Colorado PLT

Early Childhood Environmental Education Rating Scale

2012-01-23T18:25:00.000-07:00

NEW Early Childhood Environmental Education tool - based on the Guidelines for Excellence - published by NAAEE:
http://eelinked.naaee.net/n/guidelines/posts/Early-Childhood-Environmental-Education-Rating-Scale

Early Childhood Environmental Education Rating Scale
The Early Childhood Environmental Education Rating Scale (NAAEE 2011), authored by Yash Bhagwanji, provides a collaborative tool for educators and others to discuss their early childhood environmental education program goals, consider strengths and areas of needed improvement, and chart a future direction for development. The Early Childhood Environmental Education Rating Scale is easy to use while also encouraging deep discussions about program philosophy, design and implementation. Building off of NAAEE’s Early Childhood Environmental Education Programs: Guidelines for Excellence, it is a much welcomed addition to the early childhood environmental education tool kit.
The Early Childhood Environmental Education Rating Scale (ECEERS) is a formative evaluation tool designed to assist programs in improving their environmental education curriculum.
Whether you work with a center-based child development or family day care center, this tool can help you make needed improvements in the quality of activities, experiences, interactions, and instruction concerning the world of nature and its value in society. Environmental education centers, too, may benefit through improvements in curriculum that better respond to the abilities, interests, learning styles, and motivations for learning of young children.
Based on six key characteristics of high quality early childhood environmental education programs (North American Association for Environmental Education, 2010), the procedures for using the rating scale emphasize a collaborative approach in evaluation, through the sharing of differing perspectives (as represented by program board members, administrative officials, teaching staff, family members of the children participating in the program, and community partners), and the development of consensus in the rating of each specific guideline or recommendation. The rating scale is designed as a self-assessment tool requiring open and honest conversations. The process can be personally satisfying for the individual team members involved and, with ongoing evaluation utilizing the rating scale, can lead to program success over time. Download your copy of the PDF.

Click on the Holiday Greeting to enlarge!

2011-12-21T08:56:00.007-07:00

The Colorado Project Learning Tree Office is moving! Please save the new contact information:

Address: 15240 S. Golden Rd, Golden, CO.

Phone: 303-278-8822 (office) and 303-877-7585 (cell).

GreenWorks! Grant Winners!

2011-12-15T19:55:00.008-07:00

CONGRATULATIONS to Donna Shepherd from Indian Ridge Elementary and Kelly Keena from Achieve Academy, both are recipients of $1000.00 PLT Greenworks! Grants.

This year, National Project Learning Tree received an extremely large amount of applications, making Donna and Kelly's success all that more of an achievement. GreenWorks! is a service-learning, community action program that partners, PLT educators, students, and communities in environmental neighborhood improvement projects.

The Achieve Academy and Indian Ridge Elementary as well as their communities will definitely be benefiting from these grants, as their projects move forward. Congratulations and thanks for all your hard work!

For more information on GreenWorks! Grants check out www.plt.org/applyforagrant

Green Ribbon Award

2011-10-11T10:47:00.001-06:00

In September, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) made public its plans for a new Green Ribbon Schools initiative to acknowledge the work of schools related to environment, health, and education.

Through the Green Ribbon Schools program, the U.S. Department of Education will recognize schools with high levels of achievement under three pillars: 1) environmental impact and energy efficiency; 2) healthy environment; and 3) environmental literacy.

The recognition award is part of the ED's effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about practices proven to result in improved student engagement, academic achievement, graduation rates, and workforce preparedness.

As a PLT GreenSchool participant, you are a model school for this award, and we encourage you to apply! Project Learning Tree (PLT) and PLT's GreenSchools! program are listed by the ED as resources for schools to meet the criteria of its Green Ribbon award. Check out this chart that outlines how conducting PLT's set of five GreenSchool Investigations support every element of the ED's three Green Ribbon pillars.

In order to receive the ED Green Ribbon award, your school must be nominated by the Chief State Schools Officer (CSSO) in your state. Contact information for your Chief State Schools Officer can be found at http://www.ccsso.org/Who_We_Are/Meet_the_Chiefs.html, and we encourage you to contact your state's PLT Coordinator for help in working with your CSSO.

For more background, links to information and resources, and a fact sheet that provides a brief overview of the Green Ribbon Schools initiative, please read www.ed.gov./blog/2011/09/final-plans-announced-for-green-ribbon-schools/.

Winning schools will be recognized at an annual ceremony. While this recognition program conveys no ED funding to states, schools, or districts, Green Ribbon Schools may find raising financial and technical support for their green schools efforts a little easier.

If you are looking for funding now to help complete one or more of PLT's GreenSchools! Investigations, consider applying to PLT for a GreenSchools! grant. We've extended the application deadline to October 28, 2011. Thanks to funding provided by the U.S. Forest Service, grants up to $1,000 are available to support environmental action projects your students identify and plan to implement at your school. Visit www.greenschools.org for an application form.

"Environmental literacy is an important part of a well-rounded, world-class education," Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in April. In his recent video message announcing the Green Ribbon Schools competition, Secretary Duncan encourages schools to apply for the Green Ribbon award and said, "great schools can be examples of the best and most innovative ways to reduce environmental impact, create healthy learning spaces, and teach environmental literacy."

You can access the chart that outlines correlations between GreenSchools! Investigations and the three Green Ribbon pillars at http://www.plt.org/correlations.

Project Learning Tree can help you earn that national recognition!

New! Colorado PLT Schools and PLT Partners!

2011-09-08T17:34:00.003-06:00

Colorado PLT awarded the first "Colorado PLT School" bench to Red Feathers Lakes Elementary School at a Back to School Night community meeting last night! Principal Patrick Kind applied to become a PLT school last fall, after teacher and community members, including the neighboring Soaring Eagle Ecology Center, developed a plan to use their immediate mountain and forest environment for place-based lessons that would help make them unique among schools in the Poudre School district. All the teachers, administrators, staff, and many of the community members requested and attended an 8 hour PLT professional development workshop at which they received award winning interdisciplinary activities, curriculum ideas, outdoor classroom suggestions, grants opportunities, support from forestry agencies and organizations, and other supplemental materials. Teachers then included standards-aligned forest and other environmental activities throughout the year, and participated in community service projects in a neighboring forest. After a year of effort, they were finally awarded their coveted PLT School Bench-and are the first school in Colorado to receive one! Because of the interest and support of the school and community, the Colorado State Forest Service’s Project Learning Tree program, sponsored by the American Forest Foundation, decided to develop a state "PLT Schools" and "PLT Partners" initiative that will recognize the efforts of other schools and organizations that use and promote PLT. After meeting certain annual participation criteria, PLT Schools and Partners will receive a sturdy, engraved bench made from Colorado blue-stained pine wood, crafted in the iconic style made famous by Aldo Leopold, along with a copy of Leopold's classic book of essays about land ethics, A Sand County Almanac. The award is given as a unique reminder of Project Learning Tree activities, lessons and methods, coupled with the inspiration to learn more about Leopold's conservation legacy, and an opportunity to learn about the Mountain Pine Beetle,- the cause of the blue stained pine wood-all crafted into a study, simple bench! Congratulations, Red Feathers Lakes Elementary School!

The first Colorado Project Learning Tree Partners bench was awarded to the Cal-Wood Education Center two weeks ago, at the annual meeting of their trustees and board members. Cal-Wood hosts several PLT workshops and meetings each year, and executive director Rafael Salgado is a member of the National PLT Operating and Education Committee. One of the many unique PLT programs developed and presented once or twice each year is designed to teach educators how to “shelter” English for use their English Language Learner (ELL) students. Created by PLT facilitators Rafael, a wildlife biologist and environmental educator from Mexico, and Nancy Commins, our internationally recognized expert in linguistic diversity and author, this highly acclaimed professional development workshop fills up quickly! Because of this partnership, and long standing support of PLT at Cal-Wood and in Mexico, we are delighted to present Cal-Wood and Rafael our first “Colorado PLT Partner” Bench.

National Project Learning Tree's New Website

2011-08-15T10:13:00.000-06:00

National Project Learning Tree has redone their website. Check it out for helpful resources and information at http://www.plt.org/.

Colorado Environmental Film Festival

2011-08-02T12:35:00.003-06:00

CALL FOR FILM ENTRIES
Colorado Environmental Film Festival
The largest environmental film festival between the coasts, Colorado Environmental Film Festival seeks unique and meaningful films that aim to inspire, educate, and call to action. The Colorado Environmental Film Festival (www.ceff.net announces our annual Call for Entries, open now through submission deadline of November 30, 2011. The sixth annual festival takes place February 23-25, 2012 in beautiful Golden, CO. In addition to our original categories of Ultra Shorts, Shorts, Feature Length, and Local Filmmakers, this year we are opening up a new Youth Category for young filmmakers in Grades 6-12.
Filmmakers of all abilities and backgrounds are invited to submit their films. All films must be formally submitted through the online service, www.withoutabox.com. Details for submitting are also included on the festival’s website, www.ceff.net. If you have a film to submit or suggest for our consideration, you can also contact us at 303.278.8822 or ceffchair@gmail.com.

Deadline for GreenWorks! Grants is Fast Approaching!

2011-07-25T17:11:00.001-06:00

Educators, the application deadline for GreenWorks! Grants is September 30th. A few important things to remember are:

• The maximum grant award is $1,000
• Grants must be completed in one year
• Applicants must have attended a Project Learning Tree (PLT) workshop
• The proposed project must involve service-learning
• The proposed project must exemplify student voice
• The proposed project must involve at least one community partner
• The proposed project must secure at least 50% matched funds (in-kind acceptable)

For more information, including the application form, click HERE.

