The Cedar Tree Foundation is excited to announce a new round of grantmaking for “Rooted in Justice” a funding program designed to help amplify youth voices and actions in the environmental and food justice movements by supporting community-based organizations and groups that specifically manage youth-led urban greening programs.  

Rooted in Justice is built on the recognition of the importance and undeniable right of every young person to have the ability to develop their own relationship with the environment, be it through growing food, spending time with nature, creating community green spaces, or becoming environmental stewards. Rooted in Justice also honors the power and possibilities that can arise when young people collectively work to be change-makers in their communities and environments.  

Rooted in Justice will support organizations, groups, collectives, and programs that work with young people between the ages of 12 to 20 in youth-led programming for communities or cultures which have historically and/or presently experience:

• A lack of access to land or nature;

• Agricultural oppression and/or neglect;

• Food apartheid; and/or

• Other forms of injustice based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics and disability.
  

LEEF President Jennifer Diaz is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Jennifer Jones as President elect. 

Dr. Jennifer Jones is an Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and Director of the Center for Environment and Society at Florida Gulf Coast University. Her research and teaching interests focus on the relationships between people and nature, including political ecology, biodiversity conservation, global food sustainability, and environmental governance. She previously served on the faculty of Virginia Tech, Williams College, and the University of Tennessee. Additional experiences include appointments as President & CEO of Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont and as a Program Director for the International Honors Program, part of World Learning, where she managed study abroad programs on five continents. She currently serves on several Commissions for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Jennifer served in the Unites States Army Military Police Corp for five years and has lived, traveled, and worked in more than 30 countries. She loves to travel, kayak, and hike with her dog.

LEEF is fortunate to have another highly qualified and motivated person guiding the organization. Please help us in welcoming Dr. Jones!

Summary:

Under direct supervision, interfaces with visiting citizens at the Nature Center and facilitates environmental education programs for school groups, scout troops, adults, and families.  Specialist assists in related programs including community outreach and special events; and performs related duties as assigned. 

 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Which are not in any hierarchical order)

1. Conducts conservation education and interpretive programs to children, adolescents, youths, adults and families.

2. Assists in the planning of programs and activities.

3. Assists in the preparation and presentation of educational and interpretive activities and programs.

4. Designs and maintain interpretive exhibits and displays.

5. Performs program registration duties, including accepting funds and providing receipts

6. Assists in preparation of brochures and press releases

7. Provides a clean, safe and enjoyable environment for participants

8. Provides some custodial facility maintenance.

9. Maintains required records and prepares reports of attendance and program activities.

10. May attend staff and other meetings as assigned

11. Performs other related duties as assigned.

 

Salary: $15.00 hourly

Qualifications:

High School Diploma or GED is required.  A valid Florida driver’s license is required.  For application purposes, a valid driver’s license from any state (equivalent to a State of Florida Class E) may be utilized; with the ability to obtain the State of Florida driver’s license within thirty (30) days from date of employment.

 

Closing Date: 1/21/2022

More Information and Link: https://www.wpb.org/government/human-resources/job-opportunities

 

Date:  February 10, 2022
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-state-of-estero-bay-challenges-and-solutions-a-panel-discussion-tickets-167745612643
Location: Lovers Key State Park Welcome & Discovery Center Community Room, 8700 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, Florida

Estero Bay is a protected water body yet its quality continues to decline. Why? What can be done? What is being done? Featured speakers include Dr. James Douglass, Associate Professor of Marine Science, Florida Gulf Coast University; Matt Feeney, Assistant City Manager for Bonita Springs; Dr. Michael Parsons, Professor of Marine Science, Water School, Florida Gulf Coast University and Director of Vester Field Station; Nicole Weigold, Bonita Marine Steward, Vester Field Station.

This event is part of “What You See on the Land, Lands In the Sea” - a series of lectures and panel discussions sponsored by Friends of Lovers Key . Each event explores the connections between Florida’s aquatic habitats and land use. Speakers will address the challenges facing our waterways, solutions, and the role citizens can play.

Event hosted by the Friends of Lovers Key

Registration closes January 26, 2022
Course dates: January 31 to March 13, 2022

Registration website: http://www.southeastee.com/jedi101.html

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide a strong foundation in the language, concepts and principles of equity work.  It is meant to be an introductory course and spark interest in further learning around justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

OBJECTIVES: 

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Develop a strong foundation in language, concepts and principles of equity work

• Develop an understanding of why JEDI is integral to the relevancy and health of EE

• Spark interest in further learning/underscore the importance of on-going learning and engagement

• Inspire grassroots change in organizational cultures by getting more and more people engaged in equity work

Date: February 5, 2022
Time: 9am - 1pm
Location: Virtual

The Everglades Literacy Program is designed to inspire a new generation of conservation stewards by investing in community and school culture.

