Welcome to the Utah Society for Environmental Education (USEE) E-Newsletter! This publication exists to connect educators and our community with valuable news, information, and opportunities! Whether you are an educator, business owner, agency personnel, or a concerned citizen…we hope that you will find something useful and interesting in each month’s publication!
USEE News
Upcoming Events
Open House/ Reception
The Utah Society for Environmental Education (USEE) and Tracy Aviary invite you to attend an Open House Reception and Book-signing prior to a special presentation of
“Preserving the Nature of Childhood: Fostering a Bond between Children and the Natural World” with David Sobel, noted author and expert on childhood development and “placed-based” education.
Date: February 24, 2005
Time: 5:30pm Reception & Book-signing; 7:00pm Presentation
Location: Downtown Salt Lake City Library
RSVP: Please RSVP by Wednesday, February 22nd if you plan to attend the reception prior to the presentation at 801-328-1549 or info@usee.org.
Special Thanks
USEE would like to thank the individuals and organizations who contributed articles for the Winter/Spring edition of USEE’s published newsletter, The WEB. This issue focuses on Ecotourism and Environmental Education with featured articles including "Sustainable Tourism and Management Principles" by Dr. Linda Ralston of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism at the University of Utah; "New U.S. Immigrants as the Ultimate Ecotourists" by Dr. Eileen Smith at Nova Southeastern University; and "Ecotourism in Our Own Backyard" by Patrick Nelson of the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation. The WEB will be available to view online on USEE’s website at http://www.usee.org/services/web.html. To become a member of USEE and receive a yearly subscription to the WEB newsletter, contact Sommer Thorgusen at sommer@usee.org or click here to join online!
Community Corner
Upcoming Events
David Sobel to Speak at the Salt Lake City Library
February 24, 2006, 7:00pm; Salt Lake City Main Library
Don’t miss David Sobel’s lecture, “Preserving the Nature of Childhood: Fostering a Bond between Children and the Natural World,” sponsored by Tracy Aviary, Utah Society for Environmental Education and University of Utah's Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. For more information contact info@usee.org.
Free Community Trainings at the Utah Department of Environmental Quality
March 14-15, Salt Lake City, Utah
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is sponsoring two free community trainings at the Utah Department of Environmental Quality Building. A Community Leadership Training will be held on March 14 to help community leaders form partnerships, make deals, and secure resources necessary for achieving dramatic air toxics reductions. An Asthma Media Workshop will be held on March 15 and will be devoted to media and community outreach best practices using products and tools of the “Goldfish” Campaign.
The registration deadline for these trainings is March 7. For more information or to register please visit www.epa.gov/region8/air/atoxics/training.html.
Upcoming Workshops at Zion Canyon Field Institute
Zion Canyon Field Institute offers a variety of classes intended to educate and inspire visitors to Zion National Park. The following classes are available in March:
- Organic Gardening, March 11: Learn the basics of creating and maintaining an organic vegetable garden in the desert southwest.
- Water in the Desert, March 16: Learn where our water comes from, discuss conservation issues, and understand the history of western water rights, while hiking in Zion.
- Basic Botany for Gardeners, March 18: Learn basic botanical concepts such as plant structure, photosynthesis, growth, root systems, and mineral nutrition.
- Spring in Step with a Naturalist, March 30: Enjoy a slide show on some of Zion’s hidden treasures and participate in several interpretive hikes in the park.
For more information about Zion Canyon Field Institute Workshops visit www.zionpark.org.
Community News
Congratulations Brent Singleton!
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced this week that Brent Singleton, a senior at Bonneville High School in Ogden, Utah, has won the President's Environmental Youth Award. In April, Singleton will travel to Washington, D.C., where he and PEYA winners from the Agency's other regions will meet President Bush in an award ceremony at the White House. Singleton is being honored as an emerging leader in electric vehicle design. For a science fair and Eagle Scout project, he purchased a dismantled hybrid vehicle from Weber State University and modified it. The result was the world's first hybrid land speed racer. He has raced the vehicle in hybrid and zero-emissions mode at the world famous Bonneville Salt Flats in Wendover, Utah. Then, to help with his daily drive to school, he added solar panels and wind generators to recharge his 96-volt electric system while in class. For more information, visit http://www.epa.gov/region8/env_ed/peya/index.html
Click on the following links for latest updates on Utah’s Energy-related legislation:
Renewable Energy Tax Credit (HB42S01, sponsored by Representative Sheryl Allen and Senator Tim Cosgrove) extends the renewable energy tax credit until 2011 for residential and commercial applications of solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass renewable energy systems. - Energy Policy Amendments (HB46S01, sponsored by Representatives Roger Barrus, Sheryl Allen, David Ure, and Ralph Becker) establishes the position of a State Energy Officer and outlines the State’s guidelines for energy policy, including the pursuit of cost-effective renewable and non-renewable resources and energy efficiency measures.
