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!
Overlooking Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the Sanctuary Exploration Center offers engaging interactive exhibits and programs focused on remarkable marine ecosystems, as well as information on how you can protect this special underwater place by responsibly enjoying its unique habitats and wildlife.
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is a spectacular outdoor living classroom that can be explored in person or through interactive virtual experiences. It offers a wide array of exciting and engaging educational experiences for all ages including exhibits, field trips, distance learning, lesson plans, posters, and more. Visit the free admission Sanctuary Exploration Center located just steps away from Cowell Beach and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in Santa Cruz. Developed in partnership with the city of Santa Cruz, the center features state-of-the art displays, short films, interactive exhibits, and more. You can explore the sanctuary’s remarkable marine environment and learn your role in protecting our nation’s special underwater places.
Through exploring biological and physical ocean processes, the Sanctuary Exploration Center school field trip program offers exploratory, inquiry-based K-12 education programs on several marine topics. Programs are grade specific, support Next Generation Science Standards to investigate the natural world, and include indoor and outdoor components.
The Center requires a chaperone ratio of 1:6 for grades K-2 and a 1:10 ratio for grades 3-12. Chaperones do not count towards participant maximums. All field trip programs typically run for two hours. Groups larger than 55 students may require a three hour program to ensure meaningful program delivery, however there is a maximum capacity of 65 students per program. Contact them to inquire about fees for your group size, offered in partnership with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. The programs offered include:
Grades K-1: Beach Exploration
From large birds and mammals, to small insects and algae, the beach is home to many different creatures. What makes this habitat special, and how can people help keep it safe for the animals—large and small— that call it home? Students will participate in a beach scavenger hunt to explore this ecosystem, then investigate what they found using their senses and science tools.Grades 2-3: Kelp Forest Investigation
Just off the coast, rich kelp forests span from the seafloor to the surface, creating a habitat for many animals just offshore. From land, you can see clues that there is a kelp forest in the water by looking at the kelp wrack left on the beach by waves. Students will participate in a scavenger hunt for as many different types of seaweed as possible and discuss how it serves as a habitat and helps keep our bay healthy.
Grades 3-8: Marine Debris Monitoring
Practice becoming a scientist while helping to protect the sanctuary. Using scientific protocols, students will collect debris, make observations, and keep detailed records. Sanctuary naturalists will lead your students in a discussion on the causes and effects of marine debris and compare your cleanup results with data previously collected.
Grades 5-12: Plankton Discovery
Students will use real oceanographic tools, including microscopes, to assess the current conditions of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary on the Santa Cruz Wharf. Students will engage in field and classroom investigations to understand what physical, biological, and chemical parameters affect marine life and how scientists monitor them. By monitoring these conditions over time, scientists can determine the health of the bay and how changes over time could influence the animals we see.
The Center also offers Distance Learning opportunities. Do you want to connect your students to science, exploration, and engineering? Experience our distance learning programs for grades 2-6 with sanctuary staff delivering live programming and a question and answer session for your students. Their team offers real-time, 45-minute interactive distance learning programs via a two-way video communication platform. These dynamic presentations include in-depth discussion, group activities, and live demonstrations. Each distance learning program will also connect your students to a corresponding virtual activity that can be done independently to “dive deeper” into the themes. Teachers can assign the virtual activities to students to be completed on their own time. Fees apply for distance learning programs, offered in partnership with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. Contact explorationcenter@noaa.gov for details.
Teachers can access a range of educational resources that support ocean and climate literacy. There are lesson plans, activities, webinars, grant opportunities, and more. Visit the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Center website to learn more.
