Greetings from SEEK!
September is back-to-school time for the kids! It's also a time that you, as an EE professional, can further your education. There are several upcoming workshops this month - including a number of Minnesota Master Naturalist classes held throughout Minnesota. Learn more by visiting the SEEK Calendar.
Visit SEEK to find environmental education Resources, Jobs, Internships, Volunteer Opportunities and more!
In this issue:
 Providing quality early childhood education for over 40 years, Children's Country Day School is a nurturing, nature-based preschool fostering a love of learning, respect for others, and a positive self concept. Our model farm is located on 7 acres of pasture and woodlands, in Mendota Heights overlooking the city of St. Paul and the Mississippi River Valley.
One of our program objectives is to provide an environment that offers children opportunities to have first hand exposures to life, both plant and animal. In April of 2009, Children's Country Day School became the 18th certified "Nature Explore Classroom" in the nation. In our Nature Explore Classroom, children instinctively interact with natural components and gain important learning skills as they play. Research shows that positive experiences with nature can improve a child's creative, observation and motor skills.
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September
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September 3-12: Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Training - Prairies and Potholes will be held in Marine on the St. Croix
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September 6: Environmental Education Cohort Series: Responsive Classroom will be held in Bloomington
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September 10 - October 17: Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Training - Big Woods Big Rivers will be held in Maplewood
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September 11: MNA Naturalist & Volunteer Training: Cooperate, Navigate, Operate: Utilizing Adventure & Team Building will be held in Maple Plain
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September 11: Our World Speaker Series: Dwindling numbers for an iconic insect: A conservation biologist ponders moving beyond the documentation of declines will be held in Apple Valley
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September 13: Voyageur Outward Bound School's Workshop: Expanding the Learning Zone will be held in Taylors Falls
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September 13 - November 9: Minnesota Master Naturalist Training - Big Woods, Big Rivers will be held in West St. Paul
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September 13: Minnesota Master Naturalist Advanced Training-Invasive Blitz will be held in Spicer
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September 15-21: Pollution Prevention Week: The Clear Choice for Environmental Sustainability
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September 15 - October 23: Minnesota Master Naturalist Training - Big Woods, Big Rivers will be held in Northfield
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September 15-19: Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Training - Prairies and Potholes will be held in Savage
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September 16: Teacher Orientation Workshop will be held in Bloomington
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September 17: Teacher Fall Workshop will be held in Bloomington
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September 20: Hawk Ridge Trip for Educators with the Minnesota Zoo
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September 20: Minnesota Master Naturalist Advanced Training-Invasive Blitz will be held in Rochester
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September 24: Metro Children's Water Festival will be held in Saint Paul
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September 24-30: Take a Child Outside Week
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September 25: Workshop: Teach STEM with the ZooMS Design Challenge will be held in Apple Valley
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September 27- October 12: Minnesota Master Naturalist Course - Big Woods, Big Rivers (art & writing emphasis) will be held in Lino Lakes
Visit the SEEK Calendar for more information about these events.
Elementary teachers are invited to participate in the Environmental Education Cohort series starting September 6th
You are invited to join a dedicated group of elementary educators focused on integrating and embedding environmental education and outdoor instruction into everyday school instruction. This group typically meets the first Saturday of each month from 9:30-12:00 at the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington. Come prepared to spend time outdoors at each session. Join us for one Saturday morning workshop or as many as you can! Those who attend at least 3 sessions are eligible to receive a classroom set of Jeffers Journals for your students.
Three Teachers' Tools Focused on Urban Forests, Trees, Water and Wildlife
ForestInfo.org announces three new additions to its Teachers' Tools directory. The resources address urban forests, trees, water and wildlife. 1. Natural Cities: Urban Forest Ecology Challenge. This interactive lesson focuses on urban forests and how they affect their city over time. 2. Nature Works Everywhere: Urban Trees. This lesson the importance of urban forestland. 3. Nature Works Everywhere: Managing Salmon to Support Healthy Forests. This lesson teaches nutrient recycling with a focus on the relationship between salmon and forests. Each of these lessons is geared for middle school students and is free to download.
 Waste reduction and recycling resources for schools
The Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) offers several free resources to assist schools in their efforts to recycle more and reduce waste. 1. Free recycling, trash, and organics signs that you can customize for your school. 2. Grants for recycling bins that are offered annually in the spring. 3. Web resources to help you find recycling options for unique school items such as old books, crayons, textbooks/library books. 4. Ask the Expert. RAM is available to your school for any recycling, composting, and waste related questions.
