Grant & Fundraising Resources
RJJ - upper level - Classroom A

Jill Bieri, NOAA BWET; Ann Regn DEQ/VOEE

Grant making priorities and tips for successful applications and reporting.

Concurrent Sessions (pre-registration required)

1. Lost Art of Classical Field Investigations
   Meet at front entrance to Smith Central Activities Building
   Mike Hayslet, Naturalist
   
   Participants will learn or relearn basic field investigation skills while hiking the beautiful and natural setting of the 4-H Center. Dress appropriately for an outdoor hike on Shoreline Nature Trail. Bring your binoculars and camera.

2. Got Behavior Change? Going Beyond What People Know to What People Do
   Taubman Conference Room
   Staci Martin, First Landing State Park; Dr. Bill Leavitt, ODU; Terry Hargrove, American Lung Association; Kristin O'Connell, Wildlife Center of Virginia

   Panel presentation and discussion on how behavior change can be effectively addressed to foster stewardship. Join others for an interactive “Marketing Plan Starter” competition using the elements of social marketing. The most creative team will win a prize!

3. Virginia State Parks - "Your Backyard Classroom": Mountain Edition
   RJJ - Lower Level - Classroom D & E
   Beth Hawse and Ellen Reynolds, Douthat State Park

   Workshop features the YBC Mountain Edition curriculum guide designed for those interested in environmental education. YBC trains educators to use hands-on, K-12 correlated and SOL based activities with students in classrooms or at Virginia State Parks .

4. Experiencing Nature Canoe Style
   Meet at dock
   Bill Portlock and Cindy Duncan, Chesapeake Bay Foundation
   
   Participants can enjoy canoe paddling and nature on Smith Mountain Lake
   
5. Probeware for the Faint at Heart and Project TILDA
   Meador Nature Education Center
   Barry Fox , VSU; Peter Walker; Anne I. Pierce, Hampton University
   

   Experts will show participants how data driven decision-making about the environment and technology integration strategies are used to create student-centered projects in a standards-centered world.

   Participants will get an introduction to the digital data world, how to use the equipment and get the software to work. We'll measure temperature and conductivity, download to a laptop, and analyze the data. It's no more challenging than using the TV remote.

Lunch
Smith Central Activities Building/Dining Hall

Welcome

Steve Dietrich, DEQ, WCRO; Ann Regn; Suzie Gilley, VRUEC

Ward Burton
Racing to Improve the Environment

Concurrent Sessions

1. Attracting Native Birds
   JoCo Learning Center - Large Classroom
   Steve Yob, Henrico County Solid Waste Division; Suzie Gilley

   Learn how to invite native birds to your backyard or outdoor habitat/learning center along with maintenance tips. Participants will build their own birdhouse. Everything is provided. Limited to 15 participants.

2.  Watershed and Soils Education (Part 1 and 2)
   RJJ - Lower LEvel - Classrooms D & E
   Dana Roberts , VAASWCD; Joyce Buchanan Tazewell SWCD

   Part 1: During this interactive session you will learn how to teach water, soil, and pollution topics to any audience.  See demonstrations/skits on how to transition your classroom and students into a functional stream; conduct a cooking demonstration where the main course is teaching students about pollution in their community; and play Conservation Jeopardy.
   
   Part 2: Learn about how to teach your students about soils, earthworms and the environment.  Interactive demonstrations on soil programs.

3. Master Naturalist and Monarch Butterflies: Become A Citizen Scientist
   RJJ Upper Level - Classroom A
   Michelle Prysby, Virginia Master Naturalist Program

   Through hands-on field activities, explore ways teachers, students, and other citizens can help scientists learn more about monarch butterfly biology. Learn how you can do more citizen science projects through the new Virginia Master Naturalist program.

4. K-12 and Connecting Environmental Education to SOLs
   RJJ - Upper Level - Classroom B
   Paula Klonowski, DOE, Chuck Pace, Albemarle County Schools

   See where environmental education is in the K-12 science SOLs and learn ways to better connect with schools. The second part of the session will focus on how community partners can connect K-12 schools to involve students in EE projects in the classroom.

5. Seeing the Forest through the Trees: Successful Outdoor Learning in the Forest Succession Study Site
   Meador Nature Education Center
   Judy Strang , Robert E. Lee SWCD and Pedlar River Institute

Adopting trees, studying spittle bugs, conducting mini-watershed experiments are some of the hands-on SOL correlated activities for K-5 students to be showcased during this presentation. Judy Strang will share her experience directing the Forest Study Site education program at Pleasant View Elementary School, offering ways and reasons to get teachers and students involved in outdoor learning.

Concurrent Sessions

1. Archeology as an EE Tool
   RJJ - Upper Level, Classroom A
   Dee DeRoche, DHR

   Excavations often shed light on the natural resources in the past. How did Virginia ’s earliest people use and change their surroundings? Learn about reconstructing previous environments and interpreting ancient life ways with archaeological evidence. Encourage participatory learning by trying early technologies for making tools and preparing food.