| Dates: Application deadline extended to July 15th Location: Virtual | ||
 | Description: The Environmental Educator Certification Program (EECP) recognizes experienced environmental educators for their skills and contributions to the field and draws together stewards and educators of the environment into a structured and effective initiative. The EECP is an 11-month program running August through June in which environmental educators demonstrate their competency through group discussion, individual reflection, submission of assignments, and the completion and presentation of a community action project. Visit the AEOE website to learn more. |
| Dates: July 23, 2025, 3:30-5:00 pm Location: Via zoom | ||
  | Description: This session will explore how K-12 higher education, and informal learning can build green skills and career awareness. Join us to explore eco-friendly opportunities in creative industries. RSVP at bit.ly/greencareerart. |
| Date: August 14, 2025, 10:00am Pac (2 hours) Location: Via zoom | ||
 | Description: Discover how AI can support participatory interpretation by sparking hands-on, sensory-rich, and meaningful visitor experiences. In this 2-hour webinar, explore a practical framework and use generative AI to create site-specific questions and activities that deepen engagement and connection through conversation. Dr. Jacquie Gilson is a lifelong interpreter passionate about training others to create engaging, two-way visitor experiences. She has worked with park and heritage organizations at all levels and completed a Doctor of Social Sciences in 2015, focusing on how inspiration can deepen the impact of heritage interpretation. Registration fee. To register, visit the NAI website. |
| Dates: August 20 – October 5, 2025 Location: Online – Moodle | ||
| 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 to register. |
| Dates: September 26-28, 2025 Location: Sacramento, CA | ||
 | Description: The conference is designed for PreK-12 grade educators, administrators, and volunteers to come together to learn and share how to incorporate food and fiber into all curricular areas. From hands-on learning and workshops to engaging guest speakers and field trips, this event is an incredible way to learn how to bring agriculture education into the classroom. Early bird registration available through August 11th. |
 | Description: This report is a Call to Action to provide universal access to quality green career education. California needs a statewide strategic plan—a “California Roadmap to Educating for a Green Economy”—and coordinated statewide implementation of this plan to meet the demand for a skilled green workforce and realize our state’s potential for enhanced economic mobility and equity through green jobs. Visit the CAELI website to download the report. |
 | Description: With a flurry of activity this year related to funding cuts and the elimination of jobs, some folks may be searching for new employment opportunities in environmental and outdoor education. If you’re in the hunt for employment or a new career pathway, check out the AEOE Job Board and the NAAEE eeJobs Board. |
 | Description: Climate change is an urgent problem. Because it is causing new weather extremes and fatal catastrophes, climate change is better termed climate disruption. Bending the curve to flatten the upward trajectory of pollution emissions responsible for climate disruption is essential for protecting billions of people from this global threat. Education must become a pillar and an integral part of the solution. Great article by Dr. V. Ram Ramanathan, a Distinguished Professor of Climate and Atmospheric Sciences, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego. |
 | Description: California is known around the world for its iconic and beautiful outdoor places. People travel from far and wide to spend time outdoors here, from national and state parks to beaches, mountains, forests, deserts, lakes, and rivers. These diverse environments support health and wellbeing, and the varied climate supports a year-round outdoor lifestyle that has become part of California’s identity. Yet for too many Californians, these places, recreational activities, and their benefits remain out of reach. The Outdoors for All strategy charts progress on equitable outdoor access to date, highlights work underway, and identifies additional actions to realize the promise of a California for All. This strategy outlines pathways that governments, community organizations, philanthropy, private sector, and residents across California can take together to continue increasing access to the outdoors and nature. |
 | Description: Wildfires in the United States have become steadily more common in the last few decades. And while some wildfires naturally occur and help keep forest ecosystems healthy, an astounding 84% of wildfires are caused by human-related activities. Wildfires not only devastate lives and destroy property—they also accelerate climate change. There is an important link between wildfire frequency and intensity and varying forest management practices. Whether you are in peak fire season in North America (summer), or any other time of year, it’s always a great time to make your students aware of the differences between healthy and damaging fire, the natural and unnatural ways fires start and spread, the effect of wildfires on the environment, and how to manage and prevent them. This article from PLT covers these topics and includes classroom activities for all grade levels that will give your students a deeper understanding of wildfires. |
 | Description: Seeds to Solutions™ is a set of free, solutions-oriented instructional resources for grades K–12 on California environmental issues. Developed in response to teacher and community demand, the lessons empower students to address real-world environmental issues, from food waste to water use to wildfire management. Age-appropriate, solutions-focused, and trauma-informed, Seeds to Solutions prepares students to be environmentally literate, engaged community members. Seeds to Solutions includes everything needed to teach the topic and guide student investigations. It aligns with CA standards and Environmental Principles & Concepts. It transforms classroom learning into discussions that go beyond school, and it empowers students to explore environmental solutions with confidence. Browse the units by grade level at Seeds to Solutions. |
