E3 Washington Showcase News Articles (Newest to Oldest)
-State America's Great Outdoors Report Released
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- Washington Schools Can Now Apply for the US Dept of Education Green Ribbon Schools Award
- WA Teacher Showcased For Innovative Teaching Methods
- Environmental Filmmaker is “Spreading The Word”
- Redefining Environmental Education Practice in Urban Society: New US EPA Funded National EE Training Program Announced
- Washington Environmental Educators making an impact in Russia
- Historic Event-Elwha River Dam Removal
- David Kennedy (1938-2011), A Life of Inspired Educational Leadership
- Washington to Lead Effort to Develop New Science Standards
- Global Educator and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate is Mourned
- Spokane High School Teacher Earns Nations Highest Teaching
- Grant supports expansion of "Salmon in the Classroom" project
- Action Alert: Federal Funding Threatened
- Sign Up Today to Host a Youth Roundtable for Americas Great Outdoors!
50-State America's Great Outdoors Report Released 
The final 50-State America’s Great Outdoors Report was recently released by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, summarizing more than 100 projects that are designed to protect special places and increase access to outdoor spaces. The full report covers all 50 states with each state concentrating on two projects. These projects come as a result of President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) initiative to establish a community-based plan for conservation, recreation and encouraging Americans to get outdoors. The projects for Washington State are the Pacific Northwest Trail-Olympic Discovery Trail Convergence, a project that proposes to extend the current trail to 120 miles which would allow more residents to have access and more recreational opportunities; and the Lower Columbia Water Trail, a project that proposes designating the Lower Columbia Water Trail as a National Water Trail which would draw more tourists and recreationists. The full report includes:
To view the full report, click here. To view a map of the projects announced, click here. For more information on the President’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative, click here.
The Washington State application and guide are now available for the Green Ribbon Schools Award. The Green Ribbon Schools program will recognize schools that make significant changes and demonstrate achievement towards:
Schools are evaluated based on several factors, including their progress towards these concepts, a variety of green benchmarks, and curriculum that ensures all students are environmentally literate and civic minded. For more information visit the WA Green Ribbon Schools page. The deadline to submit an application to OSPI is February 15.
Sixth Grade Science Teacher, Jessica Levine, demonstrates innovative “hands on” learning methods in the short documentary provided by the Teaching Channel to help kids reach that “wow” factor and connect real life application to the science they are learning about. Ms. Levine was contacted by a former parent who was an editor on staff at TRIFILMS, about her classroom work and wanted to discuss how her techniques would fit nicely into TRIFILMS work filming pilots for the Teacher Channel to produce a series of short documentaries on innovative public school teachers and “great lesson ideas.” Levine’s documentary and others will be featured on the Teaching Channel and eventually be packaged into a longer show for PBS. The purpose for these short documentaries is to provide inspiring and educational resources for teachers across the United States. Primary focus is on “Great Lesson Ideas” in math, science and language arts, and support materials such as lesson plans and teaching resources are included in each documentary. Many people have already shown their enthusiasm for the Photovoltaics lesson Ms. Levine provided; here are what some of Levine’s colleagues from various educational organizations have to say: “You are such a great spokesperson for applied science learning! It’s so cool that you always connect the learning targets back to building a sustainable future.” “I’m always amazed at the things you tackle with large classes and young 6th graders. You really are an inspiration to us all! Thanks for providing a model for what is possible” E3 Washington extends congratulations to Ms. Levine for this great opportunity and accomplishment!
