Volume 12, Issue 5

May, 2006

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

This Month's Topic: Teaching OUTSIDE the Box 2006

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At this year's conference I heard several say, "best year yet" which of course brings a smile to my heart not only because the very first conference in 2001 was where I first found CAEE, but because I know how hard the conference team works to create the very best conference year after year after year.

This year, the conference team tried something new with the opening ceremony. Certainly the opening has always been designed to start the conference off with a tone of high energy, and this year they took it to a whole other level. The opening was conducted by Peak Rhythms, a group that uses rhythm to empower and unite. Each and every one of the 200 people at the conference had an instrument, and even those who didn't think they had any rhythm soon found themselves playing along. A few folks kept the basic beat, and everyone else added in their own sounds. For those of you who weren't there this probably sounds like a horrible noise, but those of you who were there are smiling because you know it was incredible. Jon from Peak Rhythms stopped the drumming every once in a while to ask what people were thinking or feeling. People were sharing thoughts like - energized, sense of community, togetherness, meditative, forceful, team, smiling, happy, part of something bigger, one even exclaimed he was now a drumaholic.

It was an incredible metaphor for CAEE. It was fantastic to look across the room and see the faces that I see all of the time, the faces I only get to see at the conference, and all of the new faces and know that our Alliance is growing. I watched and was inspired to see so many members of the Alliance in the same place, drumming to their own beat, yet playing the same song. I knew that all of those folks, just like I did at the very first conference, had found a place where their work is fully supported, where the other people have the same struggles, and where you can be a part of something more than you can be on your own.

That night set the tone for an incredible weekend of learning (and a little fun). If you missed it, don't worry the conference committee will cook up something wonderful for next year. Many many thanks to the conference team for donating so much time to make the conference the place to be for professional development in Colorado.

Conference Team:

CAEE Welcomes Summer Intern

CAEE is very excited to welcome Saba Siddiki to our office this June for a summer internship, part of her Masters Degree work at the University of Denver in International Development and Environmental and Sustainable Development. Saba will be working on several of our ongoing projects, so look for her emails (from admin@caee.org) or introduce yourself at a meeting!

Bulletin Board

Upcoming Workshops, Classes, etc.

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

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25TH TEACHER'S CONSERVATION WORKSHOP - June 12-15, Cortez. Join the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts and Project Learning Tree's Fire Ecology Institute to learn about important conservation issues in a special workshop located at the heart of Colorado's historical and legendary Native Southwest. Venture off the beaten path with agency professionals to explore and participate in hands-on learning. Enrich your understanding of essential conservation practices and fire ecology. Effectively & easily integrate information into the classroom. Implement Colorado State Education Guidelines for social studies, science and artistic techniques. Cost: $250 (includes: lodging, meals & workshop). 2 credits available from either Colorado School of Mines or Mesa State College. Location: Kelly Place (http://www.kellyplace.com/). Contact the CACD office at 970-248-0070 for information and registration. Space is limited. Register Now!!

2006 CFWE TOUR: SOUTH PLATTE AND ARKANSAS RIVER HEADWATERS - June 16-17. See a high altitude portion of Colorado on the 2006 CFWE river tour. Members of the Legislative Interim Water Committee will join a diverse group of participants, including water professionals, educators and policy makers, for the journey. Expect lively discussions, a raft of information, breathtaking scenery and opportunities for networking. Visit http://www.cfwe.org/2006Tour/2006TourHome.asp for more information. Contact: Karla A. Brown, Executive Director, Colorado Foundation for Water Education, karlab@cfwe.org or 303-377-4433

FIELD TRIP TO PORCUPINE CAVE, CENTRAL COLORADO - June 25. Porcupine Cave is at an elevation of 9,500 feet (2900 m) on the edge of a large intermontane basin within the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Porcupine Cave with its outstanding geological, paleontological and biological resources is a world-class site. The field trip will start and end in the South Park town of Hartsel, Colorado. No collecting will be permitted on this trip. There is no cost for the field trip. Participation is limited. For further information and to register please contact: Steven Veatch at sgeoveatch@att.net. Please mention that you are a member of CAEE. Trip registration confirmation, details on the time, place to meet, and additional details will be sent.

