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July/August 2009 Newsletter

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Special Features

Funding and Award Deadlines
Upcoming Events
Partner Updates and Resources
Your Virginia

Litter Picks
Assorted Items of Professional Interest
Helpful Resources

Become Inspired

 

Special Features

Environmental Education Conference News
The Virginia Office of Environmental Education and the Hampton Roads Alliance for Environmental Education is hosting the Environmental Education Conference on September 9 – 10 at Hampton University. On September 9, we will have the workshops and speakers. On September 10 we will have field trips. As soon as we confirm the schedule, we will post the information about the sessions and the speakers on this website: http://www.vanaturally.com/vanaturally/eeconference09.html
 
Survey to Guide Program and Resource Planning for new Keep Virginia Beautiful 
An effort is underway in Virginia that will lead to greater results and impact for many organizations, non-profit, government and business oriented, in their efforts to reduce litter and waste, increase recycling, enhance and preserve scenic beauty, and educates citizens to greater levels of environmental stewardship. KVB’s mission is: To engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment. KVB’s vision is to help organizations like yours have even greater impact in your area of emphasis. KVB’s plan is to become the statewide voice, provide a framework for improved communication and collaboration, cultivate and support sustainable programs, and engage citizens by linking them to volunteer opportunities and information. This will be done through more training opportunities, linking you to funding that will support your goals, build capacity in localities and grass roots groups throughout Virginia, build strategic partnerships, and increase awareness and support for issues that need support in the General Assembly. 
 
This survey is will help better understand what the highest priority needs are in the Commonwealth in the areas of impact. KVB’s new Board of Directors will use the information you share to develop a comprehensive “snapshot” of where Virginia is with respect to these issues, and what the greatest needs are for funding, other resources, professional training and support, communication, and capacity building. Once completed, the results of the survey will be available to you upon request. 
 
So please be on the lookout for this survey, which will be administered through the web based www.SurveyMonkey.com. You will need to spend only five to ten minutes to complete this survey on your computer. We hope it is the start of a conversation between KVB and you (or your organization) so that we can move Virginia forward. The surveys will need to be completed by August 14th.  
 
This effort is being led by a coalition of leaders, many from organizations and agencies like yours, as the new force behind Keep Virginia Beautiful (KVB). KVB has been around since 1953, and has recently embarked on a new strategic framework which calls for greater engagement with the people and organizations that focus on these important issues. For more information, contact John Deuel at jdeuel2012@gmail.com.
 
Bill Portlock Wins National Peterson Award
The Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History gave the Blance Hornbeck Award to Bill Portlock of Virginia. Mr. Portlock is honored for his work in nature education. He developed the “Teachers on the Bay” course to give teachers hands-on training in planning field trips to study the Chesapeake Bay. Mr. Portlock was the State Naturalist for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. He is now the Senior Educator for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. For more information go to: http://ccb.wm.edu/news/2009_JanApr/BPortlock_honored.htm
 
Joseph Maroon, Recipient of the 2009 Gerald P. McCarthy Award
The Director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Joseph H. Maroon, received the 2009 Gerald P. McCarthy Award for Leadership in Environmental Conflict Resolution. This is an annual award that is given to an individual that demonstrates the ability to bring individuals and organizations together to resolve conflicts pertaining to the Commonwealth’s Environment. 

The Gerald P. McCarthy award is presented annually by the University of Virginia’s Institute for Environmental Negotiation on behalf of the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute, a partnership between the Virginia Department of Forestry and the Virginia Cooperative Extension and the institute. For more information, go to: http://www.virginia.edu/ien/mccarthyaward.htm#jmaroon

Girl Scouts Spread Environmental Awareness
Elizabeth Farry, the Community Relations Manager for the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast submitted the following press release for what the girl scouts are doing in her regional council. Normally, we compact stories and give our readers a digest version and direct readers to websites for additional information. The story she submitted is compact and has a lot of information in it that will be of interest to our readers, so we have included it in its entirety:
 
“Going green” is nothing new for Girl Scouts – it has been a way of life for almost 100 years.
 
Since 1912, Girl Scouts all over the country have taken the lead in environmental protection. The earliest Girl Scouts reused household materials for camping supplies and grew community gardens. Today, Girl Scouts are fueling the “go green” movement by supporting e-recycling programs, planting trees, and cleaning up local waterways.
 
