The Impact of Community Involvement on the Success of Schoolyard Ecosystem Restoration/Education Programs: A Case Study Approach.

Schoolyard ecosystem programs, such as mini-farms, gardens, or nature trails on school grounds, are usually designed to promote greater insight and understanding of ecological relationships and develop an appreciation of an individual's responsibility for environmental quality. This paper focuses on evaluation practices of schoolyard habitat restoration efforts. Ten Florida schools that received schoolyard ecosystem restoration grants were selected as case studies. Contact persons, administrators, grounds-crew personnel, and students were interviewed; 109 teachers were mailed a questionnaire. Findings indicate that administrative support and faculty support were not significant factors influencing the educational and environmental success of schoolyard ecosystem restoration efforts. The most successful projects were planned and implemented by a committee of diverse stakeholders along with actively involved parents and other community members. Lack of money is not a prohibitive factor in the potential success of a project. The case studies highlight the importance of soliciting community input in the form of physical materials, as well as time and labor to ensure project success. Three appendices include a map highlighting locations and names of participating elementary schools, an Ecosystem Site Evaluation System evaluation form, and an overall chart of school educational and ecological successes. (Contains 31 references.) (RT)