2. Watersheds and 4th Graders: Make the Connections
   JoCo Learning Center - Large Classroom
   Ed Davis, Emory and Henry College

   Using a mussel costume and basic knowledge, a volunteer can get fourth-graders excited about their watersheds. Students are able to imagine mussels as fellow creatures, and to understand freshwater ecosystems. They engage better with a human than with a video, and are encouraged to ask the mussel character questions.

3. Self Guided Backpacks for your Interpretive Site
   RJJ - Upper Level - Classroom B
   Candace Felling and Lisa Green, State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy Experimental Farm

   Learn how backpacks full of self-guided activities can be offered to visitors and teachers as a way to focus and direct their nature experiences. Themed backpacks can offer teachers and students an opportunity to explore the outdoors on their own. Brainstorm ideas for your own site!

4. Using Project WILD: Science and Civics for MWEE
   RJJ - Lower Level - Classrooms D & E
   Suzie Gilley, DGIF

   Project WILD's newest curriculum guide, Science and Civics, will provide background and activities to help students have a meaningful outdoor experience.

5. Disappearing Wetlands
   Meador Nature Education Center
   Trish Lawson and Kay Hamner, JASON Project

   Wetlands are unique ecosystems found throughout the world that provide habitat for an incredible diversity of plants and animals. Join us to understand what wetlands are, why they are disappearing, and how to best manage these ecosystems in Louisiana , in your neighborhood and around the world.

Tim Grant, Green Teacher Magazine
Smith Central Activities Building/Dining Hall

Evening Reception and Exhibits

Dinner
Smith Central Activities Building/Dining Hall

PLT for Pre-Service Educators
JoCo Learning Center, Classrooms/Computer Lab
Lisa Deaton, DOF

(Private session for PLT facilitators at colleges and universities)

Networking Around the Campfire
Bring your own musical instrument and enjoy s'mores at the campfire circle.

Interpretive Natural History Walk with Bill Portlock, CBF
Meet at Willard Pavilion
Bring your own binoculars and cameras

Concurrent Sessions

1. James A. Meador Nature Center : The "Green" Building
   Meador Nature Education Center
   Becca Obert, 4-H Outdoor Education Center

   Sustainability is the newest catch phrase for environmentally-friendly behaviors, so get on board the bus (biodiesel of course) to become more "green." The James A. Meador Nature Center is a completely green building—from lighting, heat, and building materials. A tour of the building, how the building is used as a teaching tool and how to make your program more "green" will all be included.

2. Environmental Education Certification Program for Non-formal Educators: A closer look at a new certification program for Virginia’s Soil and Water Conservation Districts
   RJJ - Upper Level - Classroom A
   Lane Guilliams, DCR; Dana Roberts , VAASWCD

   Environmental educators come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. Environmental Education (EE) certification programs offer recognition and growth along with providing uniform and foundational information on the many aspects of EE. Come and learn about a voluntary training and course based EE certification program being offered to its educational staff by Virginia ’s Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts.

3. Bats and Cave Critters
   RJJ - Lower Level - Classroom F
   Carol Zokaites, DCR
   
   Virginia 's new state symbol lives in caves. Learn about the Virginia Big-eared bat and cave biodiversity. Receive materials and activities about these animals.
   
4. Got Message: Let Everyone Know
   Taubman Conference Room
   Rex Springston, Richmond Times Dispatch; Sandy Greene, SWCD; Chuck Epes, CBF; Robin Dunbar, The Elizabeth River Project

   “…numbers numb, jargon jars, and nobody ever marched on Washington because of a pie chart.” The ability to tell great stories is a valuable skill. When it comes to capturing attention and galvanizing people to action, stories mean more to the public than numbers. Getting those stories out into the media is another valuable skill. This session will highlight how one or more environmental organizations have educated the public and promoted their programs in the newspaper and other media. Tips and techniques in telling stories and getting the attention of the media will be highlighted.

5. Learning Landscapes
   RJJ - Lower Level - Classrooms D & E
   Deni Peterson, Appalachian Sustainable Development, Ellen Reynolds, Beagle Ridge EE Center

   Learning Landscapes creates outdoor classrooms at local schools to heighten agricultural understanding and environmental sensitivity among our youth. The Learning Landscapes program helps schools establish wildlife habitats and ecosystem study areas using gardens, nature trails, rain gardens a, small ponds and native vegetation plantings. Learn how to organize, build, maintain and use an outdoor classroom at your school or organization.

Concurrent Sessions

1. Got Partners? The Power of Many
   Taubman Conference Room
   Catherine Short, 4-H; Charlene Talcott, York River State Park; Julia Hillegass, HRPDC; Robin Dunbar, HRAEE; Sandy Greene, HSWCD

   This panel and interactive discussion will cover several aspects of effective partnerships:

   Creating New Opportunities
   How do you find new partners? What can you do to attract partners to seek out your organization? What makes good partners? When do you say "no"? Find out "insider secrets" to building or enhancing your partnership programs.

