California Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education - AEOE

Join us this fall for the 2024 AEOE Fall Regional Meetups! These gatherings are the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow environmental and outdoor educators, exchange ideas, and inspire one another. Stay tuned as we finalize exact locations across the state—whether you're in the north, south, or central regions, there's a meetup for you! Learn more: https://aeoe.org/Fall-2024-Regional-Meet-ups

Please join us in welcoming the amazing Helen Morales, one of our new Board members!

Helen Morales is deeply committed to increasing access to nature and outdoor experiences for youth from underrepresented and BIPOC communities. She has dedicated over 15 years to creating transformative outdoor experiences for youth, designing, and overseeing nature-based programs that engage and inspire as the Director of Outdoor Education and Camp Woodcraft for Woodcraft Rangers. Helen also serves on the National Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee and the Volunteer Engagement Committee for the American Camp Association, advocating for inclusive outdoor education. A Cal State Long Beach graduate with a degree in Child Development and Family Studies, Helen joined AEOE's board in 2024. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family and sharing her love of reading with her son.

Learning opportunity: Teaching Hope: Blue Carbon and Climate Change

Drought, fires, floods, bleaching corals...as impacts from our changing climate become increasingly publicized, and with climate anxiety on the rise among our youth, it's critical that educators share messages of hope. In this webinar, you'll learn from a NOAA educator and scientist about the inspiring role the ocean plays in mitigating the climate crisis as a carbon sponge. You'll learn about the role of "blue" carbon - the species and habitats that absorb and store carbon in the ocean - and how the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is working to better understand and protect these vital resources. You'll also hear about the new Blue Carbon Education and Communication Toolkit, so you can bring these messages into your classroom (or wherever you interact with young people!). Please join us to explore messages of hope in a time of a changing climate.

Thu, Aug 22, 2024 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM PDT

Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8139042905077563996?utm_medium=email&utm_source=GovDelivery

Today's member spotlight: Neptune Nature School!

Based in Alameda, Neptune Nature School serves 2.5-6 year-olds with a preschool, TK, and kindergarten program in local nature reserves and parks. They spend a great deal of time in a local nature reserve (Crab Cove), engaging with local marine biology & coastal ecology. Much of Neptune's format is modeled on the European, and emerging American, forest school preschool models, with students spending 100% of time outdoors.

Learn more: www.neptunenatureschool.com

We are so excited to introduce one of our newest board members, Ciel Muir!

Ciel “Mr. Fox” Muir (they/them), is a self described q***r and trans nature nerd who brings their passion for nature, art, and reflection to their local LGBTQ+ community as an active volunteer. From cradle to grey all continue to learn and grow. Mr. Fox shares this idea and their love of exploring through knowledge gained in various lived experiences and time spent at Sonoma County Regional Parks and Westminster Woods. They invite participants of all ages and backgrounds to learn and share about self, others, and nature through interconnectedness. They completed their Environmental Educator Certification through AEOE in 2023 and have since continued to serve as a program mentor. Currently they oversee the Q***r Nature Journal Club in order to ensure the outdoors as a safe and inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ community. In their spare time, you can find Mr. Fox skulking about in their art studio. They joined AEOE's board in 2024.

Ciel Muir

Each year, AEOE selects two Environmental Educators of the Year – one in northern California and one in southern California – for their outstanding contributions to the field of environmental and outdoor education. Educators are nominated by their peers and are selected by AEOE's awards committee. The awards are presented in the fall. If you would like to nominate an educator for this prestigious award, follow the link in bio or complete the form at aeoe.org/eeer!

New resource share: The Disabled Hiker's Guide to Northern California will be released soon!

The Disabled Hiker's Guide to Northern California: outdoor adventures accessible by car, wheelchair, and on foot features over 40 scenic drives and viewpoints, wheelchair accessible trails, and foot trails for disabled hikers. There are dozens of trails listed in the north coast, San Francisco Bay Area, Monterey Bay area, Shasta Cascade, Sacramento Valley and foothills, and the Sierra Nevada. It's available everywhere books are, and pre-orders are so important! You can also help by spreading the word. Stay tuned for author talk and group hike dates!
https://www.disabledhikers.com/product-page/the-disabled-hikers-guide-to-northern-california-paperback

September 7th is California Biodiversity Day, a chance to inspire discovery of the nature of California through week-long activities, while encouraging everyday actions to protect and steward it. Please join in California biodiversity celebrations by hosting or attending a nature event, participating in the Biodiversity Challenge from anywhere in California, and/or amplifying local events.