Norfolk Girl Scout Troop 397 learned about native plants and planted trees at the Weyanoke Nature Sanctuary in Norfolk. Chesapeake Senior Girl Scout Patsy DeLacey is promoting the consumption of locally grown produce by growing her own vegetable garden and donating her harvest to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia. Girl Scouts who attend camp this summer at Camp Skimino, near Williamsburg, and Imagimazing Summer Fun in Chesapeake will also be tending to gardens to grow their own food for snacks and meals. 
 
In Virginia Beach, Girl Scouts are not only taking action to personally improve the environment, but they are also teaching others how to do the same. Kathryn Van Deveer, a Senior Girl Scout from Cape Henry High School, chose to focus her Girl Scout Gold Award project on educating elementary school children about recycling and conservation. She visited kindergarten classes to read them a book about an eco-friendly elephant called Live, Love, Lead: Eco Ellie Makes a Difference and played games to teach the kindergarteners about recyclables. Virginia Beach Troop 435 is working with the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Program to educate the community on marine animals. Each girl is writing a children’s book about a specific endangered marine animal which they will later read to children at Aquarium events.
 
Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts alike are encouraged to “go green” through a variety of Girl Scout opportunities. This summer at Girl Scout camp, several sessions will focus on eco-action such as the Go Green resident camp at Camp Darden and the Green Livin’ day camp at Camp Skimino where girls will create their own recycling program, learn how waste impacts wildlife, and take steps towards reducing their carbon footprint. During the year, girls take part in community events such as Earth Day and World Water Monitoring Day. Through Girl Scouting, girls learn that they can in fact make a positive impact on the environment and they are empowered to take the steps to do so.

To learn more about Girl Scouts and the environment, contact the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast. Camp sessions are still available for girls in grades K through 12 at five locations all over southeastern Virginia throughout the summer. Opportunities for all girls are available year round. For details, visit the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast Web site, www.gsccc.org, or call (757) 547-4405.

Funding and Awards Deadlines

Fulbright Scholarships
Deadline to Apply is August 1, 2009
Are you an educator? Do you conduct research? Would you be interested in conducting studies abroad? If so, check out the Fulbright Scholarships. Go to:http://www.cies.org/
 
Bright Green Dream
Deadline for Submission is September 25, 2009
Do you and your students have ideas for how your classroom could be made more sustainable? Can you share your ideas with the community? Check out The Bright Green Dream: A School Sustainability Challenge: http://www.greenovationnation.com/dream/
 
Earth Science Week Contests
Deadline to Submit is October 16, 2009
The American Geological Institute announces three contests in celebration of Earth Science Week which is October 11 – 17. The 2009 Theme is “Understanding Climate.” There is an essay, photography, and visual arts contest. For more information, go to: http://www.earthsciweek.org/contests/index.html
 
NOAA B-WET Funding
Applications will be due in the fall 2009
NOAA is conducting workshops for potential applicants on how to write a successful application to the NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training program. To RSVP for any of the workshops listed below; contact Ann Marie Chapman at annmarie.chapman@noaa.gov or (757) 627-3823. Participants must RSVP at least one week in advance of the workshop date.
July 7 1:30 – 3 p.m. Claytor Nature Study Center, 1844 Woods Road, Bedford
July 8 1:30 – 3 p.m. James Madison University, 701 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg
July 13, 2 – 3:30 p.m. DEQ Headquarters, 13901 Crown Court, Woodbridge, VA
July 17, 1:30 – 3 p.m. New Kent Conference Center, 11301 Pocahontas Trail, Providence Forge
July 23, 3 – 4:30 p.m. Nauticus Marine Museum, One Waterside Drive, Norfolk
If you aren’t able to make one of the workshops; Ann Marie Chapman will be conducting webinars on July 21 from 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. and August 11 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. too.   In order to participate in a webinar, you must RSVP one week in advance.

For additional information, visit the NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training website at: http://chesapeakebay.noaa.gov/formaleducation.aspx

National Science Foundation Funding
Search the website by typing in key words for the type of project that you want to do. Go to: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/index.jsp

Upcoming Events

National Wildlife Annual Photo Contest
Deadline July 20, 2009
The National Wildlife Federation is accepting photographs for the annual contest. The three divisions for entry are professional, amateur and youth. There are seven categories of pictures that are being accepted. They include: mammals, birds, other wildlife, backyard habitats, connecting people and nature, landscapes and plant life, and global warming and wildlife. For details go to www.nwf.org/photozone
 
World Water Monitoring Day
It's not too early to sign up for World Water Monitoring Day 2009. In fact, nearly 2,000 people around the world have taken advantage of the extended monitoring window (March 22 - December 31) and have already reported data!
 
