Category: News and Events

News & Events June 2025

1. California Naturalist CoursesDates: June, July, August 2025
Location: Different locations in California

Screenshot 2023-09-29 at 5.25.28 PM		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

state parks week		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 PollutionDates: 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 InstituteDates: 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.

A group of logos and symbols AI-generated content may be incorrect.		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 ResilientDates: 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.

News & Events May 2025

NAAEE Conference and Research Symposium – Proposal deadlineProposal Deadline: May 16, 2025
Conference Dates:
Research Symposium October 30, 2025
Conference: November 3-6, 2025
Location: Virtual

A black background with white text AI-generated content may be incorrect.		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 EducationDate: May 20, 2025, 12:00-1:00 pm pac timeLocation: Virtual webinar

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

News and Events for April 2025

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

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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.

News & Events for March 2025

1. School Garden Coalition

School Garden Coalition Seeks Support for SB 341Letter of Support Sign on deadline: March 12, 2025

Description: About SB 341
The California School Garden Coalition seeks support for SB 341 which would update and expand California’s Instructional School Garden Program (ISGP) to include instruction and maintenance so all California students can have ongoing access to garden-based learning.

Why SB 341 Matters

Despite broad support for garden-based education and proven academic, health, and environmental benefits, the vast majority of school gardens remain unused due to a lack of dedicated funding for instructional programs and maintenance.

SB 341 does not provide direct funding but creates a phased plan to bring instructional school gardens to more schools statewide.

Visit the CA School Garden Coalition website to learn more about the details of the legislation and information about providing support.

2. CBP Program Leaders Webinar Series



Date: 12:30-1:30 pm, March 21, 2025
Webinar: Online Community Gathering
Description: Join the California Environmental Literacy Initiative Community- Based Partner Innovation Hub and the Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education in an online webinar for Program Leaders of organizations that work to advance environmental literacy. Learn valuable tips and strategies that will help your organization grow and thrive.

CAELI and AEOE Online Community Gathering

The CAELI Community-Based Partner Innovation Hub and AEOE invite you to participate in a free webinar series for environmental education program leaders.
Meet with other program leaders to discuss the shifting landscape, address current challenges, and crowdsource ideas for how to best support our staff and communities.

Register HERE.

3. Understanding Global Change for Grades 9-12



Date: 4:00-5:30 PM, March 19, 2025
Webinar: CASE Understanding Global Change
Description: Understanding the Earth as a system can help learners of all ages explain how and why our climate and ecosystems are changing and the many ways we can take action in response to these changes. Join us for an interactive virtual workshop about a local phenomenon where participants will be immersed in a data-driven sequence of learning that includes modeling practices using the Understanding Global Change (UGC) Earth System Modeling Tools. Participants will also learn how the UGC Framework can support the planning of interdisciplinary instruction to interweave global change topics across curricula. CASE invites K-12 educators to participate in this workshop series on Understanding Global Change.
Jessica Bean, PhD, is a scientist and educator at the Museum of Paleontology at UC Berkeley. She is the leader of the Understanding Global Change Project and the Director of Outreach and Science for the FieldScope community science platform. She designs tools for learning about the Earth as a dynamic, interconnected system that help learners understand and engage in the process of science. Jessica studies how marine invertebrates respond to and provide records of environmental change along the California coast, has taught college and graduate level biology and Earth science courses, and partners with K-12 educators across the country to develop and implement new resources for learning about the nature of science.
This workshop is offered for high school educators. Free for CASE Members, $15 for non-members
Register HERE.

4. AEOE 2025 Video Contest

Deadline: April 15, 2025

Contest Theme: What is the value of environmental education?  AEOE invites you to share your perspective on the vital role of environmental education in shaping a sustainable future. In this contest, they want to hear from YOU—their community members—about the impact that environmental education has on individuals, communities, and the planet. Whether you’re an educator, student, advocate, or a passionate nature enthusiast, your voice matters!

Video Contest Guidelines: In your video, explore the importance of environmental education. Share how it has influenced you personally or in your work, the communities you serve, or the broader global environment. Highlight specific examples, experiences, or lessons learned from environmental education.

Click HERE to read the contest guidelines for eligibility, video length and content requirements, judging criteria, how to submit your entry, and prizes.

5. CEE-Change Fellowship 2025


Deadline: April 23, 2025
Description: The Fellowship is NAAEE’s latest initiative to support leadership and innovation in civics and environmental education (CEE) across the country. NAAEE recognizes the value in bringing together environmental and civic engagement educators to learn from each other and collaborate to scale up our impact as we work to create a more equitable and sustainable future.
The CEE-Change Fellowship is a twelve-month fellowship that will provide opportunities to learn, network, and share through online professional development, technical assistance, and face-to-face training. The fellowship will also build a strong foundation for continued professional growth after the program ends. The twelve-month fellowship will take place July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, and Fellows will have the option to extend an additional six months (through December 2026). Fellows will receive continued professional development, networking support, and travel support to attend an in-person Leadership Institute in Shepherdstown, WV, from August 24-29, 2025.

For more information about the 2025 CEE-Change Fellowship and eligibility, please read through the full Request for Proposals. At this time, we can only accept U.S.-based applicants for the 2025–2026 cohort. 

To learn more about the Fellowship or to apply, click HERE.

6. 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.