EPA REGION 8 PRESENTS: A GRANT WORKSHOP - June 28. EPA Conference Center, Denver, 999 18th Street. Hosted by Environmental Justice Program, in collaboration with Environmental Education Program, Community Action for a Renewed Environment Grant Program, Brownfields Program, Grants Office, Indoor Air Program, Lead Program, Targeted Watershed Program, Source Reduction Assistance, Resource Conservation Funding Program, OSWER Innovation Pilot, Strategic Agriculture Initiative and the Air Toxics Program. Please check website for agenda and registration information: www.epa.gov/region8. Explore various aspects of competitive grant writing, get administrative grant information, and learn what grants are available at EPA. Contacts: Jean Belille at 303-312-6556 or Nancy Reish at 303-312-6010.

GEOSCIENCE ADVENTURE CLASS - FIELD STUDIES IN PALEONTOLOGY: EXPLORING THE SHELF ROAD FROM CRIPPLE CREEK TO GARDEN PARK - July 15. 8:30 to 5:30 pm. Starting at the June Hack Community Center in Cripple Creek, this outdoor-based class offers an unsurpassed opportunity to explore the geological and paleontological wonders along the Shelf Road. This class is perfect for teachers K-12 (recertification credits: 0.5 semester credit hour available through the Colorado School of Mines for additional fee ($30.00) payable at start of the class). Fee: $55.00, includes admission to the Dinosaur Depot in Cañon City, expedition notebook, field guide, a digital database to record your fossil collection in, and transportation from Cripple Creek to field sites. Register: Call Cripple Creek Park and Recreation at 719-689-3514 today. This class will fill quickly. Please bring a sack lunch to enjoy.

SUMMER FIELD-CAMP COURSE: COLORADO ECOSYSTEM FIELD STUDIES. July 19- Aug 3 (includes 2 days off). At the spectacular, 1,200-acre Cal-Wood Education Center, near Jamestown, Colorado (1/2 hr NW of Boulder). Investigate & analyze the fundamental components of Colorado's diverse & dynamic ecosystems. For more info contact, Steve Johnson, Course Director, steve@calwood.org, (303) 859-0173. www.calwood.org. Class size is limited to 12 students so register early to reserve your space. Earn 3 undergraduate credits through the University of Colorado at Boulder Environmental Studies Department (additional $150). Cost: $975, includes food, camping fees, group/field equipment & use of Cal-Wood Lodge for showers, computer, phone, library. Students provide own tent & sleeping bag.

HANDS ON HERPETOLOGY - SURVEYING COLORADO'S AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES - June 22-23. Greeley and Pawnee National Grasslands. This workshop is perfect for the teacher wanting to get their students to the local natural area or schoolyard habitat to collect meaningful data that will be put to use! The DOW's Herpetofaunal Atlas is looking for classes and volunteers to report sightings of reptiles and amphibians. Intended for teachers of grades 5-12, you'll learn identification, safe handling, preparing your class using hands on activities, and how to enter data. We'll do an evening survey for reptiles, a transect for frogs (listening for calls), trapping turtles and tadpoles, and a morning survey for all species. Deadline to register is June 9! Contact: Lisa Evans - 970-472-4343.

WILDLIFE DISEASES: A WILD II WORKSHOP - July 10-11. 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Ft. Collins Natural Areas Office, CSU Microbiology Lab, and Field Sites in Ft. Collins and Red Feather Lakes. For Teachers of Grades 5-12. Bring the science standards to life with the study of wildlife diseases in Colorado! Take part in in-depth study of 3 major wildlife diseases (Chronic Wasting Disease, West Nile Virus, and Whirling Disease). Activities you can do with your students will be incorporated throughout the workshop. Participate in field work with biologists from the CDOW, CDC, and the CSU microbiology lab. Travel to Parvin whirling disease research facility in Red Feather Lakes. Trap mosquitoes and follow up with lab work at CSU. Cost: $10. 1 grad credit available from CSU ($50). Registration deadline: June 30. Contact: Lisa Evans - 970-472-4343.

