PROTECT U.S. – A NEW RESOURCE DESIGNED FOR USE BY EXTENSION FACULTY AND K-12 TEACHERS TO TEACH ABOUT INVASIVE SPECIES ISSUES
Proposed by: Amanda Hodges
Presenters: Hodges, A. , Assistant Extension Specialist, University of Florida IFAS, Gainesville, FL 32611
Draper, M.A., National Program Leader Plant Pathology, USDA, NIFA, Washington, DC 20024
Ratcliffe, S.T., Director, NC IPM Center, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801
Stocks, S., Protect U.S. Coordinator Entomology and Nematology, University of Florida/IFAS, Gainsville, FL 32611
Protect U.S., the community invasive species network (www.protectingusnow.org) educates small farm producers, homeowners, the general public, and K-12 audiences about invasive species issues (such as exotic pests and diseases) that affect both agricultural and natural areas as well as home landscapes. The network is a collaborative partnership between the National Plant Diagnostic Network (NPDN), Regional Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Centers, United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA-APHIS-PPQ), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the National Plant Board, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Land Grant University Extension, and other organizations involved in invasive species issues. Protect U.S. delivers their educational content online in three different formats: scripted presentations, e-learning modules, and K-12 lesson plans. The scripted presentations are for educator use (e.g. professors, county extension agents, crop consultants, master gardener trainers, etc.). The e-learning modules (which are based on the scripted presentations) are designed for use by small farm producers, master gardeners, homeowners, and the general public. K-12 lesson plans are based on the National Science Education Standards (particularly the Life Science standards) and feature a scripted presentation for use by the teacher along with several grade appropriate activities from which to choose for the students (e.g. an experiential assignment, a report project, a computer lab activity, etc.). These multiple delivery options and material content allow Protect U.S. to provide invasive species educational options to many diverse audiences.