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Student Leaders and Exceptional Teachers Honored with Environmental Education Awards
The White House Council on Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the winners of the annual Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE) and President's Environmental Youth Award, (PEYA) recognizing outstanding student leaders in environmental stewardship and K-12 teachers employing innovative approaches to environmental education in their schools. 17 teachers and 60 students from across the nation were honored. PEYA winners include students from 9 states. PIAEE winners and honorable mentions include teachers from 23 states and territories.
Family Nature Clubs in a New Spotlight with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The Children & Nature Network and the Association of Zoos & Aquariums partnered to create Nature Play grants. These competitive grants, selected through a rigorous review by a panel of industry experts, are being presented to accredited zoos and aquariums to encourage family nature play, Family Nature Clubs, and conservation education both on and off grounds. The Minnesota Zoo's "Hanifl Family Wild Woods Nature Play Program Pilot" is one of 30 grant recipients. Preference was given to those programs that extended nature experiences to off grounds settings, and to those who formed or worked with Family Nature Clubs registered with C&NN.
Nominate an outstanding project or person for Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) Awards - Deadline: September 5
Every year, RAM recognizes the environmental stewardship efforts of community groups, businesses, public entities, and individuals that benefit the communities in Minnesota via the RAM Awards. Individuals or recent programs contributing to the betterment of recycling or other resource conservation efforts in the state of Minnesota are eligible. Applications are currently being accepted for 4 award categories: 1. Green Project Award, 2. Public Service Award, 3. Recycler of the Year, and 4. Denise Kolar Award.
 Minnesota will be part of the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools 2014 National Best Practices Tour
48 schools from around the country were honored as a U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School for their exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impact and costs, promote better health, and ensure effective environmental education, including STEM, green careers and civics. In addition, 9 districts were honored with the District Sustainability Award. The 2014 "Healthy Schools, High-Achieving Students" Best Practices Tour will come to Minnesota September 23-24.
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Many Parks will be Fee-Free on September 27th to Celebrate National Public Lands Day
Several federal land management agencies offer fee-free days for 2014, including National Public Lands Day on September 27. A fee-free day is when parks, refuges and rangelands offer free entry or waive the standard amenity fee for visitors. Along with National Public Lands Day, Veteran's Day (November 11) is a free entrance day at Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Service lands.
NOAA's Teacher at Sea Program will accept applications through September 30
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Teacher at Sea program provides a unique environment for learning and teaching by sending kindergarten through college-level teachers to work under the tutelage of scientists and crew at sea aboard NOAA research and survey ships. Participants can expect to be at sea anywhere from one week to one month, with the average cruise lasting 12-14 days. All necessary travel costs, including airfare, are paid for through this program.
Labels 101: How to Read a Cleaning Product Label
Healthy Child Healthy World helps us to decode labels on conventional cleaning products. Cleaners (even those labeled "green" ) frequently contain hazardous chemicals. Unfortunately, cleaning product formulas are considered trade secrets. But there's hope, there's a number of ways to decipher cleaning product labels. First look for the warning words "Poison," "Warning," or "Danger." These indicate toxic formulas. The word "Caution," isn't as severe-it can appear on products that are safe but might, for example, cause minor eye irritation or gastric upset. Read the full article to learn more.
Will Your School by Crowned the 2014 National Recycling Champion? Sign up now to participate in Keep America Beautiful's Recycle-Bowl
Recycle-Bowl is a free recycling competition and benchmarking tool for K-12 school recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities. There are lots of ways to get involved, tools and resources to get you started, and the chance to be crowned the 2014 National Champion! Recycle-Bowl is separated into 3 divisions, the School Division, the Community Division and the Open Division. Schools may choose to register for any of the 3, based on eligibility requirements, collection practices during the competition, and the school’s ability to meet division standards. Registration closes October 15. The competition begins October 20 and runs through November 15, 2014 (America Recycles Day).
 Conrad Foundation's Spirit of Innovation Challenge - Registration Deadline: October 16
Students ages 13-16 are invited to “Get Your Genius On” and create innovative products to benefit humanity; winning ideas receive scholarships and project support! The program challenges teams of 2-5 students to use science, technology, engineering and math skills along with creativity, collaboration and entrepreneurship to develop innovative products and services to benefit humanity and address global sustainability. Participation is free. The 2014-2015 categories include: Energy & Environment and Health & Nutrition. There is a cost for teams to participate.
