Do you want to make interactive 360 virtual tours for your natural area or educational center?

If so, join Dustin Angell (Archbold Biological Station) and Sara Kassis (Sonama State University) for a free 90-minute workshop and create a tour alongside them. The 360 images and other materials are provided, but participants will need to make a Thinglink account. Thinglink offers free accounts to preview their platform. Sara and Dustin are not associated with the company; they just want to share this creative educational tool with you.

October 12, 2022, 2PM-3:30PM EST

Register online HERE

On Oct. 11, registrants will be emailed the Zoom link and course materials.

Fall Semester 2022 Environmental Education Assistance and Training, Polk County Parks and Natural Resources, at Circle B Bar Reserve and Polk’s Nature Discovery Center

The scope of this work is an instructional contract. Polk’s Nature Discovery Center is looking for an environmental educator that will be conducting environmental education field visits for 3rd-5th grades at Circle B Bar Reserve and Polk’s Nature Discovery Center, during the months of August 2022 – December 2022. Polk County Environmental Lands Program implements educational programs in partnership with Southwest Florida Water Management District. The educational programs will serve a variety of audiences and ages within Polk County. These programs will engage the community in investigating the value of Polk County’s natural resources. Programs for school age children will introduce and review concepts that are a part of the curriculum in the classrooms. The primary purpose of these programs will be to connect complex concepts to meaningful real-life experiences and to help people understand their impact and connection with the environment. This scope will provide the following instructional assistance:

• Implement environmental education programs with a variety of groups including but not limited to school groups, after school programs, families, and community groups. 
• Prepare for educational programs, which may include but not limited to making copies of materials, setting up rooms, setting up stations, cleaning and disinfecting supplies, assisting with the creation of virtual content, and anything else needed to prepare for groups. 
• Maintain organization of materials and supplies 
• Assist with communication with the teachers, parents, and other adults leading the children’s groups. 
• Conduct Pre and Post Test evaluations of each group. 
• Represent the County and District with providing sound science information on water resource and natural resources of Polk County. 
• Assist with staff and/or teacher training workshops as needed during this time frame.

Provide instructional assistance minimum of 4 days not exceeding 5 days per week, within the fall semester programming period which starting as soon as possible and ends December 23, 2022. A new contract period would be January 2023 – May 2023.

Typical Hours for Instructional Assistance: 8:30 am – 2:30 pm, 6 hours per day (may be flexible for the right candidates) 

For more information contact Eric Eversole 863-668-4673 or email nreducator@polkcounty.net

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sept. 15, 2022                 

For more information, contact: Trina Hofreiter, Operations and Outreach Manager, League of Environmental Educators in Florida

(407) 676-4137              

The League of Environmental Educators in Florida, in partnership with the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance, announces the launch of Phase 2 of its landscape analysis of environmental education efforts in eight southeastern states. This phase follows the successful Phase 1 project, which focused on environmental education (EE) in nonformal settings. Data from Phase 1 allowed SEEA to identify gaps and barriers to access that prevent successful implementation of EE in the region and determine next steps for increasing environmental literacy efforts in the southeast. Collected from more than 650 programs in eight states, the data also allowed the network to equip organizations conducting environmental and conservation-related work in the region with the resources they need to allocate their own resources more effectively and to ultimately serve as a guide for future strategic planning efforts at the local, state, and regional level.

The baseline data we gathered in Phase 1 has the potential to do even more than it already has, and that is one reason why the next step, Phase 2, is essential. In Phase 2, SEEA will gather data from PreK-12 schools in the eight SEEA states, enabling the network to get the full picture of EE happening in schools throughout the region. Then, in late 2022 and early 2023 SEEA will compare this data with that collected in Phase 1. The two datasets together will offer the most complete picture ever collected of current EE offerings in the region and what gaps and barriers exist in both formal and nonformal settings for students of all ages and in all areas. Comparing the data from nonformal and formal EE providers will allow SEEA affiliates and their states to further the goal of advancing EE in the region and building collective impact that has a lasting effect on the southeast.

Following the success of Phase 1, SEEA is now distributing a robust survey to PreK-12 schools around the southeast. The primary target audience for the Phase 2 survey is school and district administrators and formal educators, at all grade levels, who work in the PreK-12 setting. The survey is the result of several collaborative sessions with EE leaders from the participating states and across the nation, and an in-depth analysis of the findings from Phase 1. Questions relate to organizational operations, audiences served, programming themes, and services to better understand environmental education and engagement in the southeast. 

Following the survey period, SEEA members will create communications tools custom tailored to the needs of teachers and administrators in the southeast. SEEA will then distribute the findings to survey participants, school administrators, community leaders, classroom teachers, nonformal education providers, and other potential stakeholders through various communications tools such as a shared narrative, website, presentations, infographics, and reports.  

SEEA would like to invite classroom teachers and PreK-12 school administrators to participate in this project by filling out the survey by October 5, 2022. You can learn more about the project and access the survey at southeastee.com/landscapeanalysis. 

The Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance is a partnership of the following organizations:

• Environmental Education Association of Alabama (EEAA)

• League of Environmental Educators in Florida (LEEF)

• Environmental Education Alliance (EEA) of Georgia

• Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE)

• Mississippi Environmental Education Alliance (MEEA)

• Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC)

• Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC)

• Tennessee Environmental Education Association (TEEA)

About the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance (SEEA)
SEEA is the result of a formal agreement between the southeastern states’ NAAEE affiliate organizations for advancing long-term objectives that further the common interests of the member states. The eight southeastern states’ NAAEE affiliate organizations are the SEEA affiliate members. 

"Don't Waste It" classroom instruction for local teachers was conducted during two sessions this summer by Environmental Programs Coordinator Megan Selva [LEEF trainer]. Said one teacher in her review: "I enjoyed it and can't wait to get back to the classroom for the activities."

Read the full article from Conservation News, A City of Melbourne Publication. Summer 2022.

LEEF is seeking an enthusiastic and creative person with a passion for our mission and a desire to help us grow as an organization. The Operations and Outreach Manager will oversee the day-to-day operations of the organization, including management of a remote office, human resources, finances, and grants, including analysis and improvement of organizational processes to improve quality, productivity, and efficiency.

See full job description here

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