MAEOE is Proud Partner at Baltimore City Schools' Sustainability Day on 11/12/11

On Saturday, November 12, 2011, MAEOE was a proud partner and presenter at Baltimore City Schools Sustainability Day at Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School. The free event marked a collaboration between the Baltimore City Office of Sustainability, Enterprise Community Partners, MAEOE, Parks and People Foundation, and the United States Green Building Council - Maryland Chapter (USGBC). The event was funded by Bank of America and offered 20 free workshops focusing on energy and resources in the Green Schools Network to assist Baltimore City Schools to integrate Sustainability into education, facilities and operations. MAEOE is particularly happy to report that a formal goal has been set by Baltimore City Officials to make ALL Baltimore City Schools MAEOE Maryland Green Schools and make sustainability education a core part of learning. The half day event opened doors for communication and a district wide opportunity to celebrate successes and identify challenges of making each and every Baltimore City School a MD MAEOE Green School. The day began with a Plenary Session of opening remarks from Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake (see picture above), CEO of Baltimore City Schools Dr. Andres Alonso and other partners including representatives from the US Green Building Council, Enterprise Community Partners and the Baltimore Community Foundation. Following the Plenary Session, attendees were able to choose two workshops to attend. The 22 workshops were organized along four tracks: (1) Curriculum, (2) Building Construction, Operations and Maintenance, (3) Family & Community Engagement and (4) Schoolyard Greening.

MAEOE Green Schools and Give to the MAX

MAEOE is participating in Give to the MAX! Find out more http://www.razoo.com/story/Maeoe-Md?referral_code=share Your donations will help grow Green Schools in Maryland.

We are seeking donations to help Children access Environmental Education. A green school involves children over time through hands on investigation and community involvement they can make decisions and take actions that create and maintain an optimal relationship between themselves and the environment. MAEOE Green Centers are a network of support for schools, teachers and young people, who teach and provide Best Management Practical lessons and ideas. Help us to Inspire Maryland's young people to preserve and protect Maryland's resources, particularly those of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. Your donations support young people in gaining experience outdoors that can shape their lives forever. Investigate, explore, preserve, protect, conserve.

MAEOE's New Undergraduate Internship Program

MAEOE released the 2012 Spring Maryland Green Schools Internship Program yesterday after much demand from local undergraduate students.

MAEOE is seeking at least ten interns for the Spring 2012 semester to work throughout Maryland. The goal of this program is to encourage hands on experience, increase awareness of environmental issues and introduce students to Maryland’s diverse environmental programs.
The interns will work directly will schools working towards MAEOE Maryland Green School Certification, a two year process for schools which culminates with an application documenting the school’s activities in the environment as a context for learning, teacher professional development, best management practices and community stewardship. The program is open to all Maryland public and private K-12 schools and the internship is open to all current higher education students. Applicants should have a demonstrated interest in the areas of education, environmental education and/or environmental science. Internships will be during the Spring 2012 semester with orientation and training in early February. Days and times are flexible; MAEOE will work to assist interns to receive course credit with their school if possible. This is a field experience internship and positions vary throughout Maryland, not at the Jessup headquarters office. Details: http://www.maeoe.org/about/employment.php

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.