Executive Director's Corner: Ali Goulstone Sweeney

This Month's Topic:
Happy Thanksgiving!

As always, we've got plenty up our sleeves for you this winter and we'll be sure to get the word out about happenings in your area. However, for this column I wanted to take a deep breath and savor just one of the incredible moments CAEE enjoyed this month.

CAEE had the night of its life on November 4th at the EE Celebration and Banquet with U.S. Senator Ken Salazar as the keynote speaker. We had almost 200 people there to celebrate and generously donate to CAEE. It was a tipping point of sorts for CAEE and EE, and I just wanted to scream out - we've come a long way baby! For those of you who have been with CAEE since the beginning, we are grateful you are always there for us. For those of you who are new to CAEE, and there are many of you every year, we are grateful for your new energy and ideas. CAEE has an incredible board of directors and nearly 100 volunteers who truly make this alliance a success. I can honestly say I know we are a success, not because Amanda and I are here, but because all of you are.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it seemed only appropriate that we give thanks to you for making CAEE what it is. We are so lucky to have all of these incredible people who donate their time, their wisdom, their money, and their effort to making environmental education even better. Thank you!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Each month, EE Infolink will feature the most recently updated listing on CAEE's Online Database/Directory of EE Resources. To search this statewide directory, update your organization's entry, add a listing, or view the Calendar of Events, visit www.caee.org and click on "EE Database/Directory." You just might see your programs posted here next month!

Organization: Eldorado Canyon State Park, Eldorado Springs
Program: Holiday Open House at Eldorado Canyon State Park

Bulletin Board

Upcoming Events, Workshops, Classes, etc.

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

2005 Christmas Tree Fundraiser at Cal-Wood Education Center in Jamestown
November 26, December 3rd or December 10th from 10AM to 2PM. Enjoy cutting down your very own tree and help manage 1,040 acres of forest.  Enjoy refreshments in the Calvert Lodge.  Directions at www.calwood.org.  Minimum donation $20.00—all proceeds will help schools from economically depressed areas visit Cal-Wood and participate in environmental education programs.  RSVP is required, call 303-449-0603 or email shane@calwood.org

FREE Environmental Education, Service Learning and Grant-Writing Class for Educators and Youth Leaders
December 10, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, at James P. Beckwourth Mountain Club, Kimbal Hall, 700 East 24^th Avenue, Denver.  Learn how to incorporate service learning into your curriculum.  Get started on writing your GreenWorks! service learning grant.   Help create a new program: PLT in the City!  $15.00 deposit, returned at the workshop.  Suitable for all K-12th grade educators, youth leaders, home school parents.  Optional .5 hours CSM credit ($34.00).  Contact Shawna Crocker, CSFS 303-202-4662, scrocker@colostate.edu, or Michael Richardson, James P Beckwourth Mountain Club, 303-831-0564 or jboeducation@qwest.net.  Visit www.plt.org for more information about PLT in the City.

Free “Meet Local Authors” Holiday Open House in the Eldorado Canyon State Park Visitor Center on Saturday, December 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Meet authors Joyce Gellhorn, Janet Robertson, Susie Mottashed, Ruth Carol Cushman and Stephen R. Jones.  Bring your own copies of the authors’ books to be signed - books will also be available for purchase.  More info at:  www.parks.state.co.us or call (303) 494-3943. 

China and India's ravenous appetite for Natural Resources: Their potential impact on Colorado
Colorado College's Tutt Science Center, 7-8 p.m., December 14.  A free community seminar presented by Vince Matthews, the Colorado State Geologist, hosted by the Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds.  Worldwide shortages of many resources caused by the explosive and unprecedented economic growth of China and India will put increasing strains and pressures on Colorado's rapidly expanding and urbanizing population.  An already strong demand for Colorado's rich reserves of oil, natural gas, coal, uranium and metals will only increase as unparalleled competition for Earth's limited resources grows.  Contact: Steven Veatch, 719-748-5010. 