Wetlands Across America in Virginia  
August 4 – 6; Lynchburg College
Workshops will be conducted at the Claytor Nature Study Center of Lynchburg College. This program will be lead by collaboration between Environmental Concern, LLC, Project WET, Claytor Nature Study Center and Citizens for Clean Lynchburg. Day1 - Introduction to wetlands ecology through a study of the 3 parameters of wetlands, and the wetlands functions and values by utilizing hands on, inquiry-based, cross-curricular activities. Day 2 - WOW! Facilitator to learn the processes and protocols of the nationwide WOW! Participants leave with skills and materials to lead WOW! The WOW! Workshop is a prerequisite. Day 3 - POW! The Planning Wetlands guides educators through the process of creating, restoring, or enhancing a wetland on school grounds, or within a community. Free for the first 25 participants each day. To register call 410-745-9620.
 
Virginia Conservation Network – Summer Training
Every summer, Virginia Conservation Network and our partners at the Virginia League of Conservation Voters Education Fund hit the road. We host regional workshops on key environmental issues and discuss ways that concerned Virginians can make a difference as citizen lobbyists, activists, and educators. Agendas, schedules, and registration information is available at www.vcnva.org.
 
Wilderness First Aid Training
September 26 – 27; Alexandria
Wilderness First Aid training is a two-day eight our class that trains attendees what to do in life-threatening situations in the wilderness. For more information go to: http://wfa.net/index.shtml
 

Partner Updates and Resources

Welcome New Partners

Your Virginia

United We Serve
Governor Kaine Recognizes President Obama’s Launch of “United We Serve.”
President Obama launched a “United We Serve” Initiative. He has requested that citizens organize themselves to work together to meet the needs in our local community. Citizens can either join existing organizations or can state a need in a community and help to lead that effort. Go to: http://www.serve.gov/about.asp to see what Volunteer opportunities there are in your area or create a group to meet a mission. 
 
First Lady Anne Holton and Deputy Secretary of Natural Resources Nikki Rovner joined U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar at the Big Meadows area of Shenandoah National Park for an invasive plant removal project. The Governor stated that he will be volunteering in some events too. 
 
United We Serve began on June 22 and continues through September 11, 2009.    To read the Governor’s press release, go to: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=977
 
Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean
Governor Timothy Kaine joined a partnership with five states including New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland to for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean. The mission of this organization is to protect and improve the health of coastal waters. The Council will identify sensitive ecosystems and work together to protect them.
 
In 2007, Governor Kaine’s Commission on Climate Change recommended through Executive Order 59 that the Commonwealth work with federal partners, neighboring states and regional non-profits to promote resource management and study the impacts on climate change.
 
For more information about the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean, go to: http://www.midatlanticocean.org/.  To read the Governor’s press release, go to: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=965

Litter Picks

The Non-Competitive Litter Prevention and Recycling Grants 
Deadline for the Performance and Accounting Reports is August 31
In order for an application to be considered complete, DEQ the application must have been postmarked by June 30 and the performance and accounting report must be postmarked by August 31, 2009. Go to: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/recycle/programs.html. To download the performance and accounting report. Localities often want to know how much money is available for distribution. Sheila Barnett will not know how much money is available until the Department of Taxation reconciles their books and notifies the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. If you have questions about the non-competitive litter and recycling grant, contact Sheila Barnett at Sheila.barnett@deq.virginia.gov or 804-698-4055.
 
Cleaning up the Source
Approximately 1,000 volunteers helped to clean up trash from in and around the banks of the James River on Saturday June 13. The theme of the cleanup was “Cleaning up the Source” because the James River is one of Virginia’s largest watersheds and it has many creeks and streams. Volunteers collected 479 bags of trash, 321 bags of recyclables, and 150 large or unusual items. For additional information, contact Kim Conley, Executive Director of the James River Advisory Council. conleyk@chesterfield.gov or (804) 748-1567.
 
River Stewardship Day in King William County
Approximately 130 volunteers participated in King William County’s River Stewardship Day. Litter cleanups began at 8:30 a.m. Volunteers collected 15 cubic yards of litter. As a thank you to the volunteers, the Mattaponi and Pamunkey River Association treated volunteers working at Sandy Point to a guided canoe trip into a creek along the Mattaponi River. The ecologist guiding the trip pointed out wild swamp rose, plums, and blueberries and purple and yellow flowers growing among the lilies. A crew member of Captain John Smith (in costume) was there to greet the group as they returned from the canoe trip and he said what Virginia was like and why he came from England. Afterwards, there was a picnic and door prizes for all of the participants. For more information, contact Mary Walton at mwalton@kingwilliamcounty.us or (804) 769-2448.
 
