Green Work, Green Search

* New Website: WorkCabin.ca has been created as a way to help fellow Canadians find green work opportunities. Got a green work opportunity? Looking for a green work opportunity? You're in the right place. WorkCabin is Canada's new portal for working green. We're a unique Canadian resource, launched in April 2007, that raises the profile of nature, conservation and green work by centralizing those opportunities in one location. It's a concept that's long overdue in Canada, where green work is now scattered throughout countless organizational websites resulting in many such opportunities being missed by green work seekers. Nationwide green work opportunities won't get lost at WorkCabin. It's all green at WorkCabin. Please tell your fellow tree huggers: WorkCabin has opened its door. There's nothing else like it. http://www.workcabin.ca/p1.htm

* New “Green” Search Engine. Thegreenpages.ca network: has created a specialized search engine, thegreensearch.ca that searches Canadian environment-related websites. Rather than searching the entire web, searches yield "green" results from across Canada and around the world. It can be used as a research tool, or keep up to date on the latest news, events, and trends happening in our environment. To date, the search engine includes over 2000 websites from all levels of government, non-profit organizations, research institutions, academic institutions, international organizations, popular magazines and journals, major news outlets, publishers, and blogs. Go to: http://thegreenpages.ca/ or http://www.thegreenpages.ca/search/

Schools on Board: Opportunity for two Northern teachers/students:

Schools on Board: Opportunity for two Northern teachers/students: Field program A national team of high school students and accompanying teachers (S2-S4; Gr.10-12; secondaire 4/5) is created from selected schools, to participate in the research activities of the ArcticNet science team, onboard the Canadian research icebreaker (CCGS Amundsen). Participation is very limited (only 10-12 spaces available for each field program). Spaces are only given to schools. Interested students and teachers should review the criteria and encourage their schools to apply for space. (School Selection Criteria, Student Selection Criteria, Teacher Selection Criteria) Programming 'onboard' includes presentations, group projects, lab activities, fieldwork, and lectures with graduate students and nationally/internationally recognized scientists from the university and government sector. As ArcticNet is multidisciplinary in nature, students are introduced to research objectives and methods of a number of different disciplines, including (but not limited to): oceanography, physical geography, biology, chemistry, meteorology, zoology, geology, and climatology. The educational program also introduces participants to 'two ways of knowing' – the traditional and scientific approaches to understanding the complexities and interconnectedness of the Arctic environment. Each trip includes at leas"

Even more NAAEE stuff

What's the Big Idea?

Win a $10,000 lease on a Lexus Hybrid and $10,000! Lexus and the Sundance Channel are presenting a contest called "What's the Big Idea?" To enter, submit a one-minute short film with your idea to improve the environment. http://www.sundancechannel.com/thegreen#/bigIdeasContest:overview

Deadline April 30, 2007 Service Learning for Educators ~ Costa Rica

July 14-28, 2007 ~ Costa Rica Spend 14 days in beautiful Costa Rica, living and learning in the Carara National Park, a transitional forest area known for its tremendous biodiversity. Trip includes visits to an ecoadventure park, a night of sea turtle egg rescue, a mangrove boat tour, and other tourist activities. Offered through Southern Illinois University Edwardsville as a four credit hour course. Contact Elaine AbuSharbain (618) 650-2453 or eabusha@siue.edu http://www.siue.edu/%7Eeabusha/RainforestServiceLearningExperience.html

Meet the Greens

MeetTheGreens.org is a new kids' guide to looking after the planet. Kids can watch The Greens' cartoon adventures and discover related green games, news, downloads, a blog, action tips, links, and more. This innovative, Web-only project comes from WGBH in Boston, the producer of shows like ZOOM, ARTHUR, Frontline, and NOVA. http://www.meetthegreens.org/

Cash Prizes Offered for Inspirational Photographs

Deadline: July 30, 2007 In partnership with the Albert I. Pierce Foundation, NAAEE has established a photography contest in conjunction with the NAAEE annual conference in Virginia Beach. NAAEE seeks photos that will inspire people to achieve environmental excellence. The winning photos will show how the visual arts can create a kinesthetic and emotional connection to the Earth. The photography contest is one element of a larger effort by NAAEE to re-invigorate the use of arts and culture in the EE field. http://www.naaee.org/conference/2007-our-world-photography-contest

More from NAAEE...