Applied Environmental Education Program Evaluation (February 20 – May 5, 2006) and Fundamentals of Environmental Education (February 6 – April 21, 2006) on-line courses offered through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.  “Applied Environmental Education Program Evaluation” is designed to assist environmental educators and natural resource professionals in evaluating their education programs. Participants develop and apply skills in designing evaluation tools such as surveys, observation forms, and interview and focus group guides.  "Fundamentals of Environmental Education" is appropriate for both classroom teachers and for non-formal educators who work with students and/or teachers.  It provides educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to incorporate quality environmental education into their instruction. Participants discuss the history, definition, and goals of environmental education; develop an understanding of the professional roles and instructional methods of environmental educators; and interact with other educators from across the country.  3 undergraduate or graduate credits available from UW-Stevens Point for each class.  All participants are eligible for in-state tuition.  Also offered as a non-credit workshop for those not seeking college credit.  Info at: www.eetap.org and click on “Online EE Courses” or contact Angela Arkin at (715) 346-3854 or Angela.Arkin@uwsp.edu.  EETAP will have scholarships available for these courses.  Scholarships are available to those holding a leadership position in EE at the community or state level.  Info about these courses and scholarship qualifications can be found at www.uwsp.edu/natres/rwilke/eetap

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

Eagle River Watershed Council Project Manager
Full-time, year round, salaried and exempt.  Responsibilities include managing environmental, watershed-related projects; working as the primary liaison with engineers and outside consultants on a variety projects.  Qualified candidates will have experience in creating, maintaining and updating organizational project management templates; demonstrated success with funding sources, report and grant writing; ability to communicate to a wide audience; research problems and develop solutions/alternatives; and develop and maintain effective work relationships with staff from a variety of government agencies, along with others to further the mission of ERWC.  Individual will organize, attend and lead project meetings with stakeholders; and coordinate permitting needs and processes for projects.  Candidate review process begins November, 15, 2005.  Contact:  info@eagleriverwatershedcouncil.org

Program Director - Wild Bear Center for Nature Discovery at Nederland Elementary.  Deadline: December 1.  Work Monday-Friday 10am-6pm, some weekend and evening work required. During the summer months, it is expected that this position will include overtime hours.  $25,000 per year, health/vacation benefits.  Wild Bear Center for Nature Discovery provides year round environmental education programs to youth and families.  Requirements:  At least a B.S. in Science Education, or similar field, a minimum of two years experience in science education, community outreach or informal science education, excellent written and oral communication skills and public speaking experience, solid general computer skills.  Contact: Jill Dreves, Executive Director, Wild Bear Center for Nature Discovery, jill@wildbear.org, www.wildbear.org

Two Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Job Announcements.  Deadline: December 2
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to motivate and enable citizens to be active stewards of Colorado’s public lands. VOC offers four interrelated programs and activities to meet its mission: VOC Conservation Projects, the Youth Conservators Initiative (YCI), Extending Your Reach training program, and V Outdoors, an on line, searchable database of outdoor volunteer and training opportunities. Since 1984, VOC has mobilized 46,000 volunteers, completing 239 large scale conservation projects worth nearly $12.5 million. For more information about VOC, visit www.voc.org or the V Outdoors website www.voutdoors.org.  No phone calls or emails.  Submit a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to:  Belinda Smiley, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, 600 S Marion Parkway, Denver, CO 80209, www.voc.org
(1) Programs Coordinator:  The Programs Coordinator (PC) reports to the Projects Director with three primary areas of responsibility:  (1) develop, test and implement a statewide adopt a trail/habitat program, (2) oversee the EYR training program, (3) work with teams of volunteer leaders to plan, design and implement 3-5 large scale, adult conservation projects.  Responsibilities include substantial coordination and outreach to land management agencies, non profit organizations and volunteer leaders to assist with development and implementation of training seminars and small scale conservation projects, managing teams of volunteer leaders involved in organizing and running VOC projects and training events including logistical planning and event management.  Salary:  $27,000-32,000 commensurate with experience, plus competitive benefits package.
(2) Project Director:  The Project Director oversees the implementation of VOC’s conservation projects, YCI, and EYR training program. The Project Director’s primary responsibilities are to manage staff and teams of volunteer leaders who organize and run VOC project and training events; and to hire, train and manage the Youth Program Coordinator and Programs Coordinator who work on youth, training, and project related tasks throughout the year.  Salary: $32,000 – 38,000 commensurate with experience, plus competitive benefits package.

