Environmental Concern has so much to offer!

Let Environmental Concern be your one stop shop for all your wetland educational needs. From in-class wetland adventures, in the muck wetland field trips to wetland presentations and educational resources, we have what it takes to bring wetland education to the next level no matter where you are located!



EC’s Wetland on Wheels has transformed into the Wetland on Wheels: Classroom Edition!

Let Environmental Concern compliment your existing science and watershed curriculum with Watershed Adventures at your School.

An EC Wetland Educator will travel to your site to teach interactive wetland and watershed focused lessons. Students will experience the exciting world of wetland habitats without having to leave your building. Select from our K-5th grade curriculum correlated to the MD, VA, and DE state curriculum standards.



Wetland Charm: Kindergarten

Students will learn about wetlands and their importance through a craft.



Plants Make a Wetland: Grade 1

Students will study wetland plants and their parts through stories and hands-on activities.



Wetlands and Birds: Grade 2

Students will focus on wetland birds and their adaptations through hands-on activities.



What’s the Matter?: Grade 3

Students will trace energy as it changes forms, and moves up and down the Wetland food chain.



Diversity of Life: Grade 4

Students will explore the adaptations that plants and animals have developed that allow them to survive in wetlands.



Cause and Effect: Grade 5

Students will investigate how wetlands affect water quality by testing and comparing water quality results.



Available from September-April at schools in Maryland, Virginia, Washington DC and Delaware. Call now to reserve your adventures today!

Duration: Half and full day options, from 3 to 8 classes per day.

EC provides:

· K-5 curriculum correlated to the MD, VA, and DE state curriculum standards.

· Fun, interactive wetland lessons and activities led by a skilled Wetland Educator.

· Pre and post student assessments.

· Curriculum materials for your use before and after the visit.

The school provides:

· A standard sized (or larger) classroom space (some programs will require tables).

· Schedule of classes (including, times, participant #s and grades) at least 2 business days prior to programs.

· Teacher or chaperone must stay with each class.

Cost: Less than $2 per student, plus mileage depending on location and selections.



Close enough to enjoy a St. Michael’s field trip? Environmental Concern offers many field-based action lessons.



Wetland Adventure: Introduces students to wetlands while focusing on the concept of watersheds, human and wildlife connections, and wetland adaptations. Program compares several wetlands with fun interactive activities. The adventure doesn’t stop once it gets cold. Contact us about winter programs.

Age: Grades 3 - 5

Duration: 3 - 4 hrs

Cost: $10/participant



Aquatic Adventure: Introduces students to wetland ecology focusing on the concepts of biodiversity and interrelatedness using a comparative study of chemical, physical, and biological water quality indicators collected from salt and fresh marsh systems.

Age: Grades 6 - 10

Duration: 5 - 6 hrs

Cost: $12/participant



Wetland Survivor: This program puts physical, mental, and strategic limits to the test. Participants must rely on their wetland knowledge as they compete in field-day style challenges which introduce them to the functions and values of wetlands. This is a perfect match for a summer camp, field day at schools or Scout and Youth groups!

Age: Grades 4 - 8

Duration: 1/2 day (3hrs) or 1 day (6 hrs)

Cost: $12/participant-3hr $15/participant-6hr



Find Your Muse in the Marsh: Learn about marshes and leave with masterpieces. Students study the Chesapeake Bay through the creation of fun wetland art.

Age: Grades 6 –12

Duration: 3hr

Cost: $10/participant



Scout Programs - Interest Projects, Try-Its and Badges: Our programs engage scouts in wetland activities which help them develop environmental awareness skills that will allow them to complete Interest Project Awards. EC patches available.

Age: Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes and Seniors

Duration: 3 - 6 hrs

Cost: $10 - $12/participant



Educational Resources: Look no further… need materials for your wetland unit, program or just something to get your students excited about learning?



Wetland 101 Travelling Trunk: Our lending resource is the perfect supplement for your water related curriculum. The trunk offers skulls, tracks, videos, books, Wetlands 101 PowerPoint, wetland information and more. Also included is the WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands Curriculum Guide for you to keep. For rent to schools and organizations.

Ages: Grades K-6

Duration of rental: Two weeks

Cost: $75 plus shipping and handling



WOW! Activity Trunk: This lending resource is designed for educators interested in borrowing WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands Activity materials for a wetland unit or for WOW! Facilitators leading a workshop. Trunk includes material sets of ready-to-use WOW! activities to lead over 17 of our most popular activities including Wetland in a Pan, Do You Dig Wetland Soil?, Wetland Habitats and more. For rent to WOW! Facilitators, schools or organizations.

