Environmental literacy, community action
Our lesson series are designed to provide teachers with the confidence and resources to advance environmental literacy in their classrooms. This summer, we invite 3rd–5th grade teachers to pilot one or more of our lesson series.
The CAELI Community-Based Partner Hub is a portal that connects K–12 teachers and administrators to environmental education community-based partners and their programs. Find experiential learning opportunities for your students today!
| Joshua Tree National Park was elevated to national park status in 1994 as a part of the Desert Protection Bill, having been designated the Joshua Tree National Monument since 1936. The bill added 234,000 acres which now stands at 792,623 acres, of which 591,624 is designated wilderness. Joshua Tree NP protects the unique assembly of natural resources brought together by the junction of three of California’s ecosystems: the Colorado Desert, the Mojave Desert, and the Little San Bernardino Mountains. The plant and animal diversity are unique along with some very interesting geologic features. Joshua Tree NP provides the perfect outdoor setting to enhance classroom-based learning. You can visit on your own or have a ranger join you for an outdoor education program. All ranger-led education programs are curriculum-based (California State Education Standards, NGSS) and free of charge. |
| Field Trips: The Preschool and Kindergarten program is Who Lives in a National Park and explores the plants and animals who make the desert home. Early Elementary programs include Junior GeoKids and Exploring a Desert Habitat while the Upper Elementary programs include Geokids and Keys to the Past. Programs are also available for Middle and High School students and include Tune In to Tracking, Joshua Tree Monitoring, and Issues in Park Management. This brief video gives students tips on How to Prepare for Your Field Trip. |  |
 | Virtual Field Trips: Educators anywhere can schedule a virtual field trip lasting 30-45 minutes. Teachers can choose from Plants and Animals, Draw JT, Geology of JT – Rocks and Minerals or Weathering and Erosion. These are offered free of charge and must be requested in advance. Virtual field trips support NGSS and are offered for all grades Preschool and Kindergarten through high school. |
| Guest Speakers: A ranger can visit your classroom to lead students activities relating their study of the sciences to Joshua Tree National Park! There are topics for all grade levels. Teachers should coordinate with each other to serve at least three classrooms during the ranger’s visit. |  |
 | Joshua Tree NP provides curriculum resources and a number of lesson plans and activities for educators to use. The Joshua Tree NP staff also offers professional development workshops for teachers through the Desert Institute, the educational branch of the Joshua Tree NP Association. They offer a variety of field courses in natural science, cultural history, recreation, and the arts. Programs are taught by experienced instructors. Please see the Desert Institute’s website for their current schedule of classes. |
| The Joshua Tree NP offers children the opportunity to become a Junior Ranger. “Explore, Learn, Protect!” The Junior Ranger motto is recited by children around the country—each taking an oath of their own to protect parks, continue to learn about parks, and share their own ranger story with friends and family. Take a few minutes to learn more about the Joshua Tree National Park and all the services and experiences it offers. Spring is an amazing time to visit the desert! |  |
 | Dates: April 22, 2026 with celebrations all month long. Location: Regional festivals throughout California Description: This Earth Day, people of all backgrounds and generations are called to stand shoulder to shoulder in defense of the only home we share. Join us on Saturday, April 18, Earth Day on April 22, and throughout 2026 to lift your voice, take action, and show your love for Planet Earth. When we stand together, our planet has a future. Visit the CalRecycle website for a listing of events and activities taking place in April across California to celebrate Earth Day. |
 | Dates: April 2, 2026 Location: Virtual Description: This lecture series, hosted by Green Schoolyards America, discusses emerging topics and provides guidance for creating and stewarding high-quality green schoolyards and schoolyard forests. Sessions feature presentations by subject-area experts including Green Schoolyards America’s staff, along with time for audience Q&A. This month, the presentation is on Schoolyard Cost Model: Comparing Traditional and Green Schoolyard Options. Register HERE. |
 | Dates: April 10, 2026 deadline for proposals Location: Portland, OR, October 6-9, 2026 Description: Call for Presentations Is Open! Get your creative juices flowing and submit your proposal for NAAEE 2026. We’re looking for compelling sessions that help us look beyond current constraints and explore what can be. Read the details in the Call for Presentations for the Annual Conference or Research Symposium. Proposals are due April 10, 2026. |
 | Date: April 14, 2026 Location: Virtual Description: Explore how school gardens can blossom into joyful, accessible learning spaces that nurture literacy, numeracy, science, well-being, and environmental stewardship from Kindergarten through the elementary years. You’ll walk away with adaptable strategies for a wide range of climates and school contexts, plus renewed confidence, fresh inspiration, and ready-to-use ideas to bring your school garden to life. Register HERE (scroll down to bottom of page). |
