Central Coast Messages

marymsmall

Helen de la Maza — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 22:39:41 GMT

Photograph of Mary

20 Years of Being Green - City of Ventura - Saint Patricks Day - Environmental Celebration

Mary Maranvile — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:12:28 GMT

20 Years of Being Green Saint Patrick's Day Parade & Environmental Celebration

Earth Day - Ventura - 2008

Mary Maranvile — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:07:00 GMT

CA Native Tree Planting Ceremony April 22, 2008 at Buena High School - Ventura, CA

Ventura County - New Coordinator

Mary Maranvile — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:06:47 GMT

Mary Maranville is the new Environmental Education Outreach Coordinator for Ventura County. For Teachers
Ojai Raptor Center

Ventura County

Mary Maranvile — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:02:59 GMT

Mary Maranville is the new Environmenal Education Outreach Coordinator for Ventura County.

PromoFlyerReg8

Helen de la Maza — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 15:52:19 GMT

Promotional Flyer Region 8

Whales & Dolphins

Teresa Lees — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 21:41:30 GMT

Websites about Cetaceans

American Cetacean Society Curriculum online at www.ascsonline.org at the Education link.
ACS has a variety of educational programs about whales, dolphins, porpoises which are of interest to both global and local audiences. The educational resources available on this site include easy-to-understand teaching aids for self-study, traditional curriculum, public information on issues, and reprints of scientific articles from past publications. Most of this information is available either by download directly from this site or by mail-order.

Farm to School

Teresa Lees — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 18:23:58 GMT

Resources for community food systems and Farm to School ideas....

Center for Environmental Literacy Offers Downloadable Guide Linking Food, Culture, Health, and the Environment
A visual guide entitled Linking Food, Culture, Health, and the Environment is now available on the Center website as part of the Rethinking School Lunch set of planning strategies. The pdf file beautifully and dramatically illustrates how an integrated curriculum and enriched school environment can link student learning and well-being and enhance student understanding about the natural world. By mapping state standards to strand maps defined by the American Association for the Advancement of Science's "Benchmarks for Science Literacy," we begin to articulate what students should know and be able to do. Preview and download the guide: Linking Food, Culture, Health, and the Environment >

Energy

Teresa Lees — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 18:17:06 GMT

Free Green Videos on the Web

Green Energy TV will air videos of green energy projects from around the world. The videos are designed to show viewers about energy alternatives that are already available and encourage making an educated switch to clean energy.
http://www.greenenergytv.com

The

The Oil + Water Project

To promote the use of alternative energy, the Biofuels Education Coalition (BEC) Oil + Water Project will send a demonstration vehicle fueled by vegetables to communities for public and youth oriented demonstrations.
http://www.oilandwaterproject.org/

Dr. E's Science Page PowerPoints

From La Canada High School in California, Dr. E's Science Page provides a large number of PowerPoint presentations, mostly created by students in the Advanced Placement Environmental Science class.
http://www.lcusd.net/lchs/mewoldsen/PowerPoint.htm

Earthrace

Earthrace is a bid to break the world record for circumnavigating the globe in a powerboat using only renewable fuels, to raise awareness of sustainable use of resources.
http://www.earthrace.net/

