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• Environmental Educator Certification Program 2025-2026 Application

  • Start
    May 01, 2025
  • End
    July 15, 2025
  • Location
    N/A

  Register

  The Environmental Educator Certification Program (EECP) runs August 2025 through June 2026. Program graduates will achieve certification and have the option of purchasing nine Graduate Units through University of San Diego (paid separately). The Program is designed for educators with a minimum of two years of teaching experience. Learn more about the program here. Please read through the website thoroughly before applying; we also strongly suggest that you attend an informational session. Paying this nonrefundable application fee does not guarantee you a spot in the program; in addition to paying the fee you must demonstrate readiness by completing this application form. 

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• Summer 2025 eeCourse: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Environmental Education

  • Start
    June 20, 2025
  • End
    July 30, 2025
  • Location
    Online - Moodle

  Registration is closed

  Summer 2025 eeCourse: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Environmental Education

  Description: This course is designed to provide a strong foundation in Traditional Ecological Knowledge and ways of knowing. It is meant to be an introductory course and spark interest in further learning around how we can more intentionally and respectfully incorporate traditional Indigenous ways of knowing into our environmental and outdoor learning programming.

  Through four modules, which incorporate a variety of readings, videos, and other interactive activities, you will: 

  • Identify some of the opportunities and challenges in using TEK to address environmental challenges
  • Develop your personal guidelines for integrating principles of TEK in your teaching which honor, acknowledge, and care take TEK and Indigenous people
  • Compare and contrast Traditional Ecological Knowledge & ways of knowing with Western science & ways of knowing 
  • Support your students in developing relationships with the world around them
  • Teach a lesson or a unit which integrates TEK knowledge and/or practices with your participants

  Timing: This roughly 6-week course takes approximately 12 hours to complete. The course runs from June 20th through July 30th, 2025. This course is offered on a quarterly basis. 

  Format: This is an asynchronous online course, with an optional live session over Zoom on July 9 from 4-5 PM with Phil Albers from Save California Salmon. Phil will share a little bit about the work SCS does to support Tribal rights, education, and advocacy - and you will have an opportunity to connect with other participants and ask questions about the course content and implementation. 

  • 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 is moderated by Jasjeet Dhanota, AEOE's Communications and Relationships Manager.

  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.

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• EECP 2025-2026 Enrollment

  • Start
    July 01, 2025
  • End
    July 31, 2025
  • Location
    N/A

  Register

  2025-2026 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:

  TUESDAY COHORT: 3rd Tuesday of the month from 7-8:30 PM

  WEDNESDAY COHORT: 3rd Wednesday 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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• eeCourse: Climate Literacy

  • Start
    August 20, 2025
  • End
    October 05, 2025
  • Location
    Online - Moodle

  Register

  eeCourse: Climate Literacy

  Description: This rigorous online course is designed for communicators, educators, and community leaders who want to deepen their understanding of the science behind climate change and evidence-based, equitable solutions needed to address it. Participants will explore how climate systems function, how human actions influence climate, and how climate influences people and other parts of the Earth system. The course combines scientific readings, engaging videos, interactive simulations, systems thinking activities, and data visualizations to support a rich learning experience. While it does not focus on teaching strategies, it provides a strong scientific foundation to support confident, informed engagement with climate education materials. In addition to global climate science, the course incorporates California-based resources and data to ground concepts in real-world examples; while these materials are locally focused, they serve as valuable case studies that offer insights and applications relevant to participants from any region.

  Timing: This roughly 6-week course takes approximately 15 hours to complete. The course runs from August 20 through October 5, 2025. This is our first time offering this course in California and we anticipate we will offer more sessions in the future. 

  Format: This is an asynchronous online course, with an optional live session over Zoom to discuss content application to your teaching with other course participants.

  • 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 is moderated by Jasjeet Dhanota, AEOE's Communications and Relationships Manager.

  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.

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• Save the Date: Regional EE Meetup – Fall 2025

  • When
    October 05, 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Varies

  Save the date! Regional EE Meetups – Fall 2025

  Sunday, October 5 | 1-5 PM

  Locations vary

  Join environmental and outdoor education professionals from across your region to explore a local site and meet colleagues working in a variety of settings. The event includes networking activities, snacks, and a tour of the site. Make new connections and learn more about a local program in your region!

  Meetups will be held in multiple locations throughout the state. If you would like to offer your site as a meet-up location, please contact AEOE (aeoe@aeoe.org). 

  Registration will open soon!

  
  

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• eeCourse: Accessible by Nature: Designing EE to Support All Learners

  • Start
    October 20, 2025
  • End
    December 05, 2025
  • Location
    Online - Moodle

  Register

  Accessible by Nature: Designing EE to Support All Learners 

  Description: This course uses the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to guide the design of learning environments that are accessible and challenging for all, rather than making modifications for individual students. UDL improves and optimizes teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn, giving all students equal opportunity to succeed. 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 20 through December 5, 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.

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• Virtual Environmental Education Career Fair

  • When
    December 02, 2025
  •  
    4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    Online | Zoom

  Register

  Calling all job seekers and employers! Join us for a virtual environmental education career fair. Site leaders will be grouped into breakout rooms, where they will make a pitch for their organization/worksite, share any current or upcoming employment opportunities, and end with Q&A. Job seekers will choose several rooms to attend. Interviews will not be conducted during the event, but if you make a connection you can exchange contact information and plan to follow up. Find your next dream job in environmental and outdoor education! 

  The primary focus is on employers based in California, but all are welcome to attend. 

  Participating employers to be announced closer to the event.

  Note, you don't have to be actively seeking new employment to attend - it can be beneficial to learn about different programs and opportunities even if you're happily employed where you are or haven't entered the field yet!

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• Save the Date: Program Leader Retreat

  • Start
    January 30, 2026
  •  
    4:00 PM
  • End
    February 01, 2026
  •  
    11:00 AM
  • Location
    Camp Ocean Pines, Cambria

  Save the date for a weekend of connection, learning, and resource sharing with program leaders in environmental education from around the state. 

  Combining both focused professional development and open space sessions, the weekend retreat is a time to connect with others in similar roles, gain help from your peers, and strengthen your program while relaxing on the grounds at Camp Ocean Pines on the beautiful California Coast. 

  Registration options include Saturday night only, the full weekend, or a full weekend without lodging for locals and those who prefer to stay offsite. Meals are included. 
  

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• Save the Date: Statewide Conference 2026

  • Start
    May 01, 2026
  •  
    3:00 PM
  • End
    May 03, 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM
  • Location
    SCICON Outdoor School, Tulare County, Springville

  Announcing the annual statewide conference for environmental and outdoor educators!

  May 1-3, 2026 | SCICON Outdoor School, Tulare County, Springville

  Save the date for a weekend of learning, connection, and fun! 

  Find more details at aeoe.org/conference-2026

  
  

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