Ages: Kindergarten-Adults

Duration of rental: One week

Cost: $50 plus shipping and handling



WOW! Facilitator Kits: Wish you had WOW! activity materials, but don’t have the time to make them? Let EC make your favorite WOW! Activity Kits for you. 12 different kits are available. Each includes all the necessary materials for up to 30 participants. Kits can be used again and again. Kit descriptions can be found at www.wetland.org

Age: Student-Adults

Cost: $15-$45 (varies per kit) plus shipping and handling



Wetland Charm Kits: This wetland activity for elementary students uses charm ingredients to represent the key components and functions of a wetland. Charms are made with special glitter confetti and discussed by students, challenging them to make connections to wetlands. Charm kits come with instructions, talking points and materials to create a wetland necklace for 30 participants.

Age: Elementary level

Cost: $10.00 ea. plus shipping and handling



For more information on COW programs, field trips, trunk rentals, kits, educational wetland cds, charm orders or to receive a brochure with a complete list of programs available please contact Environmental Concern at 410-745-9620 or visit us online at www.wetland.org



Katelin Mielke Frase

Wetland Educator

Environmental Concern

P.O Box P., 201 Boundary Lane

St. Michaels, MD 21663

410-745-9620 – phone

410-745-3517 – fax



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Governor Martin O’Malley Announces Nearly $23 Million in Funding for State Park Improvements which will support Outdoor Classrooms to Support MD Envir

This morning, January 13, 2012, Governor O’Malley announced nearly $23 Million in funding for State Park Improvements to direct green projects, capital improvements and the creation of an anticipated 300 new jobs. The proposal to the FY2013 capital budget will support energy efficient upgrades, storm water management improvements, better natural play areas for children and sustainable trails for students and families. The States parks will also serve as outdoor classrooms to support Maryland’s environmental literacy requirements .

Under the leadership of Governor O’Malley, the Maryland Park Service has set a commitment to “green” its 66 state parks as models of sustainability and conservation best practices. To date, strategic actions have focused on energy improvements, new state-of-the-art green building design and construction, sustainable trails and recycling, as well as environmental restoration to reforest and improvements to storm water management improvements to help the Bay. MAEOE is excited about this announcement to enhance green infrastructure, recreation and outdoor learning spaces, which will make parks more accessible for families and students.

Full details from the event are at: http://www.governor.maryland.gov/blog/?p=3465

Proposed FY ’13 Park Improvement Projects(in millions)
Green Park Projects (Enhancements)
Project Title Cost
Assateague State Park – Green Bathhouse Renovations $2.10
North Point State Park – Pier Replacement and Shore Erosion
Control $1.91
Sandy Point State Park – Green Infrastructure Improvements $1.70
State Parks – New Natural Playgrounds $1.40
Point Lookout State Park – Parking Lot Improvements $0.95
State Parks – Green Cabin Renovations $0.90
Total (in millions) $8.96

Additional Park Improvement Projects (Enhancements)
Project Title Cost
Sandy Point State Park – Boat Ramp Area Improvements $2.50
Rocky Gap State Park – Office Renovations $0.77
State Parks – Removal of Impermeable Surface $0.54
Point Lookout State Park – Lighthouse Complex Renovations $0.40
Wellington Wildlife Management Area – Office Renovations $0.34
Elk Neck State Park Improvements $0.24
Garrett County State Parks – Trail Construction $0.15
Western Maryland Recreational Access and Trail Restoration $0.15
Total (in millions) $5.09

Planned Park Improvement Projects

Project Title Cost
Critical Maintenance Projects $4.08
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park $2.68
Western Maryland Rail Trail Project $1.90
Total (in millions) $8.66

Webinar Jan 18th: Going Green Through the Curriculum

This past October, the National Environmental Education Foundation (www.neefusa.org) in partnership with the National Education Association Foundation (www.neafoundation.org) and Green Schools National Conference (www.greenschoolsnationalconference.org) launched the first of a series of three webinars to help educators around the country learn from experts and peers how to green their schools and curriculum. Webinar participants will interact live with national experts and teachers who are transforming their schools for the 21st Century.

Registration is free! All educators are invited.

Going Green through the Curriculum– Wednesday, January 18 at 7:00 p.m. EST.

David Sobel, Gerald Lieberman, and Jennifer Seydel have teamed up to provide you with some ideas and practical strategies to use the local community and environmental issues to teach science and socials studies content AND improve reading, writing, and math skills!

Learn more and register at www.classroomearth.org/gswebinars.