Solar Slide 12

Teresa Lees — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 20:07:36 GMT

Solar Slide 11

Teresa Lees — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 20:07:06 GMT

Solar Slide 10

Teresa Lees — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 20:06:31 GMT

Solar Slide 9

Teresa Lees — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 20:05:47 GMT

Solar Slide 8

Teresa Lees — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 20:05:15 GMT

Solar Slide 7

Teresa Lees — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 20:04:39 GMT

Solar Slide 6

Teresa Lees — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 20:03:45 GMT

Solar Slide 5

Teresa Lees — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 20:02:54 GMT

Solar Slide 4

Teresa Lees — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 20:02:07 GMT

Solar Slide 3

Teresa Lees — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 20:01:11 GMT

Solar Slide 2

Teresa Lees — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 20:00:17 GMT

Solar Slide Small 1

Teresa Lees — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 19:55:19 GMT

Solar Slide 1

Teresa Lees — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 19:50:45 GMT

Tree Up Close

Teresa Lees — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 21:16:04 GMT

Tree Outside

Teresa Lees — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 21:12:59 GMT

AGHS Winning Team

Teresa Lees — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 21:55:19 GMT

Vivian Awarding Winners

Teresa Lees — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 21:54:49 GMT

Katcho's Speech

Teresa Lees — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 21:54:16 GMT

Round Up with Jim Empey

Teresa Lees — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 21:53:51 GMT

Field Work

Teresa Lees — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 21:53:18 GMT

Going Uphill

Teresa Lees — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 21:52:53 GMT

Envirothon Team

Teresa Lees — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 21:52:17 GMT

Envirothon 460

Teresa Lees — Thu, 08 Jun 2006 21:01:55 GMT

SM Forest slide 9

Teresa Lees — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 14:38:06 GMT

SM Forest slide 8

Teresa Lees — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 14:37:41 GMT

SM Forest slide 7

Teresa Lees — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 14:37:12 GMT

SM Forest slide 6

Teresa Lees — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 14:36:33 GMT

SM Forest slide 5

Teresa Lees — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 14:35:59 GMT

SM Forest slide 4

Teresa Lees — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 14:35:13 GMT

SM Forest slide 3

Teresa Lees — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 14:34:25 GMT

SM Forest slide 2

Teresa Lees — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 14:33:49 GMT

SM Forest slide 1

Teresa Lees — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 14:33:12 GMT

SM Forest slide !

Teresa Lees — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 14:23:25 GMT

EEI Dates

Teresa Lees — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 16:09:39 GMT

An Opportunity to Learn and Participate
SAVE THE DATES

What’s Up?
The California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) and the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) invite you to learn more about the Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) and become part of the statewide effort to implement this ground-breaking environmental education initiative.
Cal/EPA and CIWMB have been working on the implementation of the EEI for the past two years and have completed the first three phases of the program. The EEI is now moving into its next two phases, developing California’s first-ever Model Curriculum for the environment, disseminating information, and providing statewide professional development. (For more details please see http://www.calepa.ca.gov/Education/EEI/).

Why We Need Your Involvement
The participation and involvement of California’s environmental education providers in implementing the EEI has always been an important part of the process. During the past two years, the EEI implementation team has conducted numerous outreach and field review sessions across the State. As we proceed into the next phase, we want to invite you and your organization to get further involved.
As a first step, Cal/EPA and the CIWMB invite you to attend one of six regional professional development workshops across the state followed by two rounds of technical assistance workshops in those same regions. This process is intended to inform California’s non-profit environmental organizations about the EEI and to provide professional development and technical support to help adapt materials and programs to reflect California’s Environmental Principles and Concepts and the Model Curriculum that is being developed.

Important Dates, Times, and Details
Professional development workshops are scheduled for:
Location: Date
San Diego: Monday, May 1, 2006
Los Angeles: Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Santa Barbara: Friday, May 5, 2006
Humboldt County: Monday, May 8, 2006
San Francisco: Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Modesto: Monday, May 15, 2006

Lunch will be provided at each session.
The specific locations will be announced by April 15, 2006. All workshops will run from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Participation in these workshops is open to everyone, but participants must confirm attendance a minimum of five days before each session to assure sufficient seating and materials.

Technical Workshop Information
Participants in the professional workshops will be invited to participate in the two rounds of technical assistance workshops that are scheduled for July and August. (See dates and locations below.)

The first series of technical assistance workshops is scheduled as follows:

Location: Date
San Diego: Monday/Tuesday, July 10-11, 2006
Los Angeles: Thursday/Friday, July 13-14, 2006
Santa Barbara: Monday/Tuesday, July 17-18, 2006
San Francisco: Thursday/Friday, July 20-21, 2006
Humboldt County: Monday/Tuesday, July 24-25, 2006
Modesto: Thursday/Friday, July 27-28, 2006

The second series of technical assistance workshops is scheduled as follows:

Location: Date
San Diego: Monday/Tuesday, August 7-8, 2006
Los Angeles: Thursday/Friday, August 10-11, 2006
Santa Barbara: Monday/Tuesday, August 14-15, 2006
San Francisco: Thursday/Friday, August 17-18, 2006
Humboldt County: Monday/Tuesday, August 21-22, 2006
Modesto: Thursday/Friday, August 24-25, 2006

How Do I Register To Attend?
To register for one of these workshops, please send the following information to Rebekah Lopez, rlopez@ciwmb.ca.gov or call 916-341-6769.

Name:
Organization:
Address:
E-mail address:
Phone number:
Date and location of the workshop that you plan to attend:

Questions
If you have specific questions about these workshops, please contact Dr. Gerald Lieberman, gerald@seer.org.