Established in 2018, California Biodiversity Day celebrates the state’s exceptional natural world. Each year, individuals and organizations across California host in-person and virtual events throughout the week to connect people with their local biodiversity while encouraging actions to protect it. There will be events held statewide all week long from September 7-15, 2024.

Learn more here: https://rb.gy/od979p

Today is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. To honor and celebrate this day, we wanted to share a highly anticipated new Indigenous learning resource: The Serviceberry: An Economy of Gifts and Abundance by Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer. Pre-oder your copy for the fall release of the new book by one of our favorite authors! https://outdoorlearning.com/product/the-serviceberry-an-economy-of-gifts-and-abundance/

Appreciation post for our newest lifetime member: Ciel Muir! Our members – individuals and organizations across the state committed to using environmental and outdoor education as a tool to create lasting environmental change – inform our work and provide critical support to our mission. Want to join this amazing community? Learn more about membership at aeoe.org/membership.

There are nearly 100 organizations in our statewide network! All different types of outdoor education providers can become Organizational Members of AEOE. In doing so, they join a community of educators across the state committed to using environmental and outdoor education as a tool to create lasting environmental change. Our current organizational members span a wide array of backgrounds: zoos, residential outdoor camps, county offices of education, conservation non-profits, and even university affiliates!

Click the link in bio to learn more, or visit aeoe.org/membership.

Save the date to meet up with environmental education professionals in your region!

On Sunday, October 27th from 1-5 PM we will be hosting regional meet-ups for environmental educators in several locations around the state. Join environmental and outdoor education professionals from across your region to explore a local site and meet colleagues working in a variety of settings. The event includes networking activities, snacks, and a tour of the site. This is a great opportunity to make new connections and learn more about a local program in your region. If you would like to host a meet-up contact us at [email protected].

It’s that time of year again—the California Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools Award Program is now accepting applications for 2024-2025! This prestigious program recognizes schools and districts for their excellence in resource efficiency, health and wellness, and environmental and sustainability education. We encourage all schools and districts to apply and showcase their commitment to a greener future. The application deadline is November 4, so don’t miss this opportunity to gain well-deserved recognition for your hard work and dedication.

To start your application, visit the Green Ribbon Schools Award Program website here: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/fa/sf/greenribbonprog.asp

Let’s continue to lead the way in environmental stewardship and education!

Our new fiscal year began on July 1st and with that transition we say goodbye and thank you to outgoing board members Alicia De Toro and Nick Willford. We are also happy to welcome five new board members to our team: Ciel Muir, Helen Morales, Lisa Biasillo, Lydia Nelson, and Nadia Van Lynn. Please join us in sharing our appreciation for their leadership! To learn more about the skills and experiences our new board members will bring towards governing our organization, check out their bios here: https://aeoe.org/Staff-&-Board.

Please join us in celebrating the amazing environmental educators that achieved EE certification in California this year! See their work sites and learn about their final community action projects here: https://aeoe.org/EE-Certification-Graduates
Congratulations and thank you for helping us to elevate this critical work! 🤩 🎉

Funding Opportunity: Routes to Parks Grant
Applications are open now for the Route to Parks grant program. This grant program launched in 2020 and was developed in partnership between Parks California and California State Parks and community input. Route to Parks was designed to help ensure that all communities, including people who have been historically marginalized, have an opportunity to visit and enjoy State Parks.

Deadline: August 28th, 2024

Click here to learn more and apply: https://parkscalifornia.org/park-projects/grants-for-parks/route-to-parks-grants/about-route-to-parks/

Becoming a member of AEOE means joining a vibrant community dedicated to environmental and outdoor education.

As an individual member, you'll enjoy:
> Discounted registration: Access the Fall Regional Meetup and Annual Statewide Conference with exclusive member rates
> First look at the EE Job Board: Be the first to see exciting career opportunities in environmental and outdoor education.
> Partner discounts: Enjoy special discounts from our valued partners on gear, resources, and more.

Visit aeoe.org/membership to activate or renew your membership.

Today's member spotlight: SCICON!

Friends of Scicon is the outdoor school of science and conservation operated by the Tulare County Office of Education. It is located on 1,100 acres above Springville. Last year, the school was visited by over 20,000 fifth- and sixth-grade students for a one-day or week-long experience in outdoor education, natural science and conservation. SCICON is a product of over 50 years of school and community involvement. Community support has enabled this state-of-the-art environmental education school to become a model for similar programs throughout the country. SCICON is host to its own natural history museum, raptor center, planetarium and observatory, and tree nursery.

Learn more: www.tcoe.org/scicon

Each year, AEOE convenes program leaders (managers, coordinators, and directors of EE providers) from around the state for a weekend of learning, connection, and fun. Combining both focused professional development and open space sessions, the weekend retreat is a time to connect with others in similar roles, gain help from your peers, and strengthen your program while relaxing on the grounds at Camp Ocean Pines on the beautiful California Coast.

