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
Resource Review Workshop
Thursday October 25, 2007, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm ~ Moab
In this workshop, you will learn how to identify high quality educational resources, apply these principles to Utah's materials review process, analyze your own resource(s) and even review other programs and materials from around the state. If you have questions, or to register, contact Andree' Walker at andree@usee.org.
YOU CAN STILL REGISTER for USEE’s 18th Annual Utah Environmental Education Conference!
October 26 – 27, all day ~ Moab
Join us at this year’s conference for an enlightening occasion filled with valuable professional development and networking opportunities, inspirational speakers, constructive workshops, and enjoyable entertainment among the towering castles, long mesas, and winding rivers of the Moab Desert! USEE invites formal educators (K-12), curriculum developers, conservation educators, non-formal educators, university students and faculty, and all other interested citizens to attend the conference. For more information or to register, please visit http://www.usee.org/services/conference.html.
News
Congratulations to the Utah Environmental Education Award Winners!
USEE would like to congratulate its 2007 Utah Environmental Education Award Winners for their hard work in and dedication to the field of EE. Award winners include Andrea Henkels Heidinger, for her extraordinary campaign, “The Challenge 101: How to go Local”, who received the Vern A. Fridley Environmental Educator of the Year Award, Yae Bryner a very committed volunteer with HawkWatch, Tracy Aviary, and the Ogden Nature Center, who was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Grow Lab Program, Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, for winning the Program of the Year Award. Kudos!
New Staff
USEE welcomes a new Education Outreach Coordinator
We are proud to welcome Nancy Carruthers, who is joining our team as USEE’s new Education and Outreach Coordinator. She will help strengthen the capacity of quality and effective environmental education EE programs in Utah through non-formal educator and teacher partnerships. Nancy is currently completing her Masters degree in the Department of Geography at the University of Utah. She received her Bachelors degree in Geography at the University of Utah and became interested in paleoclimate and wildfire research. Her research project is examining the relationships between drought, wildfire, and the timing of snowmelt. She hopes to help expand and strengthen environmental education throughout the state, along with instilling a sense of stewardship in people for their natural resources.
We are happy to welcome a new volunteer, Autumn Garrison, to USEE. Autumn is the new chair of USEE's Communication's Committee. Autumn and other committee members will help set communication goals for USEE. Autumn is a second year PhD student in the Department of Communication at the University of Utah. Autumn completed her Bachelors degree at Northern Kentucky University majoring in Speech Communication and Marketing. She received her masters degree in Communication from the University of Cincinnati, with an emphasis in Environmental Communication. Her current research focuses on the development of marketing and advertising strategies that can be used by grassroots and other environmental groups (student groups included) to communicate more effectively to the public about health and environmental issues.
Special Thanks
USEE would like to extend our thanks to all our donors, board members and other guests, who took part in our 11th Annual benefit Bash and Awards Ceremony. This year’s event was the most successful on record! We enjoyed a fun-filled evening amongst a great community of people, great musical entertainment, and an exciting auction! Thank you to everyone for their continued support of USEE and our EE efforts throughout Utah. We would also like to give special thanks to the following organizations for their generous contributions: Squatters Pub Brewery, Alta Ski Resort and Colorado River and Trail Expeditions.
Community Corner
Upcoming Events
Bioneers is coming to Westminster College!
October 19-21, 2007~Salt Lake City
This year’s theme, Sustainability: Bringing it all Home weaves together 15 extraordinary national speakers (via satellite), local workshops and keynotes, food, music, art, and plenty of time for conversation and connection. We will spend three rejuvenating days exploring the ways environmental, economic, and social justice questions play themselves out in our community, homes, and personal lives. For more information contact the Westminster College Environmental Center, bioneers@westminstercollege.edu (801)832-2805
Star Party
Friday November 9, 2007 ~ Park City
Join Swaner Nature Preserve and the Salt Lake Astronomical Society on Friday, November 9, 2007 for a unique look at the night sky. For reservations, please email erin@swanernature.org.