 | Dates: April 15-18, 2026 Location: Anaheim Description: NSTA brings together science and STEM educators for four days of meaningful learning, collaboration, and growth. Whether you’re sparking curiosity in the classroom, leading professional development, shaping curriculum, or driving innovation across your district, you’ll leave with practical strategies, fresh perspectives, and lasting connections to support your professional journey. Join a vibrant community of educators as we grow together — because lifelong learning begins with collective insight. Visit the NSTA website for more information and registration. |
 | Dates: April 15 – June 15, 2026 Location: Virtual Description: This rigorous online course is designed for communicators, educators, and community leaders who want to deepen their understanding of the science behind climate change and evidence-based, equitable solutions needed to address it. Participants will explore how climate systems function, how human actions influence climate, and how climate influences people and other parts of the Earth system. The course combines scientific readings, engaging videos, interactive simulations, systems thinking activities, and data visualizations to support a rich learning experience. While it does not focus on teaching strategies, it provides a strong scientific foundation to support confident, informed engagement with climate education materials. In addition to global climate science, the course incorporates California-based resources and data to ground concepts in real-world examples; while these materials are locally focused, they serve as valuable case studies that offer insights and applications relevant to participants from any region. Click HERE for more information and registration. |
 | Date: April 30, 2026 Location: Virtual Description: The CAELI County Office of Education Community of Practice provides a space for COE staff to connect with each other to share best practices and resources for advancing environmental literacy and sustainability in their county region. This month the topic is Success Stories and Preparing for 2026-2027. Register HERE. |
 | Date: May 1-3, 2026 Location: SCICON, Springville, CA Description: Join AEOE for a weekend of learning, networking, and fun at SCICON Outdoor School in Tulare County, the gateway to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks! The conference is held Friday afternoon through Sunday lunch and includes 40+ workshops, an awards ceremony, resource fair, live and silent auction, EE Certification Program presentations, evening entertainment, and more. The featured keynote speaker is Laura Rodriguez, Founder and CEO of Restoring C.A.R.E. Lodging and meals are offered onsite starting with dinner on Friday and going through lunch on Sunday. Both camping and cabin dorm accommodations are available for Friday and Saturday night. Register HERE. |
  | Description: What’s an eeCourse? eeCOURSES are top-quality, competency-based courses on specific topics across the breadth of environmental education. eeCOURSES are developed by NAAEE Affiliates and endorsed by NAAEE. Study on your own time with engaging asynchronous lessons (Some courses include synchronous elements) Complete courses in 10-15 hours Receive useful feedback from professional moderators Enroll with any participating Affiliate What’s an eeCredential? eeCOURSES can be combined to earn eeCREDENTIALS that demonstrate your mastery of key skills and content in specific areas within the field of environmental education. eeCREDENTIALS are awarded by NAAEE Affiliates. Complete a series of 3-5 related eeCourses plus a culminating project to earn an eeCredential Choose from standard credentials or work with your Affiliate to design your own Earn the equivalent of one hour of graduate credit Currently, offerings are limited, but the program is growing Visit the NAAEE website for more information. |
 | Description: A Latine Outdoors Experience: Remembering, Resisting, and Reimagining provides a much-needed narrative at a time when the absence of such a narrative is both glaring and in demand. Contributing to literature that has laid the groundwork for re-examining the relationships between communities of color and the environment, this book further illustrates how the outdoor and nature experiences of people of color in the US, specifically the Latine community, may be different than those predominantly represented in the environmental field. Olivia Aguilar collects and shares cuentos (stories) from members of the national organization, Latino Outdoors, while weaving her own narrative throughout, to provide a rich description of what being a Latine outdoors means in their own words. From spending time with familia to enjoying public spaces and creating outdoor oriented communities on social media, the memories and stories collected here show a thread of resistance and resilience throughout. Through remembering, Aguilar and the contributors in her book reclaim their narrative and reimagine the outdoor experience from the Latine perspective, ultimately charting a course towards a more inclusive environmental field. Available through Texas A&M University Press. |