The 2025 Program Leader Retreat will be held over the weekend of January 31st – February 2nd, 2025. Save the date & stay tuned for registration details to come!

Each year, AEOE selects two Environmental Educators of the Year – one in northern California and one in southern California – for their outstanding contributions to the field of environmental and outdoor education. Educators are nominated by their peers and are selected by AEOE's awards committee. The awards are presented in the fall. If you would like to nominate an educator for this prestigious award, complete the form at www.aeoe.org/eeer!

Are you actively looking for a position in environmental education or interested in seeing what else is out there? Does your organization have an open position it is ready to fill? Check out our statewide job board! Updated weekly, this job board hosts a variety of positions in outdoor and environmental education from across the state.

Check it out here: www.aeoe.org/Find-a-job

Today's member spotlight: Science Discovery!

Science Discovery develops and implements environmental education programs for grades K-College along the Central Coast of California. They focus on topics related to the wise use of natural resources and sustainability, including water conservation, composting, recycling, stormwater pollution prevention, and integrated waste management. Their team of five educators collectively have over 100 years of experience in environmental education- both classroom, outdoors, and virtual!

Learn more: www.mysciencediscovery.com

Gratitude post for our newest lifetime member: Ashley Raynor! Our members are committed to using environmental and outdoor education as a tool to create lasting environmental change. Members help us to advance our mission to strengthen environmental education in California. Lifetime members invest in our work long-term. Thank you, Ashley, for your support!
Learn more and join our community today! aeoe.org/membership

Are you interested in hosting a regional meetup for environmental and outdoor education professionals at your site? We're looking to partner with California-based organizations who can demonstrate that environmental education happens in a variety of settings. We will take care of the outreach, registration, and costs for the event - we just need a point person at your site and staff person day-of to host. If this sounds good to you, let's chat! Email [email protected] to start the conversation.

Join us for AEOE's 2025 Statewide Conference from May 2-4, 2025 at the stunning Walker Creek Ranch in Marin, CA! Engage in immersive professional development, network with passionate environmental educators, and explore innovative ways to foster a sustainable future. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your skills and connect with the community. Stay tuned for more details!

aeoe.org/conference-2025

The more sustainable choices are to use what you have or buy used. In the off chance you need to buy something new, consider repping AEOE. Items are made to order and available through the online store here: https://www.cafepress.com/shop/CA_AEOE/products

Today's member spotlight: Walker Creek Ranch!

Walker Creek Ranch Outdoor School and Conference Center is home to the Marin County Outdoor School and Conference Center. Owned and operated by the Marin County Office of Education, Walker Creek Ranch is located 15 miles west of Petaluma. Their 1,700-acre site includes forest, chaparral, grassland, and riparian ecosystems. These natural areas serve as an ideal setting for their residential outdoor education program, and for conference, wedding and retreat groups. Their site also hosts 20 miles of hiking trails, a 4-acre pond, an organic garden, and a low-ropes challenge course. During a week of Outdoor Education, students learn about the natural world through hands-on experience and exploration of the diverse property. The program is designed to encourage a deeper connection to nature and inspire stewardship of the earth. Walker Creek Ranch is also the site of the 2025 Statewide Conference for Environmental and Outdoor Education!

Learn more: www.walkercreekranch.org

The California Department of Education and the California Department of Public Health are offering a webinar on sports/outdoor activity heat safety on July 18 at 10:30 a.m. A panel of experts will present frameworks to assess heat risk and provide information on tools, resources, regulations, and guidance to help you prevent heat-related injuries. While it's geared towards classrooms and schools, there may be valuable information applicable to a wide variety of settings. Learn more and sign up at https://tinyurl.com/Outdoorheatwebinar. ☀️ 😎

Today's member spotlight: Pali Institute!

Pali Institute is a leader in outdoor education. They are a residential outdoor education program accredited by the Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC) and they are also a registered Benefit Corporation (B-Corp), marking their commitment to quality education and sustainability. Their overnight trips range from 3-5 days, and they also offer single-day field trips for schools and onsite visits. Pali Institute's trips are geared for students from 4th-12th grade. Participating schools can choose from a variety of program offerings and courses to best accomodate their group.

Learn more: www.paliinstitute.com

Become a member of AEOE and join a community of individuals and organizations across the state committed to using environmental and outdoor education as a tool to create lasting environmental change! Organizational memberships are valid for one year and allow unique touchpoints with the environmental education community in California.

Visit aeoe.org/membership to learn more.