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 eachmonth’s publication!
In This Issue:
USEE News
Community Corner
Environmental Education News
Educator’s Corner
USEE News
Upcoming Events
Educator Workshop ~ PLT: Exploring Environmental Issues: Places We Live
December 6, 2007 at the Tracy Aviary (1:00-3:30pm)
Registration Deadline: December 1, 2006 (Space is limited so register early!)
Think back to your childhood. Where did you play? How did you get around? What has changed about a special place? Exploring Environmental Issues: Places We Live gets students exploring their neighborhoods, learning about their community's development through time, and involved in local community action projects. Join us for this workshop and embrace this special opportunity to be trained by National PLT staff on the newest addition to the Secondary EE Program! Cost: $10 (all participants receive the new Places We Live Activity Guide). Contact Staci Strenkert (staci@usee.org or 801 328-1549) for details or to register.
Now Accepting Applications for the Utah Environmental Education Certification Program
Deadline: December, 2006
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 Staci Strenkert at staci@usee.org, 801-328-1549, or visit http://www.usee.org/certification.html.
News
Congratulations to the Utah Environmental Education Award Winners!
The results are in, and USEE would like to congratulate its 2006 Utah Environmental Education Award Winners for their hard work and dedication in the field of EE. A pat on the back goes out to Shea Wickelson, a dedicated educator from City Academy Charter School, for receiving the Vern A. Fridley Environmental Educator of the Year Award, Richard Middleton, a highly committed volunteer with the Cottonwood Canyons Foundation, who was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Nature Conservancy’s Wings and Water Program for winning the Program of the Year Award. Keep up the hard work!
Special Thanks
USEE’s Annual Utah EE Conference and Benefit Bash a Success!
USEE would like to extend our thanks to all of those who took part in our 2006 Utah Environmental Education Conference and our 10th Annual Benefit Bash and Awards Ceremony held November 10-11, 2006. We enjoyed a spectacular weekend full of enriching learning and networking opportunities at Ogden Nature Center’s Green Education Building. Not only was our conference a success, but we also had the pleasure of celebrating USEE’s 25th Anniversary at the Orbit Café amidst a great community of people, delightful musical entertainment and dancing, exciting auctions, and of course fun! Again, thank you to everyone for their generous contributions in support of USEE and our EE efforts throughout Utah. Many thanks to our sponsors including the following:
Conference Sponsors |
Benefit Bash Sponsors |
Kennecott Land |
Alta Ski Resort |
Community Corner
Upcoming Events
Wild Wednesday at Utah’s Hogle Zoo
November 29, 2006 (9:00am-4:00pm)
All guests will receive free admission to the Zoo all day long! The Hogle Zoo is offering this free admission day as a way to say thank you to those who have supported the Zoo, Arts, and Parks (ZAP) tax. The ZAP fund helps support the Zoo as well as recreation areas and arts organizations. Visit http://hoglezoo.org/about/events/ for details and a list of other events taking place at the Zoo!
The Living Planet Aquarium
The Living Planet Aquarium is unveiling their Bio-Facts Station, a hands-on marine biology learning center amid numerous exhibits of aquatic species. Discover amazing creatures from the Turbo Snail and Sexy Shrimp to starfish, urchins, and sea cucumbers! To learn more about their rich & interconnected ecosystems, visit http://www.thelivingplanet.com/.
Ancient Microworlds: Fossils Up Close ~ Utah Museum of Natural History
October 7 through December 31, 2006
Get an up-close look at the brilliance of fossils. UMNH’s Fall Special Exhibit combines large format photographs with objects from their paleontology collection. These captivating photographs reveal intricate microworlds from millions of years ago. Adults and children alike will enjoy exploring microworlds and getting a close look at the world around them. Visit http://www.umnh.utah.edu/museum/Exhibits/featuredExhibit.html for details.
What’s Happening at the Ogden Nature Center?
November – December 2006
Various programs and workshops will be occurring at the Ogden Nature Center. Sign your children up for a “Copper Embossed Leaves” craft workshop or some of their various preschool programs. Also, open and free to everyone, the ONC will be hosting a Holiday Open House at the Nest Gift Shop as well as “Nature Collage” craft with Nancy Grisanti. Visit www.ogdennaturecenter.org for more information.