In 2011, another grant opportunity, the GreenSchools! Action Project, is available. The application deadline is also September 30th. Requirements are as follows:

• Applicants must meet all the parameters for traditional GreenWorks! grant funding (above)
• Applicants must be a school (public or private)
• Applicants must be registered on the PLT GreenSchools! website (It’s free!)
• Applicants must have established a Green Team
• Applicants must have completed one of more of the PLT GreenSchools! investigations
• The proposed project must be based on the findings of one or more of the PLT GreenSchools! investigations

Please note that grant applicants are welcome to submit proposals in both categories , but it is only possible to be funded in one. More information on the Greenschools! Action Project grant is available HERE.

Check Out the Newest Edition of PLT's Newsletter!

2011-07-25T16:44:00.000-06:00

Some highlights from the latest edition of The Branch include:

2011's National Project Learning Tree Outstanding Educators
National policy updates
Applying for and using Greenworks Grants
Using PLT to teach about the Gulf Oil Spill

Green Schools National Conference

2011-07-21T10:42:00.004-06:00

The second annual Green Schools National Conference will be held in Denver this year on Feburary 27th-29th. Register now through July 31st for speacial earl bird rates or apply to be a presentor. Applications for presentors are due by July 31st. For more information visit greenschoolsnationalconference.org.

2011 Fire Ecology Institute for Educators

2011-07-12T10:46:00.002-06:00

Check out the latest photos and participant reflections!

New PLT Faciliators

2011-04-27T22:28:00.004-06:00

Our newest 17 PLT facilitators-trained in Steamboat Springs in early April- are fun, energetic and dedicated, but this doesn't set them apart from our other 61 faciliators! What is unique about them is the diversity of backgrounds they bring to our greater group! For one thing, there were 8 current or former CSFS foresters in attendance! They work in our Steamboat Springs district, in Routt, Jackson and Grand Counties, and in Ft. Collins!

Others came from across the state, from Alamosa to Walden, Red Feathers Lakes and Bailey, and will do workshops at the State Forest State Park in the North, and Trinchera Ranch in the South, Red Feathers Lake and Bailey in the West, and all parts in between! Yampatika was our host, and 3/5 of their staff of naturalists are now PLT facilitators!

Bringing formal PreK-12th grade expertise are an elementary school principal, a former independent school founder and director, two secondary teachers and a preschool trainer and leader! One is a Canadian, and one from Chile. One narrowly missed meeting Shawna when she trained two Peace Corps groups in Zambia in 2003!

We are grateful to them for the contributions they will make in strengthening our PLT program at all grade levels and in diverse corners of the state. We enjoyed the snow (at least those of us who haven't seen much of it this year), the food, the activities and each other, and look forward to all the great workshops across the state that will result from this training...

...and the one that occured in another corner of Colorado last December! Durango Nature Center was the host that time, and 8 naturalists from DNC, and the directors of a youth corps and a Girl Scout camp rounded out this group. One highlight was the wildlife that joined our second day of the training!

Coming up next month is yet another faciliator training! (Whew-this will make four for PLT in one year! This is a record. ) We look forward to adding to our small but incredibly dedicated group of facilitators who use PLT and Project WILD to demonstrate how to "shelter" English for teachers of English Language Learners. Ten years ago, Rafael Salgado and Nancy Commins, both internationally respected experts in their professions, developed this special workshop and have conducted two filled-to capacitiy, 2 day-overnight workshops almost every year. 6-8 educators, working in teams of Spanish and non-Spanish speakers, will be trained or re-trained to include the "sheltering" instruction to PLT/WILD workshops.

Welcome all! We are grateful for your commitment to kids, teachers, and all natural things in your places and everywhere. Thank you for bringing PLT to your communities.

$500 MINI-GRANT APPLICATION for K-12 CLASSROOM TEACHERS

2011-03-11T22:04:00.000-07:00

STRENGTHENING COLORADO’S WATER & FOREST EDUCATION CONNECTIONS
$500 MINI-GRANT APPLICATION for K-12 CLASSROOM TEACHERS

Do your students understand the connection between
healthy forests and healthy water?

Funding is available from the Colorado State Forest Service and the US Forest Service to support education that makes the connection between forest conditions and water quality/quantity by getting kids out in nature for hands-on, inquiry-based environmental learning!

Ten $500 mini-grants will be awarded to Colorado K-12 classroom teachers to enhance forest and watershed education experiences for their students.

Eligible teachers must have attended a forest or watershed workshop, class, or training in the past three years, such as those listed on page 2 of this application.*

Please submit your completed online application by 5:00pm on MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2011 at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/S7PW6TS

Selected applicants will be notified via email by MONDAY, APRIL 18, 2011.

Checks will be made out to and mailed to your school.

You must spend the awarded grant funds by SEPTEMBER 30, 2011.

Red Feather Lakes Elementary Becomes first PLT School in Colorado

2011-02-25T14:37:00.003-07:00

In recent years, Red Feather Lakes Elementary School, like other mountain schools in the Poudre School District, has faced the possibility of closing because of budget concerns . This would have forced the students to be bused to the nearest elementary school, 25 miles away. Parents, educators, and community leaders voiced their concerns about the possible closure and presented reasons the school should stay open, including a way to make their small school stand out. They contacted the Project Learning Tree Coordinator and asked to become our first PLT School! In November 2010, 16 participants, including all of the schools administrators, faculty, staff, and a few community volunteers, attended an all day workshop, putting them on the path to becoming a PLT-certified school. By meeting several requirements, which include having at least half of all teachers trained in using PLT materials, maintaining an annual commitment to PLT, and performing community outreach programs related to trees, forests, or related environmental topics and local issues, Red Feather Lakes became the first Project Learning Tree certified school in Colorado! They will be presented with a special bench made for Colorado Blue Stained Pine Wood, commemorating this achievement. And so far, the school has escaped closure! Trees Rock!

Mitchell Elementary School Sends Forest Exchange Box to UN.

2011-02-16T16:20:00.031-07:00

All three fourth grade classes at Mitchell Elementary in Golden contributed information about Colorado forests, including samples of cones, seeds, bark, and wood, to the Colorado forest box which was sent to the United Nations to celebrate the 2011 Year of Forests. This activity is from the Project Learning Tree PreK-8th Grade Activity Guide Book. State Forester, Jeff Jahnke, City of Golden Mayor, Jacob Smith, Golden City Forester, Dave High, and Project Learning Tree Coordinator, Shawna Crocker attended the ceremony on January 14th and received the box to send to the UN in New York City.

CSFS Announces 2011 Fire Ecology Institute for Educators

2011-01-23T17:07:00.000-07:00

June 13-17, 2011, in Durango, CO.

Click here for more informtion and to register.

Click here for photos, lesson plans and reflections from previous Durango Institute.

Registration deadline: May 25, 2011

2011-01-13T12:43:00.015-07:00

Colorado Tree Coalition announces the

2011 Colorado Arbor Day Poster Contest.

Leading statewide efforts to preserve, renew and enhance community forests.

(Broomfield, CO) - The Colorado Tree Coalition (CTC) and the Colorado State Forest Service proudly announce the 2011 Colorado Arbor Day Poster Contest. This exciting, fun and educational opportunity is available to all 5^th grade students living in Colorado. Prizes are awarded to both the winning student and their teacher. We will recognize the statewide 2011 Colorado Arbor Day Poster Contest winner with a ceremony at the Colorado State Capitol during Arbor Week in late April.

The theme for this year’s contest is “Celebrate Trees in Our Community”.

Only one entry per school or home school is allowed and all posters must be an original artwork created by the student. The entry deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday April 5, 2011. Submit posters in person or mail to:

Keith Wood

Colorado State Forest Service
9769 W. 119th Drive Suite 12

Broomfield, Colorado 80021

Additional rules and submission requirements are available at the Colorado Tree Coalition website at www.coloradotrees.org . All posters submitted are the property of the Colorado Tree Coalition and will not be returned.

Contact: Tanya Czerniakowski, 303-708-181
Shawna Crocker, 303-202-4662

For information about Project Learning Tree activities and training, click here

For a list of upcoming workshops, click here

To download sample activites, click
here,
- Activity 20: Environmental Exchange Box
- Activity 51: Make Your Own Paper

-here, Activity 30, Three Cheers for Trees

here
- Activity 21-Adopt a Tree
- Activiy 31-Plant a Tree
- Activity 89-Trees for Many Reasons

About the Colorado Tree Coalition:

The Colorado Tree Coalition (CTC) is a 20 year old non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, renewing and enhancing community forests in Colorado. We provide educational programs, grants for tree planting and care, scholarships for CTC members to attend conferences and volunteer and networking opportunities for professionals and tree lovers from all areas. More information on the CTC and our programs is available at www.coloradotrees.org.

2011 International Year of the Forest

2010-12-31T13:56:00.065-07:00

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.

The theme - “Forests for People"- is depicted by the logo, which shows that forests are vital to the survival and well-being of people everywhere. It includes:
-A shelter for people.
-A habitat to biodiversity.
-A source of food, medicine and clean water.
-A vital role in maintaining a stable global climate and environment.
(Click for more information and for permission to use this logo)

The components of this theme are mirrored in the conceptual framework that helped determine the content and format of PLT activities at all grade levels. PreK-8 activities are listed here, and secondary activites are listed here. All can be used to teach about the International Year of Forests through out 2011.