 | Description: Semillitas Outdoors is a week-long celebration of children in the outdoors, sponsored by Latino Outdoors beginning April 25 through May 3, 2026. Check out their resources. Check out this coloring book. Coloring is a simple, fun, and beneficial activity. It can help kids improve fine motor skills while supporting the brain to focus. Somos Semillitas y Crecemos Outdoors celebrates the rich and diverse Latinx identity, various ways of connecting to nature, and regenerative engagement with the natural environment. We hope you love this unique coloring book as much as we do! |
 | Description: Students explore the interactions between humans and the environment. The unit begins with students observing and exploring their school surroundings, asking questions about what they see, hear, and feel. Students are introduced to key concepts through literature, exploration, and collaborative activities. Stories such as Wonder Walkers by Micha Archer, The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle and Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse guide students in making connections between the weather, plants, and human actions. Lessons also emphasize social-emotional learning, encouraging students to reflect on how exploring their environment makes them feel and how changes in their surroundings can impact their emotions. The unit culminates in an action project where students create and share a plan to improve their school environment for both people and nature. This project empowers students to see themselves as problem-solvers and stewards of their environment. Download the Unit HERE. |
 | Description: Explore the wide range of educational resources available to teachers and families. Resources include How to Take a Nature Walk, Classifying Insects, Humans & Bats, Nature Search, virtual and in-person field trip options, lesson plans, and more! NHMLA also offers educator workshops to build connections between your classroom curriculum and the museum’s collections and exhibitions. Visit the NHMLA website for these resources and more. |
 | Description: Spring migration is here and there are millions of birds on the move. Saving birds and their habitats are at the core of the work of Audubon California. They invite people from all of California to join them on this journey. There are numerous Audubon Community Building projects across the state where your students can learn about birds and ways to protect them. Visit the Audubon California website to learn about these community projects, obtain bird lists, and more. |
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife offers a variety of educational and outreach programs for all ages and audiences in classrooms, at their hatcheries and visitor centers, on their lands, and online. Their programs cover topics such as coastal and marine education, climate change, environmental sustainability, land ecosystems, and watershed education. |
The Classroom Aquarium Education Program (CAEP) is a hands-on, science-based education initiative for grades K-12. CAEP will improve teacher and student understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of fish populations and their ecosystems, while creating an awareness of the needs of the aquatic environment through the use of classroom aquaria. With the support of regionally based community organizations, students throughout California have the unique opportunity to hatch and raise Chinook salmon, steelhead trout, rainbow trout and and other salmonids in their classrooms, then release fry into nearby approved water bodies. CDFW, along with community partners, works to enhance classroom educational experiences through the hatching and raising of salmon, steelhead, and rainbow from the egg to the fry stage.  |
 | The CAEP website hosts a variety of teacher resources including webinars, videos, curriculum guides, field trip guides, posters, handouts and worksheets, and tank setup and care. The curriculum and program resources listed are recommended to assist CAEP teachers with concepts such as life cycles, aquatic habitats and watersheds, fish survival needs, climate change and human impacts. In addition to classroom resources, they encourage teachers to take their classes on visits to watersheds, rivers, streams, fish hatcheries, fish ladders, or habitat restoration projects to observe the concepts and practices learned through CAEP in action. |
| Join California Department of Fish and Wildlife interpreters and scientists for a deep dive into aquatic ecosystems and fish during this fun webinar series designed for early elementary school aged students. Teachers and students are encouraged to come prepared with questions to ask the scientists during the Q&A portion of this live program. |  |
| Dates: March 4, 2026 Location: Virtual Description: We invite you to our next virtual statewide gathering which is a great opportunity to connect, share updates, and collaborate with environmental education leaders across California. Visit the CAELI website for more information. Register HERE. |
 | Date: March 5, 2026 Location: Virtual Description: This lecture series, hosted by Green Schoolyards America, discusses emerging topics and provides guidance for creating and stewarding high-quality green schoolyards and schoolyard forests. Sessions feature presentations by subject-area experts including Green Schoolyards America’s staff, along with time for audience Q&A. This month, the presentation is on Schoolyard Play in Winter and Early Spring. Register HERE. |