During this virtual training, we will explore the Teacher Toolkit, and share sample lessons and activities that are part of the free, standards-aligned curriculum.

Teachers who attend this training are eligible to receive professional development points from their school districts and free, printed materials to implement the lessons.

If you have not attended a training in the last 3 years and need a refresher, or know teachers who would be interested, please register for the training below.

Register here.

Interested in hosting an Everglades Literacy Teacher Training at your school or district? Click here to request a teacher training. 

Date: March 4-6, 2022

We would like to invite you and your students to be a part of the Food Future Hack, a virtual invention marathon to bring our youth to the table to source innovative solutions to reduce food waste.  Students from Florida, South Carolina and Oregon will be competing for prizes as they create video submissions of ideas and technology to reduce food waste.  Last year’s submissions can be viewed here.

It’s easy to involve your students, be a judge or mentor and/or include the event as part of your course.  Register here. We appreciate you sharing this event ( flyer attached) with your students and network. If you have any questions, please contact@foodfuturehack.com.

Are you a current B-WET grantee or potential B-WET grant applicant? Are you interested in incorporating more climate education into your Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences? The NOAA B-WET program has organized a session to help you do just that!

Session title: Climate Change Education with NOAA B-WET

Date and time: Wednesday, Jan 12th, 3-4:30pm ET

For more information and to register, click here. 

This informational presentation provided by Frank Niepold from the NOAA Climate Program Office will highlight ways to incorporate climate change education into NOAA B-WET projects, provide examples of current and past grantees that have successfully implemented this topic, and share NOAA resources focused on climate change. The MWEE educational framework can directly foster climate knowledge, skills, and competencies to address climate change and create opportunities to contribute to climate solutions in participants' own communities.

Event Landing Page: https://events-na3.adobeconnect.com/content/connect/c1/993991110/en/events/event/shared/default_template/event_landing.html?sco-id=4301010132

Date: February 5, 2022
Time: 9am - 1pm
Location: Austin Cary Forest, Gainesville
Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/project-learning-tree-environmental-education-training-registration-214858967957

Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an award-winning international environmental education program that uses trees as a "window to the world." This training will prepare you to lead activities from the Florida Standards correlated PLT's PreK-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide. Click Here to learn more about Project Learning Tree in Florida. 

 This outside training is for anyone interested in learning how to teach youth about the environment. Community volunteers, scout and camp leaders, undergraduate and graduate students; anyone working with or wanting to work with youth/students are welcome!

• Gain confidence working with youth.
• Discover how to teach youth about environmental issues with a balanced approach.
• Become a certified Project Learning Tree Educator building your resume with new abilities and skills.
• Receive a copy of the PLT PreK-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide containing 96 hands on activities.
• Meet other nonformal and formal educators, share ideas and network.
• Have Fun!  

Saturday, February 5, 2022, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Only $10.00! Thanks to UF School of Forest, Fisheries and Geomatics Sciences

A continental breakfast is included but feel free to bring your own snacks and beverages. Bring a reusable water bottle. Dress for outdoors , and please wear close-toe shoes.

Austin Cary Forest, 10625 NE Waldo Rd, Gainesville FL 32609

It is a 10 minute drive from the entrance of Austin Cary to the Learning Center, please plan your time accordingly.

Have questions about this training or other PLT trainings? Contact Elise Cassie, FL PLT Assistant Coordinator at ecassie@ufl.edu.

The Marine Discovery Center (MDC) is a 501c-3 environmental non-profit organization with a mission of protecting and restoring Florida’s coastal and Indian River Lagoon ecosystems through education, research, and community stewardship. The Education Coordinator will play an active role in shaping the development, implementation, and growth of field trips, community programs, and camp programs at MDC.

 

As a key member of the education team, the Education Coordinator works with the education team to deliver hands-on, feet-wet field trips for K-16 students and adventure camps for children 4-15 years old. The Education Coordinator also assists the Director of Programs with planning and implementing other education and conservation programs/events.  For more information about this position and how to apply click here - https://www.marinediscoverycenter.org/mdc-jobs-and-internships/