The United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) is implementing the International Year of Forests. UNFF plans to strengthen their working relationships with different organizations working towards sustainable forest management, as well as on forest-related issues within the United Nations system, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

The United Kingdom, Norway, Italy, Indonesia, Kenya, the United States and elsewhere will host events including conferences, workshops, expositions, as well as educational activities.

The American Forest Foundation (AFF), with support from the USDA Forest service (USFS) has partnered with the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) and the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) to help develop, guide, and facilitate plans for the U.S. celebration of 2011 International Year of Forests. A variety of events, activities and resources (including a calendar and downloadable event toolkit) will be available on a central website and through traditional and social media outreach. The goal of this campaign will be to elevate awareness of the benefits, values, and challenges of America’s forests, and amplify what we all are already doing.

AFF is featuring one of our activitites, the Environmental Exchange Box ( activity #20), and is engaging both its Tree Farm and PLT networks in compiling and decorating state-specific Forest Exchange Boxes for display at the United Nations and other locations and events throughout the year. 4th graders attending Mitchell Elementary School in Golden are creating and decorating our Colorado Exchange Box. Stay tuned for photos and descriptions of their creation!

The “science” news event of the year-PLT and the Gulf Oil Spill

2010-10-11T17:21:00.001-06:00

It could be the “science” news event of the year – and is surely a teachable moment that is being used in classrooms around the world. The environmental and social effects of the Gulf Oil Spill will continue to draw the attention of educators for years to come as we discover more of both the short and long term effects of the spill.

To help educators teach their students about this event using PLT materials, we have put together a list of activities from the PreK-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide, Energy and Society, Forests of the World, and Focus on Risk. In addition to the activities listed, we have also provided links to websites with information on the Gulf Oil Spill.

PLT PreK-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide

Activity 36: Pollution Search (Part A: Grades 2-6, Part B: Grades PreK-2)
Activity 39: Energy Sleuths (Part A: Grades K-3, Part B and C: Grades 4-8)
Activity 59: Power of Print (Grades 6-8
Activity 71: Watch on Wetlands (Grades 7-8)
Activity 85: In the Driver’s Seat (Grades 5-8)
Activity 86: Our Changing World (Grades 5-8)
Activity 88: Life on the Edge (Grades 4-8)
Activity 96: Improve Your Place (Grades 5-8)
Energy and Society
Activity 5: In the Driver’s Seat (Grades 5-8)
Forests of the World
Activity 4: Analyzing Patterns of Forest
Focus on Risk
Activity 2: Things Aren’t Always What They Seem

For details on how these activities can be used, and to see relevant web sites, go to
http://plt.org/PLT_Activity_Connections_Gulf_Oil_Spill.doc

CONGRATULATIONS!

2010-09-12T18:37:00.010-06:00

Project Learning Tree's Environmental Experiences

for Early Childhood has been selected a

Learning ® Magazine 2011 Teachers’ Choice Award winner!

For 17 years, the Learning® magazine Teachers' Choice Awards have heralded the very best in classroom-tested, teacher-recommended products. Each year a nationwide panel of teacher-judges names the standouts in books, classroom supplies, educational games, software, Web sites, and supplemental materials that teachers need for their classroom. After receiving top ratings in rounds of rigorous judging, PLT’s Early Childhood Guide and CD won a 17th annual Teachers’ Choice Award for supplemental materials.

In 1994, Learning magazine introduced the first Teachers’ Choice Awards program. Over the years, the program has grown to become one of the most recognized and prestigious awards in the educational market. For the 17th annual program, 60 winners were chosen based on their scores from the evaluations done by a panel of teachers across the country.

A team of teachers evaluates each product in the classroom. The products are evaluated on quality, instructional value, ease of use, and innovation.

Each product is evaluated on its own merit. Only those products that meet Learning Magazine’s teachers’ stringent standards are chosen to receive a Teachers’ Choice Award.

Colorado PLT Outstanding Educator Tours Oregon Forests

2010-08-17T18:00:00.006-06:00

Durango Teacher and Facilitator, Lu Boren, was Colorado's nominee for National Outstanding PLT Educator. As a result, this summer, she was able to participate in the Temperate Forest Foundation's Forest Tour for Teachers. In the photo Lu receives her award plaque, presented on behalf of Colorado PLT by Durango District Forester, Kent Grant, who often helps Lu bring forest education to her students.

Below is the letter of thanks she wrote to the sponsor of her trip, Denver Lumber.

August 7, 2010

Dear Denver Lumber

My name is Lu Boren, and you sponsored my recent trip to the 2010 Pacific NW Teacher Forestry Tour in Corvallis, Oregon. I thank you so much for the opportunity to broaden my knowledge of forest ecology with a trip to the forests of the Pacific Northwest.

I am a middle school science teacher in Durango. I teach Earth Science, Chemistry, Physics, and Biology, but my passion is Forest and Fire Ecology. I began teaching Fire Ecology with Project Learning Tree after the Missionary Ridge Fire of 2002. I quickly fell in love with forests and fire, and the students in my class loved it also. It is a rite of passage at our school to study how fire behaves in the forest, to experiment and “burn things”. My kids choose Fire Ecology over any other subject. And, living at the edge of the forest, I am constantly surprised at how few kids have ever really “seen” the trees in the forest. We study forest health, bugs, dendrochronology, parts of a tree, overcrowding, watersheds, and especially how fire behaves in the forest.

So, as much as I am familiar with Colorado forests and especially Western Slope Ponderosa Pine forests, I was completely unprepared for the differences in the forests of the Pacific NW. I learned about Doug Fir, immeasurable rainfall, and tree farming. Since I hail from an agricultural background, I completely understood forest agriculture. We had the opportunity to see clearcuts, and all stages of replanting and regrowth. We saw areas of tree farms deliberately left as wildlife habitat, and Christmas Tree farms. It was amazing. We also had the opportunity to tour a Georgia-Pacific Plant and see the Doug Fir becoming household lumber. It was eye-opening to see how much of the tree becomes usable fiber. And more importantly, to see how little is wasted.

This year, because of your sponsorship, as we are studying the forests and fires of Colorado, we will also be studying the differences in ownership, tree types, forest products, and general usage of the forest land in Oregon. Thank you for the chance to visit and see for myself the differences in the forests. All of the internet information gathering in the world doesn’t touch the impact that two and half days in the forest will have on my teaching.

My Thanks,

Lu Boren

Letter in Support of EPA funding for Environmental Education

2010-08-05T10:56:00.003-06:00

The Honorable Lisa P. Jackson
Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building-Mail Code 4101M
1200 Pennsylvania Ave,
NW Washington, DC 20460

Re: Draft FY 2011-2015 Strategic Plan

Dear Administrator Jackson:

On behalf of the American Forest Foundation, a non-profit conservation organization that strives to protect America’s family forests and to prepare our future generation of conservation leaders, I urge you to turn your attention to education and the important role that environmental education plays within the strategic priorities that you have set for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the next five years.

We appreciate the opportunity to comment on the draft of your five year strategic plan for the EPA and commend you for setting goals to tackle some of the complex environmental problems our country faces. However, we were disappointed that you did not include education as an integral part of your strategies to address the key priorities.

Education should be a key component throughout the cross-cutting strategies mentioned to address the five priorities. We have seen firsthand, though Project Learning Tree® (PLT), a program of the American Forest Foundation, which trains over 30,000 educators each year to include environmental education in their classrooms,
the power of education to change actions and create solutions.

I do not believe you can fully accomplish your work around your top five priority areas unless you educate and engage students and the public. Each of the strategies seem to skirt the concept of increasing support for environmental education, and yet
education would be an ideal complement—often should be a key component—of each of the strategies you mention.

Environmental education should play a fundamental role in expanding the conversation on environmentalism. Through environmental education in the classroom, students connect to their environment, engage in learning through their environment, and learn how to think—not what to think—about the complex environmental problems in their own backyards and across the country. Through environmental education in schools, students develop an appreciation for their outdoors and a desire to protect
their environment. Next, students take that appreciation home with them, sharing their new knowledge and excitement with their families.

In South Lake Tahoe, CA, students participated in a PLT GreenWorks! grant, where the local high school and the US Forest Service partnered to involve local high school students to clean up the Angora Fire Burn site and to teach younger students about trees and the role their local forest plays to give them clean air and water and many other benefits. All of the students then helped to replant the forest. The high school students involved developed a deep appreciation for their local ecosystem and learned how to take initiative to solve problems in the community. As a result, they involved their siblings, friends, parents, and local businesses.

Our schools should be the first place to start to begin expanding the conversation about the environment, particularly in high-need communities. Education also plays a key role in your work advancing science,research, and technology innovation and in strengthening EPA’s workforce and capabilities. EPA needs to begin now to train the next generation of scientists and innovators who can lead EPA’s workforce through the 21st century.

Schools across America are starved for programs that not only teach students about their environment but take it to the next level by guiding them to develop critical thinking skills to identify and solve environmental challenges.

For example, the students at Scattergood Friends School in West Branch, Iowa conducted an investigation of their school as a part of PLT’s GreenSchools! program. They identified major issues with storm-water runoff on the campus, which created problems associated with water pollution and soil conservation. In addition to identifying the problem, students also developed and implemented the solution—the school needed a rain garden. The students at Scattergood Friends School and other schools with strong environmental education programs learned about their environment but also acquired problem-solving skills. EPA will need scientists, researchers, innovators, and program staff with these problem-solving skills.

