Northeastern
Serving Butte, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity Counties

For Teachers

ON THIS PAGE: 

Catalogs - Magazines	Field Trips
Conferences - Continuing Education	Research - Environmental Education
Curriculum Resources - Materials	Website Links

                         
All links and information updated 4-28-09

CATALOGS & MAGAZINES

Acorn Naturalists
Resources to help advance environment-based education and interpretation. From curriculum manuals and field guides to science and nature kits, games, environmental testing equipment, animal track and skull replicas, optics, orienteering and field supplies, the Acorn Naturalists' collection provides just about everything you would need for the field or classroom.
Website: http://www.acornnaturalists.com/store/index.aspx

Green Teacher - Education for Planet Earth
A magazine that helps youth educators enhance environmental and global education inside and outside of schools. Fifty pages of ideas and activities, four times a year.  Print or electronic
-Ideas for rethinking education in light of environmental and global challenges.
-Practical articles and ready-to-use activities for various age levels from 6-18.
-Resource  reviews: evaluations of dozens of new books, kits, games and other green resources.
Website:  http://www.greenteacher.com/

CONFERENCES-CONTINUING EDUCATION

Ambassadors of the Environment, Jean-Michel Cousteau 
El Capitan Canyon, Santa Barbara, CA
Who:  Educators, Natural Resource Interpreters
When:  June 22-26, 2009
Cost:  $1,200, includes lodging, meals, training, & curriculum. C.E.U. available via Mesa College.
What:  Biologists and other scientists provide cross-curricular training to teachers in marine, terrestrial, creek, and watershed ecosystems. Outdoor activities also include snorkeling, sea kayaking, and ropes course challenges.
Contact:  Elaine Heath, Mesa College, laneyh@mesa.k12.ca.us ;  
Website:  http://www.oceanfutures.org/

Environment Matters: An Environmental Summit Summer 2009
College of the Siskiyous
Weed, California
When:  Thursday, June 18, 2009 -  Sunday, June 21, 2009
Who:  Educators, Natural Resource Interpreters, College Students
Cost:  $198, includes course registration (0.5 units), materials, reception and some meals.
Care about our community, our environment, and our future sustainability? Engage in dynamic discussions, lectures, and interactive field studies related to environmental issues in the natural setting of the Siskiyou Mountain region of Northern California. Individuals and groups will share the unique experience at College of the Siskiyous located at the base of majestic Mt. Shasta. The Environmental Summit will utilize the surrounding beautiful forests, alpine lakes, pristine streams and mountains as live laboratories for expert-led field trips focusing on various components of the living forest environment.
Course title: ENVR 51
Upload brochure:  Environmental Matters
Register online:  http://www.siskiyous.edu/
Contact:  Li Collier, 530.938.5336 or collier@siskiyous.edu

Eureka Series! 2 Summer Institutes

1.  Sierra Nevada Teacher Institute: Watershed Dynamics & Climate Change
Jack Boyd Outdoor School
Fish Camp, CA
Who: Focus, 6th-12th grade teachers, all grade levels encouraged to attend
When:   June 19-21, 2009
            June 26-28, 2009
Applications due:  June 1, 2009  Watershed Dynamics & Journaling
                           May 15, 2009 Climate Change & Field Investigations
Cost:  $75, includes housing & meals
Join us as we explore the Sierra Nevada landscape in the Yosemite region while learning to incorporate scientific investigations, stimulating inquiry based activities, and multimedia curricula in your upper-grade science classroom! Curriculum is focused on science concepts but includes math, Language Arts, and social sciences. Teachers will receive a teacher manual, an interactive CD-ROM, and other curricular materials. 
Apply online, C.E.U available.
Contact: 1-888-325-3288 
Website:  http://eurekaseries.org/main/node/78

2.  Teacher Institute at San Francisco Bay: Coast Alive! Land-Sea Interface
Tilden Regional Park
Berkeley, CA
Who:  4th - 8th grade teachers
When:  August 2-7, 2009
Upper elementary and middle school teachers; learn about the geology and ecology of the San Francisco Bay Region in the field. Start at Tilden Park, then visit various East Bay Regional Parks to wade into wetlands, explore sandy beaches and upland habitats with expert naturalists. During six days you'll complete an outdoor experiment, and learn to integrate math and language arts with science. Get curriculum with over 30 standards-based activities and priority trips for your students. Stipends offered by California Institute for Biodiversity. Teachers receive a free Coast Alive! Land-Sea Interface CD-ROM, the Coast Alive! Teacher Guide, and earn a generous stipend.
Apply online, C.E.U. available. Participating teachers are eligible for transportation scholarships to bring students to the bay.
Contact:  888-325-3288
Website:  http://eurekaseries.org/main/node/30

Forestry Institute for Teachers (FIT) - Summer 2009
Work with professional forest managers and environmental education specialists to learn about the relationship between forest ecology and forest management.  Participants receive copies of Project Wild, Project Aquatic and Project Learning Tree curriculum and use them to develop a standards correlated environmental education unit for their classroom. Week long summer sessions take place in Shasta, Plumas, Humboldt, and Tuolumne Counties.  Receive a $200 stipend plus housing, meals and curriculum, free of cost.  C.E.U. available.
Deadline:  Registration is still open.  Call 800.738.8733 for more information.
Website:  http://www.forestryinstitute.org/  Applicants may also register online.

