Education for Planet Earth
Education for Planet Earth
Upcoming Conferences, Events, and Workshops This page is updated frequently. Please check back often for updates! |
-Events are listed chronologically, except for "Ongoing" events, which are listed at the bottom |
July EE Expo: "Environmental Education: A Natural for Arkansas" Officially known as "The Natural State," Arkansas is recognized throughout the country for its natural beauty, clear lakes and streams, and abundance of natural wildlife. Environmental education is a natural fit in Arkansas. Environmental organizations, agencies, educators, students, and professionals will have the opportunity to network and learn from others who are involved in conducting environmental programs and projects here in "The Natural State." EE Expo will include presentations, hands-on sessions, exhibit booths, keynote speakers, resource tables, and a silent auction. For more information and to register, please visit the website.
August
Integral Education & Integral Sustainability Seminar Are you seeking to radically transform your approach to Environmental Education? The Integral framework and cultivating an embodied integral perspective will offer you refreshingly new ways to approach teaching about the natural world, cultivating ecological identity, developing ecological literacy and using ecological principles for curriculum design. This two stream seminar will focus on the application of an Integral perspective to Education and/or Ecology; demonstrating ways of integrating our interior worlds and perspectives, with our experience of and concern for human/ nature relationships and the state of ecological systems. Learn to apply developmental theory to improve your effectiveness as an environmental educator. Learn to place our understanding of these times within an evolutionary and cosmological framework. Discover new ways to inspire and motivate behavioral change. Join us and over 20 of today’s top Integral teachers, including Diane Hamilton, Sean Esbjorn-Hargens, Terry Patten, Gail Hochachka and Stephan Martineau, to explore the depth and breadth of awareness required to effect positive change in these times. For more information and to register, please visit the website.
Youth Camera Action! is an environmental video production program
specifically designed for youth between the ages
of 13 - 18 years. This two-week summer program is open to youth across the Greater Toronto Area and provides a unique and
creative opportunity for youth to learn about the environment, get practical,
hands-on video-making experience and create their own short
environmental video projects in all genres. Completed projects premiere at the Planet in Focus International Environmental
Film & Video Festival each fall. YCA films have also gone on to enjoy
screenings at other youth film festivals throughout North America and
have been broadcast on national television.
Fee: $250. Planet in Focus will offer
subsidies for those requiring financial assistance. To apply,
download and complete the registration form on the
website. For more information, contact info <at> planetinfocus.org. September
This conference is geared towards teachers of all grade levels and disciplines, kindergarten through university, as well as non-formal educators who work in a variety of settings such as parks, nature centers, museums, zoos, non-profits, and governmental agencies. Participants will explore engaging and creative ways to integrate science, math, history, and art to tell the story of the interaction between people and nature. The conference will include local storytellers and national speakers, and on- and off-site concurrent learning sessions. The keynote speaker is Brian Day, the Executive Director of the North American Association for Environmental Education. During concurrent sessions, participants can learn about sustainability and take a cave tour, or take a wildflower painting class at Mammoth Cave National Park; take a mule-driven wagon ride to the banks of the Green River to learn about dairy farming at an organic family farm; learn how students around the country are collecting and contributing scientific data to national databases through citizen science programs, and much more. Full conference details and registration is available at the website.
Join one of the largest cleanups in the world! The national conservation intitative of the Vancouver Aquarium encourages Canadians to have a positive impact on their environment by removing harmful litter from their local shorelines, including ponds, streams, rivers, lakes and oceans. For more information or to register, please visit the website.
This conference will feature hands-on workshops where you can learn how to use the sun as a teaching resource, understand the basics of organic gardening, build your own planting beds, create colorful mosaics, install irrigation, and more. In addition, many workshops will cover how to connect the outdoor classroom to the education content standards at all grade levels. For more information and to register, please visit the website. 2010 Australian Association for Environmental Education Conference: "LEADING CHANGE"
This year's NAAEE conference will feature keynote speakers Lois Gibbs, a pioneering activist for toxic site cleanup, and Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan, and a member of the Onondaga Nation Council of Chiefs of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy (winner of the Ellis Island Congressional Medal of Honor, the National Audubon Award, the First Annual Earth Day International Award of the United Nations, and the Elder and Wiser Award of the Rosa Parks Institute for Human Rights). For more information, please visit the website.