  .  | Description: CAL FIRE and the USDA Forest Service are proud to announce the release of the California Urban Tree Canopy Viewer and Change Analysis Tool. This interactive mapping tool shows California’s urban tree canopy and how it has changed over time, using 2022 high-resolution (60cm) urban tree canopy for all 2020 Census-designated urban areas in the state of California, as well as canopy-related change between 2018 and 2022. The mapping tool overlays the tree canopy layer with other information, including census data, urban heat severity, and the extent of the wildland urban interface and intermix. These layers provide context to help us understand differences in tree canopy across communities. Understanding the extent and location of existing tree canopy and how it has changed over time can help a community design and implement sound management practices to maximize services such as prioritizing tree planting locations in areas with extreme heat, protecting existing tree canopy to offer community-wide benefits, and identify which tree species protect homes in the wildland-urban interface. Check out this NEW tool to see how you can use the data with your students! |
 | Description: The California Green Ribbon Schools (CA-GRS) recognition award honors K–12 schools, school districts, and County Offices of Education that demonstrate exemplary achievement in three key areas: resource efficiency, health and wellness, and environmental and sustainability education. This recognition is part of a broader statewide effort to identify and promote effective practices that enhance student engagement, academic performance, graduation rates, and career readiness. Twelve of the 39 honorees for 2025 participate in the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI), a clear demonstration of the strength, innovation, and collective impact of this statewide network. Laguna Beach Unified School District and the San Mateo County Office of Education received Green Achiever recognition, the highest possible. Congratulations! Click HERE to see the list of all the honorees. |
 | Description: Story.Earth brings learning to life through stunning planetary visualizations, interactive digital tools, and NGSS-aligned lesson plans. Students use real-world data to observe patterns of change, think critically, and explore solutions for a sustainable future. With its global perspective, Story.Earth cultivates systems thinking, futures thinking, and environmental literacy. By engaging with maps and globes, students learn core scientific concepts and develop inquiry and analysis skills that are vital for their future roles as informed citizens and planetary stewards. Ready to explore? Visit Story.Earth and join the movement to educate, empower, and inspire the next generation of changemakers. |
 | Description: Tracking the natural beauty that surrounds us, The Backyard Bird Chronicles maps the passage of time through daily entries, thoughtful questions, and beautiful original sketches. With boundless charm and wit, author Amy Tan charts her foray into birding and the natural wonders of the world. “With this book as your guide, embark into the bird world Amy Tan. This is an intimate view, a sort-of love affair with the birds and their behavior, that Amy has come to know over several years. Within the leafy universe of her own backyard, she has quietly beheld, patiently observed, and taken in-depth notations of an extensive array of bird species. In colorful detail, she describes various bird’s behavior, while capturing their beauty in exquisitely rendered illustrations. Species include fearsome predators and watchful prey, long distance migrants and hometown residents. Through her unique insight and gift as an author and artist, Amy exposes a world of intrigue, beauty, even humor about the birds we all share this world with.” —Keith Hansen, author of Hansen’s Field Guide to Birds of the Sierra Nevada “Amy Tan’s bird journals can change the way you see the world. They show that stories, mysteries, humor, and beauty are all around us if we take the time to pay attention. They remind us that we never stop learning and growing, and if we put in the work, we can learn and master new skills. These journals invite us to look out of our own windows with fresh eyes and wonder.” —John Muir Laws, author of The Laws Guide to Drawing Birds |
| 1. California Naturalist Courses | Dates: June, July, August 2025 Location: Different locations in California |
 | Description: Whether you are a high school or college student or an environmental education professional seeking your CalNat certification, California Naturalist is offering several courses over the summer to build your knowledge and skills. Visit the CalNat website to learn more. |
| 2. California State Parks Week: This is Where you Live! | Dates: June 11-15, 2025 Location: In State Parks across California |
 | Description: California State Parks along with partners California State Parks Foundation, Parks California, and Save the Redwoods League, are joining together to celebrate California State Parks Week. The fourth annual celebration theme is “This is Where You Live!” There will be more than 170 events and virtual programs at parks across the state. The festivities will also include the 175th year of California statehood. For more information, visit the CA State Parks Foundation website. |
| 3. Monterey Bay Aquarium online course – Ocean Plastic Pollution | Dates: Course is self-paced Location: Online |
