Geology topics

Rudy M. Schuster

Publications and source records attributed to Rudy M. Schuster.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2012

Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge: Lake Lowell water based recreation data summary

Introduction: Established in 1909, Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Refuge has two units, Lake Lowell and the Snake River Islands. The Lake Lowell Unit is 10,636 acres and includes the almost 9,000-acre Lake Lowell and surrounding lands. The Refuge offers the six priority wildlife-dependent activities (fishing, hunting, wildlife observation, wildlife interpretation, wildlife photography and environmental education) as defined in The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act as amended by the Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 as well as other non-wildlife-dependent activities. The purpose of this study is to describe use characteristics of recreational boaters on Lake Lowell. This study does not address use in other parts of the Refuge or other recreational activities. The sampling and data collection consisted of observations of boat activity made from fixed vantage points on the west and east pools of Lake Lowell to develop vessels-at-one-time (VAOT) estimates for three areas: the West Pool, the Headquarters section of the East Pool, and the East section of the East Pool. A complete description of the sampling locations and a map are provided below Traffic counters were also used to collect data on the number of vehicles entering the parking lots. Data were collected between April 15 and September 30, 2011.

Idaho↗

USGS2011

A survey of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees regarding constraints to connecting children with nature-Summary report to respondents

This report provides a summary of responses to the questions included on a survey of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees regarding constraints to connecting children with nature. The survey was sponsored by the Division of Education Outreach at the National Conservation Training Center and conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey. The data collection process started on February 25, 2010 and ended on March 9, 2010. The dataset includes the responses from 320 individuals from all regions in the Service. The adjusted response rate for the survey was 55 percent. In this report, we provide the summary results for the survey questions in the order in which the questions were asked. The questions addressed the following topics: relevance of certain outcomes to the aspect of the Service's mission that relates to connecting people with nature, perceived success at connecting children with nature, the extent to which ten constraints present problems in connecting children with nature, and attitudes about the importance of connecting children with nature. The text of comments provided by respondents to open-ended questions is provided. In-depth analyses will be reported in the completion report for this project.

Open-File Report↗

USGS2011

A study of topics for distance education-A survey of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees

The purpose of this study was to identify training topics and distance education technologies preferred by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees. This study was conducted on behalf of the National Conservation Training Center to support their distance education strategy planning and implementation. When selecting survey recipients, we focused on employees in positions involving conservation and environmental education and outreach programming. We conducted the study in two phases. First, we surveyed 72 employees to identify useful training topics. The response rate was 61 percent; respondents were from all regions and included supervisors and nonsupervisors. Five topics for training were identified: creating and maintaining partnerships (partnerships), technology, program planning and development (program planning), outreach methods to engage the community (outreach methods), and evaluation methods. In the second phase, we surveyed 1,488 employees to assess preferences for training among the five topics identified in the first survey and preferences among six distance education technologies: satellite television, video conferencing, audio conferencing, computer mediated training, written resources, and audio resources. Two types of instructor-led training were included on the survey to compare to the technology options. Respondents were asked what types of information, such as basic facts or problem solving skills, were needed for each of the five topics. The adjusted response rate was 64 percent; respondents were from all regions and included supervisors and nonsupervisors. The results indicated clear preferences among respondents for certain training topics and technologies. All five training topics were valued, but the topics of partnerships and technology were given equal value and were valued more than the other three topics. Respondents indicated a desire for training on the topics of partnerships, technology, program planning, and outreach methods. For the six distance education technologies, respondents indicated different levels of usability and access. Audio conferencing and written resources were reported to be most usable and accessible. The ratings of technology usability/access differed according to region; respondents in region 9 rated most technologies higher on usability/access. Respondents indicated they would take courses through either onsite or distance education approaches, but they prefer onsite training for most topics and most types of information.

Open-File Report↗

USGS2011

The effect of offering distance education on enrollment in onsite training at the National Conservation Training Center

The objective of this study was to explore the effect that providing distance education courses would have on enrollment in courses offered on the campus of the National Conservation Training Center. This is an exploratory study and the results should be interpreted as preliminary rather than conclusive. The study included two components: analysis of existing training-enrollment data for the time period from October 1, 2007 to June 24, 2009, and a survey of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) employees regarding their preferences for onsite training and distance education. The analysis of training-enrollment data included training records for 2,823 Service employees. Using this dataset, we created a database that included region, supervisory status, number of enrollments in online training, instructor-led web-based classes, correspondence courses, courses at the campus of the National Conservation Training Center, and instructor-led courses off campus. Our analyses focused on differences between enrollment in distance education and onsite courses and the effects of regional affiliation, supervisory status, and course format. Generally, the regions closest to the campus had higher enrollment in onsite training and regions farther away had higher enrollment in distance education. Nonsupervisors were more likely to enroll in training on campus and supervisors were more likely to enroll in instructor-led training off site. Enrollment in instructor-led courses was higher than in self-paced courses, although this may result from fewer offerings of self-paced courses. The second component of the study involved a survey of Service employees regarding their preferences for distance education and onsite training. The survey was administered online and 911 Service employees responded. Overall, survey respondents indicated a small preference for onsite training and were more likely to enroll in onsite courses than distance education. When asked to indicate reasons that would lead them to choose one type of training over the other, practical reasons were more frequently indicated as influential in the decision to enroll in distance education and interactions with others were more frequently cited as reasons to enroll in onsite training.We conclude that the information we assembled and analyzed indicates that distance education currently functions as a supplemental approach to training when participation in training onsite at the National Conservation Training Center campus is impractical.

Open-File Report↗

USGS2011

Constraints to connecting children with nature--Survey of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employees sponsored by the National Conservation Training Center, Division of Education Outreach

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) names "connecting people with nature" as one of its top six priorities in the online Service Employee Pocket Guide. The National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) took the initiative to identify issues that impede greater progress in addressing constraints to connecting children with nature. The Division of Education Outreach at NCTC formed a working relation with the Policy Analysis and Science Assistance branch of the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct a study on these issues. To meet the objectives of the study, a survey of a sample of FWS employees was conducted. This report includes the description of how the survey was developed and administered, how the data were analyzed, and a discussion of the survey results. The survey was developed based on published literature and incorporated input from two working groups of professionals focused on the issue of connecting children with nature. Although the objective as stated by the FWS is to connect people with nature, the survey primarily focused on connecting children, rather than all people, with nature. The four primary concepts included on the survey were interpretation of how the FWS defined "connection" as part of its mission, perceived success with outreach, constraints to connecting children with nature, and importance of connecting children with nature. The survey was conducted online using KeySurvey© software. The survey was sent to 604 FWS employees. Responses were received from 320 employees. The respondents represented diversity in regions, tenure, wage/grade level, job series, supervisory status, and involvement with education and outreach activities. The key findings of the survey are as follows: * FWS employees believe they as individuals and the agency are successful now and will be more successful in the future in connecting children with nature. * FWS employees believe that there are many outcomes that are relevant to the FWS objective to connect people with the environment. * FWS employees believe that connecting children with nature is important. * Constraints to connecting children with nature exist but are not perceived by respondents to be severe. * The constraints of greatest concern are practical issues, competition from technology, funding issues and staffing issues.

Open-File Report↗