• Monday, December 11, 2023 11:22 AM | Deleted user


    LEEF Member Spotlight:  Founding Member DaveLaHart

    Important Accomplishments

    I’d like to thank LEEF for their recognition of my work in Environmental Education over the last three decades. I got involved in EE as an undergraduate at Cornell University, the first time I heard the term “Environmental Education.” I spent 2 more years at the University of Florida before moving to Florida State University. I have worked with a lot of programs and a lot of wonderful people and am very proud of all that has been accomplished by the EE community. I worked primarily with secondary teachers and have been rewarded numerous times. Some of those awards include Florida’s Outstanding Science Educator (1989), Florida Marine Science Educator of the year (1999) and received the Golden LEEF Award (2003).

    I earned a New York Regents which started my academic career. After a stint in the Army I attended the wonders of Cornell where I learned under the auspices of enthusiastic and knowledgeable faculty. I learned a lot about people’s perceptions of the environment. From then on I was interested in working with educators to expand their view of the earth.

    While at the University of Florida I was exposed to many new ideas about human and environmental interactions. From U of F I moved to Florida State University as a results of grants and support from the Florida Wildlife Federation and worked with them in the legislature. Legislation we passed directed the DOE to begin an Environmental Education program.

    I helped the Florida Department of Education integrate Youth Conservation Corps, solid waste management, Project Wild and Project Learning Tree with direct assistance provided to school-based EE programs. I was proud of the work done by the Wildlife Federation, the Florida Audubon and the many school districts and programs I helped develop.

    Mentors

    I was fortunate to have many mentors along my career in Environmental Education. I recognize Dr. Richard Fisher in Environmental Education at Cornell. Among the many things Dr. Fisher taught me was how to enjoy the diversity of the outdoors and teach it to others. ISPA, Institute of Science and Public Affairs at FSU, was generous in offering office space and assistants as I throughout my “teaching” career. Jim Phillips was the Educational Contact at IFIS. Jim and I traveled over the state working with school districts, Environmental Centers and Educators. It was an experience which would lead me later to be actively working with Educators in Environmental Centers through the University of Florida. Dick Tillis was with the Director of Department of Education and Director of the Florida Wildlife Federation. Florida Wildlife Federation was instrumental in development of Environmental Education and formation of LEEF.

    Mike Mullins was the Project Director at Nature Coast Environmental Education where he worked with EE centers statewide. Legislative Development of mini-grants were incentives to start school-based EE programs. The Florida Wildlife Federation supported LEEF’s legislative agenda. Florida Audubon helped by donating their publication “The Florida Naturalist” and printed 5,000 copies for schools to use. The articles were springboards for lessons in indoor and outdoor classrooms.

    LEEF met and exceeded the expectations of Legislators, DOE and school districts through involvement with quality Environmental Education programs. Involving teachers and Supervisors in development and implementation brought successful programs.


  • Monday, December 11, 2023 9:08 AM | Deleted user

    Associate Director of Educational Programming - FL Institute of Oceanography 

    Marine Education Specialist - Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Juno Beach

    Policy and Advocacy Associate - Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

  • Wednesday, October 25, 2023 9:58 AM | Deleted user

    The League of Environmental Educators in Florida (LEEF) is sharing results from a landscape analysis conducted this year by the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance (SEEA) using collected survey data from over 600 PreK-12 teachers and administrators in the eight SEEA states. 


    The analysis is designed to gain an enhanced understanding of environmental education providers and schools in the southeastern U.S. that are working towards similar goals. It provides a comprehensive look at what environmental education is (or is not) happening in schools, a better understanding of the needs and priorities of teachers and administrators, strategies for scaling programs for a broader, more equitable reach and state and regional findings to inform future strategic planning efforts. 


    The school survey used to gather data focused on integration of environmental education into the curriculum, professional development needs of administrators and educators, field trips, outdoor learning and outdoor spaces


    Some key findings from the analysis include: 


    • When asked how likely teachers are to integrate outdoor learning into their instruction, 32% already incorporate outdoor learning into instruction; 61% indicated interest, but need support; and only 6% say they are not likely to incorporate outdoor learning. 


    • The top barrier to incorporating outdoor learning in schools is logistics (scheduling, time, distance, staging and clean up). 


    • The primary limiting factors for schools' ability to participate in field trips were transportation costs, time, availability of transportation and site fees.


    • When asked what type of professional development educators have participated in, 21% of educators indicated they have had no professional development in outdoor education or environmental education.


    • A total of 66% of educators are teaching about climate science and of those, 50% are spending less than 10 hours per year on this topic. Most educators do not feel confident teaching this topic.


    A full report and a dashboard with detailed findings from the analysis can also be accessed, which allows users to filter the location of the schools, the type of schools, grade level, the level of reported confidence providing EE and more. 