 | Description: This self-paced online course for educators in grades 3-12 will support you in initiating a plastic pollution reduction project with your students — no matter where you are! Do you live like you love the ocean? Are you ready to help your students live like they love the ocean? Join us for an action-based online course that prepares and motivates educators to be part of the plastic pollution solution! Each day, we throw away about 300 million tons of petroleum-based plastic bottles, bags, utensils, packaging and other so-called disposable items. Sadly, this disposable plastic will persist in the environment and may travel throughout the global food web forever. Sign up for the course to learn about the science behind plastic pollution, discover project ideas for the classroom, and mobilize your students to take action! For more information, email: educatorprograms@mbayaq.org. |
4. Teach Climate Network Summer Institute | Dates: July 14-15-16, 2025 Location: Virtual The Teach Climate Network Summer Institute is a virtual, three-day conference focused on climate change education for both formal and non-formal educators. |
 | Join Ten Strands, Climate Generation, and 20 regional climate change education leaders from around North America as we practice what it means to teach climate change as an interdisciplinary, justice-centered issue. Are you looking for a community of educational professionals and mentors who can support your climate change knowledge and teaching strategies? Our Summer Institute network is full of educators and climate change practitioners doing just that! Discover best practices, activities, lesson plans, and tools that will help you strengthen your climate curriculum and better support your learners. Whether you’re a formal classroom teacher or a non-formal educator, this is the perfect opportunity to grow your climate change education skills and connect with like-minded professionals. Plus, scholarships are available. On July 16, join us for the California Cohort Day, hosted by Ten Strands! Participants will engage in sessions focused on how to integrate trauma informed practices into climate literacy. It also features special presenters from Ten Strands’ Climate Change and Environmental Justice Program. Register HERE by June 27. |
| 5. NatStart25 Conference: Rooted and Resilient | Dates: July 14-18, 2025 Location: Virtual in 2025 |
 | Description: The Nature-Based Early Learning Conference is organized by the Natural Start Alliance, a project of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). Natural Start is a network of people and organizations that believe that all young children need frequent opportunities to experience, learn from, and care for nature and the environment through high-quality education. The Alliance serves as a backbone organization to focus and amplify the collective impact of the people and organizations that share this common vision. Registration includes a full year of access to 100+ on-demand sessions, recordings, workshops, and certificates of participation. Register Today. |
Island Packers is the concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park, providing transportation to the islands from the Ventura and Channel Islands Harbors. They offer Floating Classroom programs to K-12 students, focusing on the unique resources and environmental challenges impacting these offshore islands and the waters surrounding them. Their programs can be tailored to meet the educational goals of the instructors in both science and social science topics, and include subjects like introduced species, endemism, geology, marine resources, Native American inhabitants, human impact, and environmental stewardship.
Anacapa Island K-12 Education – This true oceanic island offers 360-degree views of the ocean, and East Anacapa is known for its abundant bird population and seasonal wildflowers. Its remote location makes it a perfect spot to cover science and social science themes.
What makes this destination unique? East Anacapa Island is one of the most popular destinations for first time visitors to the Channel Islands. This small, rugged island is big on the sights and sounds of a remote island wilderness. Surrounded by sheer cliffs, the top of the island is an ancient wave cut terrace. Anacapa offers spectacular panoramic views from everywhere you journey. The surrounding kelp forests highlight the rich marine resources present in the area. Sometimes you will see dolphins or whales right from the trail. There are always sea lions and seabirds present. From mid-April through June, you can expect to see the nesting activity of Western Gulls and their chicks. Anacapa island also offers a rich cultural history, including the last lighthouse built on the California coast. There are several archaeological sites documenting the presence of the Chumash people.Prisoners Harbor, Santa Cruz Island K-12 Education – Mature students and/or smaller groups may want to consider the Pelican Trail hike at Prisoners Harbor. This trail is considered one of the most diverse hikes on the islands. Trail highlights include lush native vegetation and spectacular vistas. Education themes are similar to those described for Scorpion Ranch with an emphasis on restoration and conservation. (Requires special permission and release forms to visit The Nature Conservancy property).
What makes this destination unique? Prisoners Harbor is located where the National Park Service and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) boundaries meet, giving unique access to the Pelican Bay Trail. This trail offers beautiful vistas that overlook the Santa Barbara Channel and all its rich marine diversity. It also traverses several different vegetation habitats, providing the best opportunity to see the most diversity of endemic species of any trail on Santa Cruz. This vegetation provides habitat for many bird species as well, including the endemic Island Scrub Jay, which is found nowhere else in the world. The Harbor area still houses an old ranch storage building and an archaeological site that offer a window into the rich cultural past of this island.
