Abstract
This study analyzed the physical and ecological knowledge content of local and regional non-formal environmental education (EE) programs for K-12 students. Non-profit, non-governmental, and governmental organizations that currently provide EE assistance to schools throughout the school year were examined. Data were collected from EE programs in the five-county district of Southwest Florida during 2010-2012; however, only data from the top two most populous counties (Lee and Collier) were used in the comparative content analysis. Physical and ecological knowledge offered in the region was analyzed through a modified Delphi technique. Participants in the modified Delphi study compared national literacy frameworks in ecological knowledge to the description of each EE program. The results show programs offered in Lee and Collier counties have a focus on conservation biology and Earth science content, and gaps in climate, ocean, atmospheric science and--the greatest gap--in energy literacy content. The overall objective of this research was to identify the scope of environmental education programs in Southwest Florida and serve as a model for analysis of other regions.