Red Butte Garden - Garden After Dark
Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, October 18 – 19, 2007, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm ~ Red Butte
Visit the Magical Garden filled with radiant lights, fire barrels, Cauldrons, Crafts, and Magic Shows, along with great food and hot drinks. Dress as your favorite magical character and join us for an enchanting night in the garden.
Jordan River Cleanup
Saturday October 20, 2007 @ 10:00 am ~ Taylorsville
Join Utah Rivers Council and Taylorsville City to clean up the Jordan River. We will be meeting October 20th at 10 am at the Jordan River Trail head in Taylorsville (4800 s and just west of 500 w). Please contact Lauren at lauren@utahrivers.org with any questions. RSVPs are appreciated but not required!
Lakefront Birding with Great Salt Lake Audubon Society
Sunday October 21, 2007 @ 8:00 am ~ Sugarhouse
http://www.greatsaltlakeaudubon.org/birdlists/0710lakefront.htm
Bird Watching at Farmington Bay with Great Salt Lake Audubon
Wednesday October 31, 2007, 7:30 am – 12:00 pm ~ Centerville
Join us for our monthly half-day visit to Farmington Bay. Meet inside the McDonald's just north of the Centerville Exit #319 from I-15 at 7:30am for breakfast and camaraderie or 8:00am to head out. Bring your own water and snacks. Call Deedee O'Brien (801-272-8060) if you plan to attend.
http://www.greatsaltlakeaudubon.org/birdlists/0709farmbay.htm
Wallace Stegner Lecture Series
“Nuclear Power, Nuclear Warming and Utah’s Energy Future”
Friday November 2, 2007 @ 6:00 pm ~ The Pickle Company - 741 South 400 West
With a Utah Legislative Interim Committee considering legislation that would bring a nuclear reactor to Utah, our state has been thrust into a debate over nuclear power. Some advocate for energy diversity, while others feel nuclear power is necessary to address climate change. Join HEAL Utah for a panel discussion that will air these issues and concerns and pose the question: “Is it possible to fight global warming without choosing the nuclear option?” For more information visit HEAL website at http://www.healutah.org/.
Film Screening of "A Desert Sea"
Thursday November 15, 2007, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm ~ Salt Lake City
Panelist Discussion with the Nature Conservancy, Friends of the Great Salt Lake, and Tracy Aviary will follow. For more information, please visit http://waterwiseutah.org/calendar.htm
Community News
Bear River: Last Chance to Change Course
Showing through December 31, 2007 ~ Utah Museum of Natural History.
UMNH has partnered with Water Wise Utah to bring the Bear River: Last Chance to Change Course exhibition to the Museum's Dumke Gallery. In this work, Utah’s Craig Denton has focused his camera's lens on the Bear River, and has attempted to give the river a voice and alert those of us living in the arid west that it is time to rethink our relationships with water.
Did You Know..?
What the Planet Eats…….How does the food we eat reflect who we are?
A family in Chad and a Family in China with a weeks worth of food
Hungry Planet: What The World Eats does just that. Photographer Peter Menzel and writer Faith D'Aluisio traveled the world from Darfur to China to Germany. They visited 24 countries, from the wealthiest to the neediest, and photographed what families there eat during the course of a typical week. It is really interesting to see how much packaging is used from around the globe, as well as what everyone is eating.
Peter also has a similar book published back in 1994 entitled, Material World: A Global Family Portrait. In this book, instead of food, he photographed all the belongings of families around the world.
To see excerpts from Hungry Planet, go to http://www.menzelphoto.com/hungryplanet/
Environmental Education News & Events
Regional
The 2007 UEA Convention “Capture the Joy of Teaching”
October 29 - 30, 2007~ Salt Palace Convention Center
The Utah Education Association Convention is the largest professional conference for educators in Utah. Drawing thousands of attendees annually, the conference provides nearly fifty curriculum and professional development workshops for K-12 educators, 300 exhibitors in the Exhibit Hall, and several special events over the two-day period. In addition to educators, parents, legislators, and community leaders also participate in this annual event.
