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Kathy Sholl, Editor


Do you sometimes feel like you don't know which direction to go?  Let VOICES help put you on the right path.

VOICES is filled with resources submitted by your colleagues. Resources like the Flat Fish Program in Region 5, found under Connecting People with Nature, can give you ideas for your own special project. 

Looking for something new and different?  Find the details about the Young Birder Contest under Grants, Awards and Contests.  This is a terrific way to get young people, ages 10-18, outside and interested in birds. 

When you find which direction to take, submit your idea to [email protected] and share the path you took with your colleagues.

Wishing you a blast on the Fourth of July holiday -- wherever you are -- outdoors!

Stay cool,
Kathy Sholl

InIn this Issue

Youth in the Great OutdoorsYouth

Aquatic Resources - Collegiate Student Scholarship
Michigan Department of Natural Resources is hosting the 2014 Aquatic Resources Education Association (AREA) Conference in Traverse City, MI. The purpose of the Student Scholarship Program is to encourage full-time college students with a strong interest in aquatic resources education to attend the Aquatic Resources Education Association's Biennial conferences. Previous student scholarships have been awarded to students who went on to get jobs in Aquatic Resource Education. This is a great conference to meet future employers. The 2014 conference will be held October 26-30, 2014, at the Park Place Hotel in Taverse City, Michigan.  Scholarship application deadline is Friday,  August 30, 2014
Student Application: https://sites.google.com/a/tipiper.com/kidfish-allfish-wefish/schedule-of-fishing-clinic-events
Conference Info:  www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-10369_46264_67816---,00.html

Leopold Foundation Offers New Educational Resources
Aldo Leopold's writing is the focus of two activities recently published in the new Resource  Education Curriculum (REC), written for the Yellowstone Youth Conservation Corps. The REC consists of 17 one-hour lessons developed to enhance the experience of 8th-12th grade students in outdoor settings. The curriculum is divided into five themes: leadership, cultural heritage, ecological relationships, stewardship, and sustainability. Under the theme stewardship, two lessons (Thinking Like a Mountain and Connecting to the Land) engage youth with Leopold's writing to spark discussion and reflection of our need to respect the natural balance of nature.
Mountain:
http://repository.uwyo.edu/ycc_rec/15/
Land:
http://repository.uwyo.edu/ycc_rec/16/

Young People to Work on Public Lands
As part of the Department of the Interior's ambitious youth initiative to inspire millions of young adults and veterