Free Wilderness Expeditions Available
Overview: Outward Bound, a 45-year old national non-profit outdoor, adventure-education organization, is looking for OEF and OIF Veterans and service members, interested in participating in fully-funded reintegration wilderness expeditions. Adventures are physically, mentally and emotionally challenging and seek to bolster the self-confidence, camaraderie, pride, trust and communication skills necessary to successfully return to families and communities following war-time service.
Who: Available to all OEF or OIF Veterans who were deployed to Iraq and/or Afghanistan, pending medical screening
What: A 5-day Wilderness Expedition: may include backpacking, rock climbing, and/or canoeing
When: Dates available from April 2010
Where: Appalachian Trail in Western Maryland and Southern Pa. & the Potomac River in Western Maryland
How: What sets Outward Bound apart is that the goal is personal growth. The wilderness and the skills learned to deal with challenge are simply a vehicle for growth.
Cost: FREE. All course costs are covered by existing funding sources. Funding provided by various sources, including the Military Family Outdoor Initiative Project, a joint project of the Sierra Club and The Sierra Club Foundation.
To enroll: Please call John C. Enny, Community Liaison; Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound Center; (410)-448-1721 ext 1103 or email: jenny@outwardbound.org
Website: http://www.outwardbound.org/veterans
Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Outward Bound offers WFR class
The Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound Center is proud to announce the following dates for Wilderness First Responder training: February 16, 2010 - February 23, 2010 AND February 25, 2010 through March 4, 2010 for first certification AND WFR Open Recertification: March 6-March 8, 2010 for a 3 day recertification course.
Wilderness First Responder: 2/16-2/23/2010 and 2/25 - 3/4/2010. Cost: $750
Wilderness First Responder has become the gold-standard in medical training for outdoor educators, guides, and other backcountry professionals. The curriculum is comprehensive but practical, including all of the essential principles and skills required to assess and manage medical problems in remote and extreme environments. Wilderness First Responder is the best basic medical training for people who like to work or play off the beaten path. The curriculum makes liberal use of practical hands-on sessions as well as classroom lecture and discussion. You should expect realistic scenarios using stage blood and simulated wounds to properly prepare you for backcountry emergencies. Sessions may be video-taped to enhance learning.
WFR Open Recertification: March 6-March 8, 2010. Cost: $400
This three day (24 hour) course is a recertification course open to graduates of ALL wilderness medical training courses of 64 hours or longer with a current certification. Upon successful completion of this course you will receive Wilderness Medical Associates WFR, Anaphylaxis and BLS-level CPR certifications. WMA WEMT graduates with a current EMT-B or Paramedic certificate may also recertify the wilderness portion of their WEMT.
Location:
Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound Center, 1900 Eagle Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21207
Read more or contact Walter Lenckos at 410-448-1721 or 866-669-2362 ext. 1111 or wlenckos@outwardbound.org for more information. Room and Board are available. Transportation to and from both Penn Station in Baltimore and BWI-Thurgood Marshall Airport can be arranged.
Wilderness First Responder: 2/16-2/23/2010 and 2/25 - 3/4/2010. Cost: $750
Wilderness First Responder has become the gold-standard in medical training for outdoor educators, guides, and other backcountry professionals. The curriculum is comprehensive but practical, including all of the essential principles and skills required to assess and manage medical problems in remote and extreme environments. Wilderness First Responder is the best basic medical training for people who like to work or play off the beaten path. The curriculum makes liberal use of practical hands-on sessions as well as classroom lecture and discussion. You should expect realistic scenarios using stage blood and simulated wounds to properly prepare you for backcountry emergencies. Sessions may be video-taped to enhance learning.
WFR Open Recertification: March 6-March 8, 2010. Cost: $400
This three day (24 hour) course is a recertification course open to graduates of ALL wilderness medical training courses of 64 hours or longer with a current certification. Upon successful completion of this course you will receive Wilderness Medical Associates WFR, Anaphylaxis and BLS-level CPR certifications. WMA WEMT graduates with a current EMT-B or Paramedic certificate may also recertify the wilderness portion of their WEMT.
Location:
Baltimore Chesapeake Bay Outward Bound Center, 1900 Eagle Drive, Baltimore, MD, 21207
Read more or contact Walter Lenckos at 410-448-1721 or 866-669-2362 ext. 1111 or wlenckos@outwardbound.org for more information. Room and Board are available. Transportation to and from both Penn Station in Baltimore and BWI-Thurgood Marshall Airport can be arranged.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
2 New Board Members!!!
Their nicknames are Extreme West and Extreme East because they work at the extreme ends of this state. Cat Stylinski comes to MAEOE from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Appalachian Lap in Frostburg; Carrie Samis from the Maryland Coastal Bays Program in Ocean City. “Because MAEOE represents and serves environmental educators throughout the entire state, the addition of Stylinski and Samis to the Board of Trustees will help the organization better reach out to professionals working on the edges of the state,” explained MAEOE Executive Director, Bronwyn Mitchell.
Each individual brings to MAEOE a unique set of talents and experience. As tenured faculty member, Dr. Stylinski has spent the last seven years designing, implementing and evaluating formal and informal environmental/science education programs and products which help middle and high school teachers and youth pursue local watershed investigations using geospatial technology. Dr. Stylinski researches the integration of innovative technology applications into formal and informal education, the relationship between children and nature, and news media impacts on public understanding of and attitudes about science.
Samis brings 16 years of experience as a conservation education professional with expertise in teacher professional development, minority outreach, and gifted and talented education with the goal of providing opportunities for teachers and students to explore local habitats, understand the complexities of local environmental issues, develop critical thinking skills, and foster sense of place, all in an effort to nurture a new generation of environmental stewards. Carrie Samis does not just believe in partnerships, she builds them, most notably as a leader in the organizing of the Delmarva Environmental Educators Network.
Elena Takaki, Board President, emphasizes that “the MAEOE Board feels confident that the organization’s future is bright with Carrie and Cat on board, and is excited to tap into their extensive knowledge and expertise.” Geography does present some challenges. Mitchell notes that MAEOE is committed to taking advantage of technology which will allow “Extreme West Cat” and “Extreme East Carrie” to actively participate in setting and overseeing the implementation of a creative vision for environmental education in the state without driving six hours to attend a two-hour meeting.. “After all,” she comments, “MAEOE believes in environmental leadership by action and example.”
Each individual brings to MAEOE a unique set of talents and experience. As tenured faculty member, Dr. Stylinski has spent the last seven years designing, implementing and evaluating formal and informal environmental/science education programs and products which help middle and high school teachers and youth pursue local watershed investigations using geospatial technology. Dr. Stylinski researches the integration of innovative technology applications into formal and informal education, the relationship between children and nature, and news media impacts on public understanding of and attitudes about science.
Samis brings 16 years of experience as a conservation education professional with expertise in teacher professional development, minority outreach, and gifted and talented education with the goal of providing opportunities for teachers and students to explore local habitats, understand the complexities of local environmental issues, develop critical thinking skills, and foster sense of place, all in an effort to nurture a new generation of environmental stewards. Carrie Samis does not just believe in partnerships, she builds them, most notably as a leader in the organizing of the Delmarva Environmental Educators Network.
Elena Takaki, Board President, emphasizes that “the MAEOE Board feels confident that the organization’s future is bright with Carrie and Cat on board, and is excited to tap into their extensive knowledge and expertise.” Geography does present some challenges. Mitchell notes that MAEOE is committed to taking advantage of technology which will allow “Extreme West Cat” and “Extreme East Carrie” to actively participate in setting and overseeing the implementation of a creative vision for environmental education in the state without driving six hours to attend a two-hour meeting.. “After all,” she comments, “MAEOE believes in environmental leadership by action and example.”
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Conference - Early Bird Rates Extended
Due to the convergence of weather and holidays, MAEOE understands that registering for the conference may have fallen to second or even third in your list of priorities. MAEOE also appreciates the financial constraints under which the environmental education community is currently operating. The conference committee met last night and decided to extend Early Bird Registration Rates till January 11, 2010.
WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND THE 2010 CONFERENCE
- Stellar slate of workshops and sessions taught by academic titans designed to build knowledge
- Entomology
- Soil Science
- Benthic Macroinvertebrates
- Fish ID
- Amphibian ID
- Living with Black Bears
- Acid Mine Drainage
- Grant Writing
- Survey Development
- Creative and Effective Programs, Tools, and Resources to Apply Knowledge
- Birding for the Blind
- Make your own BioFuels
- Teaching climate change
- Design a schoolyard habitat
- Envirothon
- Underwater Robots
- Premier Plenaries
- Tony Geraci Revolutionizing School Lunch Programs
- Alliance for Climate Education
- Special Guests
- Opportunity to network with over 270 organizations, schools, agencies, and businesses working in the Environmental and Outdoor Education Field
- Stay on the cutting edge of Legislation at the National, Regional, and Local Levels
- Celebrate and Strengthen the Profession
In addition, MAEOE has given you more choices. With limited budgets, you can send staff to individual workshops or field experiences without having to attend the entire conference. Simply select the Non-Standard Registration option. Please help MAEOE by distributing this notice and encouraging colleagues and educators to attend. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact MAEOE at director@maeoe.org.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
"Green Colleges": An Online Directory
Students looking to apply to college this year have a new online tool to help them in their search. A free directory of environmental information at nearly 2,000 U.S. colleges and universities is now available at www.ourearth.org. The directory, which is the first of its kind, provides listings of environmental degree programs as well as environmental opportunities and organizations at campuses around the country.
“This is a unique resource that enables students who have an interest in protecting the environment to discover environmental degrees and programs that they might not even know existed,” says Our Earth founder, John Ullman, who is pursuing concurrent masters degrees at Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment and Fuqua School of Business. “Equally as powerful, it enables students to view videos, share ideas, and learn about successful initiatives at other colleges which they can then bring to their own campuses.”
The directory was created by student volunteers at 40 campuses nationwide, including undergraduate and graduate students at Duke. It offers extensive information on undergraduate, masters and PhD degree programs at nearly 2,000 colleges and universities. Fields of study span a wide range of environmental disciplines. The directory also includes links to campus carbon inventories and recycling opportunities, environmentally focused student clubs and organizations, and environmental opportunities in the local community.
Bill Chameides, dean of the Nicholas School, says, "Our Earth has provided a valuable resource. There has been such an explosion of environmental programs recently that it’s become almost impossible to keep up. As a faculty member needing to advise students on opportunities around the country, I'll be visiting Our Earth’s Web site on a regular basis."
OurEarth.org is a nonprofit organization, Web site and grassroots initiative founded in 2006 by Ullman and classmates of his when he was an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins University. “Our goal is to transform the way the public finds environmental information,” he says. “The new directory is the first of a series of innovative environmental tools we’re developing.”
The way in which the directory was created is as novel as the directory itself, he adds. “Our Earth’s coalition of student volunteers, its strong academic roots and extensive connections in the environmental community are key to its success. College students and university faculty members are always involved in its projects, and its efforts are supported by dozens of other environmental leaders from around the country.”
Delmarva BioBlitz Award Winners Announced
Delmarva BioBlitz Award Winners Announced at Tally Rally Delmarva Low-Impact Tourism Experiences (DLITE) announced the winners of the Second Annual Delmarva BioBlitz at the BioBlitz Tally Rally on November 19. The event was hosted at the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center in Eden, Maryland.
The Delmarva BioBlitz connected kids and families to nature through fun, semi-competitive nature exploration, while raising funds for non-profit organizations working on the Delmarva Peninsula. The BioBlitz helped adult and youth teams of up to 10 citizen-scientists conduct inventories of plants and animals in their local parks, watersheds, and throughout the region during the week of October 10 - 19, 2009. All proceeds were shared 50/50 between DLITE and the designated partner charitable organizations.
Thanks to event sponsors, the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center and Jolly Roger Amusement Park, four prizes of $500 each were awarded to local non-profit organizations. Prizes were awarded to the youth team that inventoried the most total species, and one to the youth team that raised the most money. Prizes were also awarded to adult teams in each category.
The adult team award for most species inventoried went to the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. The Coastal Bays team counted 403 species during an eight-hour block on October 18. The team averaged one species every 71 seconds. The adult team award for most funds raised also went to the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. The Coastal Bays team raised $2,114.15 by soliciting pledges for species inventoried. The team raised $5.25 for every species inventoried.
“The Delmarva BioBlitz is a great fund raising event for us,” said Dave Wilson, Jr., Executive Director of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. “Not only do we receive contributions that benefit our own programs, we also get a chance to showcase the incredible diversity of wildlife that lives in the land and water of our coastal bays.”
The youth team award for most species inventoried went to the Coast Kids, a program of the Assateague Coastal Trust. The Coast Kids team counted 274 species during a four-hour block on October 10. The team averaged one species every 52 seconds. The youth team award for most funds raised also went to the Coast Kids. The Coast Kids team raised $1,221.00 by soliciting pledges for species inventoried. The team raised $4.46 for every species inventoried.
"The BioBlitz is such a great opportunity for children to learn about biodiversity in a fun and semi-competitive way,” said Verena Chase, Coast Kids Program Director. “I am so proud of our Coast Kids BioBlitz team members. Some of the kids are talented naturalists already. For instance, they know a lot more about bugs and snakes than most adults do. The children were very focused searching the beach, marsh, meadow, forest, and garden habitats for species. Some animals, such as white-tailed deer and red fox, were identified by their tracks, some birds by their call, and the kids even dug up a termite nest. The Delmarva BioBlitz is undoubtedly the most fun fund raiser."
The Delmarva BioBlitz was sponsored by the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center and Jolly Roger Amusement Park. The Delmarva BioBlitz is supported by the Delmarva Environmental Educators Network (DEEN) and the No Child Left Inside Coalition.
For more information, please contact Jim Rapp at dlitedirector@comcast.net or 443-614-0261.
The Delmarva BioBlitz connected kids and families to nature through fun, semi-competitive nature exploration, while raising funds for non-profit organizations working on the Delmarva Peninsula. The BioBlitz helped adult and youth teams of up to 10 citizen-scientists conduct inventories of plants and animals in their local parks, watersheds, and throughout the region during the week of October 10 - 19, 2009. All proceeds were shared 50/50 between DLITE and the designated partner charitable organizations.
Thanks to event sponsors, the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center and Jolly Roger Amusement Park, four prizes of $500 each were awarded to local non-profit organizations. Prizes were awarded to the youth team that inventoried the most total species, and one to the youth team that raised the most money. Prizes were also awarded to adult teams in each category.
The adult team award for most species inventoried went to the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. The Coastal Bays team counted 403 species during an eight-hour block on October 18. The team averaged one species every 71 seconds. The adult team award for most funds raised also went to the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. The Coastal Bays team raised $2,114.15 by soliciting pledges for species inventoried. The team raised $5.25 for every species inventoried.
“The Delmarva BioBlitz is a great fund raising event for us,” said Dave Wilson, Jr., Executive Director of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. “Not only do we receive contributions that benefit our own programs, we also get a chance to showcase the incredible diversity of wildlife that lives in the land and water of our coastal bays.”
The youth team award for most species inventoried went to the Coast Kids, a program of the Assateague Coastal Trust. The Coast Kids team counted 274 species during a four-hour block on October 10. The team averaged one species every 52 seconds. The youth team award for most funds raised also went to the Coast Kids. The Coast Kids team raised $1,221.00 by soliciting pledges for species inventoried. The team raised $4.46 for every species inventoried.
"The BioBlitz is such a great opportunity for children to learn about biodiversity in a fun and semi-competitive way,” said Verena Chase, Coast Kids Program Director. “I am so proud of our Coast Kids BioBlitz team members. Some of the kids are talented naturalists already. For instance, they know a lot more about bugs and snakes than most adults do. The children were very focused searching the beach, marsh, meadow, forest, and garden habitats for species. Some animals, such as white-tailed deer and red fox, were identified by their tracks, some birds by their call, and the kids even dug up a termite nest. The Delmarva BioBlitz is undoubtedly the most fun fund raiser."
The Delmarva BioBlitz was sponsored by the Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center and Jolly Roger Amusement Park. The Delmarva BioBlitz is supported by the Delmarva Environmental Educators Network (DEEN) and the No Child Left Inside Coalition.
For more information, please contact Jim Rapp at dlitedirector@comcast.net or 443-614-0261.
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