Howland Fellowship--Rocky Mountain National Park And the Rocky Mountain Nature Association.  Deadline: December 9, 2005.  Duration: January 23 through June 2, 2006.  RMNP and the RMNA seek an intern of exceptional ability, who thinks and acts creatively and independently, who has demonstrated communication, organizational, customer service and problem solving skills, and who is fully computer literate.  It is recommended that the candidate be actively pursuing or have already completed a degree program in environmental education, interpretation, general education, or natural resources.  This is an excellent entry-level opportunity to gain experience with both a governmental and a non-profit organization.  Stipend: $500/mo, housing in Rocky Mountain National Park, plus a small per diem.  Interns will work a 40-hour week.  Contact: Mark De Gregorio, Education Program Specialist, Rocky Mountain National Park, 970-586-3777, markie@webaccess.net

2006 Young Naturalist Awards
Deadline: January 6, 2006.  The American Museum of Natural History 2006 Young Naturalist Awards invites students in grades 7-12 to participate in a research-based essay contest to promote participation and communication in science. Two winners from each grade will be selected to receive cash scholarship awards and an expense-paid trip to New York City for the awards ceremony.  Contact Christine Economos, YNA administrator at yna@amnh.org or call 212-496-3498.  http://www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/youngnaturalistawards/

Colorado Wildlife Conservation Grant Program
The Colorado Division of Wildlife has made $200,000 available for a competitive grants program to support projects to conserve, restore or enhance Colorado’s threatened, endangered or special concern wildlife resources.  The Colorado Wildlife Conservation Grant Program (CWCG) is funded through the federal State Wildlife Grant Program, with funds available for projects starting in the summer of 2006.  CWCG projects should focus on species and habitat conservation, particularly for species determined to be in “greatest conservation need” in the state’s Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Plan.  The plan can be found at the Division of Wildlife’s website at  http://wildlife.state.co.us/species_cons/CWCS/index.asp .  A small percentage of a project can support education projects closely tied to a species conservation effort.  All private conservation or education organizations, local governments, school districts, water districts, state agencies other than Department of Natural Resources agencies.  Program funds can be used to pay for project costs only and general operating costs of organizations are not eligible for grant awards.  Private conservation groups are particularly encouraged to apply.  January 25, 2006 – Application deadline.  Please direct applications or questions to Jim Guthrie at:  jim.guthrie@state.co.us, Colorado Division of Wildlife, 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO  80216, Phone: 303-291-7563.

Enter Your Learning Project for the Global Youth Voice Awards
EarthSeeds, a non-profit producer of earth education curriculum and globes, is calling for entries for its Global Youth Voice Awards.  Work with your class or youth group to collectively write about a local project you are doing that addresses a global issue such as recycling, water, wildlife, peace, climate change, etc. EarthSeeds will showcase projects on its website from youth groups around the world and gain media exposure for youth work as a lead up to international Earth Day celebrations on April 22, 2006. A $1000 grant, curriculum kits, and regional recognitions will also be awarded. Visit www.earthseeds.net for details.

Outreach from CSU’s Warner College of Natural Resources
The Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University is looking to further promote the field of environmental education to our future natural resource professionals.  As members of CAEE, you are already playing an important role by encouraging students to explore and understand our valuable natural world.  The Warner College would like to provide outreach and education to your students who may be considering a four-year degree in Natural Resources.  The College of Natural Resources has many promotional materials on the college’s 4 departments, 8 majors, 8 minors and 14 concentrations, or could also arrange a visit to your school or group.  If you are interested in collaborating with the Warner College of Natural Resources, or are interested in receiving more information, please contact Siri Newman, Director of Student Advising and Recruitment at (970) 491-5629 or siri@cnr.colostate.edu. 

Plan Now to Participate in National Environmental Education Week: April 16-22, 2006!!!
The National Environmental Education & Training Foundation (NEETF) is pleased to announce the second annual National Environmental Education Week.  National EE Week will take place April 16-22, 2006 and will be the single largest environmental education event in the U.S.  It is coordinated by NEETF in cooperation with hundreds of outstanding schools, environmental education organizations, education associations, nature centers, zoos, museums, aquariums, and state and federal agencies.  National EE Week is a full week of educational preparedness for Earth Day and will involved thousands of educators and millions of students.  For more information, check out http://www.eeweek.org.

Support CAEE While You Shop!
Holiday shopping got you down? Use CAEE's new shopping page through a partnership between Givezilla.com and Amazon.com to buy your gifts, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to CAEE.
Here's how it works: Just start your online shopping at http://www.givezilla.com/viewhome.aspx?cid=61. Find the same products and prices as Amazon.com, and your purchase is handled by Amazon.com. It's an easy way to support CAEE, and just in time for the holidays! Thanks!

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

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