Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation Offers Support for Classroom Environmental Programs

If Trees Could Talk, Middle School Environmental History Curriculum

The Forest History Society, a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational institution, has added Module 10, "The Significance of Private Forests in the U.S,” to the curriculum.   This module has just been updated and includes the history of private forests and the values these lands have to the United States. Students will also examine family forests in America, and take a closer look at the challenges facing private forestland owners.  It has lots of new activities, team teaching possibilities, and links to other resource sites.  http://foresthistory.org/Education/Newsletter/EdNews4.htm. 

National Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP) Announces 4 Online Courses for EE Practicioners.. 

Applied Environmental Education Program Evaluation

This 13-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
Fall 2008 course dates: September 8 - December 5

Fundamentals of Environmental Education

The "Fundamentals of Environmental Education," a 12-week online course, is appropriate for both classroom teachers and for non-formal educators who work with students and/or teachers.  The 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.  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. 

Summer 2008 course dates: June 2 - August 15
Fall 2008 course dates: September 8 - November 28

Leadership Development in Natural Resources: Strategic Planning and Implementation

Learn how to develop successful strategic planning and implementation models, processes and techniques.  Emphasis will be placed on managing the strategic planning process to build the capacity of organizations to provide effective environmental education programs.  Course participants will also have an opportunity for individual consultation time with the course instructor to discuss specific issues/questions they might have regarding strategic planning.  This course has been designed for environmental educators, natural resource professionals and graduate students who are currently involved in a strategic planning process or may become involved in one in the future. This is a 9-week course available for 2 graduate level credits through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.  It is also available as a non-credit workshop.

Fall 2008 course dates: September 22 - November 21

Making EE Relevant for Culturally Diverse Audiences

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.

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

Watersheds: Connecting Weather to the Environment

This short course provides information and instructional materials on understanding watersheds as our environmental home and the relationship between the weather and the health and protection of the environment.  We can easily see the consequences of a major oil spill at sea that is driven ashore by winds and ocean currents, but what about the fertilizer that people put on their lawns and the de-icer they apply to their driveway, or changing the car’s oil in the backyard, or the pet waste in the yard or local park?  Combined with weather, all of these have an impact on both the local environment and the larger regional environment.

http://www.meted.ucar.edu/bmet_training.php

Weather and the Built Environment

This short course provides broadcast meteorologists, educators, and the public with an overview of the evolution of our modern urban environment with a focus on impacts on the watershed, air quality, and climate. Each unit in the course includes information on ways to reduce our impact on our water and air with ideas ranging from simple changes in our commuting and housekeeping habits to changes in how we build houses and roads.

http://www.meted.ucar.edu/bmet_training.php

The information contained in this page is for informational use only and does not constitute an endorsement by the Arkansas Environmental Education Association.