Education Reporting, Inc.

Education Reporting, Inc. facilitates the voices of teachers, education stakeholders, and parents in improving education and integrating "green" education into class curriculum. Education tools offered include symposiums, polls, free document downloads, free report card services, current research and data, and comprehensive resources about what is happening in K-12 learning communities. http://educationreporting.com/GreenSchoolSymposium.aspx

Facing the Future Lesson Plans & Workshops

Looking for an inspiring lesson to engage your middle and high school students at the end of the school year? Or the perfect faculty workshop? Facing the Future's interdisciplinary activities provide a starting place for young people to think critically about issues facing the planet and to find entry points for making a difference in their local and global communities.

• Free Lessons >>
• Workshops and student textbooks >>

Environmental Education Saves the Day

By Sarah Haines and Cynthia Kilpatrick. Becoming a Project Learning Tree (PLT)-certified school unified faculty, boosted student achievement, and saved one school from closure. Read the full article in the April issue of NSTA's Science & Children magazine >> and visit PLT's Learning Outside Success Stories >>

International Biodiversity Conference ~ CFP

Abstracts (200-300 words) Due: May 1, 2007 The 2007 International Biodiversity Conference, on June 16-21, 2007, in Baños, Ecuador, is sponsored by Nova Southeastern University's Environmental Science/Studies Program and Wild Spots Foundation. Academics, ecologists, zoologists, wildlife conservations experts, veterinarians specializing in exotic species, science educators, and other environmental professionals are invited to present papers. http://www.wildspotsfoundation.org/2006econf.html

Brimstone Award for Storytelling

Deadline: May 7, 2007 The National Storytelling Network is currently receiving proposals for the fourth annual Brimstone Award for Applied Storytelling, a grant of $5000 for a project to be completed in calendar year 2008. This award focuses on the transformational properties of storytelling, and aims to increase understanding of the ways storytelling can promote change in individuals and communities. http://www.storynet.org/Programs/Grants

Items from NAAEE News

Deadline Approaches for Film Contest

Deadline: April 30, 2007 NAAEE will offer prizes for selected film and video programs that tell a positive story of how individuals and communities have come together to solve environmental problems. The Film and Video Festival is one element of a larger effort by NAAEE to re-invigorate the use of arts and culture in the EE field. The winning programs will be shown at NAAEE's 2007 conference on November 14-17, 2007, in Virginia Beach. http://www.naaee.org/conference/film-festival-2007/

Students Invited to Illustrate Book

Deadline: May 18, 2007 Environmental Concern's 3rd annual national Write-On! Wetlands Challenge!! invites Elementary school students to illustrate the book Wetlands A to Z," by Sofia Calicchio. Winning artwork will be incorporated with the text to create a book and winning artists will receive two copies of the book. http://www.wetland.org/education_celebrate.htm

Earth Vision

Earth Vision presents spiritual ecology, the interweave of nature and soul. Visit the site to find five e-books, as well as a nature writing contest. A free e-book is available to students.

http://www.evbooks.com

EE Adventures in China by Texan Wynter Chauvin

In the Summer 2006 issue of the NAAEE Communicator , we introduced you to Wynter Chauvin, who has visited China several times to teach about EE. She's currently on her latest visit and has lots of interesting observations about how the Chinese are caring for their environment. Follow her adventures on her blog at http://changes.typepad.com

Teaching Environmental Sustainability » English

Teaching Environmental Sustainability » English

CTF and CSQ Celebrate EARTH DAY with Launch of Environmental Learning Blog

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(CTF News Service – Ottawa) On April 22, in celebration of Earth Day, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF) and the Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ), as part of Green Street sponsored by the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, will launch an environmental learning blog for educators. Co-authored by teachers across Canada, the blog will give tangible, ready-to-use ideas for teachers to develop student environmental sustainability awareness.

“We know that having a sustainable future relies on teaching today’s youth about ecological processes and our interactions with the environment”, says CTF President Winston Carter. “This blog is a forum for teachers to share and to find ideas on best practices in environmental learning. We want young people to become environmental stewards and we want such action to be grounded in sound knowledge”, stresses Réjean Parent, CSQ President.

