A COOPERATIVE MODEL FOR OUTDOOR EDUCATION IN SOUTHERN UTAH

Southern Utah University (SUU) is a comprehensive, regional university. As part of its commitment to provide regional services, it has historically cooperated with public land agencies and their partners. On July 26, 2006, SUU established a formal partnership with Bryce Canyon National Park (BCNP). Informally, Zion National Park (ZNP) has also partnered with SUU in staffing and directing field-based courses through its field institute.

The educational programs of the High Plateaus Institute (HPI) located in the BCNP and directed by Bryce Canyon Natural History Association (BCNHA) provide outdoor learning and experiential opportunities designed to engage the park visitor and regional community. Programs include: backcountry medical training, K-12 in-service teacher field seminars, naturalist-directed K-6 experiences, night-sky activities, and an annual geologic festival.

The stated mission of the Zion Canyon Field Institute (ZCFI) is to educate and inspire local, national and international visitors to the greater ZNP ecosystem and environment. This mission is accomplished through innovative outdoor education programming that utilizes SUU faculty and immerses park visitors in intensive field-based activities. The programming is varied and includes field-based workshops covering such diverse topics as: local and regional geology, photography, creative writing, botany, and wildlife tracking and viewing.