A monthly update of EE opportunities, events and resources...

Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication (EECOM) Monthly eeNewsletter

Join our Canadian Circle! 

If you are not currently an EECOM member, we encourage you to click here to join or renew your membership and be part of a growing Canadian circle of environmental learning students, professionals and organizations. 

We are pleased to share that in 2016, EECOM memberships for professionals are only $50 and all memberships purchased now are valid until June 2017. We are also pleased to announce that all 2016 EECOM conference registrations include an EECOM membership. You can click here for more information and to register for the 2016 EECOM Conference taking place in the heart of the Turtle Mountains.

If you want to be kept in the loop on events and opportunities in between our monthly updates, please click here to follow us on Facebook and click here to follow us on Twitter. Please note that our monthly eeNewsletter is also available in French! Nous sommes heureux de vous annoncer que notre bulletin mensuel est maintenant disponible en français! Veuillez cliquer ici pour vous abonner à la publication en français.

2016 Awards of Excellence in Environmental Education
Nominations close this Friday!

Do you know someone deserving of a national award of excellence? The EECOM Awards of Excellence recognizes individuals and organizations who have collectively influenced hundreds of thousands of Canadian citizens, and helped implement one of EECOM’s key goals – to advance environmental learning, ensuring Canadians are environmentally literate, engaging in environmental stewardship and contributing to a healthy future. Nominations close on Friday, May 20. All awards will be announced at the 2016 EECOM National Conference held at the International Peace Garden in Manitoba on August 25th - 28th.

Click here for more information and to submit a nomination.

August 25 - 28, International Peace Garden, Manitoba
Early Bird Conference Fees Available until June 15

We are pleased to announce that we have received a wonderful diversity of presentations and presenters from coast to coast to coast. Our Conference Program Committee is currently drafting a schedule that will provide participants with new hope, ideas, tools and resources to make a culture of change a reality.

Our 2016 Conference is taking place in the Heart of the Turtle Mountains in the geographic centre of Turtle Island. For three days you will be able to experience a place without boundaries. Situated on the 49th parallel, the International Peace Garden recognizes no boundaries – a perfect setting to “think outside the box”. Wildflowers, pristine lakes and over one hundred species of songbirds are residents of the International Peace Garden. Also, over 4,500 species of cactus and succulents call our conference venue home. The International Peace Garden Conservatory hosts many species that are endangered in the wild. 

Early bird fees for the first 100 people who register before June 15. Registration includes meals, carbon offsetting, an annual pass at the International Peace Garden and an EECOM membership.

Click here for more information and to register.

Back 2 Nature Network 
Connecting Children & Families with Nature

Ontario’s Back to Nature Network (B2N) is a growing province-wide network of organizations whose mission is to create opportunities for children and families to connect with nature. Education is a key focus of B2N, and working with educators at all levels to extend professional practice into the outdoors is a priority. Complimentary to the educator learning opportunities, B2N launched a two-year research program in January 2016 to investigate the outcome of regular time learning outdoors at school on students, educators and families. Other important thrusts of B2N’s efforts include a sustained effort to reach out to health professionals; a partnership with the Ontario College of Family Physicians has seen the creation of an accredited education module on the benefits of nature to human health. 

Click here for more information, photos and links.

Children & Nature Network International Conference 
May 24-27, Saint Paul, MN

Innovation, collaboration & commitment are the key ingredients for meaningful grassroots change. Join leaders from around the world to learn, connect & build the future of the children and nature movement.
Click here for more information.

GEOEC Exploring New Pathways Workshop
May 28, Red Deer, AB

Do you want to enhance your Outdoor Education skills and knowledge? Are you interested to learn about ways to bring Global Citizenship Education into your classroom? Is Environmental Education literacy something you are passionate about? Then join the Global Environmental & Outdoor Education Council for this professional development workshop.
Click here for more information. 

