Recently, I was asked why so many people vacation in San Diego. The expected response might be our amazing beaches, perfect weather, and a plethora of tourist attractions. But without hesitating, I credited our diverse and interesting habitats — all in relative close proximity. How cool is it that we can travel from the ocean to the desert in less than two hours, while traversing a range of ecosystems along the way. This is why San Diego County has been named a biodiversity hotspot in the United States. It made me wonder how many of our students are aware of this fun fact that makes San Diego so special.
To celebrate our biodiversity, in each newsletter, we will be highlighting unique habitats, some of the species dependent on those habitats for survival, and the native and invasive species we see around us. We hope this will get you and your students excited about exploring the many natural wonders San Diego has to offer.
Share your favorite San Diego habitat with us using #SDEnviroLit!
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Photo Source: C. Starr Howe |
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Please share this newsletter sign-up link with others so they can receive future Environmental Literacy News and Updates. Bookmark our webpage to stay informed about upcoming events and see a full calendar of offerings!
San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) Environmental Literacy Coordinator
San Diego Children and Nature (SDCaN) Executive Director
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Zovargo Brings Science to Life
Zovargo’s mission is to advance environmental conservation stewardship through education, resources, and unique live animal program experiences. The Zovargo Foundation is dedicated to providing free and low-cost programs that help build connections with nature and the planet. Zovargo was founded in 2015 by a community-based group of dedicated volunteers (and animal ambassadors) who are committed to conservation stewardship, youth education, and a love for animals of all species. Since its founding, Zovargo has served 120,000+ youth throughout San Diego County and beyond through award-winning educational programs.
Zovargo “brings science to life” by partnering with schools, libraries, scout troops, and other community organizations and venues to bring programs on-site and meet students and community groups where they are. During Zovargo programs, participants engage with animals directly, seeing and/or feeling their unique characteristics and learning about their habitats. Our team of animal ambassadors includes a variety of birds (including many San Diego native species like falcons and owls), hedgehogs, tortoises, snakes, rabbits, scorpions, lizards, a Bengal Cat, and much more! Through engaging program themes such as Ecosystem Explorers, Amazing Adaptations, and Flying Wild, youth are inspired to consider the importance of protecting the habitats of all animals so that they can thrive, and learn how they can make a difference in helping animals in San Diego ecosystems as well as habitats across our planet.
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Environmental Educator Leaders Network Kicks Off New School Year |
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The Environmental Educator Leaders Network (EELN) is ready to support and engage with you during the 2023-2024 school year. We will be offering professional learning opportunities, hikes, books clubs and a Spring Showcase for all interested environmental educators and teachers in San Diego.
Please take five minutes to complete a review of your 2022-23 programming. This information will help EELN better serve the network and help all of us better serve students.
EELN Goals
- Increase collaboration between formal and informal educators
- Strengthen multi-year environmental programming opportunities for students
- Advocate for student outdoor learning experiences
- Celebrate the biodiversity of San Diego County
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Photo Source: C. Starr Howe |
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For Environmental Educators
Sept. 21 from 4 to 6 p.m.
All San Diego environmental educators are invited to the Environmental Educator Leaders Network Kickoff event at Coastal Roots Farm! At this event, you will have an opportunity to network and connect with colleagues from around the county, learn about the programs and professional learning opportunities that will be offered this year, and enjoy a gorgeous local space. Join us for fun and light refreshments.
Oct. 15; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Explore Tecolote Canyon (tentative), network with colleagues, and deepen your practice. Offered in collaboration with AEOE, SDCaN, CASE, and SDCOE. The registration cost is $25 for AEOE members, $30 organizational member staff, and $35 non-members. It includes lunch.
Nov. 30; 9 a.m. to noon
Join us to improve the activities you do with students. Bring a lesson from your program to add in strategies to improve student’s observations and discussion skills. Get feedback and suggestions from your peers and experts in outdoor learning. Use the link below to register.
Dec. 8; 9 a.m. to noon
This workshop will provide a refresher or introduction to Next Generation Science Standards (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.
See Environmental Education open positions for San Diego. This document will be updated regularly, so you may want to bookmark it for future use.
