Environmental Concern Professional Development Courses

Join Environmental Concern for professional development opportunities at our Wetland Learning Center in St. Michaels, MD. We have courses for all levels – Community Members, Educators, and Wetland Professionals.  Please share with any interested parties. 

We hope to see you this spring.

Upcoming Workshops:

March 23, 2013 - Rain Gardens as Outdoor Classrooms

March 28, 2013 – Rain Gardens and Bio-retention Design

April 6, 2013 - Rain Barrels

April 29 to May 3, 2013 – Basic Wetland Delineation

Descriptions:

March 23, 2013 - Rain Gardens as Outdoor Classrooms: This course introduces educators to the concept of rain gardens and their value as schoolyard habitats. Participants will understand how rain gardens benefit the environment by improving the watershed and how they can be used as an extension of the classroom. Participants will leave with the basic knowledge of how to plan, design and implement a rain garden from start to finish.

EDUCATOR COURSE

Time: 10:00am-4:00pm         

Cost: $40.00

March 26, 2013 - Rain Garden and Bio-retention Design: This course introduces community members, landscapers, and others in the field to the concepts of how to plan, design and implement a rain garden or bio-retention area from start to finish. Participants will understand how rain garden and bio-retention areas benefit the environment by improving the watershed and how they can be used in urban planning and stormwater control on their properties.

LANDSCAPER/COMMUNITY COURSE

Time: 9:00am-4:30pm         

Cost: Early Bird Rate $85.00 ($95.00 after March 12 extended!)

April 6, 2013 - Rain Barrels Workshop: Create your own rain barrel to turn roof runoff into water for your garden. Save money and help the Bay. Materials will be available to make your own rain barrel to take home. $15 course only, $55 course and barrel.

COMMUNITY COURSE

Time: 10:00am-12:00pm       

Cost: $15 course only; $55 course and barrel

April 29 - May 3, 2013- Basic Wetland Delineation: Students and professionals just entering the field of wetland science, as well as those needing a review, should attend this 4.5 day (36-hour) course on the 1987 Corps of Engineers wetland delineation method. The course covers the Clean Water Act Section 404 regulations, updated regulation changes, and individual wetland parameters of vegetation, soils, and hydrology.  

PROFESSIONAL LEVEL COURSE

Time: 8:30am-5:00pm           

Cost: Early Bird Rate $950 ($975 after April 8)

All courses will be held at Environmental Concern’s Wetland Learning Center, 201 Boundary Lane, St. Michaels, MD 21663.

For more information, or to register, visit www.wetland.org or call Environmental Concern at 410-745-9620.

Space is limited. Pre-registration is required.

2013 Conference Thanks!!

Thank you to everyone who attended, presented and just enjoyed the 2013 conference.  Our conference evaluation was just emailed this week, please take time to respond, we take your thoughts very seriously!

If you have pictures from the conference feel free to email them to us - maeoerocks@gmail.com!

See you in Ocean City again in 2014!!!!

MAEOE Internship

Un-paid Environmental Education Youth Summit Coordination Internship

Short-term intern needed to help plan a very large (3500+ attendee) student focused environmental education summit presented by MAEOE, the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education.  This event is entering its third year benefiting the youth of Maryland.  It will be held May 31, 2013 at Sandy Point State Park.  We need help with coordination and logistics for the event including, but not limited to, soliciting, securing and coordinating vendors, volunteers and participants.

The intern will help with all aspects of planning and implementing the day.  Duties will combine phone, Internet and in-person work, record keeping, monitoring budget needs and lots of communication between staff and board.  Our office is in Jessup, but we imagine most work can occur remotely.  Weekly hours are flexible and will likely increase as the event approaches.

We are happy to provide whatever documentation is needed to secure educational credit.

If you are a hard working, organized, motivated, self-starter, who loves environmental education and students this is the place for you!  You must be willing to work in a high paced, under staffed office with a limited paid staff, volunteers, and a very motivated and involved Board of Directors.

Internship would start immediately and wrap up by mid-June.

Please send your resume and cover letter to Lisa Jones, lisaj@livingclassrooms.org

It's time!!

It's conference time!! Can't wait to see everyone.  Don't forget that in addition to lots of wonderful workshops we have a trivia social planned at the Princess Royale Hotel Bar Thursday evening, an exhibit hall social Friday night, and back by popular demand is the band TumbleHome on Saturday night!!!   http://tumblehomeband.com

The Silent Auction is of course always looking for more donations, but we've got wonderful crafts and goodies sure to please.  We even have gift certificates from Go Ape (http://goape.com), Canton Car Wash (http://www.cantoncarwash.com), Acorn Naturalist (http://www.acornnaturalists.com) and Terrapin Adventures (http://www.terrapinadventures.com). Remember, bid early and often!!!

Kids In the Wild: Engaging K-12 Students in Environmental Educational Experiences

The Potomac Watershed Partnership 2012 Winter Information Exchange

WVU Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center, 2500 Foundation Way

Martinsburg, West Virginia, December 11, 2012  (9:00-3:00)

Is your group effectively reaching the next generation of environmental leaders? 

Most watershed groups and conservation agencies have “educate the public” in their mission.  It is time to take that mission off the shelf and reach out to the largest education audience, K-12 schools.  Get the tools you need to get a foot in the door at your local school.

Join us!  Learn what is happening across the Potomac Basin and beyond.  The Potomac Watershed Partnership (PWP) is a collaborative effort among federal, state, and local partners to restore the health of the land and waters of the Potomac River Basin, thereby enhancing quality of life and overall the health of the Chesapeake Bay. 

