(71) Forest Story Cards – A Way to Dialogue About Forests

Forest Story Cards are a new, effective tool for initiating dialogue about forests with adults and youth. Field-tested by forestry educators, forest stewardship volunteers, and natural resource professionals, the cards include 52 selected images related to forests and some simple questions. Images help people make associations, and their individual life experiences shape what they see. Images can be used to communicate complex thoughts, feelings, and ideas. Forest Story Cards are designed for use by professionals, master woodland volunteers, and educators to facilitate dialogue with landowners, students, and others about their personal interests, concerns, and hopes for their own forests, or forests in general. Importantly, the participating individuals are able to do this in their own language, without feeling self-conscious or knowing forestry jargon. The use of these cards can increase the listening skills of professionals and others who seek to understand, educate, and assist clients or the public. They also provide a starting point for discussion on planning, diverse perspectives, land ethics, and human values related to forests. They are a qualitative data collection method, an educational tool, and an opportunity to learn from the each other. This session will provide a practical demonstration of Forest Story Cards and discuss the results of using them with over 300 individuals in Pennsylvania.

Sanford S. Smith
Penn State School of Forest Resources
335 Forest Resources Building
University Park, PA 16802-4705, USA
Phone: 814-865-4261
Fax: (814) 865-6275
E-mail: sss5@psu.edu