Scorpion Ranch K-12 Education – Located on the east end of the largest island off the California Coast, Scorpion Ranch is a unique location to study science themes such as native and endemic organisms, introduced species, geology, and the marine environment. Scorpion Ranch has a long and interesting history of human activities including the site of one of the largest Chumash villages on the Channel Islands.
What makes this destination unique? East Santa Cruz Island is rich with cultural history and feels like a step back in time. Old ranch buildings still stand just off the main beach. One building has been converted into a Visitor’s Center. Prior to the ranching era, the Chumash people inhabited this same valley. There are archaeological sites as well as current activities that document their connection to this place they know as “Limuw.” As the largest island in California, there is great diversity in the geology and topography. Starting at the cobblestone beach, moving up to wave cut terraces, and continuing to mountainous peaks. Besides the beautiful vistas that overlook the Santa Barbara Channel and all its rich marine diversity. The island is host to a very unique habitat of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. It is fairly common to see the endemic Santa Cruz Island Fox along the trails at Scorpion.
Wildlife and Whales K-12 Education – This is a non-island landing excursion that focuses on the natural history of this unique marine region, and the various types of wildlife that depend on a healthy ocean. Within the waters of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, over 35 species of marine mammals have been identified. Throughout the year it is possible to see Common Dolphin, Risso’s Dolphin, Minke Whales, Bottlenose Dolphin, Pacific White Sided Dolphin, Dall’s Porpoise , Humpback Whales, and an occasional pod of Orca. Harbor Seals and California Sea Lions are also common around the harbor breakwaters and Anacapa Island. The islands and surrounding waters are also habitat for at least 60 species of seabirds. Some of the more common sightings of seabirds include Western Gulls, California Brown Pelicans, and several species of cormorants and shearwaters.
What will students experience? There is always an opportunity to see wildlife in route to the islands. They will brake to see whales and dolphins! Once ashore, students will have a lunch break. After lunch they will take a guided hike with their naturalist. Their naturalists are trained on the unique natural and cultural resources found in Channel Islands National Park and have a large repertoire of activities to reinforce the information they present. Anacapa Island possible science themes include adaptation, habitats, native and endemic organisms. As well as introduced species, research and restoration, marine ecology, and geology. Social science themes may include Native American inhabitants, explorers, and shipwrecks. All trips can be tailored to meet your curriculum goals and objectives. Financial assistance is available
 | Description: This podcast collection highlights stories of California TK-12 educators who teach reading, writing, listening, and speaking through the lens of environmental literacy and justice, giving a glimpse into what this type of work might look like in TK-12 classrooms. Each superhero podcast includes a short podcast teaser, a full podcast, and a snapshot of the episode. Episodes in Series 2: Grade band TK-8 – Conversations about Food Waste: A teacher-librarian provides meaningful environmental literacy and language opportunities for multilingual learners with Lorena Sanchez. Grade band 6-8: Falling in love with nature and fighting for it: Inspiring argument writing through everyday encounters with nature with Jodi Bonk. Click Here to learn more. |
 | Description: Nature-based therapy, an emerging field in psychology, is based on research findings suggesting that contact with nature enhances various aspects of human well-being and can alleviate and/or prevent some mental health disorders or concerns. The June issue of Research Digest focuses on therapeutic uses of nature and the outcomes documented with various populations. Learn about Nature-Based Therapeutic Approaches and Outcomes, how it is effective with Special Populations, and its role in Prevention and addressing health concerns. Click Here to learn more. |
 | Description: DWR offers K-12 teachers free activity books and worksheets to download that are focused on water issues such as water conservation, drought, floods, California’s waterways, the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, how water works and why, the water cycle, agriculture and food, and more. Visit DWR’s K-12 Education Materials page for free downloads. |
  | Description: Are you wanting to teach your students more about trees or do you want to learn more about trees yourself? Perhaps you are interested in planting a tree for Mother’s Day. The Arbor Day Foundation provides a wide range of Tree Resources. Check them out! |
Project Learning Tree – A Guide to Teaching and Learning About Forests | Description: PLT’s Forest Literacy Framework translates the language of forests and sustainable forest management into concepts for everyone at any age. The framework offers 100 forest concepts for grades K-12, organized into the following four themes: 1) What is a forest? 2) Why do forests matter? 3) How do we sustain our forests? 4) What is our responsibility to forests? Whether you are a teacher interested in connecting your students to the trees in your schoolyard, or a forest professional looking for guidance on community outreach to youth, including career days or field site visits, this Forest Literacy Framework helps to lay out age-appropriate concepts, knowledge, and skills surrounding forests and related topics. The framework presents a conceptual structure to increase people’s understanding of forests and it empowers them to take actions that benefit forests and all of us. |
