Every evaluation training will tell you to start by defining what you want to evaluate, then building your program to measure those things, and then analyzing data. In the recreation world, that’s not always possible. Sometimes you take over a program mid-stream and you need to reverse engineer your evaluation so you can tell your story. Using a state trail grant program as a case study, this session will walk you through tips and tricks for how to look back at the information you have to assess your impact.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to identify the key steps in a program evaluation process.
Participants will be able to list common evaluation metrics that may apply to their programs.
Participants will be able to assess what they can and cannot evaluate retroactively based on the data they have.
Presenters:
Lauren Pyle, Outdoor Recreation Grants Manager, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
Lauren Pyle (she/her) is the Outdoor Recreation Grants Manager for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation. Lauren graduated from Cornell University with plans to become a high school science teacher. Instead, she started with a summer camp and got hooked on experiential outdoor education. Her professional experience has included field trip instructor, zoo educator, teen volunteer coordinator, backpacking trip leader, bat biologist, curriculum writer, and nonprofit executive director. After years of receiving and implementing grants, she now manages Vermont's state and federal outdoor recreation grant programs, including Recreational Trail Program (RTP) and Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).