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!
In This Issue:
USEE News
Community Corner
Environmental Education News
Educator’s Corner
EE Jobs, Internships and Volunteer Opportunities
USEE News
Upcoming Events
Various Project Learning Tree (PLT) Educator & Facilitator Workshops
University Faculty & Staff Workshop
June 1, 2007 ~ Westminster College (8:30am – 3:00pm)
The focus of the workshop will be on integrating environmental education into pre-service teacher training through the use of PLT curricula. This curricula is centered on comprehensive environmental education for pre K-12 students; it is not simply focused on trees. It covers the total environment: land, air, and water. It is local, national, and global in scope. The activities are correlated to the national standards of learning, applicable in a variety of educational settings, interdisciplinary, activity-based, and fun for students and instructors alike. This workshop will be very beneficial as professional development, but to entice you further, we are offering a $100 stipend just for attending as well as a $100 credit for PLT books and supplies!
PLT Facilitator Workshop
June 2, 2007 ~ Location TBA/SLC area (8:30am – 3:00pm)
Have you already been to a PLT workshop? Do you like to teach and work with people? Join us June 2 for a PLT facilitator training. This workshop will not only prepare you to facilitate PLT workshops, but it will also give invaluable tips when thinking about workshop and program design. In addition, trained facilitator will receive a $100 stipend for each workshop they complete after training. Don’t miss this is a fun filled day full of great information and resources!
PLT Educator Workshop - Register by June 1st
June 18, 2007 ~ Richfield Utah (9:00am - 4:00pm)
Looking for more teaching resources? Do you like hands-on, inquiry-based activities? If so, join us for a PLT workshop! This interdisciplinary, hands-on program helps young people learn how to think, not what to think, about complex environmental issues. The newly revised PLT Activity Guide contains 96 different activities, each with Reading and Technology Connections. Come see how easy it is to use in your program! Fee-$20 (includes the curriculum materials). Re-licensure points are available.
To register for any PLT workshops or for more information, please email andree@usee.org or call (801) 328-1549.
Now Accepting Applications for the Utah Environmental Education Certification Program
Deadline: June 15, 2007
The Utah Environmental Education Certification Program establishes high standards for the professional qualifications of environmental educators in Utah. Certification has a variety of benefits for individuals, organizations, and the field of EE. Individual educators often find that the certification process serves as an important step in their professional development. In meeting high standards of the program, candidates more fully master both the theory and practice of EE, making them more effective as professionals. For more information or for an application packet, contact Adrienne Cachelin at adrienne@usee.org, (801) 328-1549, or visit www.usee.org/certification.html.
News
Search for New USEE Executive Director
USEE is currently conducting a national search in filling the position of our Executive Director. To view a detailed job description, please visit http://usee.org/USEE-ED2007.pdf.
Welcome New Staff
USEE is pleased to welcome Andree' Walker as our new Project Learning Tree (PLT) Program Coordinator. Andree' is also the current coordinator for Project WET and has been working with teachers in Utah for over 6 years. She is looking forward to teaching terrestrial subjects for a change! USEE is also pleased to welcome Adrienne Cachelin as our interim director, a USEE board member, environmental educator, and Ph.D. student. Adrienne will be with us through the beginning of August.
Special Thanks
USEE would like to thank Wild Oats for haven chosen our organization to participate in their Wooden Nickel Program, which supports local nonprofit organizations while encouraging customers and employees to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Their support will contribute to maintaining USEE’s environmental education efforts throughout Utah. Visit www.wildoats.com/u/community100068/ to learn more.
Community Corner
Upcoming Events
2nd Annual City Creek Woad Runner Weed Pull
Throughout May 2007
Come one, come all, and help send the invasive weed, Dyers Woad, “running” from City Creek Canyon! This weed-pulling event will take place during the entire month of May. Join in and help get a number of ecological restoration projects well on their way! Select any day in May to participate and call (801) 483-6884 to sign up. For details or to check for events happening in conjunction with the weed pull, visit www.keepitpure.com.
Landscaping With Natives ~ Red Butte Garden
May 26, 2007 ~ SLC, UT – Red Butte Garden (10:00 –12:00pm)
Join USU Extension Horticulturist Maggie Wolf and learn how to landscape with the wide variety of plants native to Utah and the Intermountain West. Not only are many of these plants drought tolerant, but also attract wildlife and add a more exotic touch to your yard versus a space filled with Kentucky bluegrass. Visit http://www.redbuttegarden.org/Classes_and_Events/?c=Free_Garden_Lectures.inc to learn more!
