Volume 12, Issue 2

February, 2006

Executive Director's Corner: Ali Goulstone Sweeney

This Month's Topic: Diversity and Inclusiveness

CAEE is embarking on a new project to help meet some of the diversity initiatives in the Colorado Environmental Education Master Plan (see http://www.caee.org/master.html). Goal 5 of the Master Plan is simply stated as, "increase and broaden the diversity of EE audiences, providers, and programs" yet, we recognize this isn't as easy as it is stated.

As with any new project, we felt we needed to start at the beginning -with conversation and dialogue. So, recently a group of 20+ environmental educators gathered in Denver for a Diversity and Inclusiveness Roundtable. Stacie Gilmore, and her crew from Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK), led small group discussions around how our work brings out issues of diversity, and how these issues impact our work; how we can be allies as questions of diversity arise; and if our organizations are inclusive and encouraging the kind of diversity that adds value to our profession. Some starting definitions from The Denver Foundation, Inclusiveness at Work, were presented:

Diversity: describes one aspect of inclusiveness: the extent to which an organization has people from diverse backgrounds or communities involved as board members, staff, or volunteers.

Inclusive: organizations have diverse individuals involved and are learning organizations that value the perspectives and contributions of all people, and they incorporate the needs, assets, and viewpoints of diverse communities into the design and implementation of universal and inclusive programs.

Our conversation centered on moving from diversity to inclusiveness. What do you think? Have you thought about what may be different in an inclusive organization or program versus a diverse one? How well do you know your audience or other members of your organization? What do we need to pay attention to so that as questions of diversity arise we can be an ally to our participants and stakeholders? How are you working to build diversity and inclusiveness, and in what focus areas (culture, age, gender, physical ability, many, many others)?

CAEE will be hosting quarterly roundtables to get to the heart of these questions, so watch for additional opportunities to join in the conversation. In the meantime, we'd like to broaden the discussion, so please think about and add your perspective to the discussion board at http://www.caee.org/discussion/index.php. If you have other suggestions on how CAEE can better serve you in the area of diversity and inclusiveness, please contact me at director@caee.org or 303-273-9527 (one idea from the roundtable was to build a diversity corner of the website with resources and tools).

Additional Sources of Information from The Denver Foundation: Research study: Inside Inclusiveness: Race, Ethnicity, and Nonprofit Organizations, The Denver Foundation, July 2003. Access: http://www.denverfoundation.org/page18188.cfm

Inclusiveness at Work, The Denver Foundation, 2005.

Environmental-Ed Listserv
In the Spotlight

This month, we're highlighting CAEE's email listserv - an easy to use tool with a lot of potential to boost communication among EE providers and beyond! For new and experienced listserv subscribers alike, here are a few simple tips for making the most of the Environmental-Ed listserv

About the Listserv
The Environmental-Ed listserv is a group email communication tool for environmental education professionals, students, job-seekers, or anyone interested in joining the EE discussion. EE-InfoLink newsletter subscribers are not automatically subscribed to the Environmental-Ed listserv - if you have a question about whether or not you are already subscribed, please contact CAEE at info@caee.org. By subscribing your email address to the listserv, you will receive all messages as they are sent to the listserv. You can also send messages directly to the entire list of subscribers, just by addressing your message to the listserv.

Managing Your Subscription
To subscribe to the Environmental-Ed listserv, simply send a blank email to environmental-ed-subscribe@caee.org. Likewise, if you'd like to remove your email account from the listserv, send a blank email to environmental-ed-unsubscribe@caee.org.

Sending Announcements
The Environmental-Ed listserv is not moderated, which means that, once you have subscribed, you are welcome to send relevant EE-related announcements directly to all listserv subscribers. Common announcements include job postings, upcoming classes and workshops, grant RFPs, and recommendations for interesting books, articles, and websites. To send email announcements to the listserv, address your message to environmental-ed@caee.org.

Listserv Etiquette
Please do not send messages intended for one person or a few individuals. When replying to an email that you received through the listserv, please be sure that you are only replying to the original sender - not the listserv itself! And it goes without saying, but please do not send inappropriate, offensive, or disrespectful emails.

For more information, or to view an archive of previous listserv announcements, visit http://www.caee.org/chat.html.

Bulletin Board

Upcoming Events, Workshops, Classes, etc.

