Greetings from SEEK!
Spring officially arrives later this month and organizations are preparing for it by hiring their spring and summer naturalist and education staff. Be sure to check out SEEK's Jobs and Internships pages for the latest openings.
In this issue:
 Becker County is a rural county located in West Central Minnesota about 40 miles east from the Minnesota - North Dakota border. The largest city in the county is Detroit Lakes. BCES's integrated waste management program assists county residents and businesses with proper waste management. Assistance is provided in the following areas: recycling, organics diversion, waste reduction, reuse, household hazardous waste, backyard composting, and waste processing.
Becker County offers free resources to help environmental educators, both formal and informal, teach others about the environment. Resources include staff presentations, waste assessments, educational print materials, displays for loan, and learning trunks.
Beginning this summer, Becker County will begin construction on a new Transfer Station and soon thereafter on a new Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) to manage their recycling growth. Upon completion, classroom tours will be available.
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March:
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March 7: Workshop: Project Learning Tree K-8 will be held in Bloomington
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March 7: Volunteer Supervisor Training will be held in Shoreview
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March 7-8: Workshop: Nature's Notebook Workshop will be held in Bloomington
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March 9-15: National Wildlife Week: Living With Wildlife
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March 10-11: Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) 2015 Conference will be held in St. Cloud
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March 10 - May 19: Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Training Prairies and Potholes will be held in Montevideo
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March 12-15: National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) National Conference on Science Education will be held in Chicago
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March 16-22: Don't be a drip! Fix a Leak Week
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March 21: International Day of Forests
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March 21: Project Learning Tree/Project WILD Early Childhood Workshop will be held in Minnetonka
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March 22: National Geographic's Creative Travel Photography Seminar will be held in Minneapolis
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March 23: Webinar: Introducing Carton Recycling into a School Program. The Process, Challenges and Successes in Minnesota schools
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March 23: Minnesota Naturalists Training (MNA): Walk! Bike! Fun! will be held in St. Louis Park
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March 26: Presentation: The High Price of Cheap Groundwater: Are We Flushing Our Future Downstream? will be held in St. Paul
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March 27 - May 31: Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Training - Northwoods, Great Lakes will be held in Britt
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March 28: 14th Annual Classes Without Quizzes will be held in St. Paul
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March 28: Superior Agates and Minnesota Geology will be held in Maplewood
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March 30 - May 4: Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Training - Big Woods, Big Rivers will be held in Altura
Visit the SEEK Calendar for more information about these
events.
Nominate an Outstanding K-12 Teacher for National Environmental Educator Award - Deadline: March 13
The EPA in partnership with the White House Council on Environmental Quality announce the 2014-2015 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators. Nominations are accepted for K-12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education. This award honors, supports and encourages educators who incorporate EE in their classrooms and teaching methods. Winning teachers receive $2,500.
Tis the Season to find Summer Employment! Visit SEEK's Jobs and Internships Page
Are you interested in a career in the environmental education field? Looking for a summer job or internship? Now is the time that organizations are hiring their summer and seasonal staff. Check out the SEEK website's Jobs and Internships pages, which currently offer a number of employment opportunities in the environmental education field.
NAAEE Accredits Four Distinguished College and University Environmental Education Programs - Next Deadline: March 15
The North American Association for Environmental Education announced a new initiative to formally recognize distinguished college and university environmental education programs that are developing the kinds of environmental educators we need in the field. Graduates of these programs are experiencing curriculum and training that will translate to best practices in EE across a variety of learning contexts. Four programs - Montreat College, Eastern Kentucky University, Nova Southeastern University, and University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point - are the first institutions to receive recognition.
Mini Eco Experience coming from the State Fair to Bemidji's Headwaters Science Center
Exhibits from the Minnesota State Fair's Eco Experience are visiting the Headwaters Science Center in Bemidji from Jan. 31 to June 15, 2015. A small set of exhibits from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Department of Commerce dubbed "Climate, Energy and Community: What we can do" provide interactive opportunities to explore home energy use and Minnesota's changing climate. The exhibits are geared for adults and children to learn together. The event is free for Science Center members and free with admission to the museum.
Accessible Outdoors: Kids with Social, Emotional and Physical Disabilities Go Outside
As the mother of a child with autism and a professional outdoor educator, Kathy Ambrosini, has worked with thousands of kids with disabilities and has seen, firsthand, the powerful effects that the world outside can offer them. For these kids, time spent in natural settings can offer relief from their symptoms and an environment that helps them to think differently as they begin to craft new strategies for managing their disabilities. In this article for the Children & Nature Network she lays out six basic steps to help you in getting outdoors with kids with disabilities.
