MAEOE Welcomes Stacy Bond

MAEOE is excited to host Chesapeake Conservation Corp volunteer, Stacy Bond!

Stacy is one of 21 young adults who make up the 2011-2012 class of Chesapeake Conservation Corps (CCC) Volunteers. Modeled after the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps programs, CCC volunteers are matched with watershed groups, non-profit organizations and government agencies for one year. They work on a variety of programs in Maryland all striving to restore the health and balance of the Chesapeake Bay.

“We are very pleased to have been selected to host a second CCC Volunteer. The volunteers in this program are committed and bring experience that benefits the organizations in which they work. They are our future leaders,” stated Laura Johnson Collard, MAEOE Executive Director.

Volunteers spend the year involved in Bay restoration and environmental education. Stacy will work to increase the number of Green Schools in Maryland. Stacy will focus on areas of the state where participation in the program is low.

The MAEOE Maryland Green Schools Program encourages students to help their schools and the local community with hands on environmental issue investigation and environmental best management practices.

Stacy will be mentoring schools in Baltimore City, Prince Georges County and the Eastern Shore. When asked what motivated her to apply to the program, “I am eager to develop hands on experience in Environmental Education. The CCC program was a perfect fit for my career goals and an amazing opportunity in this difficult economy. This program has awarded me an opportunity to apply my undergraduate and graduate coursework knowledge to hands on opportunities at individual schools.”

From NAAEE

I'm at the NAAEE conference with hundreds of interesting EE professionals from the US, Canada, Mexico and Japan. Yes, NAAEE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Japanese Association of Environmental Education. I have enjoyed the day thoroughly, from the Affiliates workshop to the New Members welcome to the Opening Ceremony. Here are some Highlights from the Keynote speach: Jean Beasley, Sea Hospital says 'Our planet is like a woven cloth, as we lose threads, the cloth weakens. Balloons, Longline Fishing, Trash in the Ocean keep the Sea Hospital busy. Sea Hospital Protects, heals and encourages. Volunteers support the work of the Sea Hospital. The Climate is always changing says a young person talking with Jean, Yes, what we have is acceleration of climate change. We need to get people to connect with the reality of environmental challenges..that will motivate their own thinking to do something. The POWER of Environmental Education is making the connection. The power of connections - business - children - elderly - environmental educators - WE can make a difference together.' Registration for the MAEOE conference should be going live by the end of October. A great opportunity for networking, sharing and growing.

HELP 'ACT' CLEAN THE BEACH AT ASSATEAGUE and CELEBRATE AFTERWARDS AT 'MARYLAND COAST DAY'

Join the Assateague Coastal Trust and the Assateague COASTKEEPER for the International Coastal Clean-up on Saturday, September 17 at Assateague Island National Seashore. Meet in the North Ocean Beach parking lot of Assateague Island National Seashore (not the State Park) near the Ranger Station. The beach clean-up will run from 9:00 a.m. until about 11:00 a.m. Trash bags and data cards will be provided, and all volunteers will receive a free t-shirt thanks to Delmarva Power. Please bring work gloves, sunscreen, water, and lots of energy!



After the Clean-up, volunteers are invited to celebrate Maryland Coast Day at Assateague State Park. Come out and celebrate the wildlife, culture and natural resources of Maryland's coastal region for FREE family fun! There are children's events, touch tanks, local vendors, artisans, and local food.



Click here for more information about International Coastal Clean-up and Maryland Coast Day. We hope to see you on the beach this Saturday, September 17! http://www.actforbays.org/PressRoom/Events/coastday.html

Conference Proposal Submission - there is stil time!!!

You've spent years honing your skills as an environmental education professional. Now share your experience and knowledge by submitting a proposal for consideration as a presentation at the 27th Annual MAEOE Conference scheduled for February 9-12, 2012 in Ocean City, Maryland.

2012 Conference Theme: Fulfilling Environmental Education's Promise: Authentic Learning & Real World Impact

The purpose of the conferences is to provide high-quality education and networking opportunities for environmental education professionals. Our multiple day, multiple track format offers a self-directed, facilitated learning environment with education sessions, workshops, and extensive exhibition. Education sessions, designed to meet the needs of all environmental education categories, focus on current and emerging issues, best practices, and challenges facing practitioners. Presentations are designed for all levels of experience - from fundamental to intermediate to advanced topics.

