| Summary: | The Tongass National Forest has been described as a land of vast beauty, as a home to unique flora and fauna, and as a supporter of diverse and distinct cultures. It has also been said to be a land gripped by public controversy, wobbling in a state of change. Prince of Wales Island, the largest island within the Tongass, is no exception. The past decade has brought incredible change to the Island and its communities - local economies, historically based on resource extraction, are striving to diversify and find a new identity as more visitors come to experience the abundant natural wonders of the region. Managing most of land on Prince of Wales Island, the Forest Service Thorne Bay and Craig Ranger Districts are also undergoing many of the changes that local communities are experiencing, and are seeking ways to ease the transition. Currently, the Tongass National Forest Conservation Education and Interpretation (CE&I) Strategy, guides Forest Level programs but there is no guiding direction in place for CE&I programs at the District level. Through this research, an assessment of the past and present conservation education and interpretation programs on Prince of Wales Island, determination of audience needs, development of a mission, vision and strategies, and creation of a list of educational and interpretive opportunities a program direction for CE&I efforts has been established. As a culminating result of this research, the Prince of Walles Island Conservation Education and Interpretation Guidebook was developed to connect the expectations and interests of the audiences, to the resources available, in a way that increases public awareness and knowledge of the Tongass, promotes citizen investment and action, and supports the United States Forest Service's mission and goals. The Global Environmental Management Education Center (GEM)
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