CTF and CSQ support this approach through their hosting of Green Street, an evolving nation-wide community of practice committed to excellence in environmental learning and sustainability. The initiative links schools in Canada to reputable environmental education organizations in every province who deliver credible, accessible and affordable programs that are curriculum-linked and promote an enduring dedication to environmental stewardship.

To date, over 14,000 classrooms across the country have participated in at least one of some 50 Green Street programs offered by 21 leading environmental organizations.

CTF and CSQ encourage teachers to “blog-on” at blog.green-street.ca and discover resources and programs that are fun, engaging and effective in fostering appreciation for the many values and perspectives surrounding environmental issues and solutions.

Green Street is funded by the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, a private family foundation based in Montréal, that funds national initiatives which promote civic engagement and community resilience, including projects in arts and environmental education.

CTF speaks for 220,000 teachers in Canada as their national voice on education and related social issues. CTF membership includes organizations in every province and territory in Canada. CTF is also a member of the international body of teachers, Education International.

The Centrale des syndicats du Québec (CSQ) represents 175,000 members, including more than 120,000 in the public sector, of whom the vast majority work in education. CSQ is also present in the fields of social services, daycare, recreation, culture and communications. In addition, CSQ is a member of Education International.

Interactive IPY event for all!

Celebrate the International Polar Year and join us for Live from IPY with the BEST Expedition in the Arctic! Interact with PolarTREC teacher Maggie Prevenas and science educator Robyn Staup live from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, Healy, from someplace in the Bering Sea! Ask questions and view photos! Anyone can register for these events and participation is free! For more information about the BEST expedition or to register for live events, visit www.polartrec.com Or contact Katie Breen or Janet Warburton or call the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (ARCUS) at 907-474-1600 ************************* Live Event Information ************************* You may register for live events below at: http://www.polartrec.com/applications/ipy_webinar_app.html There are two upcoming events: Event 1: Tuesday, 17 April 2007 Time: 12:30 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time (10:30 a.m. HDT; 1:30PM PDT; 2:30 p.m. MDT; 3:30 p.m. CDT; 4:30 p.m EDT). Duration: ~ 45 minutes Event 2: Thursday, 26 April 2007 Time: 12:30 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time (10:30 a.m. HDT; 1:30PM PDT; 2:30 p.m. MDT; 3:30 p.m. CDT; 4:30 p.m EDT). Duration: ~ 45 minutes For these events, we will be using the webinar interface, HorizonWimba, which allows presentation of PowerPoint slides over the Internet during a conference call, and includes other useful functions such as online chat and polling features. To take full advantage of the webinar you will need telephone and Internet access. If you do not have Internet access, however, you can simply join the conference call. The webinars will be archived online after the completion of the live sessions. Instructions on how to view an archived events will be posted on the PolarTREC website and emailed to all registered participants. For more information, contact Katie Breen or Janet Warburton or calling the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (ARCUS) at 907-474-16

Online Conferences Coming Up: cool tech!

There are a couple of interesting online conferences coming up...it's worth checking these out, if only for exploring the technology of distributed learning. Main page: www.coexploration.org/ Conference pages: International Polar Year Online Teacher Workshop April 2007 (COSEE WEST) Empty Oceans? National Geographic Earth Day Virtual Teacher Workshop April 16 - 28 2007

Summer Institutes in Place-Based Education

Summer Institutes in Place-Based Education Place-Based Education Summer Institutes in Sitka, Juneau, Seattle Educators, administrators, community leaders and others are invited to one of three Summer Institutes in Place-Based Education to be held June 26-28 in Sitka, Alaska – July 19-21 in Juneau, Alaska – and August 9-11 in Seattle Washington. The Summer Institutes are sponsored by the School Community Leadership Consortium at Antioch University Seattle and co-sponsored by the Southeast Alaska and Alaska Native Educators Associations. The Institutes will feature the groundbreaking work in place-based education developed through the Alaska Rural Systemic Initiative. Participants will see numerous examples of curriculum units and student work based in community, culture and place, and all those in attendance will receive an introduction in how to use digital storytelling and cultural atlases as a platform for place-based curriculum in their classes. Rob Wang (AUS), Ray Barnhardt (UAF), and Ted Wright (AUS) will facilitate the Institutes. Meeting locations and housing information will be finalized by April 1 and emailed to those who register. Attendance is limited to 30 participants at each session. Registration information can be found at the following link: http://ankn.uaf.edu/NPE/Southeast/Summer2007.html If you have questions please email Ted Wright at: twright@antiochsea.edu or call: 206-491-9240.