October
2010 Michigan Alliance for Environmental & Outdoor Education Annual Conference: Explore a variety of monitoring programs that your students can participate in - from invasive species mapping, birdfeeder watch, to monitoring lake and stream water quality, vernal ponds, biodiversity, and much more. In addition, gather some great ideas for involving students in Great Lakes stewardship activities: energy audits, low income weatherization projects, composting, gardening, greening your school, and lots more. Cabins and modern dorm rooms with their own bath are available for accomodation, as well as rustic cabins with a modern community bathroom. Camping and hotels are available nearby. Enjoy delicious meals with Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables, fresh-baked breads and homemade desserts. A bio-diesel bus will bring participants from Detroit, Lansing, and Mount Pleasant (~ $40/person roundtrip). Get on the bus and head North for a colorful and exciting weekend with environmental education colleagues! For more information, contact Joan Chadde, 2010 Conference Chair: jchadde <at> mtu.edu.  1st annual Green Schools National Conference
October 24-26, 2010, Minneapolis, Minnesota http://www.greenschoolsnationalconference.org/ This groundbreaking event, themed “Growing Green Schools Across America”, will bring together Public, Public Charter, Independent school leaders, educators, students, business & community leaders and policymakers to: integrate a “green culture” throughout all K-12 schools; promote environmental literacy at all grade levels; develop sustainable communities across the country; and connect all Green and Sustainable Schools in a National Green School movement. The conference will provide a unique forum and opportunity for the national K-12 education community to meet, network, learn and share ideas around greening our nation’s schools. The conference will feature over 60 breakout sessions and an exhibit floor with the latest in products and services to foster more Green schools. Business leaders and green companies will share their missions and involvement in creating and supporting green initiatives in schools. National leaders will provide inspiration and share exciting advancements in environmental policy and literacy from every corner of the nation. The conference will also recognize and showcase the accomplishments of students, educators who are already growing green schools across America. This conference is organized by the Green Charter Schools Network (http://www.greencharterschools.org). For more information and to register, please visit the conference website.
November
This year’s outdoor classroom symposium will be held at Zoo Atlanta. The theme of "Get Outdoors! Teaching Locally, Connecting Globally" will feature hands-on sessions on how to create outdoor teaching spaces, how to how to teach outdoors, and how to use local resources to make connections to the larger world. New this year, three speakers will give presentations in the Zoo Atlanta auditorium. They include: Daron Joffe AKA "Farmer D" of Farmer D Organics; Jerry Hightower, Outdoor Educator Extraordinaire from the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area; and Dr. Joe Mendelson, Curator of Herpetology at Zoo Atlanta. The always popular "make and take" classes and post-symposium workshops will also be offered. Other highlights will include informative exhibits prepared by program providers and outdoor classroom experts, and a presentation of the Outdoor Classroom Service Award. Educators may choose to earn one Professional Learning Unit (1 PLU) by participating in the symposium as well as a post-symposium workshop on Saturday, November 6. Symposium registration will open by late August, 2010.
Looking Ahead
Monarchs in Mexico Trips Join Monarchs Across Georgia to visit three monarch butterfly overwintering sanctuaries and explore the natural history of this beautiful region of Mexico. Participants will also learn about local efforts to promote environmentally sound economic activities and visit at least one school near the monarch preserves to donate books purchased through the Mexico Book Project. The trips are open to all who are interested – teachers, naturalists, gardeners, etc. The cost is $1500.00 per person in a double occupancy room. Each trip is limited to sixteen participants. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis until spaces are filled. For more information, please visit the website. Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia Annual Conference The conference theme for 2011 is " Sustaining a Changing World: Environment, Economy, Community. For more information, please visit the website. Please visit the website for more information coming soon. Call for presentations, workshops, and participation will be made in September 2010. Registration opens March 2011. 6th World EE Congress: Brisbane, Australia, July 19-23, 2011. (The 7th Congress will take place in Marrakesh, Morocco in 2013.) For more details, contact: secretariat <at> environmental-education.org.