For further information about this program and to keep informed about the EEI please sign-up for the EEI listserv at http://www.calepa.ca.gov/Listservs/.

This project is supported through a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Education and Environment Initiative (EEI) Implementation Plan

Teresa Lees — Tue, 28 Mar 2006 15:50:44 GMT

Education and the Environment Initiative
EEI Implementation Plan

California is currently poised to lead the nation in environmental literacy. The California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) and the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) are actively engaged in the implementation of the Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI) pursuant to AB 1548 (Pavley, Chapter 665, Statutes of 2003) and AB 1721 (Pavley, Chapter 581, Statutes of 2005). Heal the Bay, a non-profit environmental organization and the bill’s sponsor, has joined the state’s leadership team. These landmark environmental education laws mandate the development of a unified strategy to bring education about the environment into California's primary and secondary schools. Other current key partners include the Office of the Secretary for Education, State Board of Education, the Department of Education, and the California Resources Agency.

Workplan – Phases One through SevenKey Elements

Phase One: Completed Environmental Principles & Concepts (EP&C)

I.Developed a draft set of EP&C by over 100 representatives of State and Federal agencies, universities, non-governmental organizations, and educators.

II.Web-based, on-line discussion review of the draft EP&C.

III.Developed the standards alignment methodology to the draft EP&C and involved K-12 educators, environmenta
organizations, and education providers in its review.

IV.Finalized the EP&C for approval by the California Environmental Protection Agency and California Integrated Waste Management Board.

Phase Two: Completed Alignment of the EP&C to California’s Academic Content Standards

I. Developed the draft alignment of the EP&C to the academic content standards.

II. Review of these draft standards maps by K-12 subject-matter experts, regional field reviews in six geographic areas of California, three regional orientation sessions for environmental organizations/education providers, and an on-line discussion forum.

III. Finalized the EP&C and academic content standards alignment.

Phase Three: Planned the Model Curriculum

I. Developed criteria for assessing existing environmental education materials and formed a California Environmental Education Interagency Network (CEEIN) sub-committee for their review.

II. Conducted an Educator Needs Assessment regarding design elements for the Model Curriculum.

III. Developed instructional materials design alternatives.

IV. Developed the Scope and Sequence.

V. Developed the draft Model Curriculum Plan, with review by State of California environmental organizations, Curriculum and Supplemental Materials Commission liaison, EEI Education Partnership, and educational entities.

VI. Approval of the Model Curriculum Plan.

Phase Four: Develop Model Curriculum

I. Preparation for Model Curriculum development.

II. Model Curriculum development.

III. Curriculum plans and units.

IV. Field testing of selected plans and units.

V. Pilot testing of all plans and units.

A. Finalize Model Curriculum and seek State Board of Education approval.

VI. Ongoing support and materials.

VII. Outreach planning for Phases 5-7.

Phase Five: Contact Outreach Partners and Establish Dissemination Teams and Professional Development

I. Contract with dissemination partners, train partners, and implement outreach strategic plan.

II. Identify and recruit educational leaders.

III. Conduct professional development workshops in California.

IV. Provide technical support to school districts and curriculum staff.

V. Develop workplan for Phase 6 evaluation methodology.

Phase Six: Assess Effectiveness of Model Curriculum

Phase Seven: Update Model Curriculum, Operational Support, and Continuous Implementation

To participate in the EEi by attending a workshop click here for EEI Dates

Government Agencies

Teresa Lees — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 17:27:25 GMT

Bureau of Land Management Environmental Education An outstanding site providing a pile of educational resources for teachers.
Council on Environmental Quality A White House office that advises the President on environmental issues, this Web site reports on the Administration's environmental programs and provides information on the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, legislation that requires federal agencies to assess the effects propsed projects would have on the environment. The site also includes links to environmental data on Web sites maintained by federal agencies.
Energy Education Resources for Parents and Teachers provides information about the California Energy Commission's Energy Quest web site and links to a variety of other environmental education web sites and publications.
Environmental Council of the States A non-profit association of state and territorial environmental commissioners, this Web site provides information on state partnerships with the Environmental Protection Agency and includes links to Web sites operated by state environmental agencies.
Environmental Protection Agency - EPA Very active site full of helpful information for teachers and students.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Forecasts the nation's weather and issues warnings of impending severe weather and flooding, protects endangered ocean species, and conducts environmental research.

