Online Services | Commonwealth Sites | Help | Governor

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality's logo

August News

View past newsletters

NAAEE 36th Annual Conference
Funding Sources and Upcoming Deadlines
Upcoming Events
Partner Updates and Resources
Your Virginia
Assorted Items of Professional Interest
Fun Fact

NAAEE 36th Annual Conference

Note: Virginia’s annual Environmental Education Conference and partners meeting will not be held this year. We will be participating in the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Annual Conference in Virginia Beach , VA on Nov. 14-17, 2007 . We encourage anyone interested in environmental education to attend this professional development to learn the latest in research, pedagogy, curriculum and other resources for teaching about the environment.

Online Conference Registration

Early Bird Rate Closes: September 14th
 To register, visit www.naaee.org/conference/registration .

Teacher Scholarships
 Scholarships are available from the Foundation for Virginia ’s Natural Resources and the North American Association for Environmental Education for educators currently teaching in formal or non-formal settings or enrolled in a degree program or taking coursework that directly supports career plans as an environmental educator. The scholarship application is available at www.vanaturally.com/naaee_scholarship.docDeadline is September 1, 2007.

Authors Corner
 Come to meet and interact with a variety of Virginia authors at this event which will take place during the NAAEE conference on Friday, November 16 from 12 noon - 2 pm in the exhibit hall.

Funding sources and upcoming deadlines

DEQ Litter and Recycling Grants Performance and Accounting Report
Deadline: August 30
 The Performance and Accounting report must be postmarked by August 30, 2007 to show how grant money was spent in the 2006 Fiscal year. Download the report at www.deq.virginia.gov/recycle/programs.html.  Scroll down to the Non-competitive Grant Program title and click on the link.  The performance and accounting report is pages 7 - 10.

Every locality needs to send in a performance and accounting report for the application to be complete.  This includes those who are applying for the first time, and those who did not apply for the grant this year, but received funding last year. Contact Steve Coe gscoe@deq.virginia.gov if you have any questions.

2008 Citizen Water Quality Monitoring Grant Program
 Request for Proposals (RFP)
 Deadline: August 31
 The VA Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is providing grant funds for water quality monitoring projects. The grant can be used in a variety of ways, including purchasing water quality monitoring equipment, training citizen volunteers, paying for lab analysis costs, and promoting stream monitoring efforts in locations where DEQ is not currently collecting water quality samples.

These grants provide funding for water quality monitoring groups and individuals to monitor the quality of Virginia ’s waters. The maximum possible grant award this year is $5,000.00 per proposal. For additional information and to download the application visit: www.deq.virginia.gov/cmonitor/grant.html.

Journal of Virginia Science Education: Inquiry-based Science Learning
Deadline for Submissions: September 1
 The Journal of Virginia Science Education (JVSE) invites classroom teachers, researchers, practitioners, and anyone involved in science education - related endeavors to submit articles for consideration for Volume 2, Number 1 of this peer - reviewed Journal. Visit www.vast.org for stylistic and other details.

MWEE Partner Mini Grants (for community and non-formal organizations)
Deadline: September 7
The MWEE Partner Mini-grant program supports efforts by community groups to provide youth with meaningful watershed educational experiences (MWEEs). Funding is intended to help community groups build capacity for delivering and sustaining high quality, meaningful environmental education related to water and watersheds.  The program will complement the Virginia Classroom Grants program designed for teachers. www.vanaturally.com/mweegrant.html

MWEE Classroom Grants (for K-12 schools and classroom teachers)
Deadline: September 15
 The next round of classroom grants for meaningful watershed educational experiences is next month. Amounts of $500, $750 and $1,000 are available. Online application at www.vanaturally.com/classroomgrants.html

Captain Planet Foundation Grants
Remaining 2007 Application Deadlines: September 30, December 31
 Captain Planet Foundation awards are between $500 and $2,500 for schools and nonprofit organizations that develop innovative environmental projects for youth that promote cooperation, planning, and problem-solving skills. www.captainplanetfdn.org/grants.html

Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund Grants
Deadline: October 1
 The Chesapeake Bay Restoration Advisory Committee is accepting grant applications to conduct Chesapeake Bay-related education and restoration activities. The grants are funded with money from the sale of the special Chesapeake Bay license plate, " Friend of the Chesapeake." This year $380,500 in grant money will be awarded to eligible applicants. Grant funds will be awarded in May or June 2008.  Applications will be accepted from private not-for-profit conservation organizations, schools and universities, and governmental agencies whose projects will affect bodies of water that are located within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

More information on the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund, including the application, grant guidelines, and a catalogue of past projects can be found at http://dls.state.va.us/cbrfac.htm. You can also obtain information, applications, and guidelines by contacting the Division of Legislative Services at (804) 786-3591.

