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• EECP 2024-2025 Enrollment

  • Start
    July 01, 2024
  • End
    July 31, 2024
  • Location
    N/A

  Register

  2024-2025 Environmental Educator Certification Program (EECP)
  

  The Environmental Educator Certification Program (EECP) draws together stewards and educators of the environment into a structured and effective initiative. Certification is a public declaration that a certain individual meets a stringent level of requirements and has a specific set of skills. This program benefits practitioners and organizations alike, extending to individuals, the public, and the profession itself. The EECP enhances the legitimacy of the field by building a uniform foundation in effectively teaching about the environment in California. Enrollment is open July 1st - July 31st and is only available to individuals that have already been accepted. 

  Through participating in the certification program, you will increase your knowledge and skills, expand your professional network, enhance your resume, and make important connections across the state.  

  Cohort meetings will be offered on the following days/times:

  MONDAY COHORT: 3rd Monday of the month from 7-8:30 PM

  TUESDAY COHORT: 3rd Tuesday of the month from 4:30-6 PM

  
  

  Do not enroll in this program if you cannot attend one of the cohort meetings. 

  Small group meetings with a program mentor will be offered at a variety of times/days and will be scheduled after the program begins.

  Participants may only enroll in EECP if they have been accepted into the program and have paid the $25 application fee. If this applies to you, check your inbox/spam folder, as you will need the code in order to enroll. If you have been awarded a program scholarship, you will have been given a special code to use when enrolling. 

  Please see the operations manual for information about program refunds should you decide to discontinue the program. 

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• Webinar: Land-based Learning and Reconciliation: Resources for Teaching TEENS

  • When
    September 17, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Land-based Learning and Reconciliation: Resources for Teaching TEENS

  Tuesday, September 17th – 4pm Pacific

  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
  

  With Award-winning Indigenous Authors Monique Gray Smith and Richard Van Camp

  Join two award-winning Indigenous voices who will share their stories on Reconciliation and Land-based Learning. Monique and Richard will share about their offerings ‘The Journey Forward’ and ‘Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults, and offer guidance on these and other resources for land-based learning and reconciliation with teens.
  

  Monique Gray Smith is Cree and Scottish, a proud mom of twins, an award-winning, best-selling author and sought after consultant. She adapted the best-selling book, Braiding Sweetgrass, to a youth audience: Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults. Monique’s books are used to share wisdom, knowledge, hope and the important teaching that love is medicine. She is well known for her storytelling, spirit of generosity and focus on resilience.

  Richard Van Camp is a recipient of the Order of the Northwest Territories, Richard Van Camp is a proud Tłı̨chǫ Dene from Fort Smith, NWT. He is the author of 28 books in 28 years. He is also a storyteller, professor and film producer.

  All registrants will be entered to win some great draw prizes! All registrants will receive a discount code to access the resources shared, the recording, and a link to access a Certificate of Attendance.

  Resources to support teens in their reconciliation journey:

  • The Journey Forward: 2 Novellas on Reconciliation for Youth 
  • Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults 

  Offered in partnership by The Outdoor Learning School & Store and Outdoor Learning Partners:
  

  

  • Registration is FREE and there will be plenty of draw prizes for attendees!
  • All registrants will receive a discount code to access outdoor learning resources when they register
  • For those who can’t attend live these will each be recorded and posted on the Outdoor Learning School & Store's Recordings Page
  • Following the workshop, participants will receive a link to access a Certificate of Attendance

  Show details
• Webinar: Land-based Learning and Reconciliation: Resources for Teaching CHILDREN

  • When
    September 24, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Land-based Learning and Reconciliation: Resources for Teaching CHILDREN

  Tuesday, September 24th – 4pm Pacific

  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
  

  With a diverse group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Educators and Authors

  Join an incredible group of Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators and authors as they share resources to teach children about Land-based Learning and Reconciliation. 
  
  All registrants will be entered to win some great draw prizes! All registrants will receive a discount code to access the resources shared, the recording, and a link to access a Certificate of Attendance.
  