GATHERING AT THE HEADWATERS: BUILDING EE IN SOCIETY. NAAEE goes to St. Paul, Minnesota in 2006. Mark your calendars - the 35th NAAEE Annual Conference will be held October 10-14. Registration begins in May at http://www.naaee.org.

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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CAL-WOOD EDUCATION CENTER, FIELD INSTRUCTOR. Closing date: May 31. One Field Instructor is responsible for 10-15 students during a school's entire visit (1-5 days). Instructors will design, teach, and evaluate conservation education programs for students of all ages in accordance with the Colorado Academic Content Standards. Instructors will use "sheltered" teaching techniques to involve second language learners. Includes a maximum of 2 evening programs per week, and meal organization duties. High level of personal motivation for continued learning, personal responsibility for individual projects, and flexible lifestyle to meet the demands of a dynamic residential work schedule. Bachelor's degree in related field (science, natural resource management, education, or outdoor education). Two years experience in education, ability to pass background checks, basic first aid and CPR are required. Spanish fluency is a benefit. Need: 3 on-site Instructors, and 1 Instructor to live off-site. Info at www.calwood.org. Availability/Job Start Date: August 7, 2006. If interested, email cover letter and resume to Megan at megan@calwood.org.

THORNE ECOLOGICAL INSTITUTE, DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR. Deadline: June 9. Thorne Ecological Institute is searching for an experienced, full time Development Director (DD) to raise annual operating and endowment funds for the organization. Estimated 2007 budget is $500,000 and an endowment campaign goal of $10 million has been set by the Board of Directors. The DD will manage all components of Thorne Ecological Institute's fundraising activities including individual, corporate, foundation, government, and in kind contributions. The DD reports to the Executive Director and works closely with a committed team of fundraising volunteers. To apply please send a hard copy (no e-mails or faxes) cover letter and resume to Thorne Ecological Institute, 1466 North 63rd Street, Boulder, Colorado 80308. Please, no phone calls. You may email questions about the position to Jessica@thorne-eco.org.

W.I.N.-W.I.N., ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR. Deadline: June 16. The Wonders in Nature - Wonders in Neighborhoods (W.I.N.-W.I.N.) Program is seeking a full-time environmental educator for a program servicing urban elementary school students. Managed by the Denver Zoo, this collaborative partnership program is intended to inspire participants with a sense of wonder for nature, to foster an appreciation for the interconnectedness of humans, wildlife, and habitat, and to promote the conservation of natural resources through a variety of wildlife-related learning experiences. For more information, contact Matt Herbert at mherbert@denverzoo.org

SUMMER JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERPRETERS. Thousand Trails Management Services, Inc. has openings for interpreters to provide programs at 16 different campgrounds in the Arapaho/Roosevelt National Forest and White River National Forest in Colorado. For more information about our unique job opportunities contact: Greg & Yvonne Burton, National Interpretive Program Coordinators, Thousand Trails Management Services, Inc., P.O. Box 4251,Frisco, CO 80443; 970-389-8865 or burtcoug@psnw.com.

Grants and Awards

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EPA REGION 8 ANNUAL EXTERNAL AWARDS PROGRAM. Deadline: July 12. This program recognizes individuals and groups that have made exceptional contributions to improving the environment. Visit http://www.epa.gov/region8/awards.html to view the award criteria and eligibility. Contacts: Tim Davis (303) 312-6531, External Awards Board Information Technology Assistance, or Randy Brown (303) 312-6048, External Awards Board Chairperson.

EDITH STEVENS GROUNDWATER EDUCATOR AWARD. Deadline: July 14. Award to recognize educators who understand the importance of groundwater, motivate others to protect groundwater, and lead by personal example. Anyone actively involved with the implementation and delivery of groundwater education programs is eligible. http://www.groundwater.org/aw/edithabout.html

CAPTAIN PLANET FOUNDATION FUNDING FOR YOUTH ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS. The mission of the Captain Planet Foundation is to fund and support hands-on environmental projects for children and youth. Through environmental education, the foundation believes that children can achieve a better understanding and appreciation of the world in which they live. The foundation offers small grants of $500 or less, as well as a limited number of grant awards ranging from $500 to $2,500 each. Applicants must be at least 18 years old to submit a proposal. Deadlines are June 30, September 30, December 31, and March 31. Grant proposals are reviewed over three months. Visit http://www.captainplanetfdn.org/ for complete program information and guidelines.