CURRICULUM RESOURCES - MATERIALS

Environmental Education Curricula Compendium - CREEC Statewide
Find reviewed environmental education curricula using the compendium publication link. Each reviewed curriculum can be found within the CREEC directory and includes additional descriptive and evaluative information derived from this publication.
For an alphabetical listing of the curricula: 
http://creec.edgateway.net/cs/creec2p/query/q/1167
To perform a specific search and learn about evaluation criteria:
http://creec.edgateway.net/cs/creec2p/view/creec_docs/49

California Department of Water Resources
Free materials for teachers including videos, student workbooks, teacher guides, flannel board stories, posters, stickers and more.  Good for Grades 1-6. 
Website:  http://www.publicaffairs.water.ca.gov/education/catalog_index.cfm

Green Careers Resource Guide
This free guide is authored by researcher and workforce development consultant, Jim Cassio. This free PDF download covers topics such as; Sustainability and Going Green, What Is a Green Career?, What Are Green Jobs, and Green Employment Statistics.
Suggested grade levels:  Middle and secondary students.
Web site:  http://www.cassio.com/index.htm   
Contact:  jim7@cassio.com or 916-984-9615

Evergreen
An on-line resource to help teachers find lesson plans for outdoor instruction.  This Canadian website has ready made and peer reviewed lesson plans for grades K-12.
Website:  http://www.evergreen.ca/en/lg/lg-teach.html

Facing the Future
A non-profit organization dedicated to teaching students to understand the links between local and global issues. Curriculum is available for download or purchase. All curriculum is aligned with California State History-Social Science and Science Content Standards for grades 6-12. It is also aligned with United States National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Standards and National Science Education Standards (NSES). 
Units:
-Climate Change: Connections and Solutions Grades 6-8, 9-12
-It's All Connected: A Comprehensive Guide to Global Issues and Sustainable Solutions Grades 9-12
-Global Issues and Sustainable Solutions: Population, Poverty, Consumption, Conflict, and the Environment Grades 6-8
-Engaging Students Through Global Issues: Activity-Based Lessons and Action Projects Grades 5-12
-Teaching Global Sustainability in the Primary Grades: A K-4 Curriculum Guide Grades  K-12
Website: http://www.facingthefuture.org/
Download curriculum:   http://www.facingthefuture.org/Curriculum/DownloadFreeCurriculum/tabid/114/Default.aspx

The Forest Foundation
The foundation provides materials to educators free of charge.  Posters, wildlife identification handbooks, bookmarks, natural resource career handouts and media are available.  The foundation's mission is to foster public understanding of the role forests play in the environmental and economic health of the state and the necessity of managing a portion of California's private and public forests to provide wood products for a growing population.
Preview and order materials online:  http://www.calforestfoundation.org/order_materials.html

Geological Society of America
Resources for K-12 educators.  Lesson plans, maps, learning games, a wealth of resources.  Topics covered; earthquakes & volcanoes, energy, environmental science, geology, mapping, palentology, plate tectonics, rocks & minerals, space science, water, weather & climate.
Website: http://www.geosociety.org/educate/resources.htm 

Natural Resources Conservation Service - U.S. Department of Agriculture (Main Web Site)
A wealth of information available for research by teachers, middle school and high school students.  Most helpful links are:  Plants Data Base, Photo Gallery, Publications, Teachers and Students.  Be sure to look on both left and right side of page for links.
Website: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/

Natural Resources Conservation Service - U.S. Department of Agriculture (Conservation)
Backyard Conservation:  Bringing Conservation from the Countryside to Your Backyard  is available for down load or in print format.  The electronic format is 28 pages, to obtain a print copy, call 1.888.526.LANDCARE. The color booklet consists of 10 chapters to help the average person to conserve resources, enhance the environment and become more mindful of wildlife. Chapter titles: Ponds, Wetlands, Composting, Mulching, Nutrient Management, Pest Management, Terracing, Tree Planting, Water Conservation and Wildlife Habitat.  Written for adults with many photographs. 
To download:  http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/feature/backyard/BkYrdHit.html

Resource Directory - CREEC, Region 2
Find environmental education programs and resources for field trips, speakers and activities.  Search an alphabetical listing of programs in 9 Northern California counties by clicking on this link:  http://creec.edgateway.net/cs/creec2p/query/q/11 

South Yuba River Citizens League - River Teachers Program
Salmonid Savers, a free booklet to educate students about salmonids and their ideal habitat. Covers  water quality and conservation.  Good for grades 3-5. 
Preview and order online:  http://www.syrcl.org/riverteachers/main.asp 

USGS Education Resources
Discover a wealth of curricular ideas, scientific data, maps, books and other resources to support earth science, biology, geography and hydrology.  Good resources for middle and high school teachers.
Website:  http://education.usgs.gov/