  This panel will feature authors and creators of excellent children’s resources such as: 

  • Sila and the Land
  • Walking Together
  • The Land Outside my Window 
  • Heart of a River
  • Together we Drum

  Offered in partnership by The Outdoor Learning School & Store and Outdoor Learning Partners:
  

  

  • Registration is FREE and there will be plenty of draw prizes for attendees!
  • All registrants will receive a discount code to access outdoor learning resources when they register
  • For those who can’t attend live these will each be recorded and posted on the Outdoor Learning School & Store's Recordings Page
  • Following the workshop, participants will receive a link to access a Certificate of Attendance

  Show details
• Fall 2024 eeCourse: Universal Design for Learning in Environmental Education

  • Start
    October 01, 2024
  • End
    November 15, 2024
  • Location
    Online - Moodle

  Register

  Fall 2024 Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Environmental Education 

  Description: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a teaching approach that works to accommodate the needs and abilities of all learners and eliminates unnecessary barriers in the learning process. UDL improves and optimizes teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. UDL is a framework to guide the design of learning environments that are accessible and challenging for all and that gives all students equal opportunity to succeed. Ultimately, the goal of UDL is to support students and participants to become “expert learners” who are, each in their own way, purposeful and motivated, resourceful and knowledgeable, and strategic and goal-driven.

  This course is designed to encourage you to reflect deeply on your practice to focus on how you plan and teach to support all learners. The course content and associated assignments are geared towards practicing environmental and outdoor educators. We hope this course will inspire you to strengthen your pedagogical practices so they are more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible.

  Timing: This roughly 6-week course takes an approximately 12 hours to complete. The course runs from October 1st through November 15th, 2024. This course is offered on a quarterly basis. 

  Format: This is an asynchronous online course. 

  • All activities must be completed independently on your own time/schedule within the 6-week timeframe. 

  • We will provide a suggested timeline and periodic reminders to encourage the timely completion of assignments. While we want to be flexible, we also want these learning experiences to be meaningful and we think timely and periodic work in the course will benefit participants more than trying to complete coursework at the last minute.

  • Coursework includes watching videos, reading articles, posting on public forums and Padlet boards, and writing/recording personal reflections.

  • The course is managed through Moodle - participants will be sent an invitation to access the course on the start date. 

  The course will be moderated by Amy Williams, Ed.D.

  One graduate unit is available upon completion of the course (the unit costs $79 and is purchased separately from University of San Diego). Note that you must also submit a certificate of competition in order to receive your transcript.

  Course content was designed by Michelle Silvers of Silver’s Lining PLLC, Estrella Risinger with AEOE, Michelle Pearce and Lauren Pyle with the Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC), with contributions from Rebekah Jones and the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning.

  Show details
• Webinar: How to Teach Nature Journaling: Curiosity, Wonder, Attention

  • When
    October 01, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  How to Teach Nature Journaling: Curiosity, Wonder, Attention

  Tuesday, October 1st – 4pm Pacific

  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
  

  With renowned Educator and Author, John (Jack) Muir Laws

  There is no computer program that can replicate the richness of seeing a flower up close, the intrigue of making friends with bugs, or the calm of laying on your back and watching clouds. The key to developing a closer connection with nature is deliberately enhancing your powers of observation and wonder. 

  Join us to learn how the methods of nature journaling help learners notice more, be actively curious and remember what they discovered. A nature journal is a lens that focuses our attention and crystalizes our observations, thoughts, and experiences. The system is creative, rigorous, playful, easy to begin and learn, and will offer educators opportunities to assess learning in an enjoyable way for both educator and student alike.

  John (Jack) Muir Laws is a leader and innovator of the worldwide nature journaling movement. He is a naturalist, artist, and educator who has dedicated his work to connecting people to nature through art and science. He teaches nature study and natural history workshops that incorporate illustration and scientific note-taking as a means to greater observation, memory, and curiosity.

  His work has been internationally recognized. He is a research associate of the California Academy of Sciences. He was awarded the Conservationist of the Year by the John Muir Association in 2024. He was given the 2020 Bay Nature Local Hero award for his work in environmental education. In 2009, he received the Terwilliger Environmental Award for outstanding service in Environmental Education. He has also been an AEOE statewide conference keynote speaker!