With nearly 600 participants from more than 400 schools, organizations, agencies and businesses, the MAEOE conference is the largest state EE conference in the nation and the only one of its kind in Maryland. Selection of proposals is highly competitive. Make sure to read and follow the submission guidelines prior to beginning the online form. Deadline for submissions is September 9, 2011. Please feel free to contact MAEOE by phone at 443-733-1220 or by email at conference@maeoe.org with any questions or concerns. Information about the conference may be found at www.maeoe.org.

Do not hesitate to forward this message to others you know have knowledge, skills, resources to share.

Local Food, Tomato Takes Center Stage at annual ‘Mater Mania

The Local Eastern Shore Sustainable Organic Network hosts ‘Mater Mania, a celebration of the abundant, colorful and delicious Tomato, the local farmers who cultivate it and the locals who love to eat it on Sunday, August 7 from noon to 5 p.m. at Boonies Restaurant in Tyaskin.

LESSON is partnering with Boonies and Southern Boys Concepts to offer a menu of local food and tomato-inspired preparations, paired with local ales from Evolution Craft Brewery.

Proceeds from the event support the Medora Harvest Fund, which provides low-income families with weekly shares of fresh produce from local organic farms. The event also supports LESSON’s mission to foster local, sustainable food on the Shore.

Tickets are $20 for adults. Children under 12 get in for $6. Tickets include a meal and beverage (draft beer or nonalcoholic). There will be live music, a tomato tasting, silent auction and kid friendly activities.

Music lineup:
99 Again
Maureen Tambourine
Blackwater

Silent Auction Items:
*1/2 Day Guided Birding Tour with expert birders Dave Wilson (MD Coastal Bays Director) and Jim Rapp (Manager of Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center)
*Guided Winery or Nature Paddle, Adrenaline High
*Guided Paddle, Pocomoke River Canoe Company
*Gift Certificate, South Moon Under
*Family Membership to the Salisbury Zoo
*"Carver Afficionado Packet" from the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art (including passes to the museum)
*Violin Lessons
*Assorted Organic Craft Beer
*A variety of artwork from local artists including photography, pottery and jewelry
*...and much more!!!

Kids Activities provided by the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance

Tickets can be purchased online at http://shorefood.org/.

LESSON is a nonprofit organization which promotes sustainable farming practices and the development and support of a regional food system on the Shore. The Medora Harvest Fund was created to honor Medora Cockey, a local organic farming enthusiast who died at age 24 from autoimmune hepatitis.

For more information, please visit www.shorefood.org or email Dea Keen, keen609@gmail.com.

Directions to Boonies Restaurant from Downtown Salisbury: Travel west on Business Rt. 50, turn right onto MD-349 Nanticoke Rd; remain on Nanticoke road for 16 miles, Boonies will be on your right.

Chesapeake Forest Champion

Do you know a Chesapeake Forest Champion?? Submit your nomination by September 2!



To help celebrate International Year of Forests, the U.S. Forest Service and partners are launching a new annual contest to recognize forest champions throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Forests provide clean water and air, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and a host of other benefits to people. With around 100 acres of the region's forest lost to development each day, the need for local champions of trees and forests has never been greater!



The purpose of this contest is to recognize the outstanding efforts of groups and individuals to conserve, restore, manage and celebrate Chesapeake forests in 2011. The contest is open to all, including community groups, nonprofits, schools, youth organizations, natural resource professionals, private citizens, businesses, etc. Winners will be recognized and receive free registration and accommodations at this year’s Chesapeake Watershed Forum, which will be held September 29th – October 2nd in Shepherdstown, WV. For more information about contest rules & categories and to obtain a Chesapeake Forest Champion nomination form please visit the website referenced below. Please download the form and save it to your computer before completing it.



http://www.forestryforthebay.org/files/2011-Chesapeake-Forest-Champion-Contest1.pdf

Pemberton Historical Park - WOW Course

Pemberton Historical Park together with Environmental Concern will be presenting a WOW! The Wonder of Wetlands workshop on Saturday, August 27 from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. The cost is $35 per person, which includes a curriculum guide. For more information or to register, visit www.wetland.org.