Norfolk Gets Mucky for the Bay
Keep Norfolk Beautiful Celebrates a Record-breaking Clean the Bay Day!
Submitted by Holly Carson with Keep Norfolk Beautiful. Her contact information is holly.carson@norfolk.gov or 757-441-1347
 
During the 21st annual Clean the Bay Day on June 6th, Norfolk residents, businesses and civic organizations came out in droves to promote the health and preservation of the Chesapeake Bay. For the first time in Norfolk’s history, every one of its 52 accesible zones was filled to capacity with hard-working volunteers!
 
More than 1600 dedicated volunteers (including 592 active-duty military), rolled up their sleeves, used their boats and considerable energy, and collected 58,748 lbs. of trash and debris along 61 miles of shoreline!
 
KNB looks forward to repeating this and other successful events as planning for the 2010 Great American Cleanup gets underway, and to working once more with its great crew of volunteers.
 
“Message in a Bottle” Litter Photography Display at Mariners’ Museum
The Mariners’ Museum has special exhibition which features photography images from Andy Hughes and Chris Jordan that features litter and addresses the issues of global consumerism and the impacts that litter has on the environment. The exhibit also highlights the hazards that litter poses to the waterways. For more information about the Marines’ Museum and the exhibit, visit the website at www.marinersmuseum.org
 
Litter Education at Lake Anna State Park
Kris Jarvis and Sheila Barnett from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality provided middle school students with a Meaningful Watershed Education Experience at Lake Anna State Park in early June. Even the birds helped out by providing a nest that had litter interwoven into it to show that litter really does harm animals. The bird had woven fishing line into the nest and a tag that would come off of a new article of clothing. In the litter portion, Ms. Barnett had students look at the litter along the beach and speculate on how it got there. Students then guessed at how long they though it would take for the trash to decompose and the harm that it could cause while it deteriorated. The students concluded the litter section of the program by playing a game called Litterblock Ramble which is an activity from Pollution Solutions. For additional ideas on teaching litter concepts, go to: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/education/polsol.html

Assorted Items of Professional Interest

Science Education Opportunities at the Virginia Living Museum
The Virginia Living Museum is offering workshops for educators throughout the summer. Their programs target pre-school through high school teachers. Go to: http://www.thevlm.org/teachertraining.aspx to view a description of the classes offered or call 757-595-1900 ext. 216.

American Museum of Natural History – Assortment of Webinars on Science
Go to: http://www.amnh.org/learn/

July

The Box Turtle Connection: Virginia's Box Turtle Monitoring Program for Teachers and Their Students 
July 7 and July 16
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) is offering three workshops for educators interested to helping to monitoring Box Turtle populations. Participants will learn field methods and protocols including setting up a census plot and conducting a visual survey, equipment use and maintenance, collection of morphometric data, and radio telemetry and other tracking techniques. Download and submit registration from www.dgif.virginia.gov/events.

Clean Virginia Waterways (affiliated with Longwood University) will host this 3 hour water stewardship workshop for educators in July. Participants will make a functioning rain barrel from a recycled pickle barrel that they will take home. The workshop will provide educators all the knowledge, PowerPoints, budgets and handouts they need to host Rain Barrel Workshops in their schools and communities. Participants will receive a CD with watershed and rain barrel presentations, plus a copy of Virginia’s Water Resources: A Tool for Teachers correlated to Virginia's Standards of Learning. Workshop is open to teachers, teachers-in-training, and natural resource professionals. Fees: $30 Pre-registration is required by calling or emailing Katie Register at (434) 395-2602 (email: cleanva@longwood.edu). Class size is limited. Rain Barrel & Water Conservation Workshop for Educators

Storytelling: A Pathway to Curriculum Integration 
Mary Baldwin College Environment-Based Learning Course
July 6 - 10
The oral tradition of storytelling provides a window into the context of culture and environment; therefore, the process can address standards in language arts, science, and social studies. In the course, educators will come to understand how to use this timeless tradition as a tool for motivating student learning while enhancing the oral and written abilities of k-12 students. Through storytelling, students will learn to observe, reflect upon, and document their own sense of place in time. Donald Davis, nationally known and award winning storyteller, will return this summer as the facilitator for this course.  The course will begin with a 3-day stay on historic Smith Island with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and end at Mary Baldwin College in Staunton; the Chesapeake Bay and Shenandoah Valley will provide a cultural/environmental context for practicing the process. For more information or to register, go to www.mbc.edu/ebl.