As one that has seen first hand the power of education to change actions and create solutions, I do not believe you can fully accomplish your work around your top five priority areas unless you invest in programs to educate and engage students and the public. As you note in your expanding the conversation strategy, there are many things the federal government can do to solve our environmental challenges, but there are many more things that private citizens and individuals can do. A key focus on environmental education will unlock this potential in America’s students, young people, and our citizens.

The EPA has supported environmental education since 1990 from funds through the National Environmental Education Act (NEEA). NEEA authorized the Office of Environmental Education, which in turn funds EPA Environmental Education Grants, the Environmental Education and Training Program, and regional grants, all of which help to support PLT and environmental education programs across the country. I urge you to continue and expand your support for environmental education programs.

Many of the students who learned about their environment through a program like PLT are now in positions where they make decisions about our environment everyday, like how to keep our air and water clean. We need to continue to lay the groundwork for future generations by continuing to make environmental education a priority today.

Sincerely,

Tom Martin
President & CEO, American Forest Foundation

1111 Nineteenth Street, NW
Suite 780
Washington, D.C. 20036

Article(DiscoveryNews): Measuring the Earth's Forests

2010-07-24T18:30:00.003-06:00

This was sent to me last week-a reminder of the vital role of trees to our earth systems. We can't take trees for granted anymore. (Look into the Resources page, on the right, for additional pertinent and current information to enhance PLT activities).

Measuring the Earth's Forests
By John D. Cox | Thu Jul 22, 2010 05:09 PM ET

A Colorado State University scientist using NASA satellite data has produced a map that provides the first global picture of the height of Earth's forests.

Standing tallest are the ancient temperate conifer forest canopies of parts of Southeast Asia and North America's Pacific Northwest -- the famous Coastal Redwoods and sequoias, Douglas Fir and western hemlock. While some individual redwoods tower over 350 feet, the map depicts average heights in 1.9-square-mile patches.

Broad swaths of shorter boreal forest dominate the Northern Hemisphere across Canada and the eastern United States as well as from Europe across northern Asia. Dense mid-level canopies occupy the Tropics through South America, Africa and south Asia.

Remote-sensing specialist Michael Lefsky, in a study about to be published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, called his product a "first draft" of information that will help climate scientists create "biomass maps" to better understand the planet's carbon cycle.

Along the way, scientists will get better estimates of the sources and sinks of carbon entering the atmosphere -- an inventory that is critical to model simulations of future global temperature change.

A biomass map will help fill some gaping holes in scientists' accounting of the 7 billion tons of carbon that humans release each year into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, the dominant greenhouse gas. About 3 billion tons end up in the atmosphere and 2 billion tons are absorbed in the ocean. Scientists think that photosynthesis by vegetation accounts for most of the remaining 2 billion tons per year, but they need more detail of the planet's biomass to be certain.

The new map combines the output of data from two sets of sophisticated instruments -- "multi-spectral" electromagnetic readings from the Terra and Aqua satellites and sensitive LIDAR laser altimetry measurements from instruments aboard the Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite (ICESat).

NASA said the LIDAR technology "provides a fully-textured snapshot of the vertical structure of a forest -- something that no other scientific instrument can offer."

PLT’s Online Community

2010-07-21T12:37:00.002-06:00

Project Learning Tree has launched an online professional learning community to help educators learn from each other and improve their teaching using PLT and environmental education. At http://connect.plt.org, teachers can strengthen their content knowledge, share teaching strategies, and connect with other educators across the country to exchange ideas and resources. In addition, you can download some PLT secondary activities, namely, PLT’s Biotechnology Supplement, a complementary resource to PLT’s Focus on Risk module, and the activities that make up PLT’s Exploring Environmental Issues: Biodiversity secondary module.
Project Learning Tree’s new Online Community for Educators provides a secure avenue for educators nationwide to connect with each other, and with PLT workshop facilitators, their state PLT program coordinator, and PLT staff, to learn more about how best to integrate PLT and environmental education into classrooms and the outdoors.
Whether you’re new to PLT or a veteran, PLT’s online community provides another opportunity for you to further your professional development; discuss issues pertaining to environmental education; join and form groups related to professional development topics; and chat with educators across the country and around the world. The community also allows users to create their own blogs, and to start or join discussion threads.

STRATEGIC REPORT SAYS STEM EDUCATION NEEDS TO START AS EARLY AS PRE-KINDERGARTEN

2010-05-15T21:25:00.001-06:00

Students need to begin training in the sciences and math as early as pre-kindergarten for success in today's global economy, according to a report recently released by Wheelock College's Aspire Institute. The report, "Strengthening STEM Education in the Early Years," was commissioned by the John Adams Innovation Institute of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and recommends the establishment of a Greater Boston STEM Educator Consortium to provide additional teacher training. "The report offers an actionable roadmap for students to adapt to the opportunities of the 21st century economy," said Mitchell Adams, executive director of the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative. Within the past year, national and local calls to strengthen STEM education have intensified. President Obama recently announced a $250 million initiative as part of his Educate to Innovate Campaign to train math and science teachers. The federal Race to the Top funding includes STEM as the only "content" area referred to as a "competitive preference priority."

In Massachusetts, Governor Patrick recently created the STEM Advisory Council to advise on STEM education issues. "It is imperative that we continue to invest in STEM education in order to prepare our students for the jobs and careers of the future," said Lt. Governor Timothy Murray, Chair of the Governor's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Advisory Council. "This report lays out clear recommendations and action steps to promote education in these fields as early as pre-kindergarten and I look forward to including these ideas in our ongoing dialogue." U.S. students consistently trail behind their peers in countries, such as China, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Russia, England, and the Netherlands in math and science academic performance. And while Massachusetts as a whole performed well above the national average in math and science on the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), it is among the states with the largest achievement gap between different racial/ethnic and income-level student subgroups in these same areas.

“Connecting Kids to Nature” Activity Pages

2010-04-27T15:43:00.002-06:00

We are creating a series of kids activity pages based upon PLT activities for “non-educators” (e.g. parents and families) to engage their children, grandchildren, neighbors’ or friends’ children in the outdoors. The following activities are available and posted online at http://www.learnoutside.org/familyactivities.html:

Activity 22: Trees as Habitats From their leafy branches to their tangled roots, trees provide a habitat for a host of plants and animals. In this activity, children will inventory the plants and animals that live in, on, and around trees and discover how plants and animals depend on trees in many ways.

Activity 23: The Fallen Log It’s amazing how many things live in and on rotting logs. In this activity, kids become familiar with some of those organisms by observing fallen logs. They’ll gain an understanding of how decomposition takes place and a better appreciation for microhabitats and communities.

Activity 64: Looking at Leaves In this activity, children will take a closer look at leaves and find out more about leaf characteristics and how leaves can be used to identify plants.
Activity 65: Bursting BudsIn early spring, the tiny, bright green leaves of many trees burst forth. Where do the leaves come from? How do they form? In this activity, children will find the answers to these questions through observation and research.

Happy Earth Day!

2010-04-19T21:15:00.002-06:00

This Earth Day, Get Kids Outside!
Join PLT, the No Child Left Inside Coalition and Earth Day Network to take kids outside to learn on the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, 2010. Earth Day is a meaningful, simple way for educators to integrate environmental education into their classrooms and schools, and PLT activities provide educators with easy ways to get children outdoors and learning about nature. Some recommendations for suggested PLT outdoor activities for a variety of grade levels can be found on PLT’s Every Student Learns Outside website.
In addition, the Earth Day Network can help with online Earth Day and environmental education resources. For example, the Earth Day 40th anniversary environmental history curriculum unit is available at www.earthday.org/earthdaycurriculum. Also check out Earth Day’s Educators Network for more standard-based lessons, school greening tips, and grants for teachers. Other resources to help you organize Earth Day events, including a media advisory, can be found online at: www.nclicoalition.org.

EE Legislation Update
Environmental Education Is Receiving Much-Needed Attention in Washington, D.C.
Federal education policy is changing rapidly. More and more decisions are being made at the federal level that used to be up to states and local school districts. That’s why it’s good to see that Congress and the Administration are recognizing important subjects, like environmental education, in their plans. The House Education and Labor Committee has identified NCLI as one of their top four pieces of legislation for the year, which is a huge boost for environmental education and a true testament to all of the great support for the topic from educators and others across the country.

The U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has laid out the President's blueprint for the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind (NCLB), which many people are now calling by it's previous name the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). As you know, we've been working to get the No Child Left Inside Act (NCLI) included as part of the NCLB/ESEA reauthorization.

President Obama included funding for environmental education in his budget request for the U.S. Department of Education this year, and he also included it in his blueprint for ESEA/NCLB reauthorization. However, in both instances, environmental education is included under a broad “Well Rounded Education” competitive grant program. While this helps to emphasize the importance of environmental education as a priority at the federal level, it does not address some of the key components included in NCLI—particularly the environmental education literacy plans and an adequate amount of funding.

As part of the NCLI Coalition, the national PLT staff and the American Forest Foundation are continuing efforts to get NCLI included in the NCLB/ESEA reauthorization. They continue to urge members of both the House and Senate education committees to include NCLI in their committee bills for ESEA/NCLB. AFF submitted a letter to the House Education and Labor Committee, urging them to include NCLI in their bill.

