Volume 12, Issue 4

April, 2006

Executive Director's Corner: Ali Goulstone Sweeney
(303-273-9527 or director@caee.org)

This Month's Topic: Report from the Environmental Education Advisory Council Meeting

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The Environmental Education Advisory Council met on April 12, 2006 to guide the Alliance through some pretty exciting and important new initiatives. Any member of CAEE is welcome to participate on the Advisory Council, but we recognize that not everyone can make it to a meeting. Please feel free to send me comments or ideas on any of the topics below, and watch your inbox for full meeting minutes.

Audience Assessment - Is CAEE providing what's really needed?
This project was initiated at the Fall 2005 Advisory Council. Since then, CAEE has developed a proposal to conduct a potential and existing audience survey to help make the Alliance as effective as it can be (to see the draft proposal, please contact me). To achieve its goals, CAEE must make strategic decisions about current services to increase their value to members and develop a broad member base that is representative of the broad environmental education field. We hope to get the funding to complete this survey and ask that you all participate when it is available.

EE Advocacy - How do we broaden the support for EE?
This initiative has been going back and forth and getting started and stopped along the way for years. Several recent conversations have focused on funding, building support in formal education, getting political, and creating a common EE message. An exciting new development is that two members of the State Board of Education have proposed a resolution about the importance of environmental education. A committee will meet on May 2, from 4-6 at the CAEE office in Golden to brainstorm ways to broaden support for environmental education and take advantage of this incredible opportunity, especially if the resolution passes. If you're interested in participating in this committee, please contact us.

Inclusive Environment - Is EE inclusive?
We are just beginning the discussion, and this broad initiative focuses on systemic issues that will take years to transform. The idea behind an inclusive view of the environment is that the "environment" consists of far more than natural systems and protected landscapes. A more comprehensive view of the environment includes cities, businesses, industry, and agriculture, and links diverse groups including public health, industry, faith communities, government, environmental justice, poverty, sustainability, and more. Environmental topics and issues are so complex that coordination and communication across many sectors will be vital to making lasting progress in environmental education. CAEE has begun to address these questions through inclusiveness roundtables - the next meeting will be May 10th from 3-5 pm at the Denver Zoo (please contact CAEE to RSVP).

Many thanks to everyone who shared their insights at the meeting, and for everyone who volunteers their time and energy toward the greater good of CAEE. The Alliance is our connection to each other, and together we are stronger!

Master Plan Connection:
Be a part of the Colorado EE Master Plan! These initiatives are supported by the Colorado Environmental Education Master Plan, Goal III Promotion, Goal IV Formal Education, Goal V Diversity, Goal VII Systemic EE. Check it out at http://www.caee.org/master.html.

CAEE's Annual Member and Volunteer Appreciation BarbEEque

We'll provide the BBQ (meat and veggie), plus all the fixins, sides, and beverages. This is an informal opportunity to meet new environmental educators, re-new old friendships, exchange news, or find out what's happening in EE! Bring a new co-worker to meet the EE network! Your family is also welcome!

Bulletin Board

Upcoming Events, Workshops, Classes, etc.

Visit www.caee.org/calendar.html for an online listing of upcoming events!

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Online Courses from the Environmental Education and Training Partnership and University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
- Applied EE Program Evaluation, June 12 - August 25 and September 18 - December 1. This course is designed to assist environmental educators and natural resource professionals in evaluating their education programs.
- Fundamentals of EE, September 11 - November 17. Online course about the fundamentals of environmental education, appropriate for both classroom teachers and for non-formal educators who work with students and/or teachers.
For both courses, all participants are eligible for the in-state tuition rate, may obtain 3 undergrad or grad credits per course from the Univ. of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, or may take the courses as non-credit workshops. Contact Angela Arkin: Angela.Arkin@uwsp.edu. Info at http://eetap.org/html/online_ee_courses.php

Second Annual Teaching Evolution: Meeting the Challenge Workshop, June 12, 8am-5pm. At the University of Colorado at Boulder - Ramaley Biology building. The event will feature a full day of lectures, discussions, workshops, and panels. For science educators and administrators from all levels and settings. Participation in the event is free, but advance registration is required by June 1. Attendance is capped at 200 and is filling up fast! Space is available for additional presentations; contact sarah.wise@colorado.edu. For more information and to register, go to: http://www.colorado.edu/eeb/EEBprojects/teaching/index.html

EE & Diversity Facilitator Workshop. June 21-25, 2006 in Austin, Texas. Application deadline: May 12. The workshop introduces participants to the methods and strategies needed to facilitate diversity workshops for environmental educators, including how to lead a case discussion, use open-ended questions, and develop inclusive practices that users can apply in professional and volunteer settings. An excellent professional development opportunity for environmental educators and others in related fields such as environmental justice, health and sustainable development. EETAP will cover most workshop expenses. For more details, a self-assessment questionnaire (that will help you determine if you have the qualities needed to facilitate diversity workshops), and application please contact Sharon Buzza by email sbuzza@uwsp.edu. Put "Request for EE and Diversity Facilitator Workshop Information" in the subject line of your message.