School Chemical Cleanout Initiative - Providing Grants for the Removal of Unwanted Laboratory Chemicals.
 Deadline: Rolling Basis
 The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is providing mini-grants to “clean-out” unwanted laboratory chemicals from Virginia high schools.  The Virginia DEQ will provide matching funding for approved clean-out activities.   Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis. For more information, go to www.vanaturally.com/k12ed/chemical_cleanout.doc and www.deq.virginia.gov/p2/SC3 or you may co ntact Tom Griffin at rtgriffin@deq.virginia.gov. 

Upcoming Events

Danville Science Center
Unlock the secrets of how things work!
Located at the historic Crossing at the Dan, the Danville Science Center delights all ages with its hands-on exhibits and special programs that make science fun for everyone. Call 434-791-5160 or visit www.dsc.smv.org/DSCevents.htm for a complete listing of August programs.

Discover Virginia : A Natural History Retreat
 Aug. 3- 5, Wintergreen
 The Wintergreen Nature Foundation believes that understanding the landforms and life forms of the Commonwealth are the first steps toward wise stewardship and conservation. To this end we will have Discover Virginia to bring together field scientists, outdoor enthusiasts and teachers in a classroom with breathtaking scenery and undisturbed natural gardens. Special sessions for teachers will offer techniques that will revitalize the classroom experience for students. Questions? Call 434-325-7473 or visit www.vanaturally.com/pdf/twnf.pdf

Propagation 101 Workshop
 Aug. 4, 1 pm
Beagle Ridge Herb Farm and Environmental Education Center , Wytheville
 Pre-registration is required
 Learn how to make cuttings in the garden and take home 5 cuttings from our gardens. If there is a plant you have coveted in the garden this is your opportunity to take it home. There is a $15.00 charge for the class. To register visit http://beagleridgeherbfarm.org/workshops.html

Kilowatt Ours Film Screening
 Aug. 5, 2- 4 pm, Arlington Central Library
 Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment (ACE) www.arlingtonenvironment.org will host Killowatt Ours documentary that presents viewers with an ambitious plan for shifting America’s energy paradigm towards conservation and renewable power. Filmmaker Jeff Barrie’s Southern Energy Conservation Initiative is desgned to help homeowners strive for zero energy usage, saving hundreds of dollars on enrgy bills while curbing the harmful effects of energy production. www.killowattours.org

Build Your Own Rain Barrel “Train the Trainer” Workshop
Aug. 7, 1- 4 pm, Longwood University
 Become a trainer, learn how to build a rain barrel, and take a rain barrel home!
www.vanaturally.com/rain_barrel.doc

Wetland Plants: Know’em and Grow’em: A Course for Educators
 Aug. 8-10, St. Michaels , Maryland
Environmental Concern invites educators to participate in a three day workshop full of hands-on activities. In addition, participants receive their own water box to take home, a sampling of wetlands plants and seeds and much more. To register visit www.wetland.org or www.vanaturally.com/pdf/knowem_growem.pdf

4th Annual HRAEE Annual Conference
 Aug. 23, 10 am – 3:30 pm , Norfolk
GREEN Your EE Program
 The Hampton Roads Alliance for EE will host its fourth annual conference in August. To register for the one day event, visit www.vanaturally.com/hraee/4thannual.pdf or email Holly Carson holly.carson@norfolk.gov .

MODSIM World 2007 Conference and Expo
Sept. 11-13, Virginia Beach Convention Center
Spotlights Modeling, Simulation, and Game-based Learning
This is the premier international conference and exposition for collaboration, and the transfer of new knowledge, research, and applied technology to virtual and simulation environments and synthetic learning. At MODSIM WORLD 2007, Virginia science education supervisors and teachers will experience the application of modeling, simulation, and game-based learning (GBL) as technology-based tools for teaching, learning, and training in the 21st Century. These tools are advancing medicine, transportation, and communication; are used in numerous "high-tech" industries; and are essential elements of competitiveness and 21st Century STEM education and workforce development. In the classroom, these tools can energize your curriculum and engage your students. To register, go to www.modsimworld.com .