CaNOE 2016 Ocean Optimism Conference 
June 7-12, Halifax, NS

The Canadian Network for Ocean Education (CaNOE) is thrilled to announce registration is open for their 2nd Annual Ocean Literacy Conference & AGM! From June 7 to 12 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, they invite educators, scientists, communicators, artists, and industry to join the growing network of individuals working to advance ocean literacy in Canada.
Click here for more information and to register. 
 

SEPN & SERI Conference: Connecting Education & Environment
June 10-11, Saskatoon, SK

The Sustainability Education Research Institute (SERI), Sustainability and Education Policy Network (SEPN), and partners are pleased to invite you to take part in a unique opportunity to engage with internationally recognized researchers, educators, and policy makers working in the area of education and environment. The conference, “Connecting Education and Environment," will be held on Saturday, June 10-11th, 2016 in the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. The conference will focus on land, place, environment, and sustainability and connections to education policy, practice, and research. 
Click here for more information and to register. 
 

Jane Goodall Institute Growing Compassionate Leaders Course
June 27 - July 21, Online

Growing Compassionate Leaders is an innovative, online, professional development course that is free and open to everyone. The course teaches participants how to identify and implement a local service learning campaign using the Roots & Shoots program model. Complete the course and mentor young people to lead change in their communities by mapping needs, collaborating with stakeholders, and designing practical solutions. Connect young people to Dr. Goodall’s message of hope while facilitating a sense of empowerment that comes from helping others.
Click here for more information.

Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) Wild Pedagogies
Summer, Across Canada

Wild Pedagogies is CWF’s professional learning program for educators that will be taking place in various locations across Canada this summer. This one of a kind experiential learning program blends graduate level studies in education from top professors with travel on the landscape.
Click here for more information and to register.

Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators (NAME) Conference
August 14-18, Metchosin, BC

Educators, researchers, students, and resource professionals are invited to meet, learn, share, and socialize. This year’s conference entitled, 'One World - United by Water' will be held at Pearson College in Metchosin, BC (near Victoria). 2016 Call for Presentations is now open.
Click here for more information. 

Natural Start Alliance Nature-based Preschool Conference
August 15-16, Twin Cities, MN

The Nature-Based Preschool Conference brings professionals together from around the country to advance the movement to use nature to improve early childhood education, and to create a community for this new and growing profession. This year's conference will be held at the Dodge Nature Center and Preschool in the heart of Minnesota's Twin Cities. In addition to sessions, featured speakers, and tours of Dodge Nature Center's Preschool and farm, we'll also take a field trip to local nature-based preschools, which abound in the Twin Cities area.
Click here for more information. 

EECOM 2016 Conference: Choose the Future
August 25-28, International Peace Garden, MB

We have received a wonderful diversity of presentations and presenters from coast to coast to coast. Our 2016 Conference is taking place in the Heart of the Turtle Mountains in Manitoba in the geographic centre of Turtle Island. For three days you will be able to experience a place without boundaries. Wildflowers, pristine lakes and over one hundred species of songbirds are residents of the Peace Garden. Early bird fees for the first 100 people who register before June 15. Registration includes meals, carbon offsetting, an annual pass at the International Peace Garden and an EECOM annual membership.
Click here for more information.

NAAEE 2016 Conference: From Inspiration to Impact
October 19-22, Madison, WI

The 2016 conference is designed to promote innovation, networking, learning, and dissemination of best practices.
Click here for more information.

Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF)
Education Calendar

CWF hosts many educational workshops and webinars for educators from coast to coast.
Click here for a full listing of their educational opportunities.

Future Environmental Education Conferences
2017 & Beyond...

For information on future national and international environmental education conferences being held in Canada please visit http://eecom.org/events/.

Canadian Network for Environmental Education & Communication 
May 20 Deadline: 2016 Awards of Excellence

The EECOM Awards of Excellence recognize individuals and organizations who have collectively influenced hundreds of thousands of Canadian citizens, and helped implement one of EECOM’s key goals – to advance environmental learning, ensuring Canadians are environmentally literate, engaging in environmental stewardship and contributing to a healthy future.
Click here for more information and to submit a nomination.