Community News
And the Silver LEED® Rating Award goes to…
As part of National Energy Awareness Month, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) awarded Kennecott Land and the Jordan School District a LEED Silver rating for the Daybreak Elementary School and Community Center in South Jordan, Utah! The USGBC’s Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design® (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ certifies buildings that take preventative measures to lessen their impact on the environment. Read the complete article.
Did You Know..?
On Tuesday, October 17, at 7:46 a.m., EDT, the population of the US climbed to 300 million (http://www.census.gov/population/www/popclockus.html)... The U.S. is experiencing a net gain of one person every 11 seconds…. World population, too, exhibits an astonishing pattern of growth: …Having reached 6 billion in 1999, human population is growing at a rate of 75 million people annually. (Source: American P.I.E. http://www.AmericanPIE.org)
For more information on the subject of population growth, visit the following websites:
- Utah Population & Environment Coalition http://www.utahpop.org/
- Negative Population Growth http://www.npg.org/
- Population Growth http://www.k12science.org/curriculum/popgrowthproj/ (Teaching Resource)
- Population Connection http://www.populationconnection.org/
Environmental Education News & Events
Local
Project WILD Reaches One Million Teachers!
Wildlife agencies across the country are celebrating the fact that one million educators have gone WILD! The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR) was one of the first agencies in the country to get involved in Project WILD and has offered the training since 1983. Since that time, more than 15,500 educators have completed the training in Utah. Learn more about Project WILD and visit www.wildlife.utah.gov/projectwild.
Developing a Master Naturalist Program: Recommendations for Utah
November 28 & 29, 2006 ~ Salt Lake City & Logan, UT
Join a group discussion with Dr. Martin Main, Associate Professor of Wildlife Ecology from the University of Florida, to learn more about developing a master naturalist program in Utah! Marty developed and manages the Florida Master Naturalist Program, one of the oldest and most successful of this program in the country. If you are interested in participating, or are involved with environmental, land use, or outdoor education programs, you are encouraged to attend these events! Please contact Mark Larese-Casanova for details at (435) 797-8060 or marklc@usu.edu.
Utah Envirothon ~ Get Your Teams Ready Now!! Insert pic: EnvirothonLogo.jpg
May 11-12, 2007 ~ Salt Lake Valley Landfill, UT
The tenth annual Utah Envirothon current issue for 2007 is Alternative/Renewable Energy. This natural resource competition for high school students will test teams of students on their knowledge of the state’s natural resources – soils, aquatics, forestry, wildlife and Alternative/ Renewable Energy. For details, visit www.utahenvirothon.org.
Youth Classes at the Utah Museum of Natural History
Ongoing, Salt Lake City, UT (Saturdays)
Explore science and the natural world in the Museum's Discovery Classes, which cover a wide range of interesting topics through hands-on activities and projects that your children will love! Pre-registration is required no later than three days before the class. Visit http://www.umnh.utah.edu/museum/PublicPrograms/youthClasses.html for details.
NATIONAL
Kudos to Project Learning Tree!
During the North American Association for Environmental Education’s (NAAEE) 35th annual conference in St. Paul, MN, Project Learning Tree (PLT) was presented with the NAAEE Award for Outstanding Service by an Organization at the Global Level.
According to Brian Day, NAAEE's Executive Director, "NAAEE's award pays tribute to PLT's 30 years of dedicated service and outstanding leadership in the field of environmental education, both in the United States and beyond."
PLT began in the early 1970's and is sponsored in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, several U.S. Territories, and eleven other countries. In addition, its curriculum has been translated into seven different languages, and has even been implemented through Peace Corps volunteers worldwide! To read the full article, visit http://www.plt.org/cms/pages/31_41_42.html. For more information regarding the Project Learning Tree Program in Utah, please contact staci@usee.org.