NAAEE 2011 Conference: Raleigh, North Carolina, October 12 -16, 2011. For more information, visit http://www.naaee.org
Ongoing
Eco-Schools is an internationally acclaimed program that provides a framework to help educators integrate sustainable principles throughout their schools and curriculum. The Eco-Schools program strives to model environmentally-sound practices, provides support towards greening the curriculum and supports science and academic achievement. Additionally it works to foster a greater sense of environmental stewardship among youth. Through school-based action teams of students, administrators, educators and community volunteers, Eco-Schools combines effective "green" management of the school grounds, facilities and the curriculum. Schools that are certified in the program undergo a thorough application process and succeed in organizing and implementing a comprehensive assessment of their school. Visit the website for more details on how your school can become an Eco-School in the upcoming school year!
Aitan Grossman, a 12 year old boy from California, has written a catchy song with a powerful message against global warming that is sweeping schools and other groups around the world. "100 Generations" is the title of Aitan's track that is spreading awarness about global warming, springing activism, and raising funds for the cause. Already, children from Africa, North and South America, Asia and Europe have joined in the kidEarth project. Sheet music, lyrics and instrumental tracks to the song's chorus are available to download on the kidEarth’s website. Students and teachers can also post their own “100 Generations” music video on kidEarth’s video page. The track can be downloaded from iTunes and Amazon MP3--sales will support nonprofit groups fighting global warming. Please spread the word about this great project and be sure to email Aitan with the names of schools and groups (and their towns) which sing his song so he can mention them on kidEarth’s website KidEarthUs <at> yahoo.com.
Parallel campaigns are underway in Canada and the United States to protect ancient and endangered forests, by encouraging our centres, schools and colleges, etc, to use only eco-certified papers. In Canada, educators can sign a pledge at the
Otesha
Tours in Canada
"greenschools" is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create greener and healthier learning environments through education and awareness, and to make the connections between having healthy bodies and a healthy planet. The events listings page on the greenschools website contains numerous events related to student health, school greening, and environmental education throughout Massachusetts. Bike49 Bike Tour
Across 49 States, May 2010 - undetermined ending date Starting May 2010, a four rider team will leave Arcata, CA on a 49 state, 14 month, 15,000 mile tour, dubbed Bike49. Bike49 is looking for teachers interested in us presenting a lesson to their students about healthy lifestyles for a healthy planet. We have created a flexible lesson plan (www.bike49.org/lesson_plan) that allows teachers to choose centers that match the needs of their students. Teachers can choose up to four centers, like drawing your dream bike, unpacking a fully loaded bicycle, or brainstorming solutions to environmental problems. These presentations are not just about teaching sustainability, but about inspiring students to dream big and create goals that test their strengths, challenge their bodies, and fill their lives with adventure and fun. Email us at bike49@gmail.com if you or someone you know would like to host us in their classroom; sign up for our emails, and track our progress on the website.
The North Carolina Children and Nature Coalition (NCCAN!), a project of the N.C. Zoological Society and the Environmental Educators of N.C. (EENC), is sponsoring a poster design contest that will be used in marketing materials for the new N.C. Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights. The contest is open to school aged children and adults, too. The N.C. Children’s Bill of Rights will be used across the state to market and advocate legislation on behalf of children. The Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights will heighten awareness and ensure all North Carolina children have many opportunities to connect with nature at an early age and build upon that connection as they grow. More information about the contest and the Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights can be found at the contest website. Winners will be posted on the website by August 1, 2010. |
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31st annual American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) Conference
"Youth Camera Action!" Environmental Video Production Program 
2010 Kentucky Association for Environmental Education Conference: "Telling Our Story"
Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
2010 Growing Greener School Grounds Conference
NAAEE 2010 Conference: "Environmental Education:
Building Connections ~ Bridging Gaps" 
2010 Georgia Outdoor Classroom Symposium
Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication (EECOM) 2011 National Conference: "Exploring the Sociological in Education and Culture: Becoming Active Participants in Change"
National Wildlife Federation
Eco-Schools USA Program
Sing to fight global warming! Get your school or other group involved with the kidEarth project 
Using Ancient Forest-Friendly papers in educational institutions 
RaiseYourHand for the Forest Campaign website (
Journey North Annual Global Wildlife Study -- Register now! 
Save the Frogs! Essay, Art, and Poetry contest
"greenschools" Events Listings for Green/Healthy schools and environmental education events (Various dates) 
North Carolina Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights Statewide Poster Contest