Sean Williams – Singapore Green Guardians Blog

CAELI Partner Portal Resources June 2025

1. Seeds to Solutions

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.

2. California Urban Tree Canopy Viewer and Change Analysis Tool

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3. 2025 California Green Ribbon School Awards

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4. Wordlink – Story.Earth: A New Tool for Planetary Learning

5. The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan

News & Events June 2025

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CPB Feature for June 2025

Island Packers

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

CAELI Partner Portal Resources May 2025

1. ELA Superheroes Podcast

2. Children & Nature Network Research Digest – Therapeutic use of Nature

3. May is Water Awareness Month – Department of Water Resources

4. Arbor Day Foundation – Tree Resources

5. Project Learning Tree – A Guide to Teaching and Learning About Forests

News & Events May 2025

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"How States Are Leading the Way on Climate Education" webinar with contrasting images of a legislative building and students learning about solar energy.

CPB Feature for May 2025

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 5^th 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 18^th, 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.

CAELI Partner Portal Resources April 2025

1. Earth Day 2025

2. National Environmental Education Foundation EE Resources

3. Take Me Outside Podcast. Educator WellBeing: Connecting Teacher Wellness with Outdoor Learning with Dr. Astrid Kendrick

4. Foundation for Environmental Education Eco-Schools Early Years Handbook

5.California State Parks Resources: Exploring Nature in Your Neighborhood: Activities for Kids & Families

News and Events for April 2025

1. Data Initiative for Environmental and Climate Action in California’s TK-12 Schools Webinars

Dates: April 15 and April 16, 2025.

Location: Virtual webinars

Description: The purpose of the Ten Strands Data Initiative is to develop and maintain an interactive database that communicates data related to scale, equity, context, and progress on indicators of environmental and climate action in schools. Join a webinar to explore the report’s findings and learn how to apply them at both broad and local levels. This report equips educational leaders and changemakers with interactive tools and data-driven insights to advance environmental and climate action in school communities.

Educational Leaders (4/15, 1:00-2:00 pm) Register Here.

Grassroots Leaders (4/16, 4:00-5:00 pm) Register Here

2. CAELI COE Community of Practice

Date: April 24, 2025, 9:00-10:30 am

Description: Now in its fourth year and growing, this community of practice brings together staff from a variety of roles in County Offices of Education across the state. They meet every month for networking, professional learning, and focused discussions on self-selected topics. April Topic: Youth Programs
Register Here.

3. CAELI CBP Innovation Hub Virtual Community Gathering

Date: April 25, 2025, 12:30-1:30 pm

Description: Building Bridges: Sharing Resources, Strengthening Community

Meet with other program leaders to discuss the shifting landscape, address current challenges, and crowdsource ideas for how to best support your staff and communities. Learn valuable tips and strategies that will help CBP Program Leaders and your organization grow and thrive. April Topic: Advocacy and Messaging & Marketing
Register Here.

4. AEOE Spring 2025 eeCourse: Universal Design for Learning in EE

Dates: April 30 to June 15, 2025

Location: Online – Moodle

Description: Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a teaching approach that works to accommodate the needs and abilities of all learners and eliminates unnecessary barriers in the learning process. UDL improves and optimizes teaching and learning for all people based on scientific insights into how humans learn. UDL is a framework to guide the design of learning environments that are accessible and challenging for all and that gives all students equal opportunity to succeed. This course is designed to encourage you to reflect deeply on your practice to focus on how you plan and teach to support all learners.

For more information or to register, visit the AEOE website.

5. AEOE Annual Conference

Dates: May 2-4, 2025

Location: Walker Creek Ranch, Petaluma, CA
Description: This year’s theme is Roots and Branches: Strengthening Community and Expanding Impact.

Join your friends and colleagues for a weekend of learning, networking, and fun in Marin County! 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.
To learn more and to register, visit the AEOE website for details.

CPB Feature for April 2025

South Yuba River Citizens League

SYRCL’s River Restoration team is leading the effort to rehabilitate the lower Yuba River for salmon, steelhead, riparian habitat, and wildlife. The Meadow Restoration team is assessing and restoring meadows because of their hydrological and ecological importance as they sequester carbon, act as natural firebreaks, and as important habitat for wildlife. The Forest Health team works with the U.S. Forest Service, private land owners, and other nonprofits to plan and implement projects that address forest health and to prepare for catastrophic fires.
The South Yuba River Citizens League (SYRCL) is a grassroots organization founded in 1983. They are the leading voice for the protection and restoration of the Yuba River watershed. Their goals focus on river and forest restoration and educating and mobilizing their communities to be good stewards of their environment. To achieve their goals, SYRCL has developed into a vibrant community organization with over 3,500 members and 1,000 volunteers.
SYRCL’s River Restoration team is leading the effort to rehabilitate the lower Yuba River for salmon, steelhead, riparian habitat, and wildlife. The Meadow Restoration team is assessing and restoring meadows because of their hydrological and ecological importance as they sequester carbon, act as natural firebreaks, and as important habitat for wildlife. The Forest Health team works with the U.S. Forest Service, private land owners, and other nonprofits to plan and implement projects that address forest health and to prepare for catastrophic fires.

The South Yuba River Citizens League supports its communities in so many ways. Visit their website to learn more about the education programs they offer schools and the wide-range of activities for community members. For specific questions about their education programs, contact Monique Streit, Education Director, at monique@yubariver.org. Congratulations to Monique who is the recipient of the AEOE 2024 Northern CA Environmental Educator of the Year award.

News & Events for March 2025

1. School Garden Coalition

Author: Sean Williams