  | Dates: March 7-14, 2026 Location: Statewide Description: Trees bring life to California – and that is worth celebrating! During California Arbor Week, commemorative events are held throughout the state. Cities, community groups, and individuals plant trees, host tree planting ceremonies, and educate California’s youth about the remarkable work trees do for our communities every day- from cleaning the air and water to improving the overall health of our neighborhoods. California ReLeaf hosts an annual Arbor Week poster contest for youth ages 5-12. Learn more about their art contest and how the student(s) in your life can participate! Check out the CA ReLeaf website for educator resources and grant opportunities. |
| Date: March 10, 2026 Location: Virtual Description: Description: The Community-Based Partner (CBP) virtual Community of Practice brings program leaders and staff from environmental education organizations together to engage in collaborative learning and build capacity. Join colleagues from around the state to share resources, explore best practices, and build connections to strengthen our respective organizations and increase our collective impact. The March topic is Program Evaluation Tools & Techniques. Register HERE. |
  | Date: March 18, 2026 Location: Virtual Description: Join CDFW panelists Molly Shea and Mike Mamola for this month’s webinar. Students will learn about the Amazing Life Cycle of Chinook Salmon and Steelhead Trout in a behind-the-scenes tour of the Nimbus Fish Hatchery. During this interactive lesson, students will explore the life cycle of these fish and the incredible adaptations that support them on their long migration from the Pacific Ocean up the American River every year! Register HERE. |
 | Date: March 20, 2026 Location: Virtual Description: CAELI invites district office staff from across California to join the District Environmental Literacy Community of Practice (CoP). The District CoP brings together professionals committed to integrating sustainability principles into district operations, instruction, and culture. Through collaboration, shared learning, and resource exchange, members work toward districtwide innovation and systems-level change. Register HERE. |
 | Date: March 26-28, 2026 Location: Berkeley, CA Description: For 37 years, the Bioneers Conference has been a gathering place for those working to defend the web of life and build a more just, life-honoring world. Connect with visionary thinkers and doers — activists, scientists, artists, educators, Indigenous leaders, community organizers, and more — who are shaping solutions to address the most critical issues of our time. Through inspiring talks, deep discussions, hands-on workshops, the world-renowned Indigenous Forum, youth programs, art and performance, and countless opportunities for collaboration, Bioneers 2026 will reignite our shared energy, creativity, and commitment to change. It’s never been more important to harness our collective wisdom, connections, and resilience to build the future we want to see. Register HERE. |
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Description: Ten Strands and partners are advocating for the creation of a Seal of Climate Literacy. This is a voluntary high school diploma distinction that recognizes students for demonstrating climate and environmental literacy through coursework and community engagement. The Seal would celebrate students’ leadership and knowledge while strengthening pathways into green careers. It would also support California’s broader climate goals by fostering student agency, community connection, and real-world climate problem solving.
Learn more HERE. |
 | A new national analysis finds that communities of color are three times more likely than white communities to live in areas that have lost their forests, wetlands, and green spaces — and nearly three-quarters of residents in those nature-deprived areas have low household incomes. The report, The Nature Gap: Communities of Color and Those With Low Incomes Are Bearing the Brunt of America’s Nature Loss, was co-authored by Justice Outside, the Center for American Progress, and Conservation Science Partners. It updates the landmark 2020 Nature Gap analysis with new data and a more advanced methodology covering every census tract in the contiguous United States — and for the first time, connects nature deprivation directly to pollution exposure and climate risk at a national scale. Read the press release HERE. |
 | Description: Join host Ronda Lee Chapman as she shares stories from across the country. This podcast is designed to be a rich forum for conversation on how we move forward—towards a more inclusive and representative outdoor community—together. How are we going to rethink conservation? How do we encourage investments and engagement in nature for our communities? Ronda’s hope is that this podcast can also be a vehicle to raise community voices—to offer a platform to talk about the valuable work that these individuals and communities are doing. She wants to talk about the triumphs, the challenges and celebrations, and about the ways that TPL shows up in communities, how we show up in solidarity, in support, and learn where and what we might do better. Check out the many episodes of this podcast series – People. Nature. Big Ideas. |
 | Description: STEM4Real is a professional learning nonprofit organization committed to equity, anti-racism and social justice in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. They help schools and districts create culturally responsive STEM and NGSS professional learning using Lesson Study, Observation, Collaboration, and Leadership. They gathered the best, most relevant information and tools for you to build your STEM programs and STEM Lesson Plans. Learn more HERE. |
