Partner Resources

Links of interest for professional development and networking for environmental educators:

Professional development:

• Environmental Educators Leadership Program
  The EELP develops and enhances the professional skills and abilities of Virginia educators for the protection of the environment. This program can serve as a roadmap for developing skills needed to teach about the environment. 
  
• North American Association for Environmental Education
  Learn how to use high-quality teaching methods to show people how to make a difference in the world through a positive, nonconfrontational approach.
  
• Virginia Natural Resouces Leadership Institute (VRNRLI)  
  To develop leaders in the Commonwealth who can help groups involved in contentious natural resources issues move beyond conflict toward consensus building and collaborative problem solving.
  
• Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP)
  This site offers educators information, resources, and links for promoting academic achievement and environmental literacy.

Reccommended resources:

• Get the Facts about Virginia's Environment
  Fact sheets from the Department of Environmental Quality on various environmental topics.
  
• Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
  Some of Virginia's waters that have impaired water quality require a cleanup plan under federal regulations. The Department of Environmental Quality first develops reports that describe the amount of pollution waters can contain and still have high water quality. This pollution amount is a total maximum daily load, called a TMDL. DEQ then develops an cleanup plan for the impaired waters to restore and maintain their water quality. Click here to view the calendar of public notices and public meetings and find out how you can participate.
  
• Virginia Outdoors Plan
  The Virginia Outdoors Plan is the Commonwealth's official conservation, outdoor recreation, and open space plan, and it is intended to serve as a guide to all levels of government and the private sector in meeting the land conservation, outdoor recreation, and open space needs of the state. The 2007 Virginia Outdoors Plan (VOP) will be the 9th produced in Virginia in accordance with § 10.1-200 of the Code of Virginia. In addition, the plan serves as a guidance document for the protection of lands through actions of the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF). Its development is also necessary to meet requirements for Virginia 's participation in the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LCWF) program.

Public input meetings for the Virginia Outdoors Plan will be held across the state and the schedule and locations may be queried using the following link: www.dcr.virginia.gov/prr/vopmtgs06.htm. Draft text for the 2007 Virginia Outdoors Plan will soon be posted at www.dcr.virginia.gov/lanm_sum.htm . Comments may be e-mailed to vop@dcr.virginia.go v or via US mail to John Davy at Department of Conservation and Recreation, 203 Governor Street, Suite 326 , Richmond , VA 23219.

Other items of interest:

• Read the definition of a Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE)
  
• Environmental Literacy & Environmental Education Defined
  (mouse-over "Education & Environmental Literacy" to view all four sections)
  The Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP) has developed these understandable and explainable descriptions of "Environmental Literacy" and "Environmental Education" to make it easier for the field to explain and how these terms are directly connected with people’s lives. Included with the descriptions are examples of what environmental literacy looks like, how EE and educational achievement are linked, EE "done right," and links to additional resources.
  Comments or suggestions? Contact: gmedina@niagaradsl.com
  
• My Environmental Education Evaluation Resource Assistant (MEERA)
  A web-based tool for planning and learning about environmental education (EE) evaluation(s). 
  
• Environmental Murals
  This project is a way to conduct environmental education (EE) using art and free expression to teach environmental concepts. It can be a good teambuilding and community involvement exercise. Click here for details and suggestions.
  
• New Online Course in Volunteer Management
  The University of North Texas is pleased to offer its first continuing education online course in volunteer management entitled Are You REALLY Ready for Volunteers?  Both first-time volunteer managers and seasoned professionals can benefit by learning what nonprofits need to know when incorporating or revising a volunteer program.  Topics include strategic programmatic considerations, best practices, and program assessment techniques. 

The 2 ½ hour self-paced course is now available.  Participants have one month from enrollment to complete the course.  Best news of all: it is only $20.