Growing Up Wild

October 30, 2010
Providing an Early Start
for Connecting Children to Nature

Growing Up WILD is an early childhood education program that builds on children’s sense of wonder about nature and invites them to explore wildlife and the world around them. Through a wide range of activities and experiences, Growing Up WILD provides an early foundation for developing positive impressions about nature and lifelong social and academic skills.

Growing Up WILD is a valuable tool for helping fish and wildlife agencies meet their conservation education goals. Growing Up WILD recognizes that:

Children start developing attitudes towards wildlife and nature at an early age. Growing Up WILD provides 27 easy-to-use activities to help educators and caregivers introduce nature to young children.

Many early childhood educators may not have the knowledge and skills to teach about nature. Growing Up WILD provides the background information and professional development needed to help educators be successful.

Nature-based recreation has been declining. Growing Up WILD provides activities about outdoor recreation and a “Take Me Outside” component for every activity.

A conservation ethic starts in childhood. Growing Up WILD provides a “Helping Hands” conservation suggestion for every activity.

Adults with active outdoor lifestyles were encouraged by their parents to go outside as children. Growing Up WILD provides “Home Connections” cards with activities families can do outside together.

A public supportive of wildlife management and conservation has sufficient scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills. Growing Up WILD provides developmentally appropriate activities that lay the foundation proven by research to be necessary for acquiring these.

This workshop has been underwritten by PNC Grow Up Great in support of a partnership between the Maryland in Baltimore and the University of MD Center for Environmental Science at Horn Point Laboratory.

Environmental Film Festival

CREB BRINGS WILD AND SCENIC ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL TO EASTON'S AVALON THEATRE

SAVE THE DATE!


CREB Conservancy is bringing to the Avalon Theatre Patagonia’s Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival on Thursday, November 18, 2010 beginning at 6:30 p.m. This is the largest environmental film festival in the country and will feature a number of awesome, high quality, and inspiring films ranging in length from two to thirty minutes. The selected films highlight environmental concerns, outdoor adventure, groundbreaking initiatives, and thought-provoking probes into our natural world.

As part of our festival, we are also hosting a children's film festival program early on the same day (4:30 - 6 pm for ages 4-12) at the Avalon. All of our local elementary school kids are invited to come for free. Emily Cranwell and her colleagues and students at The Country School are partnering with us to provide this children’s program. For more information, e-mail Emily Cranwell at ecranwell@countryschool.org.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening will be Academy Award nominee and two-time Emmy Award winner Christopher N. Palmer, an environmental and wildlife film producer. Palmer teaches filmmaking at American University and is a college professor in the Indiana Jones tradition. He has produced numerous IMAX wildlife films, authored the recently acclaimed book Shooting in the Wild, and truly has swum with dolphins, confronted whales and sharks, come face-to-face with Kodiak bears, camped with wolf packs, and waded hip-deep through an Everglades swamp.

There will be a cocktail reception before and after the films including a silent auction with some wonderful opportunities such as a half day flight for four in a private plane over our rivers and Bay with lunch on Tangier Island, a week’s stay in a log cabin in Sun Valley, an original signed oil painting by noted Bay artist Jonathon Shaw, a signed Bay photograph by noted artist David Harp, dinner for six cooked at your home by Scossa chef Giancarlo Tondin, a night in Bartlett Pear’s King Suite with dinner for two prepared by chef Jordan Lloyd, and dinner for four in the wine cellar at Mason’s Restaurant.

Tickets are $20 ($15 of which is tax deductible), and include a one-year membership in the Choptank River Eastern Bay Conservancy. Please join us for a wonderful evening and bring friends who will instantly become new members and supporters of the river protection efforts of CREB Conservancy. Call the Avalon Box Office to purchase tickets now at 410.822.7299.

Writing Contest for Southern Maryalnd

JANSSON PRIZE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL WRITING CALL FOR ENTRIES
Open to all county residents, $500 First Prize


The Potomac River Association (PRA) in conjunction with the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) at St. Mary's College of Maryland is pleased to hold the first annual competition for the Jansson Prize for Environmental Writing. Dedicated to the memory of Holger, Mary and Eric Jansson and their contributions to the betterment of the environment and culture of St. Mary's County, the prize will be awarded each year to the best essay on important topics related to the environment and environmental affairs.

The 2010 topic asks for essays reflecting on the relationship between property rights and Maryland's critical areas regulations. Private property rights can be examined from a number of perspectives-cultural, legal, historical and political. Discourse and conflict over the limits of public interest and private ownership are at the center of modern debates about the proper interaction of government and markets. Environmental protection is one of the justifications used to limit the rights of individual property owners. For instance in current law, Maryland's Critical Areas Regulations extends control over private property at the water's edge to protect the public interest in preserving the Chesapeake.

