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CAELI Partner Portal Resources May 2025

1. ELA Superheroes Podcast


ela superheroes podcast icon     		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.

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


Research Digest    		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.

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


Image of California Aqueduct     		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.

4. Arbor Day Foundation – Tree Resources


Sunlight through oak tree branchesA close-up of a logo AI-generated content may be incorrect.                 



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!

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

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.

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.

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 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.