Online Courses Available offered by the Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP) and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
February 18 – May 9 , 2008
The Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP) and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point are offering two online courses: “Fundamentals of Environmental Education” and “Applied EE Program Evaluation”. To learn more, visit http://www.uwsp.edu/natres/rwilke/eetap/ or contact Angela Lemar (Angela.Lemar@uwsp.edu).
National
Watchable Wildlife
After much planning and development, Watchable Wildlife was very pleased to unveil their latest project, WildlifeViewingAreas.com. This is a new online info clearinghouse now being made available via Watchable Wildlife, Inc. A monumental undertaking, this North American directory of wildlife watching locations is destined to become the go-to resource for wildlife enthusiasts and trip planners. Check it out! http://www.wildlifeviewingareas.com/
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
Utah Environmental Education EE Certification Program
Application Deadline - December 15, 2007
The Utah Environmental Education (EE) Certification Program recognizes EE providers who have demonstrated specific knowledge, skills, experience and conduct in the field of EE, and who adhere to high ethical standards. 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. Perhaps equally important is the statewide network of professional environmental educators that the program fosters. To learn how to apply for the Certification Program, and its requirements, please visit http://usee.org/capacity/certification or call Andree' Walker at (801)328-1549.
Teacher Resources
USEE’s Teacher Resource Center (TRC)!
Visit USEE's Teacher Resource Center (TRC) Online at http://www.usee.org/database.html.
The Teacher Resource Center is available to any educator, formal or non-formal, in Utah. It includes over 1,500 items including EE curriculum, references, journals, magazines, and videos as well as some field teaching supplies. Featured books this month: “Material World: A Global Family Portrait”, by Peter Menzel, an epic photo journey through the homes and lives of families revealing the material goods of rich and poor societies throughout the globe, and “Woman in the Material World”, by Peter Menzel and Faith D’Aluisio, a stunning collection of images portraying the differences and similarities in women’s lives around the world.
Grants & Awards
PLT Greenworks! Service-Learning Program
Deadline for proposals: October 31, 2007
This year, PLT is making $100,000 available for "learning-by-doing" environmental projects that:
- Partner PLT educators and their students with local businesses or community organizations
- Combine academics with community service
- Engage elementary through college-age students in active learning about the environment
- Provide opportunities for student leadership
For additional information, visit http://plt.org/cms/pages/21_22_21.html.
EE Jobs, Internships, & Volunteer Opportunities
Red Butte Garden
Volunteering Opportunity
There is plenty to do even with these upcoming cooler temperatures and we still need lots of hands to get it all done. So, if you would like to get your hands dirty, work a festival, or give tours to children please contact Marianne Zengler at 585-5688 or email at marianne.zenger@redbutte.utah.edu.
The Ogden Nature Center
Scouting Program Intern
ONC is seeking an enthusiastic intern to assist nature center staff in preparing and presenting scouting programs to Boy Scout, Girl Scout and Cub Scout groups on nature-related topics. Under the direction of the education staff, intern will help create appropriate programs for scout groups, and will be primarily responsible for teaching programs. Hours are flexible and will be mostly late afternoon or evening with some weekends. Send Letter of Interest and Resume to Ogden Nature Center, Attention: April, 966 West 12th Street, Ogden, UT 84404 or email to education@ogdennaturecenter.org.
Utah Museum of Natural History
Discovery Class Teachers
UMNHis actively searching for contract staff that has experience in both creating curriculum and in teaching pre-school and/or elementary school aged children. We have several spots available for Discovery Class Teachers for the upcoming winter/spring session. Education Instructors are responsible for creation, instruction, and implementation of two or three hour long sessions for children who are attending K-6th grade. Send cover letter and resume to: Shelli Campbell, Public Programs Coordinator: (801) 585-3948; Fax (801) 585-3684 email: scampbell@umnh.utah.edu
For a list of additional environmental education job/internship opportunities visit USEE’s EE Jobs page: http://usee.org/eeinfo/jobs.html.