Agriculture in the Classroom Elementary Workshop
Virginia Beach Farmers Market, Rural Heritage Center
July 9; 9:00am - 2:00pm (lunch is provided)
Virginia’s AITC program provides teacher training workshops throughout the Commonwealth.  Hands-on activities and grade level appropriate, SOL-aligned lesson plans cover multiple content areas.  Additionally, each teacher receives a free teacher resource kit with curriculum, books, posters, and much more! For more information please contact kalvarez@vbgov.com or 757-385-4395.

Trout in the Classroom
Mary Baldwin College Environment-Based Learning Course
July 13 - 17
Trout in the Classroom (TIC) is designed to teach educators about a science-based curriculum developed through the conservation organization Trout Unlimited. In TIC programs, students in grades K-12 raise trout from eggs, monitor tank water quality, engage in stream habitat study, learn to appreciate water resources, begin to foster a conservation ethic, and come to understand ecosystems. Most programs end the year by releasing their trout in a state-approved stream near the school or within a nearby watershed. In the MBC course, educators will focus on integrating TIC across the curriculum, coordinating efforts with local resources, finding grant and funding options, and TIC tank set-up and maintenance. Field experiences will include stream studies, fisheries biology, and land use/watershed issues. For more information or to register, go to www.mbc.edu/ebl.

Garden in the Classroom Workshop 
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (Richmond)
July 14; 9:00am - 3:00pm (lunch is provided)
Virginia’s AITC program provides teacher training workshops throughout the Commonwealth.  Garden in the Classroom workshops focus on the indoor and outdoor instructional garden.  Hands-on activities and grade level appropriate, SOL-aligned lesson plans cover multiple content areas.  Additionally, each teacher receives a free teacher resource kit with curriculum, books, posters, and much more! For more information, call 804-262-9887.

Measures & Metrics For Sustainability Workshop
Webinar Program
July 15 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
The Altamont Group is hosting an online workshop for implementing effective sustainability performance measures. For additional information, go to: http://www.altamont-group.com/webcasts.php

Agriculture in the Classroom Elementary Workshop
Loudoun Farm Museum
July 20; 9:00am - 2:00pm (lunch is provided)
Virginia's AITC program provides teacher training workshops throughout the Commonwealth.  Hands-on activities and grade level appropriate, SOL-aligned lesson plans cover multiple content areas.  Additionally, each teacher receives a free teacher resource kit with curriculum, books, posters, and much more! For more information, call 571-258-3800.

Contaminant Chemistry Series
July 20 – 24
The Northwest Environmental Training Center is presenting a workshop about contaminant chemistry and transport in soil and groundwater July 20 – 24, 2009 in Philadelphia. For more information go to: http://nwetc.org/chem-403b_07-09_philadelphia.htm

Teacher’s Institute
First Landing State Park
July 21 – 24
Combination of Virginia’s cultural heritage, social studies, natural history and environmental science. Participants will also receive Project WET, Project Wild, and Virginia State Parks’ Your Backyard Classroom training. Register by email: msteen1781@cox.net

Garden in the Classroom Workshop 
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (Richmond)
July 28; 9-3 (lunch is provided)
Virginia’s AITC program provides teacher training workshops throughout the Commonwealth.  Garden in the Classroom workshops focus on the indoor and outdoor instructional garden.  Hands-on activities and grade level appropriate, SOL-aligned lesson plans cover multiple content areas.  Additionally, each teacher receives a free teacher resource kit with curriculum, books, posters, and much more! For more information, call 804-262-9887.

Agriculture in the Classroom Middle School Workshop
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (Richmond)
July 29; 9:00am - 2:00pm (lunch is provided)
Virginia’s AITC program provides teacher training workshops throughout the Commonwealth.  Hands-on activities, experiments, and grade level appropriate, SOL-aligned lesson plans cover multiple content areas.  Middle School Workshops emphasize natural, life, and physical science as well as language arts and economics.  Additionally, each teacher receives a free teacher resource kit with curriculum, books, posters, and much more! For more information, call 804-262-9887.