RECOGNIZING LEADERS. NAAEE will be announcing the Call for Nominations for the prestigious NAAEE Awards on the Web site during the week of May 24th. http://naaee.org/pages/members/profiles.html

Community Events

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THE FRIENDS OF DINOSAUR RIDGE - DINOSAUR DISCOVERY DAY - June 3. 9:00AM-3:00PM. West Alameda Parkway, over the Hogback. Trained guides will be stationed along the roadside trail in order to explain features, give short demonstrations, and answer questions. Visitors can hike at their own pace or take the Vanosaurus Shuttle Bus for $2.00 per person (children 4 and under are free). At the Visitor Center, from 10AM to 2PM, there will be a Kid's June Jamboree. For information, visit www.dinoridge.org, or call Erin Fair at 303-697-3466 x 11, or Tom Moklestad at 303-697-3466 x 13.

HIKE FOR YOUTH AT GOLDEN GATE CANYON STATE PARK - June 10 Join 500 hikers in raising funds to support local programs that connect youth to the outdoors. To learn more and register visit www.hikeforyouth.org.

SMART ENERGY LIVING® EXPO - June 10. 9 am- 3 pm, National Renewable Energy Laboratory Visitor's Center, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden. This family-friendly event will offer: 45 minute educational workshops throughout the day, keynote presentation and book signing by Dan Chiras, the NREL Visitors Center, local companies offering energy efficient and renewable energy services and products, a Xeriscaping and water conservation area. Parents are welcome to enroll their children for free in the Smart Energy Living Children's Center, which will feature activities and games. Admission into the event is free. There will be a small fee for the indoor educational workshops, including the key note presentation. Contact: Kristin Marr: kmarr@smartenergyliving.org, 303-216-2026 ext 103. For more information, visit http://smartenergyliving.org/ecm/Workshops/Smart_Energy_Living_Expo.html

ALL-SPECIES COUNT BIO-BLITZ - June 23 - 24. Communities will be counting everything that grows, creeps, crawls, hops, flies or slithers within a 30-mile radius of the Colorado State Capitol Building. The 24-hour BioBlitz is an inventory of all living wild things, and a celebration of the region's biodiversity. Last year, more than 400 volunteers went into the "wilds" of Denver and identified about 700 species. Visit www.allspeciescount.org. Attention Teachers: download our teacher education packet and look for a Fall educator workshop! Help Count In Your Neighborhood! Contact: Debbie Lerch Cushman, 303-291-7328, E-mail: allspeciescount@nwf.org

Resources

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NEW MAP: ECOREGIONS OF COLORADO. Stock # 205792. Price: $7 for map plus $5 handling. The GIS data and PDF version are available at: http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/ecoregions/co_eco.htm. The map contains photographs and descriptions of each ecoregion of Colorado. Use this map, text, and photographs to teach and learn about the physical geography, flora, fauna, landscape processes, and ecosystems of Colorado. For a complete listing of available ecoregion maps, or to purchase this map, contact the Science Information and Library Services (SILS) at 1-888-ASK-USGS, or order online at: http://store.usgs.gov

EETAP ANNOUNCES TWO NEW ARTICLES HIGHLIGHTING EE WORK. EETAP has completed two new articles on key initiatives in environmental education. They highlight work by EETAP, its partners, and others in related areas within EE. EETAP has posted the articles in PDF format on its Web site (http://eetap.org/pages/ee_articles.php): Education and the Environment: Partners for Change (http://eetap.org/media/pdf/PartnersFINAL_4_5_06.pdf), EE Program Profiles (http://eetap.org/pages/article.ee_program_profiles.2006.04.php)

USE GOODSEARCH.COM TO SUPPORT CAEE EVERY TIME YOU SEARCH THE INTERNET! By starting your searches at http://www.goodsearch.com and choosing CAEE as your charity, you'll be supporting CAEE with every search. The site is powered by Yahoo!, so you'll get the same quality search results that you're used to. The more people who use this site, the more money will be donated. Give it a try at http://www.goodsearch.com, and please spread the word!

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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