ABSTRACT
The range of natural resources and ecosystems in the Great Lakes biome include lentic and lotic aquatic systems, soils, geological formations, fish and other aquatic species, and terrestrial flora and fauna. This chapter reflects a review of literature from social psychology, environmental education, resource management, interpretation, communication, engagement, and cognitive science that demonstrates changes over time in approaches to environmental communication and resources management. Case studies from the Great Lakes Basin illustrate applications of current communication and engagement approaches that facilitate resource management. Falk and Dierking developed the Contextual Model of Learning that highlights the process of meaning-making. Rather than focusing on behavior, the chapter focuses on the meaning that an individual ascribes to an object, event, or experience. Climate change programs are increasing throughout the Great Lakes region. Their goals include communicating scientific evidence and linking it with a range of effects on people's personal and community lives, and providing opportunities for action to mitigate change impacts.