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 Nature Journaling Curriculum: Opening the World through Journaling: Integrating art, science, and language arts
The California Native Plant Society offers this free, 96-page nature journaling curriculum geared towards kids age 8 and up, and meets California state standards for grades 3 through 7 but works just as well for teenagers and adults. This is the 2nd edition and teaches children to become keen observers of the natural world by drawing and writing about plants and animals. In a set of nested games and activities, students gain confidence in drawing and writing to as a way to gather information. Using a set of key prompts, children and adults also discover a language to create poetry from their observations. They employ these skills and tools to put together a field guide, make treasure maps, and to write poems and stories.
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 Curriculum: Here Today, Here Tomorrow - Recycled!
Here Today, Here Tomorrow - Recycled! is a curriculum supplement sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Teachers, youth leaders, naturalists, environmental educators, camp counselors and others who work with students in grades 1 - 6 can flexibly use this supplement. It was developed through a review, revision and field testing process and is available online in a ready-to-print format. Lessons for grades 1-6 are available for free download on the following topics: Exploring Waste, Waste Reduction and Re-use, Recycling, and Waste Disposal.
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 Young Naturalist Stories & Teacher's Guides: Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Magazine
Earth science, wildlife biology, botany, forestry, outdoor recreation—young readers can explore all of these wild things and more in the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer magazine. Every issue includes a Young Naturalist story geared to 4-6 grade readers. Online Teachers Guides to the stories help educators apply a wide range of educational lessons. You can browse the archive of 75 years of nonfiction stories in this bimonthly publication of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. You’ll find downloadable PDFs of each story and every issue. Educators may order hard copies of past issues at reduced cost.
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Bush Fellowship Program – Deadline: September 11
The Bush Fellowship seeks leaders who have a demonstrated success record, an outstanding character, and an active-learner mentality, and who could benefit from intensive development through self-designed or academic programs. There are two ways to use a Bush Fellowship 1. to make progress toward or complete an academic degree or 2. in a self-designed learning program where the learning experiences including conferences, classes, seminars, etc. are chosen by the Bush Fellow. Bush Fellows are up to $100,000 to be used over 12 to 24 months.
Walmart Foundation State Giving Program - Deadline: September 13
The Walmart State Giving program provides grants to nonprofits that serve underserved populations and align with the Walmart Foundation’s giving focus areas. This program provides grants from $25,000 to $250,000. Walmart Foundation's core giving areas are: Hunger Relief & Healthy Eating or Career Opportunity. Organizations can also seeking funding for programs that focus on the unmet needs of underserved low-income populations.
Melinda Gray Ardia Environmental Foundation – Deadline: September 14
The Foundation funds grants up to $1,500 to that contribute to the development, implementation and/or field testing of environmental curricula. The curriculum should integrate field activities and classroom teaching, and incorporate basic ecological principles and problem solving. Any organization is eligible to apply, including schools, non-profits, governmental agencies and others. Individuals are not eligible.
 Conservation Partners Legacy Grants - Deadline: September 19
The Conservation Partners Legacy (CPL) grant program funds projects ranging from $5,000 to $400,000 that restore, enhance, or protect forests, wetlands, prairies, and habitat for fish, game, and wildlife in Minnesota. Local, regional, state, and national nonprofit organizations, including government entities are eligible to apply. The application system is broken into two sections Traditional and Metro Grant Cycles. Both will open August 1 and will close September 19th.
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RGK Foundation Grants – Deadline: Ongoing (upcoming review date is September 19)
Grants up to $25,000 are available for nonprofits in the focus areas of Education, Community and Health/Medicine. The Education category includes programs that focus on formal K-12 education (particularly mathematics, science, and reading), teacher development, literacy, and higher education. The Foundation is also interested in programs that attract female and minority students into the fields of mathematics, science, and technology.
Captain Planet Foundation Grants - Deadline: September 30
The Captain Planet Foundation provides grants to schools and organizations to serve as a catalyst to getting environment-based education in schools, and inspire youth and communities to participate in community service through environmental stewardship activities. Grants range from $500 - $2,500 with preferential consideration given to requests that have secured at least 50 percent matching or in-kind funding.
 Green Thumb Challenge Award - Deadline: September 30
Green Education Foundation and Gardener’s Supply Company are calling on schools and youth groups to submit chronicles of their garden projects in a race to win a $500 prize. The award is designed to support the continued sustainability of an exceptional youth garden program that has demonstrated success, and has impacted the lives of kids and their community.
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Target Field Trip Grants – Deadline: September 30
Target stores award grants to K-12 schools nationwide enabling schools to send a classroom on a field trip to museums, historical sites and other cultural destinations. Each grant is valued up to $700. Funds may be used to cover field trip-related costs such as transportation, ticket fees, resource materials and supplies. Other criteria for selection of grant recipients include the field trip's tie-in to the school's curriculum and the number of students involved. Grants are accepted from August 1 until noon on September 30.