2007 Virginia Naturally 5K
Sept. 22, 9 am., Pony Pasture Rapids, James River Park System
Race proceeds benefit the Virginia Junior Academy of Science. Walkers welcome too! For more information and the registration form visit www.vanaturally.com/race.doc ; www.vjas.org or www.envirsol.com/resources/index.php

Volunteer Water Monitoring Conference
Oct. 12 – 13, Shenandoah University
EPA Region III Volunteer Water Monitoring Conference will provide opportunities for the volunteer water quality monitoring community to meet and learn about monitoring efforts in nearby states. In addition, the Friends of the Shenandoah River (FOSR) is one of the hosts for this event and the "Water Window" developed using the FOSR and cooperating groups’ water quality data is going to be one of the featured topics. www.vanaturally.com/water_monitoring.doc

The Commonwealth of Virginia Energy & Sustainability (COVES)Conference
 Oct. 16 – 18, VMI, Lexington
 Virginia Military Institute Research Laboratories, in conjunction with the Virginia Sustainable Future Forum, will host an energy and sustainability conference on behalf of the Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy (DMME) and the Virginia Secretaries of Commerce and Trade; Natural Resources; and Information Technology.  www.covesva.org/Register/Register.asp

Partner updates events & resources

Welcome New Partners

Virginia Schools Outdoor Classroom/Learning Center Survey
 A listing of classrooms at school locations across the state is being compiled by the Virginia Association for Soil and Water Conservation Districts, the Foundation for Virginia ’s Natural Resources, the Virginia Department of Education, and the Virginia Office of Environmental Education (VOEE). Please help by letting us know if your school has an outdoor learning center or an interest in developing one. www.vanaturally.com/outdoorclassrooms/oc_survey.doc

Virginia Schools Recycling Survey
 The Virginia Recycling Association (VRA) and the Virginia Office of Environmental Education are conducting a needs assessment. Please complete the following online survey to help inventory Virginia school recycling programs and provide services that will assist schools in protecting Virginia ’s environment. http://vrarecycles.org/survey/index.php?sid=3

Questions? Contact Erica Trout , VRA Association Manager at vra@vrarecycles.org .

Attention Virginia Oyster Gardeners and Future Oyster Gardeners
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is in the midst of its 2007 Oyster Gardening season. Two seminars are scheduled this month for Hampton Roads volunteers who have access to saltwater and are interested in growing oysters to help restore Virginia oyster populations and the Chesapeake Bay . Regardless of what city you reside, you may attend the seminar that best fits your schedule.

Hampton Roads New Gardener Seminar Dates for 2007
 Find out more and register at: 757-622-1964 or rsvp@cbf.org .

  • Aug. 7 , 6:30-7:30 pm , Sandy Bottom Nature Park  , Hampton        
  • Aug. 14 , 6:30-7:30 pm , Norfolk Yacht & Country Club, Norfolk

To learn more about Oyster Gardening visit www.cbf.org/virginiaoysters .        

Your Virginia

Virginia Museum of Natural History
 "Beyond Jamestown: VirginiaIndians Yesterday and Today" Exhibit Now Open
 The ground-breaking special exhibit “Beyond Jamestown: Virginia Indians Yesterday and Today”, a leading attraction for America ’s 400th Anniversary, is now open at the Virginia Museum of Natural History.  The “Beyond Jamestown” exhibit examines Virginia Indian history from Indian perspectives, and shows that Virginia Indian cultures today are vibrant and thriving. The exhibit is at the new Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville , Virginia through January 20, 2008 .  The “Beyond Jamestown” exhibit is curated by Virginia Indian anthropologist Karenne Wood, editor of the recently published Virginia Indian Heritage Trail.
 
“Native peoples have lived in the area we now call Virginia for as many as 15,000 years.  But if you ask Virginia Indians how long they have been here, they will probably say, ‘We have always been here’,” Wood said.  “Our histories, our ancestral connections, and our traditions are intertwined with the land called Tsenacomoco by the Powhatan peoples.  It is a bountiful land, given to us by the Creator as the place most fitting for us to live.” 

The Virginia Museum of Natural History, an agency of the Department of Natural Resources, seeks to increase understanding of and appreciation for the natural collections, publications and exhibits. For more information about this special exhibit or the Virginia Museum of Natural History, call 276-634-4141 or visit www.vmnh.net/index.cfm/topic/beyond-jamestown .

Federal Delisting of Eagles Effective July 28, Still Protected at State Level
 After four decades of protection under the federal Endangered Species Act and its predecessor, The Endangered Species Protection Act of 1966, the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) has officially been removed from the federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. The change went into effect July 28, 2007 . 

For more than 30 years, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) has cooperated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), with academic and research partners – the Center for Conservation Biology (CCB) at The College of William and Mary, in particular – and with public and private landowners to achieve and document recovery of bald eagles. Throughout this period, the eagle population has steadily grown as a result of increases in the breeding population, and high nest success rate and average brood size (number of chicks fledged per nest). 

The VDGIF and USFWS will continue to manage Virginia 's bald eagles under guidelines developed by VDGIF, USFWS, and CCB. We will continue to work cooperatively with landowners harboring eagle nests, roosts, or seasonal concentration areas to accommodate private land use and development while protecting eagles. The success story of the recovery of bald eagles, our Nation’s symbol, is one that every American can appreciate and be proud of, but protecting these birds will be an ongoing responsibility.