    “We are so grateful to the teachers, administrators and environmental education providers across Florida for their participation.  These insights reveal not only the current state of environmental education in K-12 schools but also the barriers and next steps we need to take in Florida, and the region, to ensure that every student has access to nature and quality environmental education," said Trina Hofreiter, Operations and Outreach Manager for LEEF.   


    To access detailed findings from the analysis, including the dashboard, visit www.southeastee.org/landscape-schools



  • Friday, September 29, 2023 2:55 PM | Deleted user

    Nature Preserve Supervisor 2 position closes 10/13/23.  More information can be found here.

  • Wednesday, September 27, 2023 2:05 PM | Deleted user

    NAAEE is hiring for several positions! Please share these job announcements with your networks to help us find the right folks to join our team!


  • Wednesday, September 20, 2023 12:13 PM | Deleted user


    We seek an enthusiastic prospective student interested in pursuing a graduate degree in partnership with a multi-campus effort focused on understanding factors that influence environmental education and career aspirations among members of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community.  This assistantship is available through the Department of Natural Resources & the Environment at the University of Connecticut.  Start date is May 2024. 

     

    This research will be part of a larger collaborative project with SUNY Plattsburgh and University of Vermont.  Project team leadership includes Drs. Anita Morzillo (UConn), Laura Cisneros (UConn), Kimberly Coleman (SUNY Plattsburgh), and Leon Walls (UVM), in partnership with the Connecticut and Lake Champlain Sea Grants, UConn Natural Resources Conservation Academy (NRCA; https://nrca.uconn.edu/), Upward Bound, and Connecticut Collegiate Awareness and Preparation Program.

     

    Research for this assistantship will involve understanding factors that motivate or discourage members of the BIPOC community to pursue or not pursue environmental degree programs and careers, and pivotal events, experiences, or other factors that have influenced career choices of BIPOC members of the environmental workforce.  Part of the assistantship funding will be provided by the NRCA Conservation Ambassador Program (https://nrca.uconn.edu/cap/); the selected student will assist Dr. Cisneros in leading this teen environmental education program, which includes a summer environmental science field experience and community environmental action project with high school students, their undergraduate student mentors, and adult community partners.  Although the dissertation is expected to focus mainly on these topics, there is some flexibility for part of the dissertation to expand into a complementary focus, based on specific student interest.  Opportunity to serve as an instructor-of-record or teaching assistant is a possibility, but not guaranteed.

     

    Preferred qualifications include: 1) a background or prior experience in natural resources, environmental science, and interest in environmental science-based education and student mentoring; 2) interest in focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and environmental justice; 3) at least some familiarity with social science methodologies (quantitative, qualitative, or both); and 4) ability to work both independently and as part of a research team.  The student will be expected to present research results at professional conferences, publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific outlets, and pursue extramural funding to supplement their assistantship, as appropriate.  Candidates must have completed a Master’s degree; please indicate on your cover letter if it was thesis-based or not.  Although not required for the position, we appreciate knowing if applicants have proficiency in the Spanish language.

     

    Interested students are asked to send the following materials directly to me (Anita Morzillo; anita.morzillo@uconn.edu) as a single .pdf document: 1) a cover letter describing their professional background, relevant research experience and interests, career goals, and reasons for seeking a Doctoral degree, 2) names and contact information for three references, 3) a current curriculum vitae, and 4) copies of transcripts, and 5) GRE scores (if available).

     

    Unofficial copies of transcripts are sufficient for initial contact.  GRE scores are not required for program admission, but helpful for overall application evaluation.  Potential students must have received a GPA equivalent to a 3.0/4.0 in the last 90 term (or 60 semester) hours of their prior degree programs.  Do not submit materials to the NRE department or UConn Graduate School at this time.

     

    Application review will begin 15 October 2023, and continue until a candidate is selected.  Members of the BIPOC community are encouraged to apply.

     

    Further information about the UConn Department of Natural Resources and the Environment may be found at https://nre.uconn.edu/


  • Tuesday, September 19, 2023 10:36 AM | Deleted user

    WASHINGTON (Sept. 14, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that up to $3.6 million in funding for locally-focused environmental education grants is now available under the 2023 Environmental Education (EE) Local Grant Program. EPA will award grants in each of EPA’s 10 Regions, between $50,000-$100,000 each, for a total of 30-40 grants nationwide. The program includes support for projects that reflect the intersection of environmental issues with climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, preventing future water quality and human health issues, in addition to other environmental topics. 


    “It is more important now than ever that we understand the environmental changes happening around us,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “Investing in environmental education is investing in America’s future, and these grants will ensure that communities have access to quality tools to get involved – and stay involved – at a local level.”