On the funding front, the appropriations process for 2011—like many pieces of legislation—was stalled by the healthcare debates. AFF submitted testimony for the record on key federal funding priorities to the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. As part of the testimony, we urged the members of the Subcommittee to increase funding for environmental education grants through the National Environmental Education Act (NEEA). This program is funded through the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and we are urging them to fully fund the program at $14 million this year. This program has provided funding to PLT in the past, and we'll be following the appropriations process closely.

2010-02-20T21:50:00.005-07:00

Early Childhood Experiences to Get Young Children Outdoors

Activity Guide and Music CD Teaches Children
Ages 3 to 6 About the Natural World Around Them

Just as more attention is being focused on the need to connect students to nature at a younger age, Project Learning Tree® (PLT) releases a new curriculum guide and music CD to engage children ages 3 to 6 in outdoor exploration and play. Eleven field-tested, hands-on activities showcase over 130 "early childhood experiences" which integrate investigations of nature with art, literature, math, music, and movement. Early childhood educators and caregivers can obtain a copy of PLT's Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood curriculum by attending a PLT professional development workshop in their area.
"Exploring nature is a complete sensory experience, and early experiences with the natural world excite children's imaginations and foster their inborn sense of wonder and curiosity-important motivators for lifelong learning," says Kathy McGlauflin, Director of Project Learning Tree and Senior Vice President of Education for the American Forest Foundation, the national sponsor of PLT.

"Increasing environmental literacy is a proven way to encourage scientific inquiry, and PLT's Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood provides an introduction to environmental education at a key developmental period in children's lives," adds McGlauflin.

Since 1993, PLT has provided environmental education training and academic curricula for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten educators to assist in their educational programming with young people. In response to a huge demand for more activities that use developmentally-appropriate approaches for reaching young learners, PLT has created a new early childhood curriculum and produced an accompanying music CD to provide a valuable resource designed specifically for early childhood educators.

"PLT's Early Childhood program encourages young children to learn about the natural world around them using their senses, the seasons, and neighborhood trees," says Al Stenstrup, Director of Education Programs at the American Forest Foundation. "The experiences in PLT's Early Childhood guide encourage children to explore, discover, and communicate in expressive ways. They emphasize outdoor adventure, support children having fun while learning, and utilize each child's imagination and creativity to provide opportunities for learning in groups or as individuals," he says.

The activities highlight the importance of kinetic learning and differentiated instruction, including opportunities to incorporate music and movement using the CD to encourage children to sing and dance. The music selections include instrumentals with different rhythms and cultural connections, nature sounds, classical music, and fun songs with educational lyrics from children's music artist Billy B. Brennan.

PLT's Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood guide includes background information on facilitating experiences for the early childhood learner, how to guide children in learning about nature both indoors and outdoors, and clear objectives and benchmarks to assess learning. It also includes suggestions for activities that families and friends can conduct to enhance their child's learning experiences at home.

PLT's Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood guide has been correlated to national standards for preschool education by three major early childhood accreditation programs. All activities meet the National Association for the Education of Young Children criteria for curriculum, the North American Association for Environmental Education's Early Childhood Environmental Education Guidelines for Excellence, and the Head Start's Child Outcomes Framework.

Educators receive training and PLT's Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood materials by attending a professional development workshop. PLT's 50-state network trains 30,000 PreK-12 educators every year through 1,500 workshops held across the country. Contact information for each PLT state program can be found at www.plt.org, along with additional resources and correlations to academic standards and guidelines.

Two GreenWorks! Service-Learning Grants in Colorado

2010-02-04T15:36:00.003-07:00

Congratulations go out to Liberty High School in Colorado Springs and Front Range Community College’s High School Program in Fort Collins for their 2010 GreenWorks! Grants.

“These grants support Colorado students who understand the value in working together on a common project,” said Shawna Crocker, Colorado PLT coordinator. “The projects also enable groups of students to do hands-on learning outdoors.” The recipients are:
Liberty High School, Colorado Springs, Butterfly Garden: Students with special needs, as well as the Student Council, Environmental Club, and other student groups, will create a garden in the front of the school to provide butterfly and other wildlife habitat. This is a project that will take place over several years, with students building on previous work.

Front Range Community College, High School Program, Fort Collins, “Communities, Cameras, and Conservation”: Students from 10 area high schools in the college’s wildlife and forestry program will partner with the Rocky Mountain Cat Conservancy to collect and analyze data about mountain lion behaviors and movement. They will share the information with Larimer County Park managers, other land managers, and the local community.
Since 1998, Colorado educators have received 46 GreenWorks! grants! To view the list of past recipients, go to http://www.plt.org/cms/pages/47_193_0.html

Since 1992, Project Learning Tree has distributed more than $800,000 to fund nearly 1,000 grant projects in communities across the country.
For more information about GreenWorks!, and a complete list of Project Learning Tree’s GreenWorks! grant awards, visit www.plt.org or contact Vanessa Bullwinkle, Director of Communications, 202.463.2472 or vbullwinkle@forestfoundation.org.

2010 National Arbor Day Foundation Poster Contest deadline March 5

2009-12-17T19:20:00.003-07:00

5th grade teachers and students are invited to participate in the 2010 Arbor Day National Poster Contest sponsored by the Colorado Tree Coalition, the National Arbor Day Foundation, and Toyota Motor Corporation. School winners will be eligible to compete in the State Contest. The Colorado State Winner receives special recognition locally and also competes nationally. All school winning posters are displayed at the Colorado State Capitol and all school winners and teachers receive great prizes! Don't miss out on this engaging and impactful opportunity to teach fifth grade students about the important role trees play in our environment. Download your free 2010 Arbor Day National Poster Contest materials here http://www.arborday.org/kids/postercontest/index.cfm and help foster the next generation of tree stewards or contact Donna Davis directly at dodavis@lamar.colostate.edu or at: Colorado Tree Coalition Poster Contest Coordinator, c/o Colorado State Forest Service, 208 Santa Fe Ave, Suite #21
La Junta, CO 81050.

Colorado GreenSchools!

2009-12-15T13:56:00.010-07:00

Metro Denver has been chosen by the national PLT office as one of five regions to participate in Year Two of the Corporation for National and Community Service’s Learn and Serve STEM Grant. Five schools from each region are selected to participate in a two-day GreenSchools! training. Visit GreenSchools for more information. The investigations are available for all to use, but free registration is necessary.

Colorado Green Schools are from Denver -Cole Academy of Arts and Science, Escuela Tlatelolo, and Lake MS, and from Aurora -Quest K-8, and Hinkley HS. Each school sent a GreenSchools! Team, composed of students and school staff, for training in service-learning, PLT, and the GreenSchools! program. Our training was hosted at Lake MS which was used as a laboratory for learning the investigations. The unique student and teacher training model is proving very successful.

Teams attended a two day training in November conducted by national PLT leaders to learn how to investigate environmental topics of concern at their schools. Each school receives equipment and materials valued at $1000 to explore energy and water use, waste and recycling, landscaping and outdoor features, and overall environmental quality. They then decide on a problem or issue they'd like to improve, and create an action plan. Each team will receive a $6000 GreenWorks grant to implement their plan.

Stay tuned for more about our PLT GreenSchools! Visit our student page to follow their experiences.

New Grant Opportunities

2009-12-01T07:50:00.004-07:00

Toshiba America Foundation Grants
Deadline: February 1, 2010
The Toshiba America Foundation promotes quality science and mathematics education in U.S. K-12 schools by supporting programs that improve teaching and learning in science and mathematics. Awards range from $1,000 to $50,000. Visit the Toshiba website to learn more and download an application.

Irwin Andrew Porter Foundation Grants
Deadline: March 31, 2010
The Irwin Andrew Porter Foundation funds environmental education programs that show evidence that the creator thinks "outside the box." The quality, innovation, thoughtfulness and effectiveness of the project are all considered in determining the winners of this grant. Grant amounts may range from $500 to $30,000. Visit the Foundation Website to review the grant guidelines and submit an application.

Get Ur Good On Grants
Deadline: February 22, 2010
Get Ur Good On Grants are available for youth-led service initiatives on Global Youth Service Day, April 23-25, 2010. Available to children and youth around the world, YSA's Get Ur Good On Grants will award 100 $500 grants to support projects addressing critical community needs such as poverty, education, and environmental sustainability. To learn more about Get Ur Good On Grants and to take the eligibility quiz, visit www.YSA.org/grants.

Disney's Planet Challenge Announces Funding for Classroom Environmental Science Projects

Disney announced a new granting initiative to supplement its free environmental learning competition for fourth through sixth grade classrooms, Disney’s Planet Challenge. Disney is collaborating with DonorsChoose.org, an online charity that connects individual “citizen philanthropists” with classrooms in need, to match donations and fund 50 percent of each Disney’s Planet Challenge classroom environmental science project that qualifies.

Disney is providing a $100,000 grant to DonorsChoose.org that will be applied towards the Web site’s “Double Your Impact” feature which will fund 50 percent of environmental science classroom projects for Disney’s Planet Challenge, a program developed by Disney in collaboration with NSTA, West Ed K–12 Alliance and a number of federal and state government agencies. To participate, between now and December 18, fourth through sixth grade educators across the U.S. can find out more at www.Disney.com/planetchallenge.