Compose an essay that places private property rights in the context of environmental regulations such as Maryland's Critical Areas Regulations. Essays can be written from philosophical, legal, historical or cultural perspectives. Prizes will be awarded to essays that creatively illuminate the relationship between modern understandings of property rights with current or new ideas about environmental regulation.

The author of the best essay will receive a first prize award of $500. One runner up will receive $150.00 award. A committee organized by The Potomac River Association and The Center for the Study of Democracy will judge all entries.



Eligibility:

1.All residents of Calvert, Charles, St. Mary's or Anne Arundel Counties are eligible to enter OR any student enrolled full-time in an accredited high school or post-secondary institution within one of those counties. Proof of residency or matriculation must be submitted upon request.

2. No member of the PRA Board of Directors or officers of CDS or their relatives by blood or marriage are eligible to win the contest



3.Submissions become the property of PRA and CSD. This includes PRA and CSD's right to use, reproduce, or distribute the essay in whole or part. Authorship will be acknowledged in any subsequent use.

4. By submitting an entry, the author warrants that the work is original and does not violate the intellectual property rights of any other person or entity. Quoted or excerpted material the length of a sentence or more must be identified as such. By submitting an entry the author warrants that the work has not previously been published or submitted for publication.

Rights:
5.By submitting an entry, the author grants permission to PRA and CSD to use her or his name for publicity purposes. By submitting an entry the author grants permission to PRA and CSD to reproduce the work in any form.

Format:
6.The essay should have two title pages. The first title page should contain the author's name and contact information in addition to the title. The second title page should have the title only. Information regarding the author's identity or affiliation must not appear within the body of the submission itself.

7. Submissions must be in English and length should be between 2,000 and 5,500 words. Pages must be numbered.

8.Entries must be postmarked by December 1, 2010. Two copies of the essay must be submitted as hard copy mailed to this address:


Potomac River Association
attn: Essays
P.O. Box 76
Valley Lee, Maryland 20692



More information: Information on Maryland's Critical Areas Regulation can be found at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/criticalarea For questions related to the essay contest contact Potomac River Association at: potomac.org@verizon.net or call 301-769-3840.

Free Kite Kit

My name is Monica Scherer and I work for Alaska Wilderness League, a non-profit conservation organization. We recently began a program we call Alaska Wild Educator Network which provides educators around the country free materials for them to use in the classroom to teach their students about the many unique ecosystems and animals of Alaska.



I am writing because I hope that an activity we are offering will be of interest to your members. On Monday, October 18th schools across the country will be celebrating 50 days until the 50th anniversary of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the far northeastern corner of Alaska by flying kites (mark your calendar for the Refuge’s anniversary on December 6th!). We would love to have your teachers and students be a part of the migration! We currently have schools in 13 states participating and I would love to get more states represented.



The kites are symbolic of the birds that travel through your state to the Refuge on their migrations every year. Click here to find out which bird connects your state with the Arctic Refuge! This offers a great way to teach your kids about migration, geography and could even make a great art project. We are providing FREE KITE KITS which include all the materials necessary for your students to build and fly the kites as well as a short DVD on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge which can be played for your students. Please email me back at Monica@alaskawild.org with your name, address, and number of students if your class would like to participate and receive these free materials!

Pure Potomac Program Director

We are seeking an energetic and visionary communications specialist to plan and implement Potomac Riverkeeper’s new communications, outreach, and public relations strategy, called Pure Potomac. Reporting to the Vice President, the Director will work collaboratively with senior staff to develop and implement strategies to broaden the impact of Potomac Riverkeeper’s programs. Responsibilities include developing and refining messaging, increasing membership and member engagement, and managing press and media relations.

http://www.potomacriverkeeper.org/index.php/work-for-potomac-riverkeeper

Education Coordinator: Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research

Education Coordinator: Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research - plans, develops, coordinates, and conducts K-16education programs, teacher trainings, and public education programs for the Reserve in cooperation with other team members and community partners. Travel and boating are required activities of this position.For more information and how to apply: www.dnr.state.md.us/hr/pdfs/cbnerr.pdf

Part time job announcement - Baltimore City

The Chesapeake Covenant Community (CCC), an interfaith environmental organization, is seeking a 3/5 time Coordinator for a new “Neighbor to Neighbor” energy reduction project in Baltimore City - responsible for organizing an educational outreach campaign within 20 Baltimore City congregations to reduce energy consumption in members’ homes by recruiting congregations and coordinating energy teams. Send resume/cover letter to bjen@pearlstonecenter.org

Clean Water Coalition Communications Manager Position Announcement

Clean Water Coalition Communications Manager
Location: Annapolis, MD
Department: Conservation Programs & Education
Duration: Full Time
Salary: Open


Join us by working a job you're WILD about!
Find a job you’re wild about at the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), the nation’s largest member-supported conservation organization, which is at the forefront of global warming issues, reconnecting our children with nature, and protecting America’s wildlife and habitat.