 | Description: This spring season, California State Parks expects a moderate-to-strong wildflower bloom across desert state parks, thanks to widespread rainfall during the fall and winter seasons. Depending on the park and timing, visitors may see sand verbena, desert poppies, primroses, desert sunflowers and apricot mallow, among other flowers. CA State Parks offers an interactive map that lists the parks experiencing wildflower blooms. Wherever you reside in California, now is a great time to get outdoors to see wildflowers and introduce them to your students, colleagues, family, and friends. View some beautiful photos in the 2026 Photo Gallery. |
 | Description: “In Our Nature,” a new documentary feature film, explores how environmental education — and the people who teach with it — can bridge our deepest divides and foster resilience, belonging and community. Filmed across the United States, the film follows three powerful stories that reveal why nature belongs at the heart of what it means to be educated. Featuring author and Children & Nature Network co-founder Richard Louv, the 2024 Richard Louv Prize winner Jason Stout, and many other leaders from across the children and nature movement, “In Our Nature” is screening now across the U.S. Watch the trailer and find a screening near you at https://bit.ly/4aG080X. |
| One Cool Earth is a non-profit organization with programs in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties rooted in the belief that every child deserves a place to grow. They support lifelong wellness and environmental stewardship for families and youth from birth through young adulthood, cultivating a thriving, resilient community – one garden at a time. Their School Garden Program works with schools to champion garden education as a way of teaching students hands-on skills, science, nutrition, technology, and environmental literacy. |  |
| Using school garden spaces as living laboratories, they provide NGSS-aligned science, nutrition, and nature-focused education at SLO County public schools. The Garden Program offers two tiers for schools to choose from along with numerous add-ons, including garden lunch club, family cooking nights, seasonal farm stand, waste audits, summer garden care, and virtual or in-person field trips. |
 | Play Grove is a garden-based enrichment program designed for 3-5 year olds located in San Luis Obispo at their central garden on Laureate Lane. As an extension of One Cool Earth’s seasoned learning model, they know that children grow best when learning outside through play. They are a nature-based and place-based enrichment program. This means they use the environment as a guide as they play, grow, create art, garden, and learn together. Play Grove allows young children to access this experience alongside enthusiastic playguides in a nature-based environment. |
| Since 2020, One Cool Earth has proudly partnered with Atascadero Unified School District (AUSD) to steward and grow the district’s 1.5-acre farm—a dynamic and educational space that serves both students and the broader school community. The AUSD farm is home to 60 thriving dwarf fruit trees, native pollinator gardens that support local biodiversity, and abundant growing beds and rows that produce seasonal fruits and vegetables. This year, they partnered with the local Resource Conservation District to plant over 100 natives onsite! Most of the harvest is integrated directly into school lunches through AUSD Food Services, providing students with fresh, hyper-local produce. |  |
| Each week, high school students engage in hands-on agricultural education through Career Technical Education (CTE) programming, working alongside their experienced farm manager. From planting and harvesting to soil building and crop processing, students gain valuable skills in sustainable agriculture, food systems, and environmental stewardship. They also offer elementary school farm field trips! |
| Brief nature experiences, even as short as 10 minutes, have been shown to significantly improve mood and reduce stress among college students. As part of their commitment to supporting youth through every stage of their educational journey, One Cool Earth’s College Mentorship Program provides meaningful opportunities for early adults to grow as leaders, educators, and changemakers. We partner with Cal Poly, Cuesta College, and other institutions to engage students studying environmental science, agriculture, child psychology, and education. |  |
| Through internships, volunteer events, and mentorship opportunities – including support for the Cal Poly Food Pantry Garden—college students gain hands-on experience while contributing to our mission. This program is a key part of their vertical integration strategy, fostering a lifelong connection to environmental stewardship and youth wellness. One Cool Earth also offers links to garden education resources for educators and parents plus other types of environmental education. Check out the One Cool Earth website to learn more. |
| Dates: February 6, 2026 Location: Virtual Description: CAELI invites district office staff from across California to join the District Environmental Literacy Community of Practice (CoP). The District CoP brings together professionals committed to integrating sustainability principles into district operations, instruction, and culture. Through collaboration, shared learning, and resource exchange, members work toward districtwide innovation and systems-level change. Register HERE. |