  John Muir Laws offers the exceptional resource How to Teach Nature Journaling: Curiosity, Wonder, Attention

  Offered in partnership by The Outdoor Learning School & Store and Outdoor Learning Partners:
  

  

  • Registration is FREE and there will be plenty of draw prizes for attendees!
  • All registrants will receive a discount code to access outdoor learning resources when they register
  • For those who can’t attend live these will each be recorded and posted on the Outdoor Learning School & Store's Recordings Page
  • Following the workshop, participants will receive a link to access a Certificate of Attendance

  Show details
• Webinar: Climate Connections: Climate Change Education in Outdoor Learning

  • When
    October 22, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Climate Connections: Climate Change Education in Outdoor Learning

  Tuesday, October 22nd – 4pm Pacific

  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
  

  With 'Accelerating CCE (Climate Change Ed) in Teacher Ed'

  Learn about integrating Climate Change Ed (CCE) into your teaching practice in this virtual workshop, which offers inspiring ideas for CCE for elementary teachers and their students. It will introduce promising practices from K-8 teachers that connect CCE to socio-emotional learning, Indigenous ways of knowing, climate justice, critical hope and age-appropriate climate action.  

  Offered by Hilary Inwood and Maria Vamvalis of the Accelerating CCE in Teacher Ed, which supports and accelerates Climate Change Education (CCE) in Teacher Education. Educators at all levels, from Kindergarten to higher education, are well-positioned to lead the cultural shifts needed for equitable, just and sustainable forms of living on the Earth. The ACCE-TE team supports professional learning in CCE for faculty and students in preservice teacher education programs, and for those already in the teaching profession (in-service teachers).

  We have a new section focused on Climate Change Education Resources.

  This includes great resources, like:

  • FutureMakers Program
  • Teaching Kids About Climate Change
  • Teaching Teens about Climate Change
  • Solutions Board Game – Educator’s Edition
  • Groundswell: Indigenous Knowledge and a Call to Action for Climate Change
  • A People’s Curriculum For The Earth

  Offered in partnership by The Outdoor Learning School & Store and Outdoor Learning Partners:
  

  

  • Registration is FREE and there will be plenty of draw prizes for attendees!
  • All registrants will receive a discount code to access outdoor learning resources when they register
  • For those who can’t attend live these will each be recorded and posted on the Outdoor Learning School & Store's Recordings Page
  • Following the workshop, participants will receive a link to access a Certificate of Attendance

  Show details
• Webinar: FutureMakers: Resources to Inspire Students for Sustainability

  • When
    October 29, 2024
  •  
    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  FutureMakers: Resources to Inspire Students for Sustainability
  

  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

  Tuesday, October 29th – 4pm Pacific

  With Wildsight Education

  Instead of messages of doom, FutureMakers provides students in grades 4 to 7 with the knowledge to design a thriving sustainable future. The decision-making power is put into students’ hands to inspire hope for their future and give them space to feel creative, resilient, and capable. 

  Join us to learn more about the FutureMakers Program which showcases new technology and inspiring solutions that lead the way to a sustainable future. The decision-making power is put into students’ hands to inspire hope for their future, and give them space to feel creative, resilient and capable.
  
  Offered by Wildsight Education, whose goals of their education programs are simple yet powerful: get children outside into their wild backyards in order to instil a sense of connection and place, and to give them the tools to face the challenges of sustainability with knowledge and inspiration.
  
  We have a new section focused on Sustainability and Climate Change Education Resources 
  
  This includes great resources, like the FutureMakers Program!

  Offered in partnership by The Outdoor Learning School & Store and Outdoor Learning Partners:
  

  

  • Registration is FREE and there will be plenty of draw prizes for attendees!
  • All registrants will receive a discount code to access outdoor learning resources when they register
  • For those who can’t attend live these will each be recorded and posted on the Outdoor Learning School & Store's Recordings Page
  • Following the workshop, participants will receive a link to access a Certificate of Attendance

  Show details
• Winter 2025 eeCourse: Universal Design for Learning in Environmental Education

  • Start
    January 15, 2025
  • End
    February 28, 2025
  • Location
    Online - Moodle

  Register

  Winter 2025 Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Environmental Education 

  Description: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a teaching approach that works to accommodate the needs and abilities of all learners and eliminates unnecessary barriers in the learning process. UDL improves and optimizes teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. UDL is a framework to guide the design of learning environments that are accessible and challenging for all and that gives all students equal opportunity to succeed. Ultimately, the goal of UDL is to support students and participants to become “expert learners” who are, each in their own way, purposeful and motivated, resourceful and knowledgeable, and strategic and goal-driven.