- Energy Savings in State Buildings (HB80, sponsored by Representative Fred Hunsaker) requires the Division of Facilities Construction and Management to develop incentives to encourage state entities to conserve energy and reduce energy costs; procure energy efficient products where practicable; analyze energy consumption by state agencies; establish an advisory group to assist with development and implementation of the program; and provide a yearly energy savings report to the governor in addition to the Legislature. (Source: Utah Clean Energy, www.utahcleanenergy.org)
Did You Know..?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that buildings account for:
- 39 % of total energy use
- 12 % of the total water consumption
- 68 % of total electricity consumption
- 38 % of the carbon dioxide emissions
We can help reduce the impact of our built environment on the natural environment using green building strategies. Green building practices can have environmental, economic and social benefits:
Environmental benefits
- Enhance and protect biodiversity and ecosystems
- Improve air and water quality
- Reduce waste streams
- Conserve and restore natural resources
Economic benefits
- Reduce operating costs
- Create, expand, and shape markets for green product and services
- Improve occupant productivity
- Optimize life-cycle economic performance
Social benefits
- Enhance occupant comfort and health
- Heighten aesthetic qualities
- Minimize strain on local infrastructure
- Improve overall quality of life
(Source: http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/greenbuilding)
Environmental Education News & Events
Local/Regional
Colorado Plateau Bioregional Outdoor Education Conference
March 3–5, Blanding, Utah
“The Colorado Plateau and Our Sacred Waters” will be held March 3–5, 2006, in Blanding, Utah at the College of Eastern Utah, San Juan Campus. This conference is for K–8 grade teachers and other educators from the Colorado Plateau Bioregion to learn how to better incorporate bioregionally focused, hands-on outdoor education into their classrooms. The Colorado Plateau Bioregional Outdoor Education Conference is part of the Four Corners School’s Bioregional Outdoor Education Project (BOEP). Please call 435-587-2156 or email jorris@fourcornersschool.org for more information.
Utah’s Wonderful Wetlands Workshop
March 17-18, Utah Lake State Park, Utah
A workshop on Utah’s Wonderful Wetlands will be held March 17-18 from 4:00pm to 8:30pm at Utah Lake State Park. The Utah’s Wonderful Wetlands activity guide was created by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Wetlands Education Program to train educators in teaching students about wetlands in our state. All activities are tied to the 4th grade core curriculum. For more information contact Diana Vos at (801) 538-4719 or dianavos@utah.gov.
Project WET/Project Learning Tree Workshop
March 22-23, Jordanelle State Park, Utah
Join us March 22-23 at Jordanelle State Park for a Project Learning Tree (PLT) and Project WET workshop for formal and non-formal educators. Learn new ways to provide students with the awareness, appreciation, understanding, skills, and commitment to address environmental issues. For more information, please contact Nicol Gagstetter at nicol@usee.org or 801-328-1549.
National
NAAEE Conference Presentation Proposal Deadline Approaching
Deadline: February 22, 2006
The 35th Annual Conference "Gathering at the Headwaters: Building EE in Society" will be held October 10-14, 2006, in St. Paul, Minnesota. Review the theme and strands, submission requirements, and submit your proposal online: http://eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/newclick/183499. Contact conferencestaff@naaee.org for more information.
Organization of Wildlife Planners Conference
May 14-19, Canmore, Alberta
The Organization of Wildlife Planners (OWP) will hold its 28th annual conference May 14-19, 2006, in beautiful Canmore, Alberta. The theme for the conference is “Planning for Wildlife Conservation in Cultural Landscapes.” This conference will provoke, educate and inspire participants to enhance the effectiveness of their fish and wildlife management systems in ways that acknowledge cultural contexts. For more information please visit www.owpweb.org or contact Melody Wenet at wenet@ucalgary.ca.