 Laurentian Environmental Learning Center is offering Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer Training in 2015
This hands-on, certification course involves three weekends (a total of 40 hours) learning about the natural history of the "Northwoods and Great Lakes". Staying at Laurentian ELC for three weekends will provide the opportunity to be submersed in the ecosystems of Northern Minnesota - during and after class. The program starts in March and ends in May. Cost is $675, which includes the $275 class fee and $400 for food and lodging for all three weekends.
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Student Reporters Invited to Participate in Environmental Journalism Program - Deadline: March 14
Students between the ages of 13 and 21 are invited to participate in the National Wildlife Federation's Young Reporters for the Environment competition. They may enter as individuals or as part of a class or group to investigate an environmental issue and report on it in writing, photography, or video. Entries must be relevant to participants' local community, connect to a global perspective, include possible solutions, and be disseminated to an appropriate target audience.
College Students and Graduations Invited to Apply for Community-Based Research Program - Deadlines: March 15
The U of M's Center for Urban and Regional Affairs has a Community-Based Research Program that provides graduate or undergraduate student assistance for community-based applied research projects, program planning and development, program evaluation, and other short-term projects. Student assistantships are generally 260 hours (20 hrs/week) during summer. Apply by March 15 for summer projects.
Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) are Now Open - Deadline: April 1
Grades 7-12 science and mathematics teachers are eligible for the 2015 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The prestigious award from The White House provides a great opportunity to examine and improve your instruction. Mentoring assistance is available.
Elementary Schools Invited to Participate in Refuge Partner Schools Program - Application Deadline: April 17
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge is accepting applications for elementary schools (K-5th grade) to participate in the Refuge Partner Schools Program. The partnership provides teachers and students multidisciplinary, standard-based curriculum that emphasizes hands-on, real-life experiences with plants, wildlife, and recreational opportunities that immerse students in nature throughout the seasons. Students visit the refuge 3 times each school year. Teachers participate in at least one free refuge workshop.
Discovery Education and 3M Search For America's 2015 Top Young Scientist - Deadline: April 21
Encouraging students to share their passion for science, the Young Scientist Challenge asks students in grades 5-8 to create a one to two-minute video communicating the science behind a possible solution to an everyday problem related to one of the following categories: How We Communicate, How We Move, How We Stay Healthy, How We Make A Difference - or come up with your own idea! Each national finalist earns an exclusive summer mentorship with a 3M scientist to complete a summer “innovation” assignment. The highest scoring finalist earns the title America’s Top Young Scientist and wins $25,000.
 Your Stories and Input Wanted on the Impacts of Climate in Minnesota
The Will Steger Foundation is launching Climate Minnesota: Local Stories, Community Solutions, a two-year project that responds to the urgent need to increase climate literacy and promote sustainable behavior change among Minnesotans by sharing the knowledge of local experts and the stories of individuals impacted by climate change. The project builds on the power of media for sharing stories and the importance of personal contact to reach a broader, more diverse audience. We are looking for individuals or organizations to contribute to this project.
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Metro State Offers Online Nature Education Course for Summer Semester
From May 9 - August 15, Metropolitan State University will be offering a 4 credit online course taught by Patricia Born Selly titled "Selected Topics in Early Childhood: Nature Education". This course will introduce nature education as a concept and offer students the opportunity to reflect on the role nature education plays in their practice. Students will identify, examine and discuss research, issues, and current trends around nature education for children, particularly in the early childhood years.
Minnesota leads the nation in pollution prevention
Minnesota businesses are the best in the U.S. at reducing or eliminating some dangerous pollutants, according to a recent EPA report. The report is based on information reported by manufacturing and other industrial facilities across the country through the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory program. According to the report, Minnesota businesses implemented measures that resulted in a reduction of nearly 1 million pounds of toxic pollutant releases from 2012 to 2013 in Minnesota.
For the sake of our lakes, keep your pavement on a low-salt diet
Our waters should follow the advice our doctors have been giving for years: stick to a low-salt diet. Road salt, which contains chloride, is the most commonly used de-icer. But, much like table salt, road salt's benefits are peppered with danger. Salt keeps us safe on icy roads but can have the opposite effect on the nearby environment. Its public safety benefits come with environmental drawbacks like polluted waters and poisoned aquatic wildlife. Remember less is more when it comes to applying road salt.
Summer Trips for Environmental Educators offered at a Discount - Registration Deadline: June 1
Global Exploration for Educators Organization is offering travel programs to 32 countries in 2015. Programs that would be particularity interesting to environmental educators include: Belize/Guatemala, Morocco, Zambia/Botswana/Namibia/South Africa, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Peruvian Amazon, and The Galapagos Islands. The trips are 8 to 21 days and are designed and discounted to be interesting and affordable for teachers.