Position Description
The Choose Clean Water Coalition is an NWF-housed coalition of more than 130 organizations built around a common agenda to protect and restore the rivers and streams that make up the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.The Communications Manager will manage the external Communications for the Choose Clean Water Coalition including drafting and distributing press releases, op-eds, and managing coalition press events. He or she will also build relationships with Bay-oriented journalists in the watershed; manage the external content and media relations portion of the coalition website; assist in the purchase of targeted paid media by the coalition and its members; and drafting communications materials including brochures, presentations and other tools to support coalition fundraising and funder relationships. Soliciting opportunities for coalition staff and members to meet with media outlets and public events and making public presentations about the work and priorities of the coalition are also a part of the Communications Manager's responsibilities.


Position Requirements
Qualified candidates for this position must have College degree in an appropriate discipline (English, journalism, public relations) and at least five years of experience in campaign or advocacy-related communications or public relations. The Communications Manager must possess superior analytical, writing, verbal and time management skills; proven track record in media relations and the handling of complex, controversial policy issues; demonstrated ability to manage and follow-through on multiple short and long-term projects simultaneously. Experience with Flip cam video and media contact software such as Vocus a plus.

https://careers.nwf.org/ext/detail.asp?jobid=nwf2087-595915910

Montgomery Parks Foundation Seeks Executive Director

The Montgomery County Parks Foundation seeks a seasoned, accomplished individual with exceptional people skills, significant fund-raising experience, and proven organization-building experience to lead the revitalization of the Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization established to build a broad base of public support for public parks managed by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in Montgomery County, Maryland. Montgomery County, Maryland, is widely recognized as having one of the best public park systems in the United States, having received multiple awards and consisting of 34,600 acres (over 10% of the County’s landmass) and 410 parks which enjoy 14,000,000 annual visits. The Foundation offices are located in Silver Spring.

The Foundation’s Strategic Development Plan calls for raising funds through implementation of two primary strategies: 1) Friends of Montgomery Parks membership program, anticipated to generate a broad base of member donors whose dues and other contributions will provide unrestricted funds, and 2) Endowment funding to support Parks maintenance and operations, raised through individual donor development, dedication or park naming opportunities, or other major gifts.

Major areas of responsibility include:
·Provide strategy, leadership and direction for the
major donor and membership programs


·Cultivate and recruit Board members


·Organize and supervise future development staff.


·Serve as the catalyst for enabling the Foundation to
achieve its financial goals


·Establish and maintain positive and productive
relationships with donors, Trust Officers, Estate Planners, volunteers,
employees, stakeholders, government agencies, and local businesses

Requirements:


·Documented success raising funds from membership and
major donor solicitation.


·Success in building or re-building fund-raising
organizations.


·Montgomery County residency required. Familiarity
with Montgomery Parks preferred.


·Bachelor's degree; Master's degree preferred


·15-20 years of direct fundraising experience with
responsibility for planning, executing and maintaining philanthropic initiatives in a nonprofit


·Strong knowledge of annual fund campaigns, special
events, and corporate partnerships


·Strong written and verbal communication skills


·Certified Fundraising Executive as well as membership
in the Association of Fundraising


Professionals preferred.

To Apply:
A complete application will consist of: 1) a cover letter specifically addressing your qualifications for the position as well as a salary history, and 2) a current resume. In order to be considered, all applications materials must be received no later than September 15. All documents must be in Word or PDF format. Please
send your application materials in a single email to: info@montgomeryparksfoundation.org

Outdoor Educator of the Year Award Nomination!

Outdoor Educator of the Year

The MAEOE Robert Finton Outdoor Educator of the Year Award program recognizes an individual who demonstrates leadership and innovation in environmental and outdoor education. Bob Finton personified enthusiasm, innovation, and excellence in the field of environmental education. This award honors his memory by rewarding efforts to strive for these qualities. The award is presented at the annual MAEOE conference.