| NAAEE Conference and Research Symposium – Proposal deadline | Proposal Deadline: May 16, 2025 Conference Dates: Research Symposium October 30, 2025 Conference: November 3-6, 2025 Location: Virtual |
 | Description: NAAEE is looking for expertise from around the world and encourages all to consider submitting proposals that speak to the overall theme, “Forward Together.” Tips for Submitting Successful Proposals: Make sure you read the Call for Presentations for the Annual Conference or Research Symposium for information on priority topics, session formats, delivery options, etc. Acquaint yourself with the Review Criteria. Use a draft proposal form to prepare. For additional information, visit the NAAEE website. |
| NAAEE Webinar – Teaching for Tomorrow: How States are Leading the Way on Climate Education | Date: May 20, 2025, 12:00-1:00 pm pac timeLocation: Virtual webinar |
 | Description: Climate education for K–12 students is essential to provide learners with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need to address the impacts of climate change, now and in the future. Learn how state organizations and climate policies are playing a critical part in helping educators succeed in their efforts. Moderator: Alexia Leclercq, Start:EmpowermentPanelists: Teddy Lyman, Maine Dept of Ed. Sarah Sterling, New Jersey Dept of Ed. Dr. Roni Jones, Ten Strands Click Here to Register. |
| Traditional Ecological Knowledge in EE – Summer eeCourse | Dates: June 20-July 30, 2025 Location: Online Moodle, asynchronous |
 | Description: This course is designed to provide a strong foundation in Traditional Ecological Knowledge and ways of knowing. It is meant to be an introductory course and spark interest in further learning around how we can more intentionally and respectfully incorporate traditional ways of knowing into our environmental and outdoor learning programming. The 6-week course takes an approximate 12 hours to complete. The course will be moderated by Jasjeet Dhanota. Cost: $85, member rate available. Upon completion, registrants are eligible to purchase one graduate-level credit from University of San Diego ($79 paid separately). Click Here for more information. |
| AEOE Environmental Education Certification Program | Dates: 2025-26 Academic Year Location: Virtual |
 | Description: The Environmental Educator Certification Program (EECP) recognizes experienced environmental educators for their skills and contributions to the field and draws together stewards and educators of the environment into a structured and effective initiative. The EECP is an 11-month program in which environmental educators demonstrate their competency through group discussion, individual reflection, submission of assignments, and the completion and presentation of a community action project. Through participation in the certification program, educators expand their professional networks, make important connections across the state, and better understand the full spectrum of environmental education careers available. EECP is conducted online over Zoom and utilizes Canvas as its learning management platform. Information sessions will be held May 14 and June 2. Deadline to apply is June 30. More information is available Here. |
| Forestry Institute for Teachers (FIT) | Dates: June and July sessions Locations: Blodgett Forest Research Station, Georgetown Sierra Outdoor School, Sonora Elevate Camps, Shingletown Cal Poly Humboldt, Arcata |
 | Description: All California educators are welcome! Join fellow educators and natural resource professionals at one of FITs immersive, week-long professional learning sessions. Experts weave EE curricula with unique forestry field experiences to help you explore forest stewardship for current and future generations. Expect an enriching week of outdoor learning that will expand both your perspectives and teaching practice! Participants receive certifications in Project Learning Tree (PLT) and Project Water Education Today (WET). Eligibility for 3 CEUs and $300 stipend. Cost: $125 application fee. Room and board included. Click Here for more information. |
Coastal Roots Farm, located near Encinitas in San Diego County, cultivates healthy, connected communities by integrating sustainable agriculture, food justice, and ancient Jewish wisdom. They envision a world in which every community comes together to grow and share healthy food, care for the lands, help their neighbors, and strengthen the connections they have with each other.
Coastal Roots Farm is a nonprofit community farm and education center where they practice organic farming, share their harvest with those who lack access, deliver unique farm-based education, and foster inclusive spaces for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together. Each year, they grow more than 80,000 pounds of food and donate more than 75% of their harvest to San Diegans facing food insecurity. Their comprehensive environmental education programs reach more than 10,000 students and children including more than 50% of students and campers who come on scholarship each year. They strive to make outdoor STEM learning opportunities available to all, especially those who have been historically underserved, with an emphasis on Title-I, Title-V, and low-income schools and groups to participate in the Farm’s programming on a sliding scale and to establish robust strategic partnerships.