3rd Annual Swaner Nature Preserve Nature Festival
June 2, 2007 ~ Basin Recreational Field House in Park City, UT (11:00–3:00pm)
This free community event will feature over 30 local environmental organizations, bluegrass music by the Puddle Mountain Ramblers, a kids art tent, nature walks, Volker's pizza, and a native plant sale. Round up the family and walk, run, bike, or carpool to the Nature Festival. For more information, visit www.swanernaturepreserve.org. To volunteer, contact Nell nell@swanernature.org / (435) 649-1767.
National Trails Day – Working on the Rail Trail
June, 2, 2007~ Park City, UT - Rail Central White Pine Touring (9:00am)
Spend a day volunteering on the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail with some fencing and weed cloth work, as well as celebrating Utah State Parks 50th Anniversary! Contact Carol Potter at (435) 649-6839 or email carol@mountaintrails.org for details.
3rd Annual Utah Lake Festival
June 9, 2007 @ Utah Lake State Park (10:00-3:00pm)
The Utah Lake Festival is a free event offering attendees a chance to get outside and enjoy the lake with boat & bike rides, bird tours, water ski demos, food, music, and more! Visit www.provo.org/current_issues.utahlakefestival.html for details.
”For the Birds” ~ 14th Annual Birdhouse Exhibit at the Ogden Nature Center
Open Now through September 8, 2007 ~ Ogden, UT
The public is invited to stroll down Birdhouse Lane to view this year’s clever and well-crafted entries. A birdhouse can be wildly creative and still serve as a place to roost! Almost all of the birdhouse creators used environmentally sensitive building materials, such as recyclable or recycled materials and non-toxic finishes. Visit www.ogdennaturecenter.org for details.
Utah Museum of Natural History – Book Club
July-November ~ SLC, UT @ The Mill at the Tracy Aviary
Join in the discussion on a wide range of topics from the natural world. Experts within relevant fields facilitate each discussion providing you with a real-world perspective on the various topics. Visit www.umnh.utah.edu, call (801) 581-5567, or email programs@umnh.utah.edu for more information.
Community News
June is Great Outdoors Month – Celebrate & Recreate!
Has the springtime weather brought out the outdoor fever in you? If you prefer hiking and climbing or even just a walk in the park or BBQ with friends and family, then celebrate Great Outdoors Month! Coordinated by the American Recreation Coalition (ARC), this year marks its 4th annual celebration. Its purpose is to highlight the benefits of active time outdoors and show how recreation and volunteerism is a valuable means for education. Visit www.greatoutdoorsmonth.org to learn how to get involved! Also, keep in mind that June 2nd is National Trails Day. Discover, learn about, and celebrate a trail near you! Visit www.americanhiking.org/events/ntd/ to learn about events taking place in your area.
Did You Know..?
A ton of paper made from recycled fibers instead of virgin fibers conserves:
- 7,000 gallons of water
- 17-31 trees
- 4,000 KWh of electricity
- 60 pounds of air pollutants
(Source: Department of Energy - http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/saving/recycling/solidwaste/paperandglass.html)
Environmental Education News & Events
Local
The Bear River Symposium & Utah Nonpoint Source Pollution Conference
September 5-7, 2007 ~ Utah State University in Logan, Utah
This conference will cover a range of interests in watershed science and management including special sessions on the Bear River Watershed and the Bear River Watershed Information System. Student scholarship and other assistance are available. Call Andree' Walker at (435) 760-7398 or email andreedwalker@gmail.com for details.
Recycle Presentations & Landfill Tours
Ongoing, January-December ~ Logan Landfill
The Logan City Environmental Department is currently offering free Landfill tours and recycling presentations to groups and organizations. Learn why recycling is important for our community, how the Logan Landfill operates, and about the Green Waste Facility and how wood chips and compost are made. This FREE program is great for Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, church groups, school groups, or any other interested organization. Call (801) 716-9792 or email recycle@loganutah.org for details.
Regional
Idaho Environmental Education Association (IDEEA)
Live in Idaho? Then make sure to check out the Idaho Environmental Education Association calendar of events on their website at www.idahoee.org/Calendar.html. Upcoming events include various happenings in Yellowstone Park, educator workshops, lecture series’, and more - check it out today!
NATIONAL
2007 NAAEE Annual Conference and Research Symposium
November 14-17, 2007 ~ Virginia Beach, VA
The North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE) will be holding its annual conference “Explore New Horizons for Environmental Education,” November 14-17, 2007 in Virginia Beach, VA. For further conference details, visit www.naaee.org.