9:00     Doors open & registration.  Light refreshments served.

9:45     Housekeeping & introductions

10:00   The New Mid-Atlantic Environmental Literacy Strategy - Shannon Sprague, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office

10:40   Environmental Literacy from a National Perspective - Laura Johnson Collard, Executive Director, Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education

11:20   Break

11:30   Organizational Announcements – A chance for watershed associations, schools, parks and other groups to briefly update the audience on education projects they are working on. Please sign up your group to speak during registration.

12:00   Lunch- Brown Bag or $8.50 for Daily Grind “box lunch” (due at AM registration)

1:00     Engaging Students With Local and National Parks – Andy Jackson, Coordinator of Science Instruction at Harrisonburg City Schools (Virginia)

1:30     Leaf Pack Network, Teachers and Students Investigating Stream Ecosystems - Christina Medved, M.A., Stroud Water Research Center

2:00     Extended Classroom Programs Leading To Outdoor Experiences - Ellen Murphy, Youth Education Director for Potomac Valley Audubon Society

2:30     Mapping Our Streams, National Geographic Chesapeake Bay FieldScope - Cassie Doty, University of Maryland Center for Educational Studies

3:00     Conclusion

Please RSVP online, by email to pwp@cacaponinstitute.org, or by phone 304-856-1385.

On behalf of the Potomac Watershed Partnership,

Frank Rodgers, Executive Director

Cacapon Institute / P.O. Box 68, High View, WV  26808
304-856-1385 / www.potomacpartnership.org

ISA Certified Arborist MA-4468A

New opportunity for Artists, Authors & Crafters at the MAEOE conference

Enviro-Artists and Authors Walk

Calling all artists and authors! We all know that the MAEOE membership is extremely talented. This year we are offering the opportunity for you to display and sell your work.

How it works: the pool side patio rooms in the Atrium at the Princess Royale will be reserved for this purpose. You will be able to display and sell your items in your room and/or on the patio. There will 2 prime opportunities for you during the lunches on Friday and Saturday. You will be able to have your room, sell your work, and then just lock up and attend the conference. Regular room rate applies, all we ask is a $65 contribution and a donation for the silent auction. For further information, please contact Melanie Parker, MDParker@AACPS.org

Two Month Coastal Education and Leadership Internship Program for Rising High School Seniors

SEA S.T.A.R.PROGRAM (STUDENTS TEACHING AND RESEARCHING)

Sunday June 16, 2013 – Friday August 16, 2013

Do you love the ocean and the outdoors? Do you have an interest in studying wild and diverse ecosystems? Do you dream of one day working as a Marine Biologist? Get ready for the summer adventure of a lifetime! The Marine Science Consortium is excited to offer a Coastal Education and Leadership Program for rising High School Seniors. This internship allows students to gain experience in an Environmental Education program while researching a Marine Science Project that interests them.

We are looking for eight rising high school seniors (currently juniors age 16 and older) with an interest in education, biology or science. Students must have a strong academic profile and be interested in an opportunity to work in an outdoor environmental education setting. Interns will spend a lot of time outdoors in marine environments. Students who are enthusiastic and outgoing, can work easily with others and are organized, with good attention to detail will be the best fit for this internship.

For 2 months students will live, work and play on the Marine Science Consortium’s main campus, in Wallops Island, VA. This internship includes three components: programs, research and enrichment. Students will work alongside program staff to provide environmental education programs and summer camp activities; periodically attend college level courses; develop their own research project or legacy project; and explore the exciting marine habitats of the Eastern Shore of VA. This eight week program is a wonderful opportunity to enhance and develop self-confidence, self-awareness, communication skills, and personal leadership style. The internship is a unique opportunity for students to gain job experience, to learn about the exciting field of Marine Science and to make new friends. Students will gain work and research experience that they may then apply in their senior year in high school and beyond.

Since 1965 The Marine Science Consortium has educated and inspired thousands of children, youth, and adults about the marine and coastal ecosystems along the Mid-Atlantic Region through place-based, hands-on experiences. MSC is ideally located on Virginia's Eastern Shore, between the powerful Atlantic Ocean and ecologically important Chesapeake Bay. The barrier islands of the Eastern Shore create a series of habitats that are biologically diverse and geologically dynamic. These natural classrooms introduce students to a variety of concepts in the biological, chemical, and physical sciences.

For more information : http://msconsortium.org/#/highschoolstudentinternship/4546405256

APPLICANT QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work on a team, energetic and open to learning
• Strong interest in Science, Education, Marine Biology or Ecology
• Experience working with kids is a plus but not necessary
• This position requires applicants to be able to lift 45 lbs and walk distances of 1 mile at time

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Cover Letter
• Intern Application
• School Transcript
• Two Signature-Sealed Letters of Recommendation (one from a teacher)
• Phone Interview

• Interns must be at least 16 years old by the first day of the internship and must have completed their junior year of high school

IMPORTANT DATES

• Nov 26, 2012 – Begin accepting applications
• Feb 1, 2013 – All Application materials due
• Feb 4, 2013 – Phone Interviews begin
• Mar 1, 2013– Notice of first acceptances

EMAIL OR MAIL COMPLETED APPLICATIONS TO:

C. Parker Mcmullen-Bushman

Special Programs Coordinator

The Marine Science Consortium

34001 Mill Dam Road

Wallops Island VA 23337

specialprog@msconsortium.org

757-824-5636

www.msconsortium.org

For more information : http://msconsortium.org/#/highschoolstudentinternship/4546405256