Clay and Wattles: NWT's No Impact Man

Clay and Wattles: "Welcome to my sustainable living diary. This is my way of systematically improving my family’s environmental footprint and having a conversation with others about how to live a ecologically- and socially-conscious life in the north. Please leave a comment so the conversation isn’t completely one-sided!"

Schools on Board goes International for International Polar Year!

NOW ACCEPTING CANADIAN APPLICATIONS! to 2008 International Schools on Board Field Program Deadline to apply is June 15th, 2007 This project, called the Circumpolar Flaw Lead (CFL) system study, is an ecosystem study that will occur in the Western Canadian High Arctic (south of Banks Island), onboard the Canadian research icebreaker - CCGS Amundsen. It is multidisciplinary research involving scientists from 15 different countries. The Schools on Board program will work with schools in Canada, International researchers, and northern partners, to form 3 international teams of high school student and teachers, who will join the scientist onboard the icebreaker to learn first-hand, the questions, methods, challenges, and implications of Arctic climate change research. Dates: February to March, 2008 - exact dates to be finalized. Spaces are only allocated to schools - interested individuals (students and teacher) should forward information to their school administrators or science teachers. Due to the limited number of spaces available, only one space will be allocated per school - 6 student and 2 teacher spaces will be allocated. Apply by filling out a School Application & Agreement form. Selection of schools will be done by committee see webpage for selection criteria. Check out the following websites for current information about the 2008 field Look for Schools on Board: www.umanitoba.ca/ceos or www.arcticnet.ulaval.ca

No Impact Man: What you need to know

No Impact Man: What you need to know: "No Impact Man is my experiment with researching, developing and adopting a way of life for me and my little family—one wife, one toddler, one dog—to live in the heart of New York City while causing no net environmental impact. To do this, we will decrease the things we do that hurt the earth—make trash, cause carbon dioxide emissions, for example—and increase the things we do that help the earth—clean up the banks of the Hudson River, give money to charity, rescue sea birds, say."

Alaska Natural History Institutes

Register Now for 2007 Field Seminars and Teacher Trainings! The Alaska Natural History Institutes offers hands-on, field-based courses in Alaska's wild places throughout the summer. The 3-8 day accredited courses are offered statewide in partnership with Alaska's national parks, forests and refuges. Classes are small, but the classrooms are grand! Field seminars are open to all participants, while teacher trainings are designed specifically for teachers. Professional development credit is available for all courses through the University of Alaska Anchorage. Field Seminars include:

• Denali Fault & Nenana Canyon: A Geology Exploration
• Where the Sea Breaks Its Back: Culture, Wildlife and War in the Refuges of the Aleutian Arc
• High Country Wildflowers: A Closer Look
• Denali's Large Mammals
• Geology of the Copper River Watershed
• Dall Sheep and their Predators
• Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants
• The Science of Fly-Fishing
• Denali Field Journaling
• Bears of Denali
• Geology of Denali
• Family Field Seminars

Teacher Trainings include:

• Bears and Wilderness of Admiralty Island
• Sculpted by Ice: Geology and Ecology of the Chugach National Forest
• Using iMovie to Capture Interest in Science
• Seals, Ice and the Wilderness Idea
• The World of Wolves
• Denali Dinosaurs
• Science Writing in the Heart of Denali
• Whales of Icy Strait

Information about all of the Institutes courses can be found at www.alaskainstitutes.org or by calling (907) 733-2896. Many courses are offered through the Murie Science and Learning Center in Denali National Park and Preserve, and information can also be found at www.murieslc.org or by calling (907) 683-1269 or toll-free (888) 688-1269.