2006 Children's Environmental Health Report
The annual Children's Environmental Health Report highlights the agency's recent efforts to protect the health of children by addressing threats in the environments where they develop, grow, and thrive. Improving school environments, addressing indoor and outdoor air quality, and reducing exposures to chemicals and pesticides are a few of the activities described in the report. Click here to read more: "Children's Environmental Health: 2006 Report; Environment, Health, and a Focus on Children
Educator’s Corner
Professional Development/ Training Opportunities
NSTA Area Conference
December 7-9, 2006 Salt Lake City, UT
The third and final area conference for 2006 is drawing ever closer. Come explore the nature of science, how to use science to teach language literacy and mathematics, and how to put science education research into action. If you haven’t registered, it’s not too late! Visit http://www.nsta.org/saltlakecity for more details or to register!
Environmental Communication for Behavior Change ~ Online
Registration Deadline: December 20, 2006 (course date January 16 - February 25, 2007)
This course provides environmental professionals with a practical introduction to the strategies, methods, and tools of environmental communication that effectively lead to changes in behavior. The field-based skills gained through this course will benefit all practicing environmental professionals faced with the challenge of changing behaviors. For more information, visit http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/del/continuinged/envcommunication.html.
Online Courses Available through UW-Stevens Point
Registration Deadlines: January 5 & 19, 2007
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is offering two online courses “Applied Environmental Education Program Evaluation” and “Fundamentals of Environmental Education,” which were developed in collaboration with EETAP, the FWS National Conservation Training Center, as well as national EE experts. To learn more, visit http://www.uwsp.edu/natres/rwilke/eetap/ or contact Angela Lemar (Angela.Lemar@uwsp.edu).
NSTA Web Seminars
A new series of NSTA Web Seminars is scheduled through March 2007. Topics include nutrition & food safety, the Moon, Mars exploration, plate tectonics, the ocean's role in weather & climate, living and working in space, force & motion, energy, and the International Polar Year! Visit http://institute.nsta.org/web_seminars.asp for details.
Teacher Resources
Energy Hog Website
Learning about energy can be fun when you include energy hogs! Explore the Energy Hog website http://www.energyhog.org/adult/educators.htm! Educators can find free energy education activities & lessons that guide children (grades 3-8) about different energy sources, how we use energy at home, and how to save energy. It covers the areas of Science, Math, Technology, Language Arts and Social Studies, and meets national learning standards.
EPA Kids Club (PreK – 4th grade)
If you are looking for a way to stimulate student learning and get your students recognition for their involvement in environmental projects that benefit their community, visit www.epa.gov/kids to sign-up or find out more about the program!
The Scoop on Soil
National Geospatial Development Center presents these educational pages featuring "The Soil Game," hands-on educational materials, posters, lesson plans, and links to other soil-info resources. Visit http://www.ngdc.wvu.edu/~hferguson/educationNGDC/.
Grants & Awards
aBetterEarth Fall Essay Contest
Deadline: December 1, 2006
Enter aBetterEarth Fall Essay Contest and win between $250 and $2000! Anyfull-time graduate or undergraduate students can submit an insightful, well-reasoned essay that addresses the Endangered Species Act. Visit http://www.abetterearth.org/About/pageID.961/default.asp.
Student Sustainable Design Competition
Deadline: December 21, 2006
The U.S. EPA is looking for cutting-edge technology that could protect the environment while growing the economy through its "People, Prosperity, and the Planet (P3)" program. The agency plans to award up to $1.25 million in grants that enable teams of college students to research, develop, and design these programs. Visit http://es.epa.gov/ncer/p3/ for details.
EE Jobs
AmeriCorps Youth Educator: Wasatch Community Gardens
Deadline: January 12, 2007
Wasatch Community Gardens is looking for an AmeriCorps Youth Educator to be responsible for a variety of tasks such as teaching experiential education classes, assisting with coordinating volunteer projects, gardening, and other miscellaneous duties. To learn more about the position and how you can apply, visit http://www.wasatchgardens.org/jobs.html.
Teach Outdoor Education in Beautiful Southeastern Utah
Canyon Country Outdoor Education based at Arches National Park and The Youth Garden Project are currently recruiting AmeriCorps volunteers to teach outdoor education to 1st – 6th grade students. Visit http://www.usee.org/eeinfo/jobs.html for a more detailed job description or see http://www.youthgardenproject.org for more information on these programs.