Shelly Solomon, a Pacific Northwest biologist, water restoration specialist, storyteller and filmmaker, believes that a well-informed community is better engaged and connected to the world around them. Her filmmaking company, Leaping Frog Films, is dedicated to increasing awareness, understanding, and community involvement and action by telling stories of passionate people working to restore and care for the natural world. Leaping Frog Films believes that these components are a keystone of positive and lasting environmental effort. Ms. Solomon started Leaping Frog Films because she felt that much of the incredible environmental work going on around the globe performed by passionate and dedicated people is going unnoticed by society at large, and wants to change that. Recently, Shelly Solomon received the “Leadership in Sustainability in the Natural World” award from Sustainable Seattle 2010. Currently, Leaping Frog Films is showcasing three of their feature films. The first, Buried in Sawdust for 50 Years, tells the story of the local restoration of a Washington State estuary which was filled sixty feet high with mining waste, and how a local nonprofit led the way in its million-dollar restoration effort. The Almost Lost series focuses on the reintroduction of endangered organisms and the ongoing restoration of their habitat; Almost Lost Part I tells the state-of-the-art story of Pinto Abalone efforts throughout Washington State, and Almost Lost Part II details the careful stewarding of the Olympia Oyster, a local oyster variety that has had a rich and intricate interaction with humans for thousands of years. Leaping Frog Films also provides fundraising support, and is currently developing a project-based Environmental School Curriculum for the history and the sciences, which will center on themes such as conservation, social engagement, and personal environmental action (current job opening for curriculum writer). More on Shelly Solomon and Leaping Frog Films can be found at Leaping Frog’s website, www.leapingfrogfilms.com
Every five years, the EPA's Office of Environmental Education requests proposals to lead its national environmental education education and professional development training program. This year Cornell's Civic Ecology Lab was selected, with funding of around $2 million per year for five years. Traditionally, environmental educators have focused on pristine, natural environments while teaching in schools, nature centers and outdoor education centers. More recently, a new trend is emerging in cities, with community development, environmental restoration and social justice groups also teaching environmental education, largely to minority and urban youth. Cornell's "EECapacity" project seeks to link these types of educators, through workshops, online courses and other means, and to create opportunities to exchange ideas, practices and resources. "Most young people today are going to experience the environment in urban neighborhoods," said Marianne Krasny, professor and chair of the Department of Natural Resources and the project's principal investigator. "In the largest sense, we are trying to redefine environmental education practice within the reality of an urban society." Through a series of workshops, EECapacity will bring educators together from traditional and nontraditional urban backgrounds to exchange ideas and resources, and form social networks. From there the project will see what innovative ideas emerge. "We are not going to dictate practices," said Krasny. "We want to create an exchange of ideas, and expect that the educators will come up with innovative practices and apply them in the world." Additionally, there will be a research component to test the notion that diverse groups of educators, given opportunities to share practices and ideas, will develop innovative environmental education practices.
Three environmental educators, Patrick Mulligan from the University Washington Botanical Garden, Sally Kentch from the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, and Tony Allison who splits his time between both organizations, made big strides in environmental education and sustainability practices in Vladivostok, Russia. Their ten day journey in Vladivostok included giving presentations and day-long seminars, presenting history about environmental education in the United States to a large group of educators and local environmentalists at Vladivostock Botanical Gardens, and also teaching ecosystem lessons to children. Many were eager to learn more, and passion could be seen in the eyes of those attending. Although language was sometimes a barrier, the two cultures shared the same passion for sustainable practices and each culture learned from one another and gained friendships. To read the full account of Sally Kentch’s visit to Russia, please click on the attached document.
History will be made this week as the nation's largest dam removal begins September 17 on the Elwha River. Just as the dams and their hydroelectric power played a vital role in the history and development of the state of Washington's Olympic Peninsula, removing them will create new opportunities for growth and regional vitality. Removing the dams will reestablish the river's natural flow of sediment from the mountains to the coast—rebuilding wetlands, beaches and the estuary at the river's mouth as well as increase salmon populations, swelling from approximately 3,000 to more than 300,000. The returning salmon and restored river will renew the culture of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, and Tribal members will have access to sacred sites now inundated by water, and cultural traditions can be reborn. The return of fish will also benefit bears, eagles and other species that have been deprived of a vital food source for nearly a century. We invite you to learn more about this landmark river restoration project by exploring Celebrate Elwha, a site dedicated to this historic event in conjunction with Olympic Park Institute. Celebrate Elwha! is a multi-day, multi-venue destination event happening this week, centered in Port Angeles and the Elwha River valley. There will be a ceremony marking the beginning of the largest dam removal in U.S. history, a two-day science symposium, educational activities scheduled at locations throughout the watershed, as well as various music acts and art showcased in downtown Port Angeles.