Their Education Center offers numerous programs. Here are a selected few.
Nature Play is their outdoor, natural playground and is open to children and their families. The space is equipped with tools for imaginative play that promotes gross and fine motor skills development. The space houses their play “Shuk” (dramatic play market), Sensory Kitchens, the Nature Studio, the Discovery Tree investigation center, and a full-size tractor!
After School on the Farm offers an opportunity for “farmers-in-training? to get in touch with the great outdoors through hands-on, authentic farm experiences. The After School on the Farm program is offered to children ages 4-10 from September to May.
Their summer program is Farm Camp which they offer to Pre-K to 5th grade students. Children explore the natural world, food systems, and universally meaningful Jewish values through cooking, crafts, and science experiments, visiting chickens, harvesting farm-fresh snacks, singing, and more.
Field Trips at Coastal Roots Farm offer hands-on environmental, food system, and climate education, especially for school classes and community groups. Aligned with California learning standards, Field Trip curriculum integrates STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math), nutrition, and universally meaningful Jewish values through tactile and participatory activities. Bring students into the “field” to explore the great outdoors, fuel phenomena-based learning, and apply classroom knowledge in an agricultural setting.
Farm Tours teach visitors about Coastal Roots Farm impact in Regenerative Agriculture, Organic Food Distribution, Equitable Environmental Education, and Jewish Life. Visitors can see first-hand their innovative practices and programs, and visit the organic production beds, hand-dug Farm and Gardens, Food Forest, compost operation, and chickens.
Coastal Roots Farm will host their Taste of the Farm on May 18th, 5-9pm, Celebrating a Decade in Bloom. Experience farm-to-fork tasting stations, artisan-crafted libations, live music, and meaningful connections. Coastal Roots Farm will be celebrating the milestones of the past while inspiring a vision for the future.
Visit Coastal Roots Farm website to learn more about the incredible programs they offers. For information about their environmental education programs, contact Kimberly Tomlinson, Director of Education at kimberly@coastalrootsfarm.org.
 | Description: The theme for Earth Day 2025 is Our Power, Our Planet, invites everyone around the globe to unite behind renewable energy, and to triple the global generation of clean electricity by 2030. The EarthDay.org website offers numerous resources on climate education with curricula, toolkits, advocacy packets, calendar of events, and teacher’s guides. There is a Primer: How Climate Change Impacts the K-12 Learning Experience and Solutions. |
 | Description: Why Environmental Education is Important. People care about what they know and fight for what they love. Environmental Education allows people to connect to the natural world through immersive learning experiences in the outdoors, creating environmental stewards for generations to come. The National Environmental Education Foundation provides numerous resources for teachers, students, and parents. Celebrate Earth Month with fun and engaging activities. |
 | Podcast Description: Dr. Astrid Kendrick is currently the Director of Field Experience at the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary. She was a K-12 classroom teacher for 19 years specializing in Physical Education, English and Language Arts. One of Dr. Kendrick’s main research areas focus on compassion fatigue, burnout, and emotional labour in Alberta educational workers. Dr. Kendrick is the co-producer of the Ed Students in Conversation podcast series on voicEd Radio Canada and developer of the HEARTcare Educators website. She was the recipient of the 2020 Online Teaching Award from the Werklund School of Education as well as an Emerging Scholar Award from The Learner research network in 2019. Listen to the podcast Here. |
 | Description: The Foundation for Environmental Education announces its Eco-Schools Early Years Handbook. Eco-Schools for Early Childhood Education inspires exploration, fuels curiosity, and nurtures children’s natural desire to ask questions about the world around them. Using the Eco-Schools seven steps framework and themes, children will connect what they learn with the real world. This approach is a crucial basis for building the emotions, attitudes, values, behaviours and skills which will help them build positive relationships with their environment and each other. Read and download the Handbook Here. |
 | Description: Want to get out and explore nature right in your own neighborhood? It is as easy as 1-2-3. Here are some activities that you can download for use with family and friends to get you started on some Neighborhood Nature adventuring. Activities include nature journaling, poetry, learning about the food web, using your senses, go buggy in your backyard or neighborhood, looking for feathers, or looking up at the stars. There is something for everyone. Download your favorite activity Here. |