If you are working at a green school or interested in school greening, take a moment to learn about another opportunity from NEEF – the Sustainable Energy Award. The $10,000 Sustainable Energy Award will be presented to each of the top three high schools that can demonstrate how they have engaged students and teachers in school-wide energy savings through the creative and innovative use of technology. Applications are due February 10, 2012.

Please contact Bobby Cato with any questions at bcato@neefusa.org.

Maryland Releases Online Application for National Green Ribbon Schools Award Program

Inspiring schools to achieve 21st Century excellence, the Green Ribbon Schools award will recognize schools that have achieved, or are making demonstrable progress toward:

1) having a net-zero environmental impact;

2) improving the health and performance of students and staff;

3) ensuring the environmental and sustainability literacy of all the students

These three "Pillars" of the Green Ribbon Schools Award will serve as guideposts to make schools more productive, enriching, and efficient.

Maryland Green Ribbon Schools Application

In collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education (USDE), the Maryland application is available through the link below.

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/765124/Green-Ribbon-Schools-Maryland-Application-2012

In order to complete this application, each school will need to collect extensive data about the school's facility, health and safety policies, food service, and environmental and sustainability curriculum. Links to resources are provided throughout the application, each opening in a new browser window. The application will be completed and submitted electronically, but a PDF (see attached), for planning purposes may be distributed to any staff member assisting in compiling the information requested in the application. (Note that the resource links in the PDF are not active.) As information is added to the survey, it may be saved and continued at a later time.

Timeline

The completed application is due on, or before, February 27, 2012. MSDE will review the applications and nominate up to four schools to the USDE, one of which must be a non-public school. After reviewing the state nominees, the USDE will notify winners in April, 2012, and announce the details of the awards ceremonies to be held in Washington, DC.

Additional Information

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/resources.html

Early Bird Registration Extended!!

To January 9, 2012

Register today!

Make your hotel reservations for February 9-12, 2012
Clarion Fountainebleau Resort

Mention MAEOE Conference to get discounted rates (through January 9th)

Standard Registration = Conference Registration: Conference Opening 10 February 2012 Friday evening with Keynote Speakers Charles Saylan and Dan Blumstein authors of The Failure of Environmental Education (and how we can fix it) believe that change is possible and within our collective reach. But all of us will need to look at the problems differently and embrace our collective and individual responsibilities as stewards of the earth; there is no better place to begin this process than within the framework of education.

Exhibitors register Standard Registration too.

Saturday sessions grid is online now.

Non-Standard Registration = Thursday, February 9 PDI

Friday, February 10 Workshops and Center Symposium

Field Experiences

Guests (Friday and Saturday lunches)

Register for the Thursday Professional Development Institute – Hosted by University of Maryland Extension – Led by University Faculty – University of Maryland Eastern Shore and the Friday workshops through the non-standard registration platform.

Do you have items for the Silent Auction? Email conference@maeoe.org

Questions: email conference@maeoe.org or call the hotline (443) 824-1953 (see MAEOE website for hours)

www.maeoe.org to register for the MAEOE conference!

Seasonal Shipboard Jobs

Position Announcement

Resumes are now being accepted for positions in:
SHIPBOARD EDUCATION/CREW

The Living Classrooms Foundation is a non-profit educational organization in Baltimore, MD that provides hands-on, interdisciplinary learning programs in challenging environments for students of all ages and backgrounds.

We are currently seeking enthusiastic individuals for the positions of:
MATES, ON-BOARD EDUCATIONAL COORDINATORS, SCIENCE EDUCATOR & COOK.
These individuals must be interested in joining a team of dedicated professionals to work with youth aboard one of our historic Chesapeake Bay workboats – the pungy schooner LADY MARYLAND, and skipjack SIGSBEE. Programs range in length from one-day trips to ten-day extended land/sea expeditions in the waters of Baltimore, the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries as well as off the New England coast.

Qualified applicants must possess a strong commitment to the education of all students, be motivated self-starters, function successfully as part of a team, and maintain a desire to work outdoors in a challenging but fun environment. Education/biology background is preferred, but we will train the right people. Drivers license and clean driving record required. This is a physically demanding job that necessitates a certain amount of physical fitness. Lady Maryland mate position requires a 100-ton license.

Positions are seasonal: available March through mid-November 2012

Please send resume and cover letter to:
Lisa Jones
Director, Shipboard Education
or
Peter Bolster
Director, Shipboard Operations
Living Classrooms Foundation
802 S. Caroline St.
Baltimore, Md. 21231
410-783-1884 – fax
lisaj@livingclassrooms.org
pete@livingclassrooms.org
www.livingclassrooms.org