    Funded projects will increase public awareness of those topics and help participants to develop the skills needed to make informed decisions. Each of the 10 EPA Regions published a solicitation notice with their respective regional details. Applicants must apply to the Regional NOFO that corresponds with the location of their proposed project. Through this grant program, EPA intends to provide financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, and/or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques, that will serve to increase environmental literacy and encourage behavior that will benefit the environment in local communities, especially underserved communities. This grant program recognizes underserved communities as high-poverty areas, persistent poverty counties, communities the Council on Environmental Quality’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool identifies as disadvantaged communities, and Title I schools.


    Since 1992, EPA has distributed between $2 and $3.5 million in grant funding per year under this program, supporting more than 3,920 grants and making the grant program one of the most utilized in the agency.


    Visit the new EPA Grants Community Library of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and the EE grant FAQ webpages to learn more about the current competition and the federal grant process. Find out background information on the EE Grants Program and resources for applicants on EPA’s EE Grant Homepage


    Applications are due on November 8, 2023, and the Notice of Funding Opportunities are now posted on www.grants.gov and the EE Grant Solicitation Notice webpage


    The Office of Environmental Education will also host at least one webinar during the open solicitation period on how to write a competitive application and to address commonly asked questions. Once confirmed, webinar registration details will be available on https://www.epa.gov/education/grants#webinar. Stay up to date on all EE grant information, including announcements related to upcoming webinar registration, by subscribing to the EE Grants Listserv
    For further information: EPA Press Office (press@epa.gov)


  • Tuesday, September 12, 2023 9:32 AM | Deleted user

    For a link to current Environmental Education jobs in Florida posted on NAAEE's job board, click here

    eeVAL is hiring!!

    The eeVAL team is hiring a project coordinator! Could this be you?

    Full time, $50-55k/year, flexible hours/remote.

    Hourly/temp to start, with high potential to transfer to salaried position.

    Apply here! bit.ly/eeVAL-PC

    Questions? Contact Kathryn: kathryn_stevenson@ncsu.edu

    We are looking for someone with:

    - Experience/interest in culturally responsive and equitable evaluation & environmental education

    - Excellent project management skills & experience

    - Lived experience serving those underrepresented and marginalized in EE and evaluation.

    We are hoping to hire quickly, but the position will be open until we find the right fit.

    Now accepting applications for 2024

    Pursue your passion with Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens while you earn your master’s online from Miami University through the Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP). Created for working professionals, the AIP is a one-of-a-kind master’s program that immerses students in collaborative inquiry and action as they champion change. Through web-based coursework from Miami and face-to-face experiential learning and field study at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, you will connect with classmates, Miami University faculty, zoo experts, and community leaders locally, nationally, and globally.

    The AIP is designed for students from a range of backgrounds and career stages. With professional and academic mentoring and self-designed Master Plans, students adapt their degree path to fit their interests in fields such as community-engaged conservation, inquiry-driven education, environmental justice, learning across K-12 and informal settings, animal care and welfare, green business innovation, climate change, urban ecology, human-nature relationships, environmental restoration, and public engagement in science.

    Applications are being accepted until February 28 at http://AIP.MiamiOH.edu. Courses begin in May 2024. Applicants may contact the AIP Coordinator at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, Jamie Lankenau, at lankenauj@jacksonvillezoo.org or 904-757-4463 ext. 107.


    Graduate tuition for all programs is greatly reduced because of support from Miami University. NEW for 2024 Applicants: To help make a Miami education more accessible and affordable, the Miami University Graduate School will waive the $50 application fee for those who attend one of the following Information Sessions preceding the fee payment step of the application process: https://miamioh.edu/cas/graduate-studies/project-dragonfly/highlights-and-digital-media/informational-webinars.html 


    --

    Interested in a global classroom? Miami’s Project Dragonfly also offers global field courses, which can build toward the AIP master’s degree. Earth Expeditions graduate courses occur online and at global field sites in 15 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. http://EarthExpeditions.MiamiOH.edu

    Project Dragonfly reaches millions of people each year through inquiry-driven learning media, public exhibits, and graduate programs worldwide. Project Dragonfly is based in the biology department at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Established as a state university in 1809, Miami is one of the eight original Public Ivies and has a distinguished record of excellence in research and teaching in science and science education.


Founded in 1983, the League of Environmental Educators in Florida is the professional association for individuals and organizations dedicated to the cause of environmental education in Florida. We are the state affiliate for North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), an organization that brings together those interested in the study and enjoyment of our natural world and one that has promoted excellence in environmental education throughout North America and the world for over four decades.  

The League of Environmental Educators in Florida is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

© 2021by the League of Environmental Educators in Florida.


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