Education
“Conservation through Education”– Education has been the cornerstone of the Friends of Madera Canyon mission since 1988. The FoMC sponsors youth and adult nature education programs and activities to encourage everyone to explore, study, and connect with this biologically rich and diverse Arizona canyon and surrounding Sky Island region.
When we are able to explore nature, we become fascinated, curious, and motivated to learn about and make healthy connections to the natural world. Connections lead to caring about nature, which can become concern and action toward conservation and preservation.
Besides website information, the FoMC provides self-guided resources for visitors in Madera Canyon too. At designated Madera Canyon recreation areas/trail heads there are boxes with bird lists & trail guides, Bud Gode Interpretive Nature Trail exhibits with interpretive signs and topo maps, and visitor feedback cards (collected and responses tabulated for the U.S. Forest Service).
On-line Learning Resources →
Our “On-line Learning Resources” objective is to provide on-line science-based content about the nature and natural history of Madera Canyon, Santa Rita Mountains and southeast Arizona Sky Island region. History and cultural content explores local native people and recent history of the area. Our long-term goal is to provide an accessible natural history “library” for all grade levels of students, teachers, parents, and the public on demand. This learning resource is a work in progress, additional content will be added as it is created; current content will be updated as necessary.
The FoMC supports and promotes “Conservation through Education.” Within this philosophy, the “On-line Learning Resources” provides education, not advocacy. But the FoMC does advocate for a well-informed and educated citizenry, including our children, that is able to live and act responsibly. The FoMC approach to learning is to provide unbiased, fact-based information coupled with personal learning experience, allowing students to form their own opinions and ultimately guide their personal actions.