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has been collecting the nesting information on bald eagles beginning in 1977.  For a student activity graphing the population growth curve of Virginia eagles visit  www.dgif.virginia.gov/education/   and look for “Flying High With Fledglings”  in either the Casio or Texas Instrument versions of the Department’s “Wild About Math” booklets.  The information may also be found in the Educators Guide to Virginia’s Natural Resources.

It is the mission of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth; to provide opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating and related outdoor recreation; and to promote safety for persons and property in connection with these outdoor activities. For more information, visit www.dgif.virginia.gov .

Virginia Air Quality
 Visit www.deq.virginia.gov/airquality/ for current air quality and forecasts by region.

More Virginia Natural Resource Agency News
 For the latest information about VA’s seven natural resource agencies visit www.naturalresources.virginia.gov/Agencies/agency.cfm and click on the agency link you need.

Assorted items of professional interest

Congress Considers Environmental Education
 The House Education and Labor Committee is reviewing the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act. Language is being introduced by Congressman Sarbanes (MD) to support environmental education to develop, improve, and advance environmental education standards; create an environmental education grant program for teacher training; and include environmental education as an authorized use for the Fund for the Improvement of Education.  Virginia ’s Congressman Robert Scott (03) is also on the committee. For more information, visit www.eeNCLB.org.

Statewide Poll Shows Growing Conservation Majority
 It shouldn’t come as a surprise to us that Virginians care about clean air, clean water, and their children’s future. A new poll commission by the Va. League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and the Piedmont Environmental Council shows landmark support for clean energy and real transportation choice.  The poll shows that a vast majority of voters expect leaders to keep their commitments to conserve land and restore the Chesapeake Bay . To read the poll results: www.valcv.org/documents/2007VALCV-EFConservationMajorityPoll.pdf.  Pay special attention to the demographics information.  If you have any questions about the poll or would like to use it in your outreach, contact Lisa Guthrie at VirLCV@aol.com or 804-225-1902.

Family Learning Activities
 Lace up your shoes and try these activities to connect with your children, explore the natural world around you, and learn about simple ways you can conserve habitats!
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/education/conservationcentral/family/default.cfm

Families are encouraged to take the Nature Pledge
 The American Camp Association (ACA) and the Children & Nature Network (C&NN) are collaborating to help families connect with the outdoors. Start a checklist for green living and ways to include the outdoors in your family activities by downloading this pledge at www.campparents.org/nature/green_spoken_here.php

American Museum of Natural History OLogy website
 OLogy, the Museum's Web site www.ology.amnh.org for kids ages seven through twelve, is based on the premise that "everyone wants to know something," and is designed as a place for kids to explore, ask questions, get answers, meet OLogists, play games, and see what other kids are interested in. With age-appropriate content in archaeology, astronomy, biodiversity, genetics, marine biology, paleontology, and physical science, OLogy makes science learning rich and engaging. Educators can find suggestions and tips on how to use the Web site in the Educator's Guide at www.amnh.org/education/resources/ology

2007 Earth Science Week Toolkit
Coordinated by the American Geological Institute (AGI), Earth Science Week (Oct. 14-20)promotes an understanding and appreciation of the earth sciences. AGI is offering its "The Pulse of Earth Science" toolkit to help teachers, students, and the public to actively participate in the 2007 Earth Science Week. This year's Toolkit includes a wide array of resources, including a new edition of its popular Earth Science Calendar filled with activities and important geoscientific dates. The toolkit can be pre-ordered now and shipping will begin in early August. Individual kits are available for the cost of shipping and handling. www.earthsciweek.org/materials/index.html

Virtual Island
This virtual earth-science island, offered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), offers site visitors the opportunity to experience several earth-science phenomena while learning about the cutting-edge science that NOAA conducts regularly. www.esrl.noaa.gov/outreach/sl

Tox Town
Tox Town helps high-school students and teachers learn about environmental health concerns and toxic chemicals pictured in an imaginary town. http://toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/

GreenDimes.com
 GreenDimes stops your paper junk mail, helps protect your identity, and plants a tree for you every month for a fraction of the cost of doing it on your own.
www.greendimes.com/index.html

Soil-Net
 Soil-Net.com is an educational resource about soil, with extensive teacher aids supporting many curriculum-based interactive student activities. www.soil-net.com

Fun Fact

  • There is enough petroleum in 14 plastic bags to drive a car one mile.

Templ:DEQTemplate_one | Editable:false | StartFldr:/vanaturally/ | CurrentFilename:augustnews07.html;