EPA Environmental Education Grants
Deadline: December 15, 2009
EPA seeks proposals to support environmental education projects that promote environmental stewardship and help develop knowledgeable and responsible students, teachers, and citizens. EPA issues Environmental Education Grants from Headquarters as well as its Regional offices. Regional offices fund projects from $5,000 to $50,000. EPA Headquarters funds projects from $50,001 to $200,000. Most grants awarded will be in the $15,000 to $25,000 range. Following instructions is an important part of the application process, so please read carefully!

Toyota International Teacher Program
Application Deadline: January 6, 2010
The Toyota International Teacher Program offers fully-funded, international, professional development opportunities for U.S. educators. The program aims to advance environmental stewardship and global connectedness in U.S. schools and communities through creative, interdisciplinary, and solution-based teaching methods. The 2010 Toyota International Teacher Program will take place in Costa Rica, June 18 – July 3. Visit their website to review eligibility criteria and the full aplication.

NEA Foundation Green Grants
Deadline: February 1, 2010
Public school educators are eligible to apply for NEA Foundation Green Grants worth up to $5,000 for the development and implementation of ideas, techniques and approaches for teaching "green" concepts. Big Green Help Grants target environmental education as an area of promise in helping students develop a sense of environmental stewardship. NEA’s Green Grants to Public School Educators support projects that integrate green-related topics with standards-based content areas to increase student engagement and improve academic achievement.

EE and Diversity

2009-11-25T15:49:00.001-07:00

EETAP Releases New EE Article
Demographic changes and the emergence of a more global society have challenged the field of environmental education (EE) to be more inclusive and to offer programming that is relevant to culturally diverse groups. But what do we mean by diversity, and where is the EE field going with it?

“Still Developing the Toolbox: Making EE Relevant for Culturally Diverse Groups,” by Joanne M. Lozar Glenn, addresses this question and profiles five organizations working to connect their programming to the communities they serve. From creating learning groups to reaching urban, immigrant, and native audiences, these organizations address what it means to work with diverse audiences, and how connecting with these communities changes what they’re doing and how that work gets done.

The article includes 10 “learnings” that have emerged from environmental educators who are on the ground and at the forefront of efforts to make EE more inclusive. The article also provides a list of resources (books, articles, websites, programs, and organizations and individuals) designed to inspire readers who want to learn more about this topic and to get ideas they can apply to their own work.

EPA Data Finder
(resource for GreenSchools! program)
EPA recently launched Data Finder, a single place to find EPA's data sources so people can better access and understand environmental information. Environmental datasets are organized into the following six categories: air, climate change, health risks, pollutants and contaminants, waste, and water. Visit the site, suggest new content, and comment on its functionality.

Plan ahead for February Black History Month

2009-11-25T13:40:00.005-07:00

Project Learning Tree is versatile! It is easy to find activities to support an endless number of themes, local issues, seasonal topics, special interests and content areas. For example, according to Georgia PLT coordinator, Carla Rapp, professors at Spellman College in Atlanta think PLT is perfect for "Culturally Responsive Teaching", and use PLT activities frequently in their classes.

Check out these PLT activities that connect African Americans and black history week with PLT activities:

Activity 16: Pass the Plants, Please
This activity will get students thinking about just how big a part plants play in our daily diets. Many of our traditional Southern dishes are a direct result of the early influence of African American slaves. Students can research this topic. (Subjects: Science, Social Studies, Math, Language Arts) Concept: Humans throughout the world create differing social, cultural, and economic systems and organizations to help them meet their physical and spiritual needs.

Activity 17: People of the Forest
This activity highlights the Mbuti of Africa in the Republic of Congo. More that just a place to live, the forest provides their basic needs. (Subjects: Social Studies, Language Arts)

Activity 18: A Tale of the Sun
Every culture in the world has stories that are part of its history and tradition. This activity can be adapted to look at stories told by African Americans about the environment and perspectives of the people who tell them. (subjects: Language Arts, Science, Social Studies) One such story can be found at http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/mythology/liza_sun.html

Activity 40: Then and Now
If your community is like most others, it’s now quite a bit different than it was 100, 50, 25, or even five years ago. By interviewing elders, your students will understand how we, as people, affect and alter the environment in which we live. (subjects: Science, Social Studies, Language Arts). This activity can be adapted to look at the African American local culture by interviewing elders in the local community.

Activity 74: People, Places and Things
By taking a closer look at their community, students can gain an appreciation for it structure and complexity. In this activity, students will develop a deeper understanding for the many people, places, and things on which they depend every day. (subject: Social Studies) This activity can easily be used to identify people, places and things in their own community that are related to the African American local culture.

Activity 91: In the Good Old Days
Human attitudes and values, and therefore behavior, with regard to the environment can change over the course of generation. In this activity, students express their own views about forests, and then read excerpts from the writings of different authors who have influenced people’s thinking about the environment. (subject: Science, Social Studies, Visual Arts, Language Arts) It highlights Wangari Maathai's accomplishment of receiving the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize. Quote by Wangari can be found on page 400. More information about her can be found on p.398, #11 in the box.

ALSO:
Suggested Reading: Dudley Edmondson from Minnesota who currently wrote a book titled Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places. This would actually go with the PLT lesson 34 Who works in this Forest?
http://www.amazon.com/Black-Brown-Faces-Americas-Places/dp/1591931738

Here are five trees and their stories about African Americans that may be of national or regional interest.

Emancipation oak: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/4h/remarkabletree/detail.cfm?AutofieldforPrimaryKey=1334

See also, http://www.cnr.vt.edu/4h/remarkabletree/detail.cfm?AutofieldforPrimaryKey=1443

Sallie's Crying tree: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/4h/remarkabletree/detail.cfm?AutofieldforPrimaryKey=1398

Reconstruction-era (and Brown vs. Bd. Of Education)magnolias: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/4h/remarkabletree/detail.cfm?AutofieldforPrimaryKey=1465
Zion poplars, a national historic place: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/4h/remarkabletree/detail.cfm?AutofieldforPrimaryKey=1966

George Washington Carver birthplace trees: http://www.cnr.vt.edu/4h/remarkabletree/detail.cfm?AutofieldforPrimaryKey=1611

Finally, the PLT PreK-8 Activity Guide had a very thorough "Topic Index" in Appendix 5. The category "CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES" lists 13 activities (some mentioned above).

Grants and Funding Opportunities

2009-11-02T00:47:00.004-07:00

Braitmayer Foundation Education Grants
Deadline: November 15, 2009
The Braitmayer Foundation offers grants to fund a broad range of K-12 education programs with curricular reform initiatives and professional development opportunities for teachers. The grants can be used as seed money, challenge grants, or to match other grants to the recipient organizations. Grants up to $35,000 are awarded and applications are accepted twice each year.

Lego Children’s Fund Grants
Deadline: November 1, 2009
The Lego Children’s Fund provides grants to organizations for collaborative programs involving early childhood education and development; technology and communication projects that advance learning opportunities, and/or athletic programs focused on underserved youth. Typical awards range from $500 to $5,000.

Intel Community Grants
Deadline: November 1, 2009
Intel Corporation awards grants for K-12 higher education and community education programs in science, math, and technology education, particularly for women and underserved populations. Funding for environmental programs are also considered.

Target Field Trip Grants
Deadline: November 3, 2009
Target will award grants of up to $800 each to K-12 educators across the United States. Funded field trips may involve museum visits or environmental and science projects; artistic and cultural experiences; and civics or community service projects. Visit the Target website to apply.

Healthy Sprouts Awards Program
Deadline: October 17, 2009
The National Gardening Association encourages the growth of health-focused youth garden programs through the Healthy Sprouts Awards Program sponsored by Gardener's Supply Company. The awards support school and youth garden programs that teach about nutrition and the hunger issues in the United States. To be eligible, a school or organization must plan to garden in 2010 with at least fifteen children between the ages of 3 and 18. The selection of winners is based on the relationship between the garden program and nutrition and hunger issues in the U.S. Visit the KidsGardening website to download an application. Grants are awarded in gift certificates to Gardener’s Supply Company and are valued at $200 and $500.

PLT and Second Language Learners

2009-09-22T14:35:00.005-06:00

Check out this great ESL Resource!

Developed by Nancy Commins of the Bilingual ESL Network (BEN) and Rafael Salgado of Cal-Wood, Using Project WILD and Project Learning Tree Materials with Second Language Learners of English is an excellent resource for teachers and PLT facilitators.

Read more on the Colorado Division of Wildlife website.

Click Here for the booklet itself.

New Facilitators!

2009-08-07T08:48:00.004-06:00

We are delighted to welcome 11 new PLT facilitators to our network!
And thank you, Zoe Whyman and the City of Ft. Collins Natural Areas Program for the use of your beautiful facility, Primrose Studio at Reservoir Ridge! The setting was perfect, and we expecially enjoyed our unexpected guests, who spent the day with us and seemed very interested in our work! See photos at right! We thanked them for reminding us why it is so important to bring environmental education to teachers and youth! We already have several new PLT workshops already on the calendar! Our volunteers are the HEARTWOOD of our program and we are SO grateful for their dedication.

2009-07-21T18:05:00.002-06:00

Environmental Education Legislation Update
Good News for National Environmental Education Act Funding!
On June 26th, the House passed the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (HR 2996), with some good news for environmental education. Included in the bill is $10 million (an increase of $1 million) for the National Environmental Education Act (NEEA), which funds important programs like Project Learning Tree through EETAP. While in the grand scheme of things $1 million doesn't seem like a lot, it has been almost a decade since this Program (housed within the Environmental Protection Agency) has seen any funding increases.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved their version of the FY 2010 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, including $9 million for NEEA. While the Senate maintains funding at the current level, they include direction to EPA to use the NEEA funds solely for NEEA activities, whereas in the past, EPA has taken significant funding off the top for administrative purposes.