| Date: February 12, 2026 Location: Virtual Description: CAELI invites County Office of Education (COE) leaders in any role who are champions of environmental literacy and advocates for vulnerable and marginalized students and communities from across California to join the COE Community of Practice (CoP). The CoP provides a space for COE staff to connect with each other to share best practices and resources for advancing environmental literacy and sustainability in their county region. The February topic is Community-Based Partners. Visit the CAELI website for more information. |
 | Dates: February 19, 2026 Location: Virtual Description: These free, interactive online meetings feature engaging presentations from school district colleagues, invited guest speakers, and technical experts who share their work on schoolyard forests. We also include time for small group conversations to encourage networking, share best practices, ask questions, and build relationships among schoolyard forest practitioners. The next meeting features the New Haven Urban Resources Initiative, Yale School of the Environment. Register HERE for the next Community of Practice gathering. |
 | Date: February 24, 2026 Location: Virtual Description: Nature-based early childhood educators are navigating a unique landscape—one where climate change is increasingly influencing children’s questions, emotions, and sense of safety. Supporting young children now requires more than protection from difficult topics; it calls for intentional practices that foster resilience, connection to nature, and hopeful engagement. They welcome Ariella Cook-Shonkoff, author of the recently published book, Raising Anti-Doomers: How to Bring Up Resilient Kids Through Climate Change and Tumultuous Times, a groundbreaking guide to raising emotionally resilient children in an era of climate disruption and collective uncertainty. Register HERE. |
| Date: March 4, 2026 Location: Virtual Description: We invite you to our next virtual statewide gathering which is a great opportunity to connect, share updates, and collaborate with environmental education leaders across California. Visit the CAELI website for more information. |
| Date: March 10, 2026 Location: Virtual Description: The Community-Based Partner (CBP) virtual Community of Practice brings program leaders and staff from environmental education organizations together to engage in collaborative learning and build capacity. Join colleagues from around the state to share resources, explore best practices, and build connections to strengthen our respective organizations and increase our collective impact. The March topic is Program Evaluation Tools & Techniques. Register HERE. |
 | Date: May 1-3, 2026 Location: SCICON, Springville, CA Description: Early bird registration is now available to attend the AEOE Annual Conference. Join your colleagues for a weekend of learning, networking, and fun at SCICON Outdoor School in Tulare County, the gateway to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks! Located at an elevation of 2,000 feet, SCICON consists of 1,100-acres of oaks, wildlife, streams, and solitude, all of which are available to support your mental wellness as a conference participant. The conference is held Friday afternoon through Sunday lunch and includes 40+ workshops, a keynote speaker, an awards ceremony, resource fair, live and silent auction, EE Certification Program presentations, evening entertainment, and more. Lodging and meals are offered onsite starting with dinner on Friday and going through lunch on Sunday. Both camping and cabin dorm accommodations are available for Friday and Saturday night. For more information or to register, visit the AEOE website. |
 | Date: April 15 – June 15, 2026 and May 15-June 30, 2026 Location: online Description: Climate Literacy. This rigorous online eeCourse is designed for communicators, educators, and community leaders who want to deepen their understanding of the science behind climate change and evidence-based, equitable solutions needed to address it. Participants will explore how climate systems function, how human actions influence climate, and how climate influences people and other parts of the Earth system. Accessible by Nature: Designing EE to Support All Learners. This eeCourse uses the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to guide the design of learning environments that are accessible and challenging for all, rather than making modifications for individual students. UDL improves and optimizes teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn, giving all students equal opportunity to succeed. Visit the AEOE website for more information and to register for either or both online courses. |
 | Description: PORTS stands for Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students. Bring CA State Parks into the classroom, digitally. Over 55 parks in all corners of the state, they have free resources for you! Nature, Science, History, Culture. You name it, they’ve got it. Check out the PORTS website for program offerings. |
 | Description: Nature Journaling is a powerful adjunct to teaching science and should be a standard part of every classroom. Journaling is an ideal way to explore the Next Generation Science Standards. How to Teach Nature Journaling is the comprehensive guide for educators, parents and those who wish to mentor others to develop journaling skills. It is available both as a printed book and a free PDF download. Order or download it here. The second edition of the acclaimed curriculum, Opening the World through Journaling: Integrating art, science, and language arts, is also available as a free download. Download the curriculum here. |