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

PROJECT LEARNING TREE FIRE WORKSHOP, Salida. March 11, 9:00am-5:00pm at Bongo Billy's Salida Cafe! For educators, home school parents, youth group leaders. Cost: $25 ($15 to be refunded at workshop). Optional 1/2 credit from CSM: $34. Take home Elem. and/or HS PLT guides with activities that teach about forest and fire ecology, plus Burning Issues CD, additional posters and videos. Contact: Jill Rolak, 719-539-3983, jmrolak@hotmail.com

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP, OUTING AND SHOW, Colorado Springs (Beidleman Environmental Center and Starsmore Discovery Center). Learn how to take great waterscape and winter photos. Workshop: March 8, 6:30pm-9pm. Outing: March 11, 8am-12pm. Class Photo Show and Editing Advice Night: March 16, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Cost: $60 Catamount Institute members, $75 non-members. For just the outing: $20 members, $25 non-members. Register by March 6, 719-471-0910 x103, programs@catamountinstitute.org

PROJECT WET - DISCOVER A WATERSHED WORKSHOP. April 1st, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Arches National Park Visitor Center, Moab, Utah. FREE, 8-hour teacher training workshop focused on the Colorado River Watershed for any teacher/educator/interpreter working with grades 5-12. Contact: Carrie Nuoffer (435) 587-2737 or Carrie_Nuoffer@nps.gov

ROCKY MOUNTAIN BIRD OBSERVATORY PROGRAMS HawkWatch at Dinosaur Ridge near Morrison-Mar. 15- May 7 Bald Eagle Watch at Barr Lake State Park-Mar. 15- June 9 Nests & Niches at Barr Lake State Park-Mar. 15- June 9 Education and Bird Banding Stations at Barr Lake State Park-Apr. 17- May 26 To schedule group program of above activities, contact Amanda.Morrison@rmbo.org

FIELD SEMINARS IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK. Photography, natural and cultural history, artistic techniques and kids’ classes are available this summer. Classes range from half-day to multi-day experiences. All are eligible for teacher recertification credit, many are available for undergraduate or graduate credit through CSU. Course descriptions, instructor biographies and registration information at www.rmna.org. Contact: email fieldseminars@rmna.org or call 970-586-0108.

CU SCIENCE DISCOVERY WILDERNESS CAMPS. Summer Classes – Ages 4-14. Fun, Informative Hands-on Learning. Contacts: Marion Read 303-735-0239, Deb Kulcsar 303-735-6628. Register before May 15. http://www.colorado.edu/sciencediscovery/camps/index.html

AP ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE (APES) INSTITUTE at the University of Northern Colorado. June 19-23. http://ap.unco.edu. Involve yourself in the AP Environmental Science Institute to develop or expand an effective APES Program. Institute includes discussion of Urban vs. Rural environmental science and a field trip to Grassland Environmental Center. Spend a day/night in Rocky Mountain National Park, discuss environmental issues facing our wilderness areas and our own backyards. Expand your knowledge of the APES program and content requirements. Review sample APES exams and test taking skills. Share your instructional strategies and acquire new ones. Co-Directors: Richard Jurin and Angela Morrow-Baker, Environmental Studies: (970) 351-2510 or 351-2220 email: richard.jurin@unco.edu or angela.morrow@unco.edu

For more teacher workshops, visit the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s Education website at http://wildlife.state.co.us/Education/TeacherResources/Workshops/WorkshopsCalendar.htm

NATIONAL EE WEEK IS COMING UP APRIL 16-22, 2006! Sign-up to be a partner in this full week of educational preparedness for Earth Day involving thousands of educators and millions of students. Visit http://www.eeweek.org to sign up (partnership is free).

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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

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES - DIVISION OF WILDLIFE, SOUTHWEST REGION EDUCATION SPECIALIST, Durango. Deadline: March 3. Full-Time $3306-5057 per month. This position develops regional policies and guidelines related to the Division of Wildlife (DOW) education efforts in the Southwest Region; directs the region's education efforts to accomplish the DOW long range plan goals and strategic plan goals; develops strategies, plans, curriculum, and programs for the use of DOW staff and others to enable them to better provide wildlife education to youth and adults throughout Colorado. Complete job announcement and application instructions at: http://www.gssa.state.co.us/announce/job%20announcements.nsf/5a50e7ae62411f9e872564db004c6ce2/ebef2dd1d8296dc08725711400757109?OpenDocument. Contact: Joyelle Maddux, Department of Natural Resources Human Resources Office (303) 866-2667.