National Park Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
U.S. Forest Service
U.S. Geological Survey

Environmental Organizations

Teresa Lees — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 17:25:13 GMT

North American Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE) is a network of professionals and students working in the field of environmental education throughout North America and 55 other countries around the world.
Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE) is a network of naturalists and environmental educators in California. They meet twice each year. Among other items, their website is a good place to locate environmental teaching positions.

Local Student Contests

Teresa Lees — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 18:14:37 GMT

2006 Envirothon held at the San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden on May 18

Teams from Arroyo Grande High School and Nipomo High School in San Luis Obispo County competed for the second year in a row at the Regional Envirothon competition. Field Guides are filled out based on local land features and scores are tallied to see which team has the highest score. Winners are eligible to go onto to the California State Envirothon. To learn more go to California Envirothon

Safe & Wise Water Ways Poster Contest - October 28, 2006 deadline.

Water-related accidents are the second leading cause of accidental death among people aged 4-19. An estimated 5,000 children ages 14 & under are hospitalized due to unintentional drowning-related incidents each year. Help prevent accidental injuries from happening to other kids. The Department of Boating and Waterways believes that if you teach safety to children while they are young, these lessons will serve to protect them throughout their lifetime. What better to teach them with than with artwork? Students in the K-8 grade levels are invited to submit artwork depicting safe boating and aquatic themes. Entry information is posted on our Department's Web sites www.dbw.ca.gov and www.BoatSmarter.com. Nine statewide winning entries are chosen (one for each grade level) and featured on an annual poster calendar.

California Coastal Art & Poetry Contest! The California Coastal Commission invites students in kindergarten through 12th grade to submit artwork or poetry with a California coastal or marine theme to the annual Coastal Art & Poetry Contest. Up to eight winners will be selected to win $100 gift certificates to an art supply* or book store, and each winner's sponsoring teacher will receive a $40 gift certificate for educational supplies. Students may have their work featured on Commission webpages and materials. Entries must be postmarked by January 31, 2007 to be eligible for this year's contest. For rules and entry form, visit www.coastforyou.org , email coast4u@coastal.ca.gov , or call (800) Coast-4U.

Central Coast Natural History Association – Passport to Adventure - Deadline December 31, 2006

“Passport to Adventure” is an educational game featuring all the San Luis Obispo area State Parks. Passport holders will visit any state park from Pismo</st1:PlaceName Beach to Morro Bay to Estero Bluffs and seeking answers to 30 questions. If the answer is correct, they can receive a special stamp at the Morro Bay Natural History Association, Pismo Nature Center, Spooner Ranch House in Montana de Oro and Monarch Grove when it opens Oct. 28. A fully completed Passport will be put in a drawing for $1,000 grand prize, a $300 second place prize, and 10 $30 gift certificates to the CCNHA nature stores. Deadline to enter is December 31, 2006. Passports are free and available at any of the four CCNHA store locations: Pismo Nature Center, Morro Bay Museum of Natural History, Spooner Ranch House and Monarch Grove. They can be played by people of all ages with a guardianship signature for children under the age of 18. www.ccnha.org

Please email Teresa Lees regarding information about any local student contests you would like to post on this website.

Local Funding Opportunities

Teresa Lees — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 17:53:04 GMT

Attention Santa Barbara County 6th Grade Earth Science Teachers!
You are invited to apply for grants to develop curriculum that will incorporate lessons understanding our atmosphere and global warming, also known as global climate change. The deadline for applications (through the Santa Barbara County Education Office) is December 1st. Check out www.OurAir.org for all the info (see "Kids and Teachers" and "Climate Change" links) or contact Mary Byrd at 805-961-8833 or byrdm@sbcapcd.org.

Please email Teresa Lees regarding any local funding opportunities you would like to post on this website.

For Providers

Teresa Lees — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 17:38:01 GMT

EEI Provider Workshop Documents

EEI Audit Tool for EE Providers

Learning Objectives Used in EEI Units

Environmental Principles and Concepts

Workshop Opportunities for Providers

Free EE Publication & CD from EETAP

Read about schools that have raised test scores of their students by using the environment to help teach content. EETAP is offering the publication Advancing Education Through Environmental Literacy along with the accompanying CD Teaching Standards Naturally at no cost. The publication focuses on how education and the environment can be linked to advance student learning. The CD provides a sampler to 43 free EE activities linked to different grade levels. Booklet and CD produced by EETAP and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).
http://eetap.org/html/free_booklet_cd.php

Summer and Fall EETAP Online Courses:

Applied Environmental Education Program Evaluation

This 12-week on-line course is designed to assist environmental educators and natural resource professionals in evaluating their education programs. Participants have the opportunity to develop and apply skills in designing evaluation tools such as surveys, observation forms, and interview and focus group guides. This course was developed as a cooperative effort between the Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) National Conservation Training Center. Participants may obtain three undergraduate or graduate credits from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. All participants, regardless of location, are eligible for the in-state tuition rate. The course is also offered as a non-credit workshop for those who are not seeking college credit.