  This course is designed to encourage you to reflect deeply on your practice to focus on how you plan and teach to support all learners. The course content and associated assignments are geared towards practicing environmental and outdoor educators. We hope this course will inspire you to strengthen your pedagogical practices so they are more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible.

  Timing: This roughly 6-week course takes an approximately 12 hours to complete. The course runs from January 15th through February 28th, 2025. This course is offered on a quarterly basis. 

  Format: This is an asynchronous online course. 

  • All activities must be completed independently on your own time/schedule within the 6-week timeframe. 

  • We will provide a suggested timeline and periodic reminders to encourage the timely completion of assignments. While we want to be flexible, we also want these learning experiences to be meaningful and we think timely and periodic work in the course will benefit participants more than trying to complete coursework at the last minute.

  • Coursework includes watching videos, reading articles, posting on public forums and Padlet boards, and writing/recording personal reflections.

  • The course is managed through Moodle - participants will be sent an invitation to access the course on the start date. 

  The course will be moderated by Amy Williams, Ed.D.

  One graduate unit is available upon completion of the course (the unit costs $79 and is purchased separately from University of San Diego). Note that you must also submit a certificate of competition in order to receive your transcript.

  Course content was designed by Michelle Silvers of Silver’s Lining PLLC, Estrella Risinger with AEOE, Michelle Pearce and Lauren Pyle with the Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC), with contributions from Rebekah Jones and the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning.

  Show details
• Program Leaders Annual Retreat - No Lodging

  • Start
    January 31, 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • End
    February 02, 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • Location
    Camp Ocean Pines, Cambria

  Register

  Join your colleagues from across the state for a retreat on the beautiful site of Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria. Professional development, and two meals meals included (Saturday lunch and dinner). With this registration level you are responsible for securing your own lodging. In addition to a structured PD session, there will be discussions on hiring and pay, and ample opportunities for networking and conversations around topics of your choice. 

  Draft Agenda

  • Friday dinner
  • Friday evening social (optional)
  • Saturday breakfast
  • Saturday morning local exploration (on your own or team up with other attendees)
  • Saturday lunch 
    
  • Saturday afternoon: professional development 
  • Saturday dinner
  • Saturday evening: networking, resource share, and prep for open space
  • Sunday morning walk (optional) 
  • Sunday breakfast
  • Sunday open space

  Professional development: TBD

  Registration options:

  Please select the option that is appropriate for you. Members automatically receive a discounted rate if you are logged in. If you work for an organizational member, contact us at aeoe@aeoe.org for your discount code. The assisted level rate is available for anyone who needs financial assistance to attend. If you need additional assistance and identify as Back, Indigenous, and/or a Person of Color, scholarships are available through our partnership with CAELI in an effort to increase access and decrease barriers to participation. Contact us at aeoe@aeoe.org. 

  Show details
• Program Leaders Annual Retreat - Full Weekend

  • Start
    January 31, 2025
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • End
    February 02, 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • Location
    Camp Ocean Pines, Cambria

  Register

  Join your colleagues from across the state for an overnight retreat on the beautiful site of Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria. The site is just minutes from the coast, and optional morning excursions can include nature walks around the property, a short hike down to the coastline, or a short drive to see the elephant seals. 

  Professional development, lodging for two nights*, and five meals included (Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast). In addition to a structured PD session, there will be discussions on hiring and pay, and ample opportunities for networking and conversations around topics of your choice. 

  Draft Agenda

  • Friday afternoon arrival and check-in
  • Friday dinner
  • Friday evening social (optional)
  • Saturday breakfast
  • Saturday morning local exploration (on your own or team up with other attendees)
  • Saturday lunch 
    
  • Saturday afternoon: professional development (TBD)
  • Saturday dinner
  • Saturday evening: networking, resource share, and prep for open space
  • Sunday morning walk (optional) and check-out
  • Sunday breakfast
  • Sunday open space

  *Lodging includes shared cabins with bunk beds and their own bathroom. You will need to bring your own linens (bedding or sleeping bag, pillow) and toiletries. 