Find more environmental education news and updates in SEEK's News section.
 Green Flag Schools Program
The Center for Health, Environment and Justice coordinates this student-led program to make schools healthier places to work and learn. This flexible three-step program provides a framework for students to become environmental leaders and contribute to positive change in their communities. Through the program, students of all ages learn environmental concepts, investigate their schools, and identify solutions for making their schools safer and healthier. Plus schools achieve recognition for all the good work it already does, and receive support of teachers and field experts across the country to improve your program.
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 Green Schools National Network (GSNN)
The GSNN is a non-profit organization that advances the national Green & Healthy Schools Movement by connecting like-minded and passionate education, non-profit, corporate and public sector individuals and programs. The GSNN serves as a clearinghouse for individuals interested in all aspects of green and healthy schools. It is dedicated to fostering collaboration and networking to promote healthy foods in schools, develop energy efficient school sites, integrate nature into the curriculum, identify design considerations for renovation or new school construction, recycling, and many other related topics.
GSNN offers "Find a School" and "State Networks" tabs on our website. The school finder provides links to schools by state that are engaged in "green" initiatives while the "State Networks" tab provides access to the websites of state organizations dedicated to school greening. Many of these organizations also contain links and descriptions of schools that are focusing on incorporating more nature and environmental awareness into their buildings and curriculum.
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 Healthy Schools Network
The Healthy Schools Network is the leading national voice for children's environmental health at school and a national-award-winning 501(c)3 not-for-profit environmental health organization. Founded in 1995, they launched the national healthy schools movement with comprehensive state policies and a model coalition that have been shared and replicated widely since 1997. They coordinate a coalition of over 400 partners, provide a wealth of information and referral services, and coordinate the National Healthy Schools Day which will be April 7, 2015.
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Find additional resources for your environmental education
programs in SEEK's Browse Resources section.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Environmental Education Local Grants Program - Deadline: March 6
Under the EE Local Grants RFP, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) seeks grant proposals to support locally-focused EE projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship through designing, demonstrating, and/or disseminating environmental education practices, methods, or techniques. The EPA expects to award three grants from each of EPA's 10 Regional Offices, for a total of approximately 30 grants nationwide.
Blandin Foundation Grants - Deadlines: March, rolling
The Foundation awards five types of grants, depending on size of request and geographic impact. The grant awards range from $100 to $250,000. The Foundation's three areas of focus are Expand Opportunity, Itasca County Area Vitality, and Rural Community Leadership. Grant proposals greater than $50,000 are reviewed in March. Other grants may be submitted at any time.
RGK Foundation Grants – Deadline: Ongoing (review dates are March 6, June 12, and Sept 16, 2015)
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.
 Garden Starter Grants for Schools - Deadline: March 7
Elementary schools that are interested in starting a school garden project can apply for a $500 starter grant from the Jeffers Foundation. Twenty schools throughout the state will be awarded funds to help with initial start-up costs no later than March 20, 2015. Jeffers Foundation's A Garden 4 Every School website provides a wealth of useful information to help you start and maintain a school garden project. It features schools around the state -- both established programs and first year programs --to provide support and ideas.
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The Laura Jane Musser Fund - Environmental Initiative Program – Deadline: March 13
The
Laura Jane Musser Fund's goal is to promote public use of open space
that improves a community's quality of life and public health, while
also ensuring the protection of healthy, viable and sustainable
ecosystems by protecting or restoring habitat for a diversity of plant
and animal species. The Fund assists public or not-for-profit entities
with grants of up to $35,000 and will likely fund 4 to 6 projects this
year.
 Community POWER Grants - Deadline: March 27
The Community POWER (Partners On Waste Education & Reduction) program is looking for applicants to propose new and innovative ways to educate and actively engage residents in the Twin Cities to change their purchasing, reusing, and hazardous waste disposal behaviors to reduce waste. Non-profit organizations and schools are eligible to apply. There are two types of grants available 1. Traditional Grants up to $12,000 and 2. Mini Grants up to $5,000.
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Craig Tufts Educational Scholarship Award - Deadline: March 27
This award is given to a young person between the ages of 8 and 18 who displays an interest in the natural world to attend a week-long, summer outdoor educational adventure camp. The 2015 camp will be June 27 – July 3 at the Great Smoky Mountains Family Nature Summit in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. The Fund provides travel, room and board and program fees for the award winner and an accompanying parent or guardian. Applicants must submit an original essay and application form.