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
July 15 Deadline: Environmental Grants

This foundation supports a wide range of environmental initiatives, with a primary funding focus on environmental education, urban greening and enhancing biodiversity, and energy conservation.
Click here for more information. 

Canadian Wildlife Federation
Ongoing Intake: My Parks Pass

Calling all grade 8/secondary 2 teachers in Canada! You can now order your students' 2016-2017 My Parks Passes for all grade 8/secondary 2 students in your school. While you're waiting for your passes to arrive, remember that you and your grade 8/secondary 2 class can still enter Parks Canada places for free year-round. 
Click here for more information.

Canadian Wildlife Federation
Ongoing Intake: Wild Grants

This is an ongoing grant program designed to help Canadians connect with and support nature in a variety of ways. This can include creating or improving wildlife habitat (gardens, shoreline cleanups, etc.) and learning about wildlife and wild places (BioBlitzes, soil or pond studies, etc.). Annually, this program provides grants of $250 to numerous projects across Canada, an excellent boost for projects that can use a helping hand.
Click here for more information. 

Tree Canada
Ongoing Intake: Greening Canada's School Grounds

Tree Canada helps to revitalize Canada’s school grounds by planting trees. Trees provide shade and protection from solar radiation, and add beauty to the playgrounds and fields where our children play and learn. Click here for more information.
Click here for more information.

This is just a small selection of the many grants available for environmental education in Canada. Click here for a more comprehensive list from the Canadian Environmental Grantmakers' Network Grants Database.

Manitoba Eco-Network Executive Director

Deadline: May 17

The Manitoba Eco-Network Board of Directors would like to invite inspiring individuals to consider applying for the position of Executive Director with the organization. Along with the responsibility of managing the day to day operation of the Eco-Network, the Executive Director will work with the Board on strategic initiatives to advance the environmental and sustainability cause in Manitoba. 
Click here for more information. 
 

Active & Safe Routes to School Senior Program Manager
Deadline: May 25

Green Communities Canada (Canada Walks) seeks an experienced manager to ensure the successful completion of our current active school travel projects, and to secure new opportunities and revenues. This is a three-day/week position, with potential to grow to full time and increased responsibilities as resources permit. 
Click here for more information.
 

The Jellyfish Project Executive Director
Deadline: June 30

The Jellyfish Project is an environmental and educational initiative that uses the power of music and live performance to educate and inspire youth about ocean sustainability, climate change and environmental sustainability. Their efforts support a global coalition of musicians to mobilize the music industry to amplify the efforts of the environmental movement. Their work has taken them across Canada and their vision is to expand internationally in the next 10 years.
Click here for more information. 

This is just a small selection of the many jobs available in environmental education coast to coast to coast. Click here for a more comprehensive list from Good Work Canada.

Green Teacher

Spring 2016 Edition

With the arrival of the warmer weather comes the lastest issue of Green Teacher, here to bring you advice on thinking outside of the box we call a classroom. We hope that the contents of our Spring Issue will allow you to utilize the natural landscape of your community, bring nature inside the classroom, and build outdoor lessons. Have a look at these ten newly hatched ideas for embracing the benefits of risky play, teaching respect for nature while exploring, being a trash picking king or queen, and using items from nature for chemistry lessons.
Check out the Green Teacher Spring 2016 Edition.

Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF)
WILD Outside 

WILD Outside is a national leadership program for youths of ages 12 to 26. It was developed to help young Canadians learn from CWF facilitators how to be part of a team, develop a conservation ethic and plan a community-based action project. Teams then deliver their nature connection projects to peers in major cities across the country. This program is run in collaboration with the YMCA.
Click here for more information.

Take Me Outside Day
Student Video Contest