Welcome to the first edition of Environmental Literacy News and Updates! If you are reading this newsletter, you likely feel a sense of urgency to protect the natural systems upon which all of our lives depend. As an educator, you have the ability to help empower students with the knowledge and skills they need to advocate for clean air, water, and healthy food through action and solution-oriented programming. The San Diego Environmental Educator Leaders Network (EELN) was established to help increase environmental literacy among youth in San Diego County.
The goals of the EELN are to:
- Connect environmental educators and formal educators
- Strengthen multi-year outdoor programming using place-based, high-quality instructional strategies
- Advocate for educators and learners to engage in meaningful experiences outdoors
- Celebrate the rich biodiversity of San Diego County
Throughout the year, EELN will offer multiple professional learning and informal networking opportunities, and spotlight model outdoor environmental programs in San Diego County. By working and learning together, we can support our students to better understand the environment, learn how to take positive action in the community, and love the Earth.
Please share this newsletter sign-up link with others so they can receive future Environmental Literacy News and Updates.
San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) Environmental Literacy Coordinator
San Diego Children and Nature (SDCaN) Executive Director
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Photo Source: Coastal Roots Farm, 2022 |
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Coastal Roots Farm is a nonprofit community farm and education center in Encinitas where organizers practice organic and regenerative farming, share harvest with those who lack access, and deliver engaging Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-aligned, environmental education. The nonprofit leverages its 17-acre outdoor “classroom” as a platform for exploration and discovery, providing students with authentic opportunities to gain a real-world understanding of important science topics in the world around them. Equitable access to environmental education and green spaces is at the heart of the farm’s mission, and no group is ever turned away for inability to pay. Schools can request program and bus transportation scholarships on a sliding scale. |
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The farm’s inquiry-based pedagogy helps difficult science concepts come to life in ways that are fun, exciting, and act as a launch point for continued classroom learning. Through a variety of program options, students will explore soil, observe plants, interact with chickens, and deepen their understanding of the complex food system. Of course, a trip to the farm is never complete without the opportunity to harvest, prepare, and eat fresh produce, exposing students to new flavors and building the foundation for healthy habits. Farm topics are facilitated in an age-appropriate way for pre-K-12th grade students that results in a greater appreciation for nature and builds confidence in protecting it.
To find out more information and request a school and group visit at Coastal Roots Farm, visit their website.
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It was lovely to see you all at the 2022-23 kickoff. We spent time getting to know one another through an icebreaker and through small group discussions about our own programs and successes. We learned so much from Mannah Gbeh about how he connects to local partners. His work is inspiring and insightful. Thank you to the Water Conservation Garden for hosting us! |
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Photo Source: C. Starr Howe, 2022 |
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For Environmental Educators
BEETLES Professional Learning
Join us to improve your skills for leading outdoor student learning. These research-based strategies will focus on supporting students to think critically, build their sense of wonder, and help you to promote deeper discussions. Use the links below to register for sessions.
NGSS Refresh
This workshop will provide a refresher or introduction to NGSS for environmental education program instructors. Consider how NGSS connects to your field or in-school program and how to highlight the dimensions of NGSS for students.
Incorporating Culturally Responsive Approaches in Informal Contexts
Join School in the Park educators to deepen your understanding of culturally responsive approaches to instruction. Learn strategies to incorporate these approaches in informal education settings and better connect your program to students.
Hike, Network, and Learn
Join us to explore Cabrillo National Monument on Oct. 20! Spend the morning with fellow nature lovers and try on a fun outdoor learning strategy.
Environmental Educator Program Leaders Retreat
The Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE) is offering a retreat in Cambria on Nov. 12 to 13. In addition to a structured professional development session for program leaders, there will be ample opportunities for networking and discussions around topics of your choice.
AEOE San Diego County Meet-up
Join environmental and outdoor education professionals from across San Diego County to explore a local site, meet colleagues working in a variety of settings, and deepen your practice through shared learning. The event will include a tour of the Living Coast Discovery Center, networking activities, open space discussions, and our annual fall awards ceremony celebrating the northern and southern environmental educators of the year.
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For Environmental Educators and Classroom Teachers
Winter Book Club
Sign up to read Braiding Sweetgrass and discuss the book with San Diego County formal and informal educators. Books will be sent to the first 30 educators who register. We will meet at the San Diego Zoo on Jan. 12 in the evening to share our thoughts regarding the book and how it connects to our instruction.
Weekend Hike, Network, and Learn
Join us to explore San Diego County on Dec. 10. Spend the morning with fellow nature lovers and try on a fun outdoor learning strategy.
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EcoLogik STEM Workshops
Join STEM professionals for a variety of workshops exploring the real science conducted in America’s National Parks. Participants will use technology to investigate real-world problems and learn ways to solve them, empowering them to preserve and protect nature and sparking an interest in STEM. These workshops are free to the public, and will be located at Cabrillo National Monument, libraries, and other community spaces around the county. Register for these free workshops.