Click here to learn more about Bob Finton

Criteria:

* Recognition should be given to an individual who is a non-formal practitioner of outdoor education and works “in the trenches” as Bob did.
* The nominee can be a representative, either paid on unpaid, of an outdoor education center, non-profit organization, service organization, resource agency, education-related business, or other organization whose mission is environmental education. (Classroom teachers should be considered for the Chesapeake Bay Trust’s Teacher of the Year Award.)
* The nominee should demonstrate innovation and excellence in environmental education programming. Examples could include:
o A highly successful ground-breaking environmental education effort
o Innovation in developing new interpretive or instructional methods
o Development of a program that reaches new audiences or underserved populations
o Work in a program that promotes or increases conservation practices
o Programming that develops and supports a positive stewardship ethic
* The nominee cannot be a sitting member of the MAEOE Board of Trustees

NOTE: Your nomination will be strengthened if you include testimonials from co-workers, peers and supervisors (although this is not required). The nominating committee needs to have a clear picture of specifically what this person has done to demonstrate the criteria.

http://www.maeoe.org/conference/finton_award/index.php

Education Manager Position

About Earth Day Network:
Earth Day Network (EDN) is a driving force steering environmental awareness around the world. EDN's network reaches over 20,000 organizations in 190 countries, while the domestic program engages 5,000 groups and over 30,000 educators coordinating millions of community development and environmental protection activities throughout the year. Our mission is to grow and diversify the environmental movement worldwide, and to mobilize it as the most effective vehicle for promoting a healthy, sustainable planet. We pursue our mission through education, politics, events, and consumer activism.

Summary
Earth Day Network seeks a dynamic and energetic individual to handle a range of environmental education activities that advance the mission of Earth Day Network’s Education Department, with particular emphasis on managing the department and its programs. The Education Manager liaises with the Director of Education and other relevant staff in supporting Earth Day Network’s school-based environmental education and green school efforts. EDN’s Education Department and its Green Schools Campaign seek to promote environmental education and the greening of all U.S. schools within a generation. Our focus and ongoing initiatives include:
• Creating and providing access to quality educational resources and materials for use by teachers in educating students and promoting sustainability education in and out of the classroom.
• Building a sustained education, advocacy and media campaign on green schools and environmental education to provide communication and resources to teachers, students, and their schools on how to green one’s school.
• Building and maintaining a digital and online presence, including creation of online and web-based education materials, creating and updating webpage content, building digital media and online networks, and assisting in the collection and adaptation of lesson plans from granted teachers and Educators’ Network members.
• Communicating with and expanding EDN’s Educators’ Network through electronic and physical outreach and communication.
• Establishing and maintaining partnerships with local and national organizations, schools, teachers, students and other educational and environmental partners.
• Supporting EDN’s Educators’ Network through programs and projects in support of school greening, civics education and environmental education. For example, EDN’s National Civic Education Project (NCEP), engages urban teachers and their students in civic-minded lessons in environmentally degraded areas, culminating in a civic action for overall community improvement.
• Collaborate with Education Department and other staff to manage incoming requests for curriculum creation, media relations, book/article contributions, etc. as needed.
• Assisting in the implementation of multiple school greening demonstration projects nationwide.
• Working to create and pass national, state, and local public policies to provide funding mechanisms for green schools and environmental education.

The Education Manager will be heavily involved in several of these initiatives, likely to include travel to events or projects throughout the year and especially on or around Earth Day.

For more information and to apply please see: http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Job/397207-170

$5,000 grant for Walk to School Challenge

GreenWorks sponsors Walk to School Challenge
Walk to school and earn a $5,000 Green Grant. Remember National Walk to School Day is October 6.

http://www.greenworkscleaners.com/

Natural Teacher's Network Pledge!

Take the Natural Teacher's Network Pledge - get a cerftificate
I will TAKE my students outdoors


I will SHARE my ideas, successes and challenges
...
I will ENCOURAGE teachers & administrators to join the movement to connect children to nature

http://www.childrenandnature.org/movement/naturalteachersreg/

2010 Maryland Trails Summit Registration

Where: Holiday Inn BWI Airport

When: Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Time: 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
Registration begins at 8:30 am
Welcome and Kickoff at 9:00 am
Closing Dinner at 5:30 pm

Cost: $50.00
(includes lunch & dinner)

Register by October 4, 2010 - NO REFUNDS

Space is limited. Pay by credit card online using the form below to assure your space.
Mail-in registration is also available. www.dnr.maryland.gov/land/Trails/Mail-inRegistration.asp

Event details: http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/land/Trails/FirstTrailsSummit.asp
Background information: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/land/Trails/background.asp
Please email if you have questions: mdtrailssummit@dnr.state.md.us

Interpretive Educator Training