Water Quality Improvement Grants - Deadline: March 27
Nine Mile Creek Watershed District is offering cost share grants for efforts that protect and improve water and natural resources within the Nine Mile Creek Watershed. Funds may be used by public or private landowners implementing projects that support one or more of the following: 1. Improve water quality or increase the capacity of the watershed to store water 2. Preserve, protect, and restore native plant and wildlife habitats, with emphasis on lakes, rivers, and wetlands 3. Protect and preserve groundwater quality and quantity. The maximum grant amount is $3,000 for residential projects, $10,000 for lake and townhome associations and $25,000 for commercial and government projects. The minimum grant amount is $500.
 Freshwater Future's Project Grants Program – Deadline: March 31
This program provides grants ranging from $500 to $3,500 to be used for grassroots project expenses that promote water resource protection and restoration by influencing community and/or individual behavior or opinions, corporate conduct, and/or public policies; and to strengthen the role of individuals and community groups working locally to protect and restore shorelines, inland lakes, rivers, and wetlands in the Great Lakes Basin.
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Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST) - Nomination Deadline: April 1
The PAEMST is the Nation's highest honors for teachers of mathematics and science. The awards recognize outstanding K-12 teachers for their contributions in the classroom and to their profession. The 2015 Awards will honor mathematics and science (including computer science) teachers working in grades 7-12. Teachers may nominate themselves. Nominated teachers will receive an invitation for the application process. Recipients of the award receive a certificate signed by the President of the United States, a paid trip for two to Washington, D.C., and $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation.
Classroom Technology Grants – Deadline: April 1
Education Minnesota is awarding grants of up to $3000 to members who work directly with students. The grants may be used to purchase mobile devices and supporting resources to use with students. They prefer projects that will put the technology in students' hands, increase students' use and understanding of technology, and have measurable or observable outcomes.
 Clean Air Choice Biodiesel Essay Scholarship - Deadline: April 3
This scholarship provides an opportunity for Minnesota high school seniors to gain an understanding of the benefits of using cleaner burning, renewable fuels like biodiesel by writing a 1,000 word essay. Two scholarships will be awarded - first place: $1,000 scholarship and second place: $500 scholarship.
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Xcel Energy Foundation Grants - Deadline: April 6
Xcel Energy's Environmental Focus Area Grants support nonprofit organizations in their Environmental Education and Environmental Stewardship projects. Priorities include EE programs or projects that 1. provide K-12 students with hands-on EE experiences and curriculum that foster an ethic of stewardship and conservation and that support academic content standards; or that 2. provide training, resources and support to enhance the quality and effectiveness of K-12 environmental educators. Grant applications are accepted by invitation only.
Recycling Grants for Education & Cart Procurement - Deadline: April 15
The Recycling Partnership, an initiative of Curbside Value Partnership (CVP), announces their 2015 funding opportunity for counties, municipalities and solid waste authorities seeking to improve their residential curbside recycling infrastructure. The grants will provide funding for cart procurement and education and outreach programs. CVP will also provide tailored recycling education campaign materials to support the cart rollout, along with technical assistance for community recycling operations.
Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes – Deadline: April 15
The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes celebrates inspiring, public-spirited, highly diverse young people from all across America. It honors twenty-five outstanding young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and our environment. The top ten winners each receive a $5,000 cash award to support their service work or higher education.
 Grassroots Organizing for Social Change Grants Program – Deadline: April 15
The Ben & Jerry's Foundation offers grants to non-profit, grassroots organizing groups that are working towards progressive social change by addressing the underlying conditions of societal and environmental problems through constituent-led organizing and activist strategies. One-year grants of up to $20,000 are available. Eligible applicants are non-profit grassroots organizations with budgets under $500,000, or organizations that have a sponsoring agency with this status.
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Walmart Foundation State Giving Program - Deadline: April 20
This 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.
 Every Day Capacity Building Grants - Deadline: April 30
The National Environmental Education Foundation Every Day Grants strengthen the stewardship of public lands by providing "Friends Groups" with grant funds of up to $5,000 to help build their capacity to serve public lands. Twenty five grants will be awarded to those groups who make the best case for how the funds will build their capacity to better serve the lands they love.
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Legislative-Citizen Commission on MN Resources (LCCMR) Grants - Deadline: May 11
Environmental Education proposals are sought to benefit Minnesota's Environment and Natural Resources as part of the LCCMR grants. The 2016 Request for Proposal for funding beginning July 1, 2016 has been issued. Approximately $46.3 million is expected to be available for projects in the following seven areas: 1. Foundational Natural Resource Data and Information 2. Water Resources 3. Environmental Education 4. Aquatic and Terrestrial Invasive Species 5. Air Quality, Climate Change, and Renewable Energy 6. Methods to Protect or Restore Land, Water, and Habitat 7. Land Acquisition for Habitat and Recreation.
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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