BCUENR 2022: Developing Communication Skills Through Experiential Learning

A contribution to the 14th Biennial Conference on University of Education in Natural Resources, hosted in March 2022 by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's School of Natural Resources and College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Heidi L. Adams and A. Gordon Holley, Louisiana Tech University. Content is the property of the authors under the Creative Commons agreement.

Diving Into the Deep End of the River: Developing Communication Skills Through Experiential Learning

Students choosing a natural resources major do so because they love the outdoors. They do not realize, however, there’s a major human dimensions component of any natural resources career. Good communication with the public and other natural resource professionals is essential. At Louisiana Tech University, we travel with students every summer to Newton County, Arkansas—home of the Buffalo National River, a recreational area with over a million visitors every year. On this 4-day trip, students develop their communication skills by talking with visitors to the Buffalo National River and surrounding areas. They meet with representatives from the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission to learn the value of good communication. This trip is an excellent opportunity for students to learn while doing, which is the best way to develop and strengthen communication skills. They also have some fun of their own while hiking, canoeing, and wildlife viewing!