   Partnering for Increased Resources
   In this era of cutbacks, you are being asked to do more with less. There is a solution. Partner with others and share the bill! Learn how partnering organizations form win-win alliances by sharing resources and credit.

   Synergistic Communications
   Environmental issues are complex and target audiences vast and varied. Discuss ways to spread messages across audiences and regional boundaries for effective behavior change.

2. Wet & Wild Chesapeake Bay
   Meador Nature Education Center
   Shirley Spyolt, Cooper Magnet Elementary School

   Come see how elementary students spent two weeks exploring the Chesapeake Bay : adopting trees; visiting salt marshes, peat bogs, and submerged pine forests; camping on the Eastern Shore ; looking for macro-invertebrates in leaf litter; and collecting marine organisms for a mini-zoo. Go outdoors to explore watersheds as conference center parking lot storm drains are located and mapped.

3. Service Learning
   RJJ Upper Level - Classroom A
   Jen McDonnell, Capital Earth Force; Marilyn Elder, DOE

   This session will discuss projects that establish, expand or implement environmental service learning and will include grant opportunities, resources and tips on forming partnerships with schools.

4. Project Learning Tree: Places We Live Module
   RJJ Lower Level - Classrooms D & E
   Lisa Deaton, DOF

   Students discover their own backyards and work as community detectives to discover the environmental, social, and economic integrity of the places we live.  Activities explore sense of place, community character, changes in land use over time, ecological footprints, and more. All participants will receive a free copy of the Places module and SOL correlation. 

5. The 3 R's: Reading, Restoration and Reflections of Rivers
   RJJ Upper Level - Classroom B
   Tamra Willis, Mary Baldwin; Betty Gatewood , Augusta County Public Schools/ Mary Baldwin College MAT; Sandy Burk, Author

   Learn about a teacher professional development project at Mary Baldwin College that integrates literacy and the environment. “Reading on the River” includes a graduate course on using the environment to improve literacy, especially reading and writing in the content areas. Participating teachers experience the process themselves through journaling, reading, and writing during field trips to gardens, wetlands, rivers, and/or the bay. After taking the course, teachers receive grant-sponsored funding and resource support to develop an environment-based literacy program for their schools.

6. Road Trip to Clean Air
   JoCo Learning Center - Large Classroom
   Dr. C.J. Broderick and Tiffany Tumer, ShenAir and James Madison University
   
   This workshop will provide a brief introduction to the science surrounding air quality, air pollution impacts on human health and natural resources in Virginia, and individual actions that can make a difference in improving the quality of our air. Interactive stations will be available to demonstrate learning activities for K-12 classrooms, including: video games and software, a vehicle simulator and scientific equipment to measure the amount of smog in the air.

Lunch
Smith Central Activities Building/ Dining Hall

General Address
Smith Central Activities Building
Kathy Frahm, DEQ

Virginia's Environmental Issues and the Kaine Administration Priorities
The Honorable L. Preston Bryant, Jr., Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources

Interactive Breakout Sessions
Smith Central Activities Building

Each session will begin with a brief overview of the topic’s trends and issues, including some facts and supporting data. Small group discussions will follow where participants will be able to ask questions and offer their ideas on educating the public. Beefy resources will be provided to take away.

Water Supply
Scott Kudlas, Adrienne Averitt and Tammy Stephenson, DEQ

Clean, reliable drinking water and safe wastewater systems are essential to the health of our families.  In rural localities, it is equally important to economic development. What are we doing to ensure adequate supplies?

Water Quality
Amanda Gray and Kelly Wills, DEQ

Great strides have been made in cleaning up Virginia ’s rivers and Bay so do I need to be concerned about Impaired waters, TMDLs, Tier III and Fish Advisories?

Biodiversity
David Whitehurst, DGIF

A term coined by Dr. Tom Lovejoy in the 80s but do global concerns have a place here in Virginia?

Fisheries
Barry Fox , Virginia State University; Bud LaRoche, DGIF

Current research is revealing serious impacts on living resources in aquatic environments due to a number of causes.

Energy
Mary Spruill, NEED

Fuel is consumed and energy is transformed everywhere on Earth. The relationship between energy, economics, and pollution—both direct and indirect is vital to understand.

Land Preservation
Anna Wills, Virginia Explore Park

Every day land is scarcer and more expensive. Discuss how the Kaine Administration will meet its open space goals.

Air Quality
Terry Hargrove , American Lung Association

More than half of Virginians live in areas prone to bad air quality. How can we reduce air pollution and improve air quality. 

Mercury
Mark Richards, DEQ

A highly toxic metal, mercury can cause human health problems, including those affecting the brain and nervous system, such as slow speech and memory loss. What are the local sources and effects in Virginia?