Summer 2008 course dates: June 2 – August 22 (Registration deadline May 2)
Fall 2008 course dates: September 8 – December 5 (Registration deadline August 8)

To learn more, visit the course web site: http://www.uwsp.edu/natres/eetap/index.aspx or contact Angela Lemar (Angela.Lemar@uwsp.edu) for a registration form.

To learn more about EETAP visit the EETAP website at http://www.eetap.org/

Fundamentals of Environmental Education

An 11-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. Participants may obtain three undergraduate or graduate credits from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. All students, regardless of location, are eligible for the in-state tuition rate. The course is also offered at a reduced cost for those who are not interested in obtaining college credit.

The "Fundamentals of Environmental Education" online course was developed by the Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP) in collaboration with national EE experts. It provides educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to incorporate quality environmental education into their instruction. Participants discuss the history, definition, and goals of environmental education; develop an understanding of the professional roles and instructional methods of environmental educators; and interact with other educators from across the country. Past course participants have given the course excellent reviews.

Summer 2008 Dates: June 2 – August 15 (Registration deadline May 2)
Fall 2008 Dates: September 8 – November 28 (Registration deadline August 8)

To learn more, visit the course web site: http://www.uwsp.edu/natres/eetap/index.aspx or contact Angela Lemar (Angela.Lemar@uwsp.edu) for a registration form.

To learn more about EETAP visit the EETAP website at http://www.eetap.org/

Leadership Development in Natural Resources: Strategic Planning and Implementation

This 9-week online course entitled “Leadership Development in Natural Resources: Strategic Planning and Implementation,” will be offered this fall through the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.

The course is designed to assist environmental educators and natural resource professionals in learning and applying key elements of successful strategic planning. A variety of strategic planning models will be examined using case studies, simulation, and small group activity. Emphasis will be placed on managing the strategic planning process to build the capacity of organizations to provide effective environmental education programs. The course was developed as a cooperative effort between the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UW-SP), the Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP) and Treehaven Environmental Learning Center.
Participants may obtain two graduate credits from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. All participants, regardless of location, are eligible for the in-state tuition rate. The course is also offered as a non-credit workshop for those who are not seeking college credit.
Fall 2008 course dates: September 22 – November 21, 2008 (Registration Deadline August 22)
To learn more, please visit www.uwsp.edu/natres/eetap/index.aspx or contact Michelle Schiltz at mschiltz@uwsp.edu.
To register for the course please contact Angela Lemar in the UW-SP Continuing Education office at (715) 346-3854 (Angela.Lemar@uwsp.edu).

Making EE Relevant for Culturally Diverse Audiences – NEW!

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. Through this course participants will broaden their perspective of EE to encompass interests and issues of concern to culturally diverse audiences, assess barriers to participation among these audiences, and apply cultural competency skills in building relationships and partnerships with members of an audience they intend to work with in the future. Environmental educators must understand how to work with and involve diverse populations to ensure that their perspectives are heard and that they participate fully in environmental decisions being made at the local, regional, and national levels. This online course has been developed in collaboration with national EE experts who represent diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Although there are no prerequisites for this course, a working understanding of environmental education is essential for success in this course. Participants may obtain one undergraduate or graduate credit from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. It is also available as a non-credit workshop for those that are not seeking college credit. All participants, regardless of location, are eligible for the in-state tuition rate.

Fall 2008 course dates: September 2 – November 6, 2008
(Registration Deadline August 2)

To learn more, contact Ali Cordie (acordie@uwsp.edu).
To register for the course please contact Angela Lemar in the UW-SP Continuing Education office at (715) 346-3854 (Angela.Lemar@uwsp.edu).
To learn more about EETAP visit the EETAP website at http://www.eetap.org/

KernRedRockFlowers2

Teresa Lees — Tue, 21 Mar 2006 14:34:40 GMT

Wildflowers, Kern County