Ms. Smarty-Plants Assemblies, Field Trips, and Classroom Visits
The Water Conservation Garden and Ms. Smarty-Plants™ are providing fantastic free and fun programs for your students this school year. She can visit your school in-person, or you can visit the garden to explore exhibits. She will inspire students about water conservation, gardening, and science. Water districts throughout the county are funding these programs for schools. Please Reach out to The garden's education team to see if your school qualifies for a free program. Email SmartyPlants@thegarden.org or visit their website for more information.
People and Planet Challenge
Energize Schools is launching its annual People and Planet Challenge. This year, participants will complete weekly challenges to learn more about air quality and sustainability by creating campaigns to inspire sustainable behavior change across topics related to air quality, such as transportation, energy, and waste. Challenge activities are adaptable for distance, hybrid, or in-person learning, and are available in both English and Spanish.
The challenge is open to all middle and high school students, teachers, and administrators. Anyone that completes all four challenges will receive a sustainability specialist certificate, and participants in San Diego County are eligible to win prizes valued at a total of $3,000.
Next Steps:
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Register on the challenge website.
- An advisor will reach out with resources for support.
- Complete your challenges between Oct. 5 and Nov. 9.
- Submit all four challenges and share your campaign materials by Nov. 9 to be eligible to win prizes.
Energy is Everything
The Energy is Everything program aims to develop the next generation of energy workers by raising exposure to high-value energy career pathways for K-12 disadvantaged students. Energy is Everything is a multi-disciplinary program aligning with California state standards and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills that is focused on energy and environmental topics. The program guides students in applying science and engineering practices (researching, designing solutions, redesigning, notebooking, and communicating). Simultaneously helping them build their conceptual knowledge, Energy is Everything intends to increase STEM skills, especially in energy and water resource management. As students deepen their understanding of human impacts on the environment, they shift their behavior and decisions towards living more sustainably. Learn more about the Energy is Everything program.
Exploring Conservation Science Field Trips
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Community Engagement team has been working since 2005 to make scientific staff and facilities available to challenge, engage, and inspire students from middle school to college. The team's approach provides the opportunity to share a full, in-depth look at the work of conservation biology and the many fields of study that help guide conservation decision making. Specialized facilities offer the chance to work firsthand with the tools and techniques used in conserving endangered species. All programs are developmentally appropriate, relevant to real-world problems, and emphasize understanding through inquiry.
The Community Engagement team offers a 2.5-hour lab field trip program, titled Exploring Conservation Science, to interested science teachers and their classes. This program is open to all interested middle school, high school, and undergraduate classes, and includes visits to both the Beckman Center and the adjacent San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido. For more information and to reserve a field trip, please refer to the Exploring Conservation Science site.
Conservation Education Speak-Off
The California Association of Resource Conservation Districts hosts an annual speech competition for high school students, addressing a specific topic relating to conservation. Students first compete at the regional level by submitting their speech via video, with the top speakers advancing to the state competition. There are cash prizes at both the regional and state levels. In addition, travel expenses for the state competitors are paid for by their local resource conservation district. View all information and the application.
Accessibility in Outdoor Learning
Accessibility in Outdoor Learning is hosting Karen Lai on Nov. 29 at 4 p.m. for an honest and open discussion on accessibility in the outdoors with a focus on people with disabilities and what real inclusivity looks like. Karen is an experienced outdoor adventurer, consultant, and facilitator who has been helping people with disabilities find their place for over 20 years. Karen will guide educators on a journey into understanding what belonging and value means for different students.
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Photo Source: Townsend's Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) courtesy of Don Endicott.
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October is Bat Appreciation Month, the perfect opportunity to spotlight Earth's only flying mammal! Did you know that bats are extremely important to the health of their ecosystems? Insectivorous bats can eat 6,000 - 8,000 insects like mosquitoes a night; frugivorous bats eat the fruit from plants like mangos and figs, which helps disperse seeds; and nectivorous bats pollinate plants like agaves (tequila or mezcal, anyone?). Bats also contribute to modern medicine by helping medicinal plants propagate and advancing vaccine development. So instead of being spooked, let's be grateful to San Diego County's 23 species of bats for decreasing pests and assisting our native plants. Kudos, bats! |
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To have your event or resource considered for a future edition of SDCOE’s Environmental Literacy News and Updates provide your information via this Google form. |
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If you have any questions or comments about Environmental Literacy News and Updates, please contact one of our Environmental Literacy Science team members.
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Environmental Literacy Coordinator
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Science Administrative Assistant
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Get up-to-the-minute information about what's happening at SDCOE and in our districts across the county.
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