Over 800 people have registered for the 2009 NAAEE Conference. If you have not registered, please note that after October 1 you will incur an additional onsite registration processing fee, so please access the online system before then and register. Hotel rooms are filling fast, and special rates ended the first week of September. Visit our lodging page http://www.naaee.org/conference/travel-hotel/accomodations for Web site to reserve your rooms.

In-depth review of the new EE standards, strategies for incorporating them into curriculum, sample assessments, hands-on activities, and exemplary models needed to meet the US national EE standards adopted by NCATE/NAAEE. Preregistration is required for this workshop, to be held on Thursday, October 8, 2009, at the NAAEE annual conference in Portland, OR. Non-NCATE colleges also will find the standards valuable for developing and improving their EE programs. There is a separate fee to attend the workshop, in addition to the conference registration fee. You also can register just for the workshop if you aren't planning to attend the conference.

Make sure to renew your NAAEE membership if it expires before September 25, 2009, to be eligible to vote in the upcoming election for the 2010 NAAEE President, Secretary, and Board of Directors. Not a member? Join before September 25th, 2009, and cast your vote!

Information on candidates will be included with the e-ballots when voting begins on September 25th. The election will run from September 25th through October 17th.

If you require a paper ballot, please contact the office at (202) 419-0412.

The NAAEE is proud to be a Content Advisor for the Insights series. The program is distributed to Public TV and highlights the best and most compelling educational stories. Each segment is hosted by America’s most well-known anchor, Mr. Hugh Downs.
Read the press release >>

Hey Pointers and other Wisconsinites! If you are attending the NAAEE fall conference, come to a reunion on Wednesday, October 7, 5:30pm - 7:00pm, at the Oregon Convention Center, room D136. Catch up and reconnect. Hear about exciting new EE developments in Wisconsin including NCLI environmental literacy plans. Find out what’s new with the UW-Stevens Point EE/I program. Learn about the upcoming WCEE 20th anniversary celebration. For more information, please contact Jennie Lane at jlane at uwsp.edu

Deadline: October 17, 2009
The National Gardening Association Healthy Sprouts Awards Program encourages the growth of health-focused youth garden programs. Sponsored by Gardener's Supply Company, the awards support school and youth garden programs that teach about nutrition and the issue of hunger in the United States. Schools or organizations applying must plan to garden in 2010 with at least 15 children (ages 3-18).

Deadline: October 9, 2009
The Student Conservation Association Green Your School Contest is a national competition to stimulate and/or identify conservation service projects designed by high school students who improve, restore, beautify, or conserve their high school environment. There will be one grand prize of $5,000 and two runner-up prizes of $2,500 each. Prizes will be awarded directly to high schools and not to individuals.

Deadline: October 2, 2009
The State Farm’s Youth Advisory Service-Learning Grants program will award up to $100,000 to nonprofits, educational institutions, and government agencies in the US and Canada, sponsoring student-led service learning projects on environmental, societal, or financial issues in higher education.

February 14 - April 16, 2010 ~ Costa Rica
This unique nine-week study abroad program is being offered by Earth Education International (Costa Rica) and Humboldt State University. Participants can receive 12 undergraduate or nine graduate credits in a home-stay experience including extensive field study and volunteer work opportunities.

October 22-25, 2009 ~ Junction, Texas
The 2009 Texas Association for Environmental Education conference, Rockin’ on the River, will focus on three themes:

· No Educator Left Inside (field investigations/study techniques)
· OUT Standing in the Field (EE Excellence/professional dev)
· Sense of Place (place-based education)

Designed for K-12 science teachers, curriculum specialists, researchers, and other educators, the workshop demonstrates how participants can use the conceptual strand maps in Atlas 1 and Atlas 2, along with other Project 2061 resources, to enhance their own understanding of science literacy and take a benchmarks-based approach to helping all students achieve literacy in science, mathematics, and technology. Atlas of Science Literacy is co-published by AAAS and NSTA.

This seminar, hosted by the BARD Environmental Studies Center, will feature climate scientist Steven Schneider and Congressman Markey, the coauthor of the House's Clean Energy bill. The seminar will consist of a series of phone conferences running from September 9th to December 30th. Participants can submit questions and comments, and also follow up by taking action through the National Teach-In on Global Warming Solutions. To join the seminar go to

February 12-21, 2010 ~ Belize
Join the NAAEE International Commission and explore the tropical paradise of Belize while learning how education is helping this Central American country conserve its diverse habitats and unique cultures. From centers of Mayan heritage to the teeming barrier reef, and wildlife sanctuaries to butterfly breeding programs this trip will focus on the diversity of EE activities happening throughout the country. The field trip is being organized as a collaboration between NAAEE and Monkey Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.

