UI Department of Resource Recreation and Tourism Has New Name
Thursday, September 30 2004
Sept. 29, 2004 MOSCOW- After an extensive planning process, the University of Idaho Department of Resource Recreation and Tourism has changed its name to the Department of Conservation Social Sciences. The name change is a critical element of the department’s strategy to focus on the “people side” of conservation and environmental protection, said Steven Hollenhorst, department chair. The change reflects the idea that conservation is a social endeavor. Conservation is initiated by people designed by people, and intended to modify human behavior to achieve environmental goals. The change positions CSS to stay nationally and globally competitive, and helps place UI at the forefront of the conservation sciences. CSS will focus on four areas of expertise: • Parks, protected areas, and wilderness conservation • Environmental communications (education, interpretation, and communication) • Conservation planning, policy and law (conservation policy formation and implementation) • Conservation leadership (organizational administration) The first two represent traditional strengths of the department while the others represent areas where the department hopes to grow. The department will retain its current bachelor’s and master’s programs in resource recreation and tourism and doctorate in natural resources. Students may also minor in parks, protected areas, and wilderness conservation; and environmental communications. CSS also continues to partner with the Division of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Department to offer minors in outdoor recreation leadership and sustainable tourism and leisure enterprises. The department’s new web address is www.cnrhome.uidaho.edu/css/ Contacts: Steven Hollenhorst, Conservation Social Science, UI College of Natural Resources, (208) 885-7911, stevenh@uidaho.edu, or Sue McMurray, CNR Communications, (208) 885-6673, suem@uidaho.edu. -30- SM/9-29-04/CNR
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