ALLIANCE FOR SUSTAINABLE COLORADO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. The Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2004 to advance environmental, economic and social sustainability in Colorado through building broad support among individuals, non-profit organizations, businesses and government. The Alliance achieves its mission through outreach and public policy programs, administration of the Colorado Alliance of Sustainable Business Associations (CASBA), and the Building Colorado Coalition. One of our key tools to build collaboration is The Alliance Center, a 38,000 sq. ft. office building in lower downtown Denver that currently houses 28 non-profit organizations. Send cover letter, resume and salary requirements by email with EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SEARCH in subject line to jsix@alliancecenter.org before March 15, 2006. Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, 1536 Wynkoop St. Suite B500, Denver, CO 80202. www.allianceforcolorado.org

JEFFERSON COUNTY OPEN SPACE - LOOKOUT MTN. NATURE CENTER, SEASONAL NATURALIST. Applications accepted until positions are filled. Two positions, one 26 week and one 30 week. Wednesday-Sunday, 40 hpw with some evenings and 8+ hour days. Greet visitors, provide information, interpretive and educational tours, programs, and other services for visitors to Lookout Mountain Nature Center and other Jefferson County Open Space Parks. Responsible for leading the Nature Center operations on weekends. Minimum two years college course work in environmental interpretation/education, natural history, biology, recreation resource administration, or closely related field, and six months experience leading interpretive programs for children/adults. Current first aid and CPR certifications required by second week after hire. Telephone (303) 271-8400 Fax Line (303) 271-8411. E-Mail: msvoboda@jeffco.us ~ http://jeffco.us

GORE RANGE NATURAL SCIENCE SCHOOL: COMMUNITY PROGRAMS DIRECTOR, LEAD SEASONAL INTERPRETER, AND SUMMER NATURALISTS. For more information about these positions please visit www.gorerange.org. To apply send a cover letter, resume, and three references to Kim Langmaid, GRNSS, P.O. Box 9469 Avon, CO 81620 or email kiml@gorerange.org.

AVID4ADVENTURE, SCHOOL PROGRAM AND DAY CAMP OUTDOOR EDUCATORS, Boulder. Start in April or in June. Provide activities that develop students' judgment, personal responsibility, self-esteem and confidence. Create a group setting that provides teambuilding and new opportunities for social development. Enhance environmental understanding and stewardship. Increase physical and outdoor skills. Introduce students to non-competitive active outdoor lifestyle pursuits. Open until all positions are filled. Info at www.Avid4.com click on CONTACT, or email info@Avid4.com or call 720-249-2412

THORNE NATURAL SCIENCE SCHOOL AT WATERTON CANYON (TNSS), 2006 SUMMER SEASON INSTRUCTORS. Looking for instructors who are experienced in environmental education, biology, ecology, and/or geology and enjoy hiking, exploring, biking, or nature photography with children and young adults. All teachers are required to be on site from 8:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., Monday through Friday. Salary starts at $300 per week. TNSS Teachers are required to attend 9 hour training and have up-to-date CPR, first aid, medication administration certification, and universal precautions training. To apply, send your cover letter and resume to kelly@thorne-eco.org or by mail to Thorne Ecological Institute at Waterton Canyon, 11250 Waterton Road, Littleton, CO 80125.

MOUNTAIN PARK ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, OUTDOOR EDUCATOR INTERNSHIP, Beulah. Assist with summer programs at the City of Pueblo Mountain Park, 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 - Monday-Friday. Overnights for backpacking only. Minimum age: 19. Will accommodate necessities for college credit. Stipend included. Contact: Jeff Thompson, rangerjeff@fone.net, (719) 485 – 4444, www.hikeandlearn.org.

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Grants and Awards

STARBUCKS FOUNDATION GRANTS. Letters of Inquiry are reviewed twice per year during two periods: February 1st - March 1st and August 1st - September 1st. Starbucks Giving Voice Grant funds programs for youth that integrate literacy with personal and civic action in the communities where they live. Grants range from $5,000-$20,000. http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/grantinfo.asp

BROWER YOUTH AWARDS. Deadline: April 15. An annual national award that recognizes six young people for their outstanding activism and achievements in the fields of environmental and social justice advocacy. The winners of the award receive $3000, a trip to California for the award ceremony and Yosemite camping trip, and ongoing access to resources and opportunities to further their work at Earth Island Institute. For young leaders ages 13 to 22 as of July 1, 2006. Contact: Jason Salfi, Earth Island Institute, 415-788-3666 x 144, jasonsalfi@earthisland.org. www.earthisland.org

COMMUNITY-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION INITIATIVE. The National Wildlife Refuge System's The Nature of Learning community-based environmental education initiative seeks to: use National Wildlife Refuges as outdoor classrooms to promote a greater understanding of local conservation issues; encourage an interdisciplinary approach to learning that seeks to enhance student academic achievement; utilize field experiences and student-led stewardship projects to connect classroom lessons to real world issues; and involve a partnership among local schools, community groups, natural resource professionals and local businesses. Maximum Award: $5,000. Eligibility: schools or non-profit organizations. Deadline: April 17. http://www.nfwf.org/programs/tnol.cfm

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E-mail: info@caee.org

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