No Child Left Inside Act
The drive continues to secure cosponsors on the No Child Left Inside Act (HR 2054/S 866). In the House 12 new cosponsors have been added in the last month, bringing the number of House cosponsors to 72, more cosponsors than we've ever had on this legislation in the House. In the Senate, we're up to 15 cosponsors, with 2 more added in the last month.

Climate Change Impacts in the United States
A new report on Climate Change Impacts in the United States was released by the White House and the U.S. Global Change Research Program. The report and new website highlight regional impacts that are already occurring and will likely occur, as well as the new climate literacy framework and an educators toolkit geared toward middle school students. Check out the report and supporting materials at www.globalchange.gov.

NAAEE Seeking Photos for “EE Year in Review”
Deadline for submission: August 15, 2009
We're nearly half way through 2009 and it's time to start looking backward at what we've already accomplished, and forward at how we will celebrate our successes at the NAAEE conference. NAAEE is compiling an "EE Year in Review" show to send to all conference participants on DVD. Please share the highlights of your EE programs, your local award winners, how you have reached new and diverse audiences, with visual images in a 300 dpi format on a CD. Please include credit to the photographer for each image you send. Submissions should be sent to Dr. Joe Baust, NAAEE “EE Year in Review”, Murray State University, 3201 Alexander Hall, Murray, KY 42071. National PLT is also always in need of good photos highlighting the work of PLT programs, environmental educators, and their students. If you’re going to send photos to NAAEE, please send them to us, too! Anyone under the age of 18 whose face is clearly visible, needs to sign a release form. Many thanks to Elizabeth Burke, 2009 Outstanding Educator Honoree from Virginia, for some great photos!

Click here to see PLT's Facebook Page!

2009-07-21T18:02:00.003-06:00

What’s New on PLT’s Facebook Page?

We’ve created four new sections under the “Notes” tab on PLT’s Facebook page.
• PLT in the News ~ Here we’ve posted recent media clips about the PLT program in Minnesota and New Mexico, and an article from Washington Home & Garden magazine who interviewed Kathy McGlauflin for their story.
• PLT Outstanding Educators ~ View the acceptance speeches given by our five PLT National Outstanding Educators at the 2009 PLT Conference in Indianapolis.
• GreenWorks! Projects in Action ~ Read about projects, for example, in Indiana, Georgia, Maine, and New York, that received local media coverage.
• PLT Notes from the Field ~ Here we highlight the work of our dedicated PLT State Coordinators and facilitators around the country. Check out the stories we’ve heard/comments we’ve received from Indiana and New Jersey.

In order to join the group and take full advantage of all its features, you need to have your own Facebook profile. Contact us for assistance if needed!

2009-07-06T07:52:00.006-06:00

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

EETAP Course Announcement – Fall 2009
The following four online courses will be offered this fall through the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. Classes usually run from September – November/ December. Scholarship funds are available. Visit the Online Course Website for additional details http://www.uwsp.edu/natres/eetap/index.aspx

Fundamentals of Environmental Education
A 12-week online course about the fundamentals of environmental education is appropriate for both classroom teachers and for non-formal educators who work with students and/or teachers.

Making EE Relevant for Culturally Diverse Audiences
This 10-week on-line course is designed to provide participants with the basic knowledge and skills needed to make EE relevant to culturally diverse audiences.

Applied Environmental Education Program Evaluation
This 13-week on-line course is designed to assist environmental educators and natural resource professionals in evaluating their education programs.

Leadership Development in Natural Resources: Strategic Planning and Implementation
Learn how to develop successful strategic planning and implementation models, processes and techniques. Emphasis will be placed on managing the strategic planning process to build the capacity of organizations to provide effective environmental education programs.

6th Annual National Service Learning Institute
August 5-7, 2009
New Foundations Charter School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
How can the principles of service-learning be applied in inner-city environments? What are the issues and opportunities that educators and students face in urban areas? Join the National Youth Leadership Council for this annual two-day event that focuses on applying the principles of service-learning in urban environments. This event brings together community members, young people, and school leaders to discuss service-learning outreach and application techniques that help urban students achieve academic excellence and become strong community leaders. Participants have an opportunity to explore current trends and topics affecting urban communities, and to share and learn from colleagues from other urban districts.

SCA’s Green Your School Contest
Application Deadline: October 9, 2009

The Student Conservation Association’s Green Your School Contest launched April 1st. Supported with a grant from the NBC Universal Foundation, the Green Your School Contest recognizes conservation service projects designed by high school students that improve or restore or beautify or conserve their high school environment. Prizes will be awarded to winning high schools and include one grand prize of $5,000 and two first prizes of $2,500. Submissions must be received by October 9th and winners will be announced in mid-November, 2009.

The President’s Environmental Youth Awards
Application Deadline: December 31, 2009
Since 1971, EPA has sponsored the President's Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA). The program recognizes young people across America for projects which demonstrate their commitment to the environment. Young people in all 50 states and the U.S. territories are invited to participate in the program. Projects submitted in the past have covered a wide range of subject areas including recycling programs in schools and communities; construction of nature preserves; major tree planting programs; videos, skits, and newsletters created by students that focused on environmental issues; and environmental science projects. To be eligible to compete, a student or students, sponsored by an adult, must submit to their local EPA regional office evidence of a completed project as defined in the PEYA application, as well as a completed application.

Calling ALL Youth Photographers!
Application Deadline: July 31, 2009
Adobe Youth Voices, a global youth media initiative, and the nonprofit, “What Kids Kids Can Do, Inc.” have announced their first-ever international photo competition.

When written in Chinese or Japanese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters, one representing danger and the other representing hope. “Crisis and Hope” offer an exciting opportunity for youth around the world to express themselves through photographs--and make their voices heard--on both what is challenging and what gives hope in today’s world. Winning photographs will be showcased online, in a traveling exhibit, and in a book. The contest is open to all young people between the ages of 12 and 19. Winners will be announced by August 31, 2009.

Movin' and Groovin' to EE

2009-05-13T10:27:00.004-06:00

While attending a field trip at the recent National PLT conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, coordinators, facilitators and other participants joined with BillyB, and a local school to move and groove to the tune of environmental education. Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VENlnwLoDsk

Two Denver Schools Receive GreenWorks! from Esurance!

2009-04-29T08:41:00.003-06:00

Lowry Elementary School in Denver and Peakview Elementary School in Centennial received GreenWorks! grants to undertake service-learning projects focusing on the environment from PLT and Esurance, the direct to customer auto insurance company.

“These grants help support Colorado students committed to working with their community to improve their neighborhood,” said Shawna Crocker, Colorado PLT Coordinator. “This is the first time that Esurance has funded GreenWorks! projects in Denver, and we are very excited by their support of worthwhile projects that may not have been able to go forward otherwise.”

Begun in 1992, GreenWorks! Grants give youth a chance to apply classroom learning to community projects in conjunction with environmental education training and materials that PLT provides to teachers through professional development workshops. Esurance has partnered with PLT since 2007 to bring these grants to schools in communities near their local offices.

“American children need more science education to stay competitive in the global economy and more environmental education to help protect our natural resources,” said Gary Tolman, Esurance President and CEO. “Through the GreenWorks! Environmental Grants program, children get a hands-on learning opportunity that yields environmental benefits now and a lesson in environmental stewardship that will last far into the future. We are very proud to work with Project Learning Tree to make this opportunity available in a few of the communities where Esurance has offices and customers.”

The projects will be completed within the next year and are as follows:

Lowry Elementary School, Denver, Veggie-Share Project
Students will expand their school gardening experience by installing cold frame covers to extend the growing season. They will grow vegetables from seed and donate food they grow to neighborhood families in need. The students will keep journals to document the progress of their seeds in the cold frame as well as seedlings started indoors. As vegetables mature, students will harvest, organize, label, and distribute produce to members of their community. “This project will help students make better use of the school’s Victory Garden and teach them not only about life science, agriculture, and healthy lifestyles, but also about community service,” said Lisa Emerson, parent volunteer and co-chair of PTO Garden Committee.

Peakview Elementary School, Centennial, Rock Hopper Garden and Nature Discovery Stations
Fifth-graders will apply their math skills when they design an arrangement of rocks for a dry riverbed and 3 clusters of boulders. The rocks will serve as natural benches and stepping stones adjacent to their playground, and alleviate damage caused by heavy foot traffic to a group of trees. Other classes will help create nature discovery stations such as butterfly, mason bee, and bat houses, a sundial, and an animal tracks panel. They will do research and design educational signs to describe the animals’ natural habitats and needs, and to explain how a sundial works. “By giving students and teachers more structured opportunities to use the school grounds for teaching and discovery, they will become more comfortable outdoors, and gain respect and wonder for our natural world,” said science teacher Laura Arndt.

Project Learning TreeÒ (PLT) is the environmental education program of the American Forest Foundation. PLT provides educators with comprehensive environmental education curriculum resources that can be integrated into lesson plans for all grades and subject areas. PLT teaches students “how to think, not what to think” about complex environmental issues, and helps students learn the skills they need to make sound choices about the environment. Developed in 1976, PLT has an international network of more than 500,000 trained educators using PLT materials that cover the total environment. The American Forest Foundation, a nonprofit conservation and education organization, works for healthy forests, quality environmental education, and informed decision-making about our communities and our world. For more information, visit http://www.plt.org/.