Educator’s Corner
Professional Development/ Training Opportunities
Online Course: Design for E-Learning
February 20-May 31, Online
The Design for E-Learning: An E-Learning Course will explore the principles, theories, and paradigms of distance education; review technology issues and demonstrate design, development and assessment methodologies. Credit available through University of Alaska Anchorage. The registration deadline is February 17. For more information please contact Sandi Sturm at ssturm@creative-conservation.com or (907) 373-7374
http://www.creative-conservation.com/designinffordistance.htm.
Grand Canyon Semester for Students
Registration Deadline (Fall 2006): March 15
The Grand Canyon Semester is a partnership between the National Park Service and Northern Arizona University, offering an unforgettable learning experience in the high mountains of northern Arizona and the canyon country of the Colorado Plateau. Students from universities across the country join park staff and research faculty in the natural sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities to examine the challenges facing people in this ancient and modern environment. For more information contact GrandCanyon@nau.edu or (928) 523-5159 or visit http://www.grandcanyonsemester.nau.edu.
Teacher Resources
New Environmental History Middle School Curriculum
The Forest History Society has put out a new Environmental History Middle School curriculum, If Trees Could Talk. To learn more about this excellent resource, visit http://www.foresthistory.org/education/curriculum. In addition, the Forest History Society has lots of exciting things happening in their education department. For more information visit http://www.foresthistory.org/Education/Newsletter/EdNews1.htm.
Center for Environmental Education
The Center for Environmental Education works on integrating EE into all aspects of the K-12 experience. Teachers and students around the world can access reviews of EE curriculum, find reliable reference information on environmentally HOT Topics, read about current innovative EE projects and how to fund new initiatives (Grapevine), read profiles of schools going green, and find resources for bringing sustainability to campus (Educating for Sustainability). Visit www.ceeonline.org.
New Educational Poster from the Global Education Project
"Earth: A Graphic Look at the State of the World" has just been published by the Global Education Project, a non-profit educational foundation in British Columbia. This comprehensive resource summarizes the conditions of the world's ecology and humanity and how they affect each other. This publication is a valuable tool for anyone teaching about or striving to understand the world's complex environmental and humanitarian challenges. For more information visit www.theglobaleducationproject.org or call (250) 935-6785
Grants & Awards
2006 Young Naturalist Awards
Deadline: May 1, 2006
The American Museum of Natural History 2006 Young Naturalist Awards are for students in grades 7-12 to participate in a research-based essay contest to promote participation and communication in science. Two winners from each grade will be selected to receive cash scholarship awards and an expense-paid trip to New York City for the awards ceremony.
Contact: Christine Economos at yna@amnh.org or 212-496-3498
http://eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/newclick/183500
DOE American Stars of Teaching
Deadline: April 15, 2006
The U.S. Department of Education is seeking nominations for the 2006 "American Stars of Teaching" to honor outstanding classroom teachers who are improving student achievement, using innovative strategies in the classroom, and making a difference in the lives of their students. One teacher will be recognized from each state.
http://eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/newclick/183502
Nature of Learning Grants
Deadline: April 17, 2006
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation invites applications from organizations seeking to start or expand the Nature of Learning program in their communities. Grants to be awarded on a competetive basis of up to $5,000 to support start-up expenses associated with new programs, and grants of up to $3,000 to provide continued support to existing Nature of Learning programs.
http://eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/newclick/183504
Rockwell Collins Green Communities Grants
Deadline: March 3, 2006
Rockwell Collins' environmental initiative, the Green Communities Program, is designed to help fund grassroots environmental projects in the communities in which Rockwell Collins operates. For more information please visit:
http://www.rockwellcollins.com/about/community/green_communities
EE Jobs
NAAEE announces Executive Director Search
We are seeking a motivated professional to lead the organization as it moves forward with a five-year Strategic Plan crafted through input from over 300 members and stakeholders. The Executive Director will work in NAAEE's office in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Check the Web site for a complete job description. http://eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/newclick/33151
Summer 2006: Lead an Outdoor Summer High School Crew
SCA is looking for qualified applicants to:
Put their conservation and youth development skills to use Live and work in the outdoors
Complete important and needed conservation projects Be a positive role model for teenagers
And finally...Be a leader! SCA offers qualified applicants the chance to lead volunteer Conservation Crews in more than 100 spectacular national parks, forests, refuges, and protected places across the country. Applicants must be at least 21 years old, have a valid US driver's license, be active and love the outdoors, and have or be able to obtain wilderness medical certification. To apply visit www.thesca.org or email JoinUs@thesca.org.