Park Management Policy Making: Ground your Discussions in Data and Evidence

This ETP is a lesson series that would follow a field trip in which data is collected on ecological values. Students will use Microsoft Excel to organize and graph data collected by their class, previous classes, and scientists. Subsequently, students will develop Microsoft Powerpoint presentations to present their findings and offer recommendations for related parkland management decisions. The UC Berkeley Wood Research Lab studies Sudden Oak Death infection and mortality rates among coast live oaks in the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD). Upon analysis of the data, the lab generates an array of graphical representations of the data. Lab specialists prepare powerpoint presentations to convey their findings and make recommendations to the EBRPD management. The lab’s conclusions will inform EBRPD management decisions regarding fire management and visitor safety.