Watershed Education Lending Library (WELL) - Shasta Conservation Fund
A resource for schools and non-profit organizations involved in watershed education and research.  Items are available for loan, free of charge.  The extensive library includes display kits, electronics (such as cameras or measuring devices), equipment, hand tools, watershed educational materials and videos.  Everything you need to make your outdoor education lesson work without buying all the equipment.
Website: http://www.shastaconservationfund.org/WELL.htm

FIELD TRIPS 

Lassen Volcanic National Park
Winter Ecology Snowshoe Program
P.O. Box 100,
Mineral, CA 96063-0100
Contact:  Steve Zachary 530.595.4444 x 5132 or Nancy Bailey x 5133
Who:     Students ages 8 and older
Date:   Schools call to reserve date starting November 1st, 2009, 8:00 AM.
Cost:   $1.00 donation is requested for each pair of snowshoes used and park entrance fee.
Website: www.nps.gov/lavo/
Join a ranger for a 1 to 2 mile, 1 1/2 to 2 hour adventure exploring winter ecology, geology, and volcunology.  Snowshoes are provided the National Park Service. Wear boots and dress warmly, participants must be capable of moderate physical exertion. Participation is first come, first served.  

Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students (PORTS)
Distance Learning with California State Parks
The California State Parks has developed 6 standards-correlated units of study utilizing the state parks system.  Units of study are available on the internet and compliment a pre-scheduled field trip that is live-time, interactive and hosted by a state parks interpreter.  Select your preferred park and lesson plan and the interpreter beams the field trip into your classroom.  Curriculum materials provided online. Will provide help with technology issues.
Contact:  Heather McCummins, hmccummins@parks.ca.gov or (916) 240-1068
Website:  http://www.ports.parks.ca.gov/
Units of Study:
Tide pools                4th & 5th grades
Paleontology            2nd, 6th, & 7th grades
Elephant Seals         7th grade
Government              8th grade
Gold Rush                4th grade
Redwood Ecology     6th grade  (Available Fall 2009)

                                    
Waterfall Week - Whiskeytown National Recreation Area Who:  K-12
When:  Annual spring activity, contact the ranger to reserve a date and time. 
Where:  Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
Cost:  Free
Contact:  Ranger Clinton Kane, 530.242.3451 
Guided hikes to select waterfalls emphasizing both physical activity and science concepts will be provided to school groups.
To view park trails and maps: http://www.nps.gov/whis/planyourvisit/hiking.htm

RESEARCH - ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

General Environmental Education Research
This section links to Region 4 and includes alphabetical listings to documents and websites pertaining to environmental education and academic achievement.  Information covers:
Research studies, surveys, needs assessments, literature reviews and websites
Region 4 Website link:  http://www.creec.org/region4/stories/storyReader$56

WEBSITE LINKS

ANIMALS
  
Biodiversity In Your Backyard     

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area can serve as your learning lab to teach biodiversity.  Species and habitats from different climates collide in this unique area.  Whiptail lizards typically found in arid Great Basin habitats reside alongside Pacific yew trees, usually found in Pacific Northwest Forests.  Take an online tour and learn about diversity at Whiskeytown.
http://www2.nature.nps.gov/views/Index_WHIS.htm

CalPhotos - UC Berkeley
CalPhotos is a collection of 171,238 photos of plants, animals, fossils, people, and landscapes from around the world. A variety of organizations and individuals have contributed photographs to CalPhotos.   The site has an easy search engine.  Find photos by common or scientific names or just browse.  Multiple photographic examples of species.
Website:  http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/ 

Encylopedia of Life - Smithsonian Institution & Partners
The Encyclopedia of Life is an system of websites that makes all key information about all life on Earth accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world.   Natural history museums, botanical gardens, other research institutions, and dedicated individuals are working to create the most complete biodiversity database on the Web.  Photos, description, ecology and distribution, evolution and systematics and more are included on all plant and animal life.
Website:  http://www.eol.org/index

Urban Bee Gardens - UC Berkeley
Learn about creating habitat for bees, pollination and bee research.
Website:  http://nature.berkeley.edu/urbanbeegardens/index_research.html

EARTH SCIENCE

NASA and Watershed Management
NASA research benefits Chesapeake Bay ecology. See how watershed health impacts the Chesapeake Bay and the choices made about watershed management projects that affect aquatic life. Watch the video online.
Website: http://anon.nasa-global.edgesuite.net/anon.nasa-global/ccvideos/GSFC_20080421_ChesBayVid.asx

PLANTS

Biology of Plants-Plant Adaptations
The Missouri Botanical Gardens website explores 8 different biomes and the adaptations plants make to survive in a variety of habitats.  Plant biology is also covered.  Lesson plans and games are available for download. 
Grade Levels:  4th & 6th
Website:  http://www.mbgnet.net/bioplants/adapt.html 

Desert USA  
This website maintained by Desert USA has some commercial links, but covers desert plant adaptations, minerals and geology, animals and wildlife, plants and wildflowers as well as peoples and cultures of the American Southwest.  A wealth of information. 
Grade Levels:  Good for 4th grade and up.
Website:  http://www.desertusa.com/du_plantsurv.html

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