October 14-17, 2009 ~ Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
The Environmental Education Association of Illinois (EEAI) is hosting the 2009 Midwest EE Conference with the theme "Climbing the Green Wall." The theme was chosen to address the fact that all environmental educators struggle to overcome certain barriers or walls in their career. Four commonly identified limitations within the field of environmental education were selected by the conference committee: Administration, Interpretation, Natural History, and Sustainability. Through concurrent sessions, workshops, and keynote presentations, conference participants will gain the knowledge and resources to help overcome these walls and maximize their potential.

October 22-24, 2009 ~ Ruidoso, New Mexico
Enjoy the mountains and the professional development -- “Soar to Greater Heights!” Register before the early bird deadline, October 13, and save.
Proposals are being accepted >>
Register:

October 13-16, 2009 ~ Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific is accepting applications for the Sky Rangers Workshop, designed for educators from parks, nature centers, and other outdoor/environmental educational facilities. There is no workshop or materials fee, and participants will be allotted a $500 stipend toward transportation, food, and lodging for all non-NPS employees.

This multiple award-winning film on the subject of ocean acidification will air on Planet Green, September 26, 2009, at 8 pm. A Sea Change is suitable for all audiences. Check the Web site for release dates.

"The story that "A Sea Change" tells is urgent, unsettling and desperately in need of understanding and action." - Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post

This exciting educational outreach initiative was recently launched by the American Society of Civil Engineers. ASCEville! provides students in grades 4-7, a new online destination where they can explore the important role of civil engineering and the connection to the world we see every day. Engineers, teachers, and parents will find helpful educational outreach and teaching resources on the site.

The Alliance for Climate Education (ACE) will visit your high school to deliver exciting science-based multimedia presentations on climate education including delving into tangible solutions to stop climate destruction. ACE also offers grant and scholarship opportunities to empower students to take action. View their trailer on YouTube: www.tinyurl.com/acetrailer and visit their Web site for details.

US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) Web site for formal and informal educators providing news and information on global and climate change issues.

DIRT! The Movie takes you inside the wonders of the soil. It tells the story of Earth's most valuable and underappreciated source of fertility-- from its miraculous beginning to its crippling degradation. The opening scenes of the film dive into the wonderment of the soil. The film brings to life the environmental, economic, social, and political impact that the soil has. It shares the stories of experts from all over the world who study and are able to harness the beauty and power of a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship with soil.

Earth Newswire is a new social networking Web site for people interested in environmental science, ecology, and conservation issues to connect with one another and share news and information. The site features generalized forums but also allows members to create specialized discussion groups.

The Council for Environmental Education has just unveiled its much anticipated early childhood initiative, Growing Up WILD. Designed for educators of children ages 3-7, Growing Up WILD builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature through outdoor exploration. The 27 field-tested activities provide an early foundation for developing positive impressions about nature and lifelong social and academic skills.

The Blandford Nature Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan is restoring a 12-acre parcel as an Ameurasian meadow, emphasizing plant species that were introduced to Michigan by early settlers or were native to the state. Many of these field plants were used as uses as food, dyes, and medicines by the settlers and the hope is that animals that have left the area will return after restoration. Read the press release:

Seal the Deal! is the United Nations-led campaign to promote a definitive agreement on climate change. This powerful campaign provides a framework for UN advocacy on climate change in 2009. Seal the Deal! is designed to mobilize everyone to encourage the governments of the world to agree on a deal that will protect people and the planet, and promote a global green economy when they meet to negotiate a new climate change agreement in Copenhagen this December.

July 19, 2009, New York Times article, by Cornelia Dean, discusses a new Pew Research Center survey results show a large gap between what scientists think and the views of ordinary Americans about climate change and other related issues. The survey shows that while most scientists believe that humans are the cause of global warming, about half of the public disagrees, and 11 percent does not believe in climate change at all. These differences in scientific knowledge and public belief illustrate a need for scientists to better engage the public and present their research and data in a clear and understandable form.

For only $55 (professional membership rate), you get a wealth of member benefits that include the new Members-only version of EE-News, discounts on conference registration and publications, access to our membership directory for valuable networking, the ability to influence NAAEE policy through participating in Committees and Commissions, and more !

Join Online >>

Making a contribution to supporting NAAEE's work to improve the EE profession has never been easier.

This email bulletin is provided by NAAEE , with funding from the Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP). Read the latest EETAP Bulletin >> . EETAP is funded by U.S. EPA's Office of Environmental Education. The NAAEE promotes excellence in EE and serves environmental educators for the purpose of achieving environmental literacy in order for present and future generations to benefit from a safe and healthy environment and a better quality of life. Read the latest EETAP Bulletin >>

Submit an announcement for inclusion in EE-News by sending a 50-80 word description to maryo@naaee.org

Subscribe by sending a blank email to: ee-news-subscribe@naaee.org
Unsubscribe by sending a blank email to: ee-news-unsubscribe@naaee.org

NAAEE also offers the semi-annual publication, NAAEE Communicator, posted online for exclusive access by NAAEE members.

Educators and others may copy or distribute the information in EE-News for the noncommercial purpose of educational advancement.

View this newsletter online: http://www.naaee.org/news-and-events/ee-news-archives/