Educator’s Corner
Professional Development/ Training Opportunities
Astronomy from the Ground Up ~ Free Online Educator Workshops
May 30 - June 27, 2007
Apply now for Astronomy from the Ground Up's next FREE online workshop for science center and museum educators! Participants receive a free toolkit, learn techniques for presenting astronomy and interpreting current events, and become part of the growing Astronomy from the Ground Up community, with access to ongoing resources and support. Visit http://astrosociety.org/afgu/distance.html for details.
Online EE Teacher's Institute ~ Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE)
June 4-July 27, 2007
The online EE Institute is a professional development course designed to actively involve educators in facilitating the investigation and evaluation of environmental issues with their learners. To register, or for more information, contact CAEE at 303-273-9527 or info@caee.org.
EE Online Courses
Summer and Fall 2007 Course Dates
EETAP and the University of Wisconsin – Stephen’s Point are offering three online courses for students and professionals in the field of Environmental Education. The three courses offered are Applied EE Program Evaluation, Fundamentals of EE, and Leadership Development in Natural Resources: Strategic Planning and Implementation. Scholarships are also available. To learn more, visit www.uwsp.edu/natres/rwilke/eetap/.
Teacher Resources
Bring Endangered Species Day to the Classroom
May 18, 2007
Don’t forget that May 18th is Endangered Species Day! 2007 marks its second annual national celebration. Take the opportunity to engage in the issue in classroom discussion, research, as well as other related activities. Visit www.stopextinction.org/endangeredspeciesday for resource materials.
Grants & Awards
The Garden Crusader Awards
Nomination Deadline: June 1, 2007
Honor someone who improves the world through gardening by planting trees and flowers, growing food, creating new green spaces, and/or teaching their friends and neighbors about the rewards of gardening.
If you would like to nominate someone for a 2007 Garden Crusader Award, visit www.gardeners.com/Garden-Crusader-Awards/default/5549.page for details.
Breakfast with the Birds: Nature & Conservation – Call for Entries
Submission Deadline: June 8, 2007
Tracy Aviary is currently seeking entries for a juried exhibition in conjunction with their annual Breakfast with the Birds fundraiser. Selected pieces will be auctioned off with a portion of the proceeds going to the artist. Open to artists of all ages. Submissions must reflect the theme of Nature and Conservation. Contact Themill@tracyaviary.org with questions.
Contest Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Rachel Carson
Submission Deadline: June 15, 2007
EPA and non-profit organizations are teaming up for the third year to sponsor a contest designed to increase environmental stewardship and public awareness of environmental issues. It is an intergenerational photo, essay, and poetry contest that will be judged by the public. For details, visit http://epa.gov/aging/resources/thesenseofwonder/index.htm.
Solix Essay Contest
Submission Deadline: June 30, 2007
Read the novel Solix Resettles Blue Mountain , by Robert E. Dansby, and write an essay or short story that connects with the storyline of the book and conveys thoughts concerning global warming. Scholarships, among other prizes, are available. Email solixessay@edgenics.com for details.
EE Jobs, Internships, & Volunteer Opportunities
Executive Director ~ Utah Society for Environmental Education
Salt Lake City, UT (Open until filled)
Please visit http://usee.org/USEE-ED2007.pdf for a detailed job description, as well as instruction on how to apply.
Executive Director ~ Stokes Nature Center
Logan, UT (Open Until Filled)
Please visit the www.logannature.org/employment.htm to view a complete job description.
Cottonwood Canyons Foundation (CCF) Summer Volunteer Opportunities
Wasatch Wildflower Festival ~ Volunteers Needed!
Volunteer Trainings held in July at various locations
CCF is looking for enthusiastic, people-friendly volunteers for this year’s wildflower festival. Volunteers are needed to lead walks at the Festival. If you have no training, it will be provide-DON'T be intimidated! All details can be found at www.wasatchwildflowerfestival.org/volunteer.htm.
Trail Restoration & Weed Warrior Volunteer Opportunities
Round up your friends to help keep the Cottonwood Canyons healthy. CCF is looking for groups and individuals to help out this summer restoring trails and combating weeds! Help maintain our canyons and canyon trails. All events will take place in Millcreek, Big, and Little Cottonwood Canyons. Consider organizing a work group to come out and help remove invasive weeds from the canyon and/or repair some of the damaged trails. This is a great way to take some direct action in the stewardship of the mountains that we all love so much! To schedule an event, please call (801) 733-2667 or email volunteer@cottonwoodcanyons.org.
For a list of additional environmental education job/internship opportunities visit USEE’s EE Jobs page: http://usee.org/eeinfo/jobs.html.