Garden in the Classroom
Hahn Horticulture Garden (Blacksburg)
July 31; 9:00am - 3:00pm
Virginia’s AITC program provides teacher training workshops throughout the Commonwealth.  Garden in the Classroom workshops focus on the indoor and outdoor instructional garden.  Hands-on activities and grade level appropriate, SOL-aligned lesson plans cover multiple content areas.  Additionally, each teacher receives a free teacher resource kit with curriculum, books, posters, and much more! For more information, call 540-231-5970.

August

Green Tonic: Urban Gardening for Health and Wholeness
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden (Richmond)
August 4; 3 pm – 9:00 pm and August 5;  8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is hosting a symposium on successful urban greening projects in Richmond and across the nation. The cost for the program is $75 and includes dinner and lunch. Advanced registration is required. For more information go to: http://www.lewisginter.org/adult-education/sponsored-symposiums.php

“No Student Left Indoors: Creating a Field Guide to your Schoolyard” Workshop
August 13; Washington Middle School in Newport News
Cost $45
Jane Kirkland, Author of the Take a Walk series will be conducting a one-day workshop for educators. Learn how to help your students create a field guide to what they will find in the school yard. To register, contact jill@chesapeakeexperience.org or call 757-890-0502.

Summer Institute for Climate Change
Webinar
August 19; 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (CST) University of Minnesota
Learn about climate change and how to present this topic to students. The webinar is free and participants will also receive a free educator’s kit. For more information go to: http://www.globalwarming101.com/

National Public Lands Day is September 26
Organizations in Virginia have already started registering events. If you would like to register an event or search the NPLD database to see what opportunities are being offered near you, go to: http://www.publiclandsday.org/

For a current list of spring and summer professional development opportunities for educators, visit www.vanaturally.com/summer.html

Year of Science Zine-a-Thon Contest
Deadline is November 1
Adults and youth can create a mini-magaZine on one of the twelve Year of Science Themes. A template and examples are provided. Go to: http://www.yearofscience2009.org/about/zine-contest.html

Helpful Resources

North American Association for Environmental Education
October 7 – 10, 2009 Portland, OR
Conference Theme: The Power of Partnerships: Creative Leadership in Environmental Education;
Early Bird Registration Ends August 15, 2009. For more information go to: www.naaee.org/conference
 
Riffle Fish . . . An Evolving Webumentary
Learn about animals, plants and insects that live in the riffles of rivers. There is also information about frogs and bats. Go to: http://www.rifflefish.com/
 
Nature Deficit Disorder – Information from Education.com
Education.com has a comprehensive website that outlines what Nature Deficit Disorder is and what parents educators and other individuals and groups within a community can do to get children active in the outdoors. Go to: http://www.education.com/topic/nature-deficit-disorder/
 
Discover the Forest – Where the Other You Lives
Discover the Forest is a new campaign presented by the Ad Council and the U.S. Forest Service that encourages children to ask their parents to take them to a forest; where the other you lives. This website offers a zip code search to help people to find forests near their homes and offers suggestions and resources for what to do in the woods. Educational materials are also available. Go to: http://www.discovertheforest.org/index.php
 
Free Climate Change DVD
The University of Colorado Education and Outreach group is offering a fee educational DVD about climate change and the impact that it is having on the polar regions. The title of the DVD is “Polar Visions. It is intended for middle, high school and college students. It is aligned with standards of learning across many science subjects. Email Tina Arthur at tina.arthur@colorado.edu with your name, title, employer, grade level, number of copies requested, email address and postal mailing address.
For the Birds!
Check out Nest Watch at www.registeryournestbox.org
This site shows good features of nest boxes, how they should be installed, and how you can monitor the nest boxes and report your discoveries! 
 
How Many Frogs in Virginia?

According to the National Wildlife Foundation Frog Watch Program, there are 26 species of frogs in Virginia. Find out who his monitoring frogs in Virginia and register to monitor the frogs that you hear. Go to: http://www.nwf.org/FrogWatchUSA/frogs_state.cfm?showstate=va#frogs

Become Inspired

Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program
The deadline to apply is August 1, 2009.
Sometimes we have dreams about what conservation projects we would like to see done in our communities, but we don’t know where to start to make that dream a reality. If you want to see if your dream can be made into a reality, you may want to contact the National Park Services. They encourage people to call and discuss their proposed projects before filling out the application. For more information go to: http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/rtca/contactus/cu_apply.html  

Virginia’s Soothing Sounds
The Virginia Department of Conservation has frog recordings and Virginia’s Nature sounds put together with Celtic and Appalachian music. Go to: https://www3.dgif.virginia.gov/estore/products.asp?id=21

 

 

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