In Memoriam EEAW-E3 Washington extends our condolences to the family and friends of David A. Kennedy, a great environmental science educator and leader in Washington State and beyond for more than 35 years. David began his career in public education, in 1968, as a life and physical science teacher and wrestling coach at Jefferson Middle School in the Olympia WA School District. He then became the Olympia District's science supervisor and director of the outdoor school at Millersylvania State Park. Beginning in 1971, Kennedy and Tony Angell supervised environmental education programs at the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Over the next thirty years, David became Supervisor of Science Education programs, Curriculum Director, Director of Educational Technology, and Director of Science Education Programs serving under four elected Superintendents of Public Instruction. Among his numerous contributions to science education were the instructional curricula Project Learning Tree, Energy and Man's Environment and the design of energy education programs for the National Science Teachers' Association with John Fowler. In addition, David co-authored Project WILD, which is still being used nationwide. And he has assisted in the writing of the U.S. Forest Service program investigating Your Environment. He worked extensively on the development of science content standards at both the state and national levels, and reviewed grant applications for the U.S. Department of Education and for the National Science Foundation. For fifteen years, David was the sole educator on the American Institute of Architects Environmental Education Committee. And he served on the American Association for the Advancement of Science Project 2061 Council on Science and Technology Education. He was President of the National Council of State Science Supervisors, President of the Western Regional Environmental Education Council (WREEC), and on the Boards of Directors of the National Science Teachers Association and the Washington Science Teachers Association. David was born in Seattle in 1938, to Allard and Julia McGinnis Kennedy. He was married to Judith Dow of Hampton, New Hampshire, and they celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary this summer. She survives him as do their three children, Craig, Bret, and Holly, and six grandchildren. He traveled extensively in the United States, Canada, Europe, Russia, Chile, Scandinavia, Britain, Scotland (the home of his Kennedy ancestors), and the Arctic.
Washington to Lead Effort to Develop New Science Standards Twenty states will work together to develop the Next Generation Science Standards Washington has been chosen as one of the lead states to develop the Next Generation Science Standards, which will clearly define the content and skills students will need to learn from kindergarten through 12th grade. The Next Generation Science Standards, or NGSS, is a state-led process where members of 20 lead states will guide the standard writing process, gather and deliver feedback from state-level committees and come together to address common issues and challenges. Achieve, an education reform non-profit organization, is managing the NGSS process. Recently Washington adopted new science learning standards, which the NGSS will build upon and add to the current standards. Randy Dorn, Superintendent of Public Instruction wants to lead the way as he stated,“I wanted our state to be an active partner in this effort and not be on the sidelines, our current science standards are strong, but I believe they will become even better if we are involved with some of the best science minds participating in the development of NGSS." [More …] Full story: http://www.k12.wa.us/Communications/PressReleases2011/ScienceStandards.aspx
Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner died on Sunday. She was a scholar who made a difference for her people as well as the planet. Her primary work was helping create jobs for women and creating a sustainable environment and economy by establishing the Green Belt Movement, which she founded in 1977. Its mission was to plant trees across Kenya to fight erosion and to create firewood for fuel and jobs for women. Dr. Maathai also served in politics and was considered a consultant on environmental issues. Her insight was well respected and helped bridge the gap between environmental, economic, and human health and justice differences. To read an article highlighting her life, please click here If you would like to make a donation in honor of Wangari Maathai and her legacy, please visit the Green Belt Movement.