  Professional development: TBD

  Registration options:

  Please select the option that is appropriate for you. Members automatically receive a discounted rate if you are logged in. If you work for an organizational member, contact us at aeoe@aeoe.org for your discount code. The assisted level rate is available for anyone who needs financial assistance to attend. If you need additional assistance and identify as Back, Indigenous, and/or a Person of Color, scholarships are available through our partnership with CAELI in an effort to increase access and decrease barriers to participation. Contact us at aeoe@aeoe.org. 

  Show details
• Program Leaders Annual Retreat - Saturday night only

  • Start
    February 01, 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • End
    February 02, 2025
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • Location
    Camp Ocean Pines, Cambria

  Register

  Join your colleagues from across the state for an overnight retreat on the beautiful site of Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria. Professional development, lodging for one night*, and three meals included (Saturday lunch and dinner, plus Sunday breakfast). If you would like to arrive on Friday instead to have more time to network and share resources with your colleagues, please select the full Program Leaders' retreat registration. In addition to a structured PD session, there will be discussions on hiring and pay, and ample opportunities for networking and conversations around topics of your choice. 

  Draft Agenda

  • Saturday late morning arrival and check-in
  • Saturday lunch (included)
  • Saturday afternoon: professional development 
  • Saturday dinner (included)
  • Saturday evening: networking, resource share, and prep for open space
  • Sunday morning walk (optional) and check-out
  • Sunday breakfast (included)
  • Sunday open space

  *Lodging includes shared cabins with bunk beds and their own bathroom. You will need to bring your own linens (bedding or sleeping bag, pillow) and toiletries. Please reach out to aeoe@aeoe.org if you prefer to secure your own lodging and meals. 
  

  Professional development: TBD

  Registration options:

  Please select the option that is appropriate for you. Members automatically receive a discounted rate if you are logged in. If you work for an organizational member, contact us at aeoe@aeoe.org for your discount code. The assisted level rate is available for anyone who needs financial assistance to attend. If you need additional assistance and identify as Back, Indigenous, and/or a Person of Color, scholarships are available through our partnership with CAELI in an effort to increase access and decrease barriers to participation. Contact us at aeoe@aeoe.org. 

  Show details
• Spring 2025 eeCourse: Universal Design for Learning in Environmental Education

  • Start
    April 30, 2025
  • End
    June 15, 2025
  • Location
    Online - Moodle

  Register

  Spring 2025 Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in Environmental Education 

  Description: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a teaching approach that works to accommodate the needs and abilities of all learners and eliminates unnecessary barriers in the learning process. UDL improves and optimizes teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. UDL is a framework to guide the design of learning environments that are accessible and challenging for all and that gives all students equal opportunity to succeed. Ultimately, the goal of UDL is to support students and participants to become “expert learners” who are, each in their own way, purposeful and motivated, resourceful and knowledgeable, and strategic and goal-driven.

  This course is designed to encourage you to reflect deeply on your practice to focus on how you plan and teach to support all learners. The course content and associated assignments are geared towards practicing environmental and outdoor educators. We hope this course will inspire you to strengthen your pedagogical practices so they are more welcoming, inclusive, and accessible.

  Timing: This roughly 6-week course takes an approximately 12 hours to complete. The course runs from April 30th through June 15th, 2025. This course is offered on a quarterly basis. 

  Format: This is an asynchronous online course. 

  • All activities must be completed independently on your own time/schedule within the 6-week timeframe. 

  • We will provide a suggested timeline and periodic reminders to encourage the timely completion of assignments. While we want to be flexible, we also want these learning experiences to be meaningful and we think timely and periodic work in the course will benefit participants more than trying to complete coursework at the last minute.

  • Coursework includes watching videos, reading articles, posting on public forums and Padlet boards, and writing/recording personal reflections.

  • The course is managed through Moodle - participants will be sent an invitation to access the course on the start date. 

  The course will be moderated by Amy Williams, Ed.D.

  One graduate unit is available upon completion of the course (the unit costs $79 and is purchased separately from University of San Diego). Note that you must also submit a certificate of competition in order to receive your transcript.

  Course content was designed by Michelle Silvers of Silver’s Lining PLLC, Estrella Risinger with AEOE, Michelle Pearce and Lauren Pyle with the Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC), with contributions from Rebekah Jones and the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning.

  Show details