 | Description: Are you looking to build a new garden or reinvigorate your already existing school garden this spring? Life Lab offers numerous school garden resources for educators including lessons, activities, recipes, art in the garden, planting tips, and webinars. They also provide resources in Spanish. Additionally, Life Lab offers educator workshops including virtual offerings. Check out the Life Lab website for school garden educator resources. |
 | Description: Outdoor learning on a sunny day is a relatively straightforward undertaking. However, very few places in the United States can count on constant sunshine and moderate weather. So the idea of bringing learning outdoors often leads to this question: What happens when it is cold or hot or stormy? With planning and preparation, it is possible to carry on outdoor learning in a variety of types of weather. Depending on the season and region, weather challenges may include heat, cold, wind, rain, and snow that range from mild to moderate or severe. Schools in all regions will need to have multiple plans for addressing the variability of weather throughout the seasons and on any given day. Check out the resources and recommendations provided at the Green Schoolyards America website on weather considerations. |
| Audubon Center at Debs Park is a community hub located in Montecito Heights, less than five miles from downtown Los Angeles. Nestled within the 282-acre Ernest E. Debs Regional Park, the center has inspired a love of nature in over a quarter of a million residents of Los Angeles. With sweeping views of northeast LA to downtown LA and more than 140 species of birds within the park, the center is an oasis of nature for urban communities. In its holistic, people-focused, approach to conservation work, the Audubon Center at Debs Park serves as a community hub for environmental justice and advocacy work in Los Angeles and across the Audubon network. |
| The center’s mission is to inspire people to experience, understand and care for the local natural world. Habitat restoration is one of the center’s core tenets as it not only provides habitat for birds, but also increases green spaces for urban communities that may not otherwise experience California native flora and fauna. Through the efforts of staff and volunteers, one can see how these conservation efforts have restored the landscape of Debs Park, bringing with it fresh scents and experiences. In addition to restoring habitat for birds and other wildlife at Debs Park and along the LA River, the center’s primary goal is restoring the connection between people and the land in Los Angeles. |  |
| As the first center that the National Audubon Society built within an urban environment to specifically engage the Latino community, the Audubon Center at Debs Park has played an important role in building a more diverse and inclusive conservation movement in Los Angeles and beyond. Whether it’s watching a movie outdoors underneath the Los Angeles night sky or beginner birders taking their first hike up the hills with rented binoculars in tow, the center’s belief is that everyone has not only the right to be in nature, but to know that they belong. |
 | One of the other pillars of the center is community engagement, connecting birds, plants, and people together. Numerous events are held on a weekly basis, ranging from community habitat restorations to festivals celebrating winter. The center is honored to collaborate with the many wonderful community-based organizations and individuals in Northeast LA and to share their vision in green access and equity through community events and more. Not only is the center supported by volunteers and community partners, but it is also bolstered through interns and program participants. |
| In fostering the next generation of environmental stewards, the center runs the Audubon Youth Leaders program, where high school students learn habitat restoration, environmental advocacy, and community engagement. The center also hosts numerous interns from other organizations and programs, such as HIRE LA and California’s College for All Corps. In their time at the center, they will learn workplace skills, conservation skills, engagement skills, and more to help them be eco-conscious and confident in the ever-changing world. |
| The Audubon Center at Debs Park offers two types of field trips. The Self-guided field trips are not led by an Audubon Naturalist. Instead, they lend tools to groups to enhance their day in the park. The tools include binoculars, field guides to bird and native plants, and even art supplies. These are free as long as they are reserved in advance. The Audubon-led field trips are paid programs consisting of a guided tour and educational nature activities lasting about two hours. An Audubon Naturalist guides students on a nature walk followed by an engaging STEM nature activity that teaches them how ornithologists work with birds and nature. |  |
 | The programs are best suited for 3rd to 4th grade students but they can be scaled up or down depending on the group. The center offers free community events year-round for students and the whole family. They offer beginner-focused bird walks, habitat restoration volunteer opportunities, festivals, community movie nights in the outdoors, music performances, and workshops and seminars. Visit the Audubon Center at Debs Park website for a list of the most common feathery friends you might expect to see at the park. |