 Kids in Need Teacher Grants – Deadline: September 30
Kids In Need Teacher Grants provide K-12 educators with funding to provide innovative learning opportunities for their students. The Kids In Need Foundation helps to engage students in the learning process by supporting our most creative and important educational resource — our nation's teachers. Grant awards range from $100 to $500 each and are used to finance creative classroom projects. Typically, 300-600 grants are awarded each year.
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Freshwater Future’s Project Grants Program – Deadline: September 30
Members of Freshwater Future are invited to apply to the Project Grant Program (you can become a member). These grants support organizations engaging in advocacy activities and projects that protect local lakes, rivers, wetlands, and other aquatic habitats. Grants range from $500 to $3,500.
Tom's of Maine 50 States for Good Sponsorship Program - Deadline: September 30
50 States for Good supports the community projects of nonprofit organizations in all 50 States and the District of Columbia. With your help, we match our money with uncommon ideas and the inspiring people behind them to improve communities across the U.S. Our judges will review nominations and help us award $10,000 in Tom's of Maine sponsorship funding to 51 nonprofits for a total of $510,000. Eligible projects have a positive impact on the community in one of the following areas: Environment/Conservation, Children's Programming, Health & Wellness, Animal Welfare, among others.
 Project GreenWorks! Grants – Deadline: September 30
Project Learning Tree is providing GreenWorks! grants from $250 to $2,000 to schools and youth organizations for environmental community action and service learning projects. Participants are encouraged to form partnerships with groups, businesses or organizations within their communities to help implement and sustain environmental projects.
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The Donald Samull Classroom Herb Garden Grant - Deadline: October 1
The Herb Society of America has established two herb garden grants for teachers in grades 3-6. Public and/or private teachers with a minimum of 15 students may apply for an indoor or outdoor herb garden grant. Schools can apply for indoor herb growing stations or $200 "Seed Money" to establish an outdoor herb garden.
Toshiba America Foundation (TAF) Grants - Deadline: October 1 (for teachers of Grades K-5)
TAF grants support innovative projects designed by math and science teachers to make their classrooms more exciting and successful for students. Any K-12 teacher in a public or private school in the United States is eligible. Proposed projects must advance the teacher's science and math teaching units. Grants are awarded in two categories: K-5 grants and 6-12 grants. K-5 teachers can receive up to $1,000 in grant money for their project. Past projects have included biofuels research and water quality testing at a local lake.
 Fruit Tree Orchard Grants - Deadline: Rolling
The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF) donates orchards where the harvest will best serve communities for generations, such as community gardens, public schools, city/state parks, Native American reservations, etc. The “Fruit Tree 101” program creates outdoor edible orchard classrooms at public schools to provide students with environmental education opportunities and a source of organic fruit for improved school lunch nutrition. FTPF seeks schools that can accommodate at least 20-25 trees on school grounds near existing irrigation sources.
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Ramsey County Public Entity Innovation Grant - Deadline: December 31
This program provides financial assistance to public entities to create and implement innovative programs that increase waste reduction and residential recycling efforts, initiate residential organic management programs, expand public space recycling and address bulky waste management. Eligible applicants include municipalities, Independent School Districts, park boards, watershed districts, libraries and other public entities in Ramsey County. Public entities with creative ideas are encouraged to apply!
School Recycling Bin Grant for Ramsey County Schools - Deadline: December 31
This program provides recycling bins and containers to increasing recycling in public K-12 schools in Ramsey County. Benefits from this program include increased opportunities for waste reduction, recycling and organics management in schools. It will also create greater efficiency and potential cost savings for schools by developing a resource management approach to waste and recycling.
 Archery in The Schools Equipment Grants - Deadline: April 1, 2015
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resource's Archery in the Schools program introduces Minnesota students to archery by providing schools with the best equipment, training, and curriculum available at the lowest possible price. The DNR's financial assistance is for schools or non-profits and provides archery equipment through a competitive grant program. Schools will be required to provide $1,600, and the DNR will fund the rest. The equipment's retail value is nearly $5,000. The application period opened July 1 and grants will be reviewed as they are received.
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SEEK stands for Sharing
Environmental Education Knowledge and is the online home of Minnesota's
environmental education resources.
For further information visit
the SEEK website or Facebook page or contact Colleen Schoenecker,
SEEK Coordinator, at seek.pca@state.mn.us or 651.757.2700 or
800.657.3864
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