This exciting new film is now available. Director Camilla Rockwell was inspired by Richard Louv's book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder and decided to make a film on how children adapt to being out in nature. Richard Louv expresses his thoughts about the film, “In poetic words and images, and focused passion, ‘Mother Nature’s Child’ captures the essence of the challenge we face: the generational disconnect from the natural world and the great benefits that will come to our children, and ourselves, by giving the gift of nature.” To read more about the film, please click on the website below. Web Link: http://www.vnews.com/12312010/7481226.htm
Mary Lee McJimsey, physics teacher in North Central High School in Spokane, Washington and Knowles Science Teaching Foundation (KSTF) Teaching Fellowship alumna, has been awarded the prestigious certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). "The National Board certification is the mark of a truly professional teacher, similar to board certification for physicians, architects and other highly-regarded professionals," said Dr. Nicole Gillespie, Associate Director, KSTF Teaching Fellowships. "We commend Mrs. McJimsey for setting the highest standard for her work and will continue to support other KSTF Fellows and alumni as they achieve this mark of distinction and advance high school mathematics and science education." "The certification experience allowed me to challenge myself against the high standards set by the National Board," said Mary Lee McJimsey, who has taught at North Central High School since 2006. "It broadened my perspective on student learning and made me more aware of the contact I make with my students' families." The NBPTS certification process takes the better part of a school year and involves at least 300 hours of work beyond the regular demands of teaching. According to NBPTS, in 2010, 8,600 teachers received National Board certification. The total number of Nationally Board Certified Teachers nationwide is just 91,000, approximately 1.5 percent of the 6.2 million teachers in the United States. Other Links: www.kstf.org www.nbpts.org
A grant from the Yakima Valley Community Foundation will support the expansion of "Salmon in the Classroom" for all schools that serve 5th grade students in the ESD105 region (South-Central Washington). The program has already been part of the curriculum at 24 schools in Bickleton, Ellensburg, Mt. Adams, Selah, Thorp, Union Gap, Wapato, West Valley, Yakima, Zillah, St. Joseph/Marquette, and St. Paul Cathedral School. The salmon tanks and related equipment at those schools were provided from various funding sources obtained through Bob and Lynn Tuck of the Yakima Basin Environmental Education Program. The recent grant from the YVCF will allow for the purchase of 36 additional fish tanks that will bring the program to up to three dozen previously unserved schools in the East Valley, Easton, Grandview, Granger, Mabton, Naches Valley, Royal, Selah, Sunnyside, Toppenish, Wahluke, Wapato, and Yakima school districts. Links to pertinent organizations or resources: http://www.esd105.org/images/stories/Publications/Class_Winter_2010-2011.pdf
The FY 2011 Continuing Resolution passed by Congress last week has significantly cut funding across the federal government, leaving all agencies with tough decisions to be made in the next thirty days about the specific programs that will be cut. Federal agency leadership will be considering what to cut and funding for environmental, climate change and watershed education is on the “chopping block”. Please have your organization sign-on to four important letters by Monday, April 25th in support of continued funding for environmental education to the following agencies: NOAA, EPA, NSF and NASA. To sign on, please email Jenna Peters at PetersJ@nwf.org with the following information by Monday, April 25th: • Your organization’s name • The state where you are based ONLY if you are not a national or regional group (i.e. – operating in more than one state) • Whether or not your organization is signing onto ALL FOUR letters, just one letter, or some combination
Earlier this spring, the White House launched a Youth Roundtable initiative to engage people like you in open conversations about the issues that matter most in your community. You represent the most creative and innovative generation our country has ever seen, and the Obama Administration is committed to learning from, and working with, you to build a strong future for young Americans to come. On February 22, President Obama dropped by a youth roundtable in Cleveland, OH, where he announced that members of his Administration would participate in 100 of these meetings (in person or by phone) by May 31st. We met many of you last summer at America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) listening sessions, where we learned about what the outdoors means to you, and listened to your ideas for how to protect our lands and waters, and make them more relevant to the lives of young people across the country. Many of your ideas are reflected in the AGO Report, which contains key recommendations for connecting youth to the outdoor spaces in their communities and beyond. Hosting a roundtable is a great way for you to provide feedback on the AGO Report and share your thoughts on AGO topics, like: conservation, outdoor jobs and service opportunities, environmental education, outdoor recreation, urban parks and waterways, and working lands. Here’s how it works:
Beginning in June, we will compile all of your submissions and share them online. Then, we will work with our friends at the agencies to follow up with you and invite you to conference calls, webchats, and events on issues that matter to you. So, before summer sets in, keep the AGO conversation going by hosting a roundtable in your community!
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