Esurance, a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM), provides personal auto insurance direct to consumers online and through select online agents. Because of Esurance’s virtually paperless online customer experience, Esurance policyholders have saved thousands of trees since the company’s inception. As of first quarter 2009, Esurance has also helped plant and maintain approximately 70,000 trees by supporting a variety of urban reforestation programs. Esurance is committed to safeguarding the environment through its own operational practices, including a hybrid claims fleet and carbon offset programs for its office locations. Esurance also supports a variety of environmental organizations across the U.S. For more information about Esurance’s environmental initiatives, visit www.esurance.com/environment.

Greenworks! Grants

2009-04-09T10:53:00.003-06:00

For those working towards or interested in applying for a Greenworks! Grant; a service learning grant for PLT educators and their students. Applications for the Spring Cycle are due APRIL 30th. Follow this link for more information http://www.plt.org/cms/pages/21_22_21.html and as always please let us know how we can help!

EarthSky Talks Forests

2009-04-09T10:37:00.005-06:00

A New Series on Forests- The American Forest Foundation, the parent of PLT, has partnered with EarthSky to produce absorbing radio spots and podcasts about our nation’s forests, and what forest landowners are doing to manage their lands. Over the course of 2008, EarthSky producers interviewed forest experts, ranging from a Tree Farmer in Maine to the Associate Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, about threats to our forests, climate change, habitat loss, clean water and forest sustainability.

Beginning April 9, a new series of radio shows focusing on forests, climate change, and energy conservation will air on over 1,800 radio stations in the U.S. The series starts with Janaki Alavalapati, Dean of Virginia Tech’s School of Forestry, discussing various aspects of using forests as a source of renewable energy.

Follow this link to find EarthSky in your location-
http://www.earthsky.org/about/radio-affiliates

Local Teacher Recognized in PLT Branch Newsletter

2009-04-09T10:24:00.005-06:00

"One of the first decisions I made in my new high school assignment was to NOT disregard my PLT PreK-8 curriculum guide. Do I use it differently? Of course, but it is still a valuable component to my teaching repertoire of resources."

Cherie Wyatt, 2008 Nat'l PLT Outstanding Educator of the Year, shares some of her insight on using the PLT preK-8th grade curriculum guide in a High School setting.

"As a high school teacher, I expect more in-depth content knowledge and higher-level reasoning skills from my students. However, I appreciate being able to modify and use many of PLT’s PreK-8 student pages as a jumping off point for lessons. I often shorten activities and use them as a five- to ten-minute introduction to a more in-depth lesson."

To read the full article follow this link http://www.plt.org/cms/pages/36_124_192.html

New PLT Biotech Training in San Francisco

2009-04-04T18:30:00.000-06:00

CO PLT coordinator, Shawna Crocker, and 3 Colorado PLT facilitators attended a 2-day training this week in San Francisco at BayBio, birthplace of Biotechnology, with other PLT leaders and teachers from around the country. HS Biology teacher Cherie Wyatt, from Kiowa, AP Biology teacher Carrie Trimble from Pueblo, and Marilyn Achten, HS science coach for Aurora Public Schools joined Shawna to learn how to use and help others use the HS module, Exploring Environmental Issues: Risk, and its new biotechnology activities soon to be released. The group returned with plans to offer workshops for teachers in their districts, and at the Colorado Science Conference in November. Contact one of us for more information or to schedule a workshop.

National PLT is providing regional tranings for state coordinators and key state facilitators and teachers to help build capacity in state and stimulate more trainings for secondary educators. In addition to the Risk module training, state and national science education leader, Nancy Kellogg joined Shawna at the January training in Portland, Maine to learn how to promote and facilitate workshops in the new Global Connections: Forests of the World module. Additionally, this group worked on the revision of our Forest Ecology and Forest Issues modules.

A Forests of the World module training will be held in Colorado, at Snow Mt. Ranch, in July, for teachers and PLT coordinators from 8 states.

New Branches on a 33 Year Old Project Learning Tree! News for Facilitators, Friends and Educators

2009-03-24T17:01:00.002-06:00

Welcome to my new Colorado PLT blog, where I will share tidbits, news, ideas, and events with Colorado PLT educators, facilitators and friends. I'll update it often with local, state and national PLT news. Please share your comments, reflections, experiences and ideas about Colorado PLT.
Much, but not all, of this information is also available in the Branch, PLT's national e-newsletter.

Enjoy!

PLT UPDATES

GreenWorks! Grants Applications Due April 30

Now accepting applications for the Spring 2009 funding cycle! Applications are due on April 30th and can be found under the GreenWorks! section of PLT’s website. Workshops and trainings are one of the best places to promote GreenWorks! since all of the participants will have just received training in PLT – one of the first elibility requirements for application!

GreenWorks! Winners
107 applications for the Fall 2008 GreenWorks! grants were submitted and 41 proposals were selected for funding (27 projects in the $250 - $1,000 category; 14 projects in the $1,001 - $5,000 category) in the following states: AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, IA, IN, MI, ME, MN, MO, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WI and Guam!

Colorado winners are: Denver's East High School and Indian Ridge Elementary in Centennial. Read about their winning projects

Gateway Elementary School in Woodland Park was one of 17 proposals selected to receive funding as part of MonarchLIVE GreenWorks! Butterfly Garden grant program. This program is a result of a partnership that started in October 2008 between PLT and the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Prince William Network. Forty proposals were received from schools and community organizations nationwide requesting funds of up to $1000 to create butterfly gardens. The winning proposals showed strong connections to other community partners, targeted a diverse student body, and emphasized student involvement.

Billy B Sings About Trees
The new Billy B CD is now available! Parents, grandparents, and educators can use Billy B's fun and educational CD (with 19 high energy songs) to engage kids in learning about trees, forests, and people who work the land. Lyrics for the songs are included in the CD, and correlations have been made to PLT's PreK-8 Guide activities. Download orderform here.

Every Student Learns Outside
Have you checked out this website lately? We’ve added more success stories to our collection about educators and their students who use PLT in the outdoors, and more “Connecting Kids to Nature” activity pages. These pages, based on PLT activities, are designed to engage “non-educators” (e.g. parents and families) and their children, grandchildren, neighbors’ or friends’ children in the outdoors. They can be downloaded as pdf files from our "Every Student Learns Outside" website http://www.learnoutside.org/.

PLT Ads in NSTA Journals
Did you notice the 4-color ads in the February issues of the National Science Teachers Association professional journals? An ad for PLT’s new CD Project Learning Tree Presents: Billy B Sings About Trees was in the elementary school journal Science & Children (circ. 21,000); an ad for GreenWorks! was in the middle school journal Science Scope (circ. 18,000); and an ad for GreenSchools! was in the high school journal The Science Teacher (circ. 28,500). In addition to the usual circulation, the February issues of each of these magazines was distributed to an additional 20,000 people!

ASSORTED ITEMS OF PROFESSIONAL INTEREST

2009 FEI! Sign up now, and tell your friends!
Learn about the 2009 Colorado Fire Ecology Institute for Educators at http://coloradofei.blogspot.com/

Denver area:
USGS Free GPS, Map, & Compass Classes on the second Friday of each month. The sessions are held in Building 810 on the Denver Federal Center, Lakewood; Map & Compass sessions are in the morning, 9 a.m. -11 a.m., and "Using GPS with Topo Maps" are presented in the afternoon, 12p.m.-4 p.m. You may sign up for either or both classes. Call for reservations 303-202-4689 or write to gpsworkshops@usgs.gov

Nominate a Young Environmental Activist for a $2,500 Barron PrizeApplication Deadline: April 30. The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors young people ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. Every year, ten national winners receive $2,500 to support their service work or higher education endeavors. Half of each year’s winners are chosen for their work to protect the environment and half are selected for their efforts to help their communities and fellow citizens.

Online Professional Development Series
The National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) is offering an easy and cost-effective alternative to tight professional development budgets and travel restrictions: four online webinars for educators and service-learning practitioners.Each presentation will be offered twice on the day of the event and can be purchased through NYLC's online bookstore for $29. When you register online, choose the session that best fits your schedule.
Service-Learning Then and Now - April 1, 2009
Service-Learning Research - April 22, 2009
Service-Learning Curriculum in Practice - May 20, 2009

Finally.....
Remember “The Story of Stuff” from the email Shawna sent out to Colorado facilitators last spring? It generated lots of comments and feedback, most of it positive-but not all! It was also chosen by the selection committee to be shown at our Colorado Environmental Film Festival in Oct and nearly won in the best short film category! Well, this just in from the makers of that little controversial (at least in Colorado!) film!

“Dear Fan of Free Range Studios’: It's already been a year since we launched The Story of Stuff — a tour through our materials economy that became an internet viral sensation. Now we've got something new to celebrate the birthday of a short film that became a movement! The Story of Stuff is going international and multi-lingual! Four and a half million English speakers have seen The Story of Stuff, but until now, the rest of the world has been left in the dark. Well, we heard from the rest of the world with thousands of offers from volunteers to translate the movie. We took them up on their offer, and now you can share with your international friendsthe gift of knowledge and hope for a sustainable future. www.storyofstuff.com/international/ .
Happiness does not come from stuff, but from the riches of community connection and empathy for our planet and its living creatures. We hope you will get a little more happiness from sharing this message with your friends around the world: We’d love to hear what you think about this project, so please email us at storyofstuff@freerangestudios.com.”