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For Environmental Educators and Classroom Teachers
Nature Journaling Club for Educators
Learn nature journaling skills and activities that you can use with your students, all while exploring the biodiversity of San Diego with like-minded educators. Nature journaling improves our observation skills and piques our curiosity, leading us to ask questions about and have stronger connections to nature. It also helps calm our nervous system, and inspires creativity and independent thinking.
Sessions will be held every second Saturday of the month from 9 to 11 a.m.
- Sept. 9: Buena Vista Lagoon
- Oct. 14: Rancho Penasquitos
- Nov. 11: Balboa Park
Learning in Local Nature
This one-day professional learning for K-8 teachers will be offered at a variety of locations in Southern California during 2023-2024. We will focus on environmental literacy in science and how to use your campus as an outdoor classroom. Identify local environmental phenomena and get tips on connecting with community partners. Learn from experts in the field and collaborate with other classroom educators from across Southern California. Substitutes will be reimbursed!
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Eco-Club Coalition
The Eco-Club Coalition (ECC), a Youth4Climate program, is an alliance of hundreds of students at over a dozen of high schools all across San Diego County. Their goal is to build community amongst a diverse group of students, educate youth on climate issues, and use their collective power to mobilize students and organize impactful events. Please fill out this ECC sign up form for more information on how you can join an Eco-Club or establish one at your school.
Climate Strikes
On Sept. 15, join SanDiego350 and thousands of students across San Diego County and take part in walkout strikes in a global effort to End the Era of Fossil Fuels. This youth-led climate action will be in conjunction with this year's U.N. Climate Summit in NYC, where we are demanding that world leaders and the Biden administration commit to a rapid, just, and equitable phase-out of fossil fuels. If you are interested in participating in or organizing a strike at your school, please fill out this strike interest form for more information and support from the SanDiego350 staff.
CAELI Partner Portal
The California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI) has launched a new Partner Portal that promotes environmental literacy by building educator awareness of community-based partners and their products and services and fosters relationships between educators and community-based partners for increased student enrichment and engagement. The goals of the hub are to increase the visibility and access to environmental education community-based partners and be a reliable central repository for districts, schools, and teachers to identify programs that align with their local needs and meet educational standards. Learn more about our San Diego partners.
Project WET
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, libraries, and other community spaces around the county. Register for these free workshops on the Cabrillo National Park website.
Ms. Smarty-Plants Assemblies, Field Trips and Classroom Visits
The Water Conservation Garden and Ms. Smarty-Plants™ are providing fantastic free, fun programs for your students this school year. She can visit your school in person, or you can visit us at The Garden to explore our garden 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 our education team to see if your school qualifies for a free program! Please email SmartyPlants@thegarden.org or visit their website.
Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference
The largest international event of its kind, the Wild Wonder Nature Journaling Conference gathers people who are passionate about nature, art, science, curiosity, and wonder to share ideas, learn from each other, support each other, inspire each other, and have fun together in nature’s beauty. The 2023 online event will offer 30 classes, panels, and lectures from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sept. 13 to 17. You can look forward to learning from more than 30 teachers, journalers, writers, artists, authors, and thought leaders in nature, nature journaling, nature writing, visual thinking, and conservation.
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The Peregrine Falcon
The peregrine falcon is one of the Zovargo animal ambassadors that provides program attendees with a unique opportunity to see and appreciate this amazing bird of prey! The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal in the world and can be seen and heard throughout San Diego County and beyond. This bird of prey is known for its breath-taking flight ability to dive in what is known as a stoop where this bird tucks its wings to their side and resembles a stealth aircraft. In this flight maneuver this bird can then reach speeds of up to 240 miles per hour as they dive in the air toward their prey, which is typically smaller birds. Zovargo has two peregrine falcon ambassadors that are education animals as they were deemed non-releasable and would not survive in the wild due to injuries they sustained in the wild. Malala, pictured here, is one of the Zovargo animal ambassadors that travels and visits schools and other community groups. Providing this once-in-a-lifetime experience with birds of prey and other exotic zoo animals helps inspire future generations to connect with nature and help protect these amazing creatures!
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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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