good deal of interest surfaced toward pursing partnership efforts—finding avenues for pooling resources toward common goals in the arena of public education. Also, a myriad number of projects surfaced that must now be prioritized, structured, funded, and implemented.

Not wanting to let the energy and interest generated at the meeting subside, we recognize the need to continue towards our goal under challenging conditions. Therefore, we have charted a course that includes continued dialogue via electronic discussion groups to clarify objectives. We are hopeful that DFG education and interpretive staff throughout the state will play an important part in these e-group discussions. These virtual workgroups will address four strategic areas of environmental stewardship and education outlined in the report. Each workgroup will be co-facilitated by an agency representative and an external partner. Specific information regarding the workgroups will follow soon.

On behalf of our agency and our state, we wish to express our gratitude to all those who participated in the Think Tank and especially to those who have agreed to embark on the exciting journey that lies ahead. The focused recommendations that will come out of this process are expected to provide the foundation for a strategic plan for education that will serve the Department and citizens of California. We hope that through your involvement in our planning process, the Department can also help further the common conservation mission and projects of our think tank partners.

Sonke Mastrup, Acting Director
California Department of Fish & Game

Link to Full Report (pdf)