Call for Proposals

Bioregional Outdoor Education Project Annual Conference
March 3-4, 2012
Monticello High School, Monticello, UT

Celebrating the Colorado Plateau: Water Within a Landscape
The BOEP welcomes your submission for their annual spring conference in the heart of the Colorado Plateau. Conference sessions should reflect place-based, bioregional, and/or outdoor education philosophy, pertaining specifically to the Colorado Plateau. Presenters will have 90 min sessions on Saturday or Sunday. Last year’s conference drew 50, K-8 educators from the Colorado Plateau and we are expecting about the same this year. 

To submit a proposal complete the attached form or click HERE <http://www.fourcornersschool.org/annual-conference#content> to download the forms. Proposals are due by Dec 15, 2011

Presenters have their registration fee waived but do need to register for the conference and make lodging arrangements. Registration will begin in February 2012.  Questions? Please contact Kristen Trejos, AZ Regional Coordinator, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 720-933-0246.

Teacher Award. The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is proud to announce the 2011-2012 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators. As discussed in the “America’s Great Outdoors: A Promise to Future Generations” report, in order to make environmental stewardship and conservation relevant to young Americans, environmental and place-based, experiential learning must be integrated into school curricula and school facility management across the country. This program recognizes outstanding K-12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for learning for their students. Two teachers from each EPA Region will be selected to receive this award. Application requirements and form can be found at http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/teacheraward/apprequirements.html

Arizona EE Certification Program. Avid about the outdoors? Enjoy educating about nature? Then join Willow Bend and AAEE for the state-wide Environmental Education Certification Program! Participants will explore the vast field of environmental education, from the foundations of this movement to creating and teaching high quality curriculum for diverse audiences. In addition, participants will learn more about the ecology and natural history of northern Arizona through hands-on field experiences. No prior experience is necessary, just a passion for education and the environment! For more information contact Sapna Sopori at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Leave No Trace: The Bigfoot Challenge. The Bigfoot Challenge's goal is to encourage simple acts of environmental activism and teach Leave No Trace principles. It's easy. From teaching a kid the importance of not feeding wildlife to picking up trash on the trail, Bigfoot is asking you to complete and report a single Leave No Trace challenge from the list below. Challenges will rotate every month and you'll have the opportunity to win great outdoor gear prizes every time you participate. Double your chances of winning by capturing your Bigfoot Challenge in a photo or story and sending it to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . By taking the challenge, you are not only joining a nationwide conservation movement, you are also Leaving No Trace where it matters most - the places you play. To read more about the challenge visit the Leave No Trace website at http://www.lnt.org/bigfootchallenge/index.php.

Green Ribbon School Award Program. The Department of Education, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the White House Council on Environmental Quality have announced the creation of a Green Ribbon School competition. Modeled on the prestigious Blue Ribbon awards, Green Ribbon awards will recognize public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that demonstrate high achievement toward (1) ensuring that graduates are environmentally literate, (2) eliminating their environmental footprint and improving learning conditions, and (3) creating a net positive health impact on students/staff. Schools can only be nominated by their Chief State School Officer (CSSO). To learn more on how to get your school involved and about the award criteria and nomination process, go to www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools or www.fundee.org.

Scott’s FREE songbird curriculum

In partnership with the National Wildlife Federation, Scotts Songbird Selections is committed to saving one million songbirds through the creation of 50,000 acres of new songbird habitats nationwide. Kits will educate students about the plight of songbirds and show how to create a songbird habitat in your schoolyard. Kits are for grades 1-4 and will arrive in late January. Components include: Teacher guide with reproducible, classroom poster, sticker sheet to reward students, and a take-home piece for parents. By taking part, your school could win $5,000 to help create the ultimate school habitat from Scotts. Sign up at teachers.scottswildbirdfood.com

Audubon Colorado’s Birding Trail Website

This site will assist you in planning your own bird and wildlife viewing adventure on the western slope.  Audubon Colorado provides bird and wildlife hot spots and includes what types of animals you might see in the habitat as well as detailed maps of the region.

http://www.coloradobirdingtrail.com/trails/index.php

Utah Birds San Juan County Website

Utah Birds San Juan County link provides popular birding sites in San Juan County complete with directions to all the sites and checklists to print for yourself and your students on a birding hike. There is also other interesting information such as rare bird sightings in San Juan County, and recent sightings. Don’t miss this site!

http://www.utahbirds.org/counties/sanjuan/index.html

Release of a Framework for Assessing Environmental Literacy -- In-person and Online --

On December 1, join NAAEE for the roll-out of "A Framework for Assessing Environmental Literacy" at the National Press Club, Washington, DC, and live via the Internet.
This new framework for assessing environmental literacy was developed with experts from the fields of environmental education, social studies education, and science education, plus related policy and social science fields. The development team will be joined by leaders from large-scale national and international assessments to discuss how to define and assess environmental literacy. The NAAEE spearheaded this project with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), and is partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation (NMSF) to release the framework.
Mark your calendars for Thursday, December 1, 2011, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time
To register for this important event, visit: www.naaee.net/framework

Christmas Bird Counts

The 112th Christmas Bird Count starts this year on December 14^th, 2011. Thousands of volunteers all over the country participate every year in this birding census to get a picture of the health of bird populations nationwide. If you’ve never participated, now is the time to start. It is a great way to get out and enjoy our feathered friends on a winter day. Have your students help!

For general information and the history of this event: http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count

To participate in your state:

Utah: http://www.utahbirds.org/cbc/cbc.html

Colorado: http://app.audubon.org/cbcapp/findCircles.jsp?start=&state=US-CO&Submit1=Show+Circles

Arizona: http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/bird_count.shtml and

http://www.tucsonaudubon.org/what-we-do/birding/198-cbc.html

New Mexico: http://nm.audubon.org/CBC/cbc_schedule.htm

Great American Can Roundup School Challenge

Registration Deadline: December 15, 2011
The contest kicks off on America Recycles Day (Nov. 15) extends to Earth Day (April 22) 2012.
This is a great opportunity for schools to show their true green spirit and environmental leadership by stepping up to the Great American Can Roundup School Recycling Challenge. The Can Manufacturers Institute is giving away a $1,000 per state prize to the top per capita school and an additional $5,000 to the top recycling school, plus the value of the cans and the chance to win $50 pizza cards.

http://www.cancentral.com/roundup/

2nd Annual Green Schools National Conference: Growing Green & Healthy Schools for All Children

February 27-29, 2012  • Denver, Colorado

Be a part of the only national gathering of K-12 leaders and educators coming together to make their schools and districts green & healthy centers of academic excellence.

http://www.greenschoolsnationalconference.org/register_now.php