Mountain Park Environmental Center Summer Classes.
- Greenhorn Wilderness Intro-to-Backpacking, July 12 - 14.
- Women of the Wilderness, July 24 - 26.
- Alpine Flora in the Greenhorn Wilderness! August 5- 6.
Teachers can receive re-certification credits. MPEC is in Beulah (25 miles west of Pueblo). Visit www.hikeandlearn.org or call (719) 485-4444 for more information or to register!

River Watch Trainings
- Aug 15-17, Division of Wildlife Headquarters in Denver. $35/person, registration deadline: July 20
- Oct 17-20, Camp Cedaredge, southeast of Grand Junction. $60 / person (includes all meals and lodging), registration deadline: September 25
River Watch is a statewide volunteer water quality-monitoring program operated by the non profit 501(c)3 Colorado Watershed Network in cooperation with the Colorado Division of Wildlife. River Watch works with voluntary stewards to monitor water quality and other indicators of watershed health, and utilizes this high quality data to educate citizens and inform decision makers about the condition of Colorado's waters. Continuing education credits (up to 4) will be available from the Colorado School of Mines at an additional cost. Contact: Curtis Hartenstine at curtis.hartenstine@state.co.us or at (303) 291-7412.

Nonpoint Source Forum, "Beyond Brochures" with Doug McKenzie-Mohr, September 6 or 7 (choice of days). Most people know that to protect the environment they should recycle more, water their lawns less, get out of the car and take a multitude of other steps to reduce their ecological footprint. But as often as not, the actions people take are not consistent with what they know to be true about the state of the environment. In fact, research demonstrates that simply providing information usually has little or no effect on what people do. Over the last several years, a new approach -- community-based social marketing -- has emerged as an effective alternative for delivering programs to change environmental behavior. This full-day workshop introduces community-based social marketing and provides participants with the knowledge they need to deliver effective programs. Cost: $100. Info and registration at http://www.npscolorado.com/Forum2006.html

Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory Education and Bird Banding Stations. Families, classrooms, scout troops, home-schoolers, and adult groups are invited to get close to migratory songbirds by taking part in a migration station field program. Educators will lead a short hike to the banding station while teaching about the ecology of stopover habitat. While researchers handle birds captured harmlessly in nets, learn about bird banding, bird adaptation, migration, and the challenges these birds face during their journey.
- Environmental Learning Center - Fort Collins, Spring 2006. Contact: Shelly Morrell, 970-482-1707.
- Chico Basin Ranch - Hanover, Spring 2006. Contact: Pat Grove, 719-227-5203. Info at: http://www.chicobasinranch.com/
- Audubon Center at Chatfield -Littleton, Spring 2006. Call ahead for reservations, 303-973-9530.
- Barr Lake State Park, Fall 2006. Contact: Amanda.Morrison@rmbo.org or 303-659-4348 ext. 6#.
- Audubon Society's Ela Wildlife Sanctuary - Grand Junction, Fall 2006- early September. Contact Stan Johnson at 970-255-6191.

Career

Note: these announcements are only position highlights and are not intended to be all-inclusive.

NAAEE/EE-Link offers a jobs database service for EE job seekers or employers seeking EE staff.

To view job postings, visit: eelink.net/eejobsdatabase.html

To submit a job to the database: eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/add_job.cgi

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Roxborough State Park - Visitor Center Supervisor. Provide a variety of direct information services and facilities to park visitors in the Visitor Center. Manage a variety of Visitor Center programs including book sales, public meeting space, and automated informational systems. Act as administrative assistant to full-time park staff. Support Volunteer Naturalists and Friends programs. Assist with interpretive exhibits. $9.25/hr. Applications accepted anytime for upcoming openings. Contact: Angel Tobin, 303.973.3959.

Wonders of Wildlife Camp, Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory - Camp Assistant Educator. This day camp brings children and nature together through outdoor exploration, hands-on activities and local field trips. Camp runs 4 days/week for a 4 week period, from June 26 - July 27th for ages 7 to 12 in Brighton. Assist Camp Director in preparing activities, leading field trips, and supervising children in outdoor natural settings. Prefer some knowledge of, or strong interest in, ecology and nature. Must have Child CPR and First Aid prior to first day working with children. Must be willing to drive a minivan holding up to 7 persons and must have clean driving record. Available to begin work June 19th and end August 4th, 26-30 hours per week, Monday through Thursday, pay depends on experience. Must be over 18. Contact: Amanda Morrison, 303-659-4348 ext 6# or amanda.morrison@rmbo.org.

Denver Zoo - Summer Safari 2006 Day Camp Instructor. Open Until Filled. Seasonal positions, Monday through Friday, May 22 - August 15. 40 hours/week, with hours varying between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. depending on staffing needs. $9/hour. Contact: Leslye Bilyeu, Human Resources Denver Zoo / Summer Safari Positions, 2300 Steele Street, Denver, CO 80205-4899. Fax: 303-376-6717

Mountain Park Environmental Center - Outdoor Educator Internship. Assist with co-ed summer programs at the City of Pueblo Mountain Park, located on the east slope of the Wet Mountains. Work with boys & girls entering 3rd through 9th grades facilitating day camps and backpacking programs: hiking, nature games, ecology studies, Leave-No-Trace camping techniques, survival skills… Responsibilities include: ride with campers in bus to and from Beulah, co-conduct day's activities with campers. Day Camps - Mondays through Fridays only. Overnights for backpacking only. For complete information visit: www.hikeandlearn.org or call or email Jeff Thompson at (719) 485 - 4444; rangerjeff@fone.net

Colorado State Parks - Volunteer Program Assistant. Seasonal 6-month position provides assistance to the statewide Volunteer Program and staff. The overall focus is to help with the continued efforts to grow and enhance the statewide volunteer efforts. Applications will be accepted and interviews scheduled immediately. Contact: Faye Koeltzow, Volunteer Program Manager, faye.koeltzow@state.co.us, Fax: (303) 866-3206

Grants and Awards

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Braitmayer Foundation K-12 Education Grants. Deadline: June 1 and November 15. The Braitmayer Foundation offers grants of up to $10,000 to fund a broad range of K-12 education programs with curricular reform initiatives and professional development opportunities for teachers. http://www.braitmayerfoundation.org/guid.htm

Resources

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FOUR NEW ARTICLES HIGHLIGHT EE WORK
The Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP) has completed four new articles on key initiatives in environmental education. Each highlights work by EETAP, its partners, and others in related areas within EE.

Leading the Way to Environmental Literacy and Quality: National Guidelines for Environmental Education (be sure to check out the highlight on CAEE!)
http://naaee.org/pages/publications/eetap_newpubs.html#1

EE Certification: Making Best Practice Standard Practice
http://naaee.org/pages/publications/eetap_newpubs.html#2

Distance Education: A User Friendly Learning Option
http://naaee.org/pages/publications/eetap_newpubs.html#3

The Roots of Environmental Education: How the Past Supports the Future
http://naaee.org/pages/publications/eetap_newpubs.html#4

Opportunities for Youth

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Keystone International Camp, "Integrating Language, Culture and Science into an Interactive Field Science Experience." August 1-8, 2006. In partnership with Keystone Science School and Colorado International School. Using Jane Goodall Institute's Roots & Shoots philosophies, Keystone International Camp will bring science alive while integrating language into all aspects of the week. Learn Spanish, French, Russian or Mandarin Chinese while exploring the waters, rocks and forest of the Rocky Mountains. Campers (8-13 years old) will take a mine tour, sleep under the stars, take a night hike, raft the Arkansas River, and explore the forest along side creative and innovative instructional staff. Regular price: $925. Space is limited, so call soon!! 800-215-5585

Ridge to River: A Backcountry Mountain Adventure, July 16-22, 2006. Application Deadline: May 26. Experience all the Rockies have to offer with this weeklong overnight program for students entering grades 10-12. Rock climb, backpack, and raft in the spectacular setting of Colorado's Rocky Mountain wilderness (near Vail) while building leadership, teamwork, Leave No Trace, survival, and backcountry camping skills. The course will also introduce natural history topics including edible and medicinal plants, mountain weather systems, river patterns, and geology for rock-climbing. The program includes a day of rock-climbing, a four-day backpacking trip with a peak ascent, and a half-day float trip on the Colorado River. Students will camp for the first five nights; on the sixth night, they will celebrate their successes with a stay at a backcountry hut. Space is limited and students will be selected through a brief application process. Cost: $50. Contact: Julie Shapiro at (970) 827-9725 ext. 17 or email: julies@gorerange.org. Info at: www.gorerange.org.

Posting of resources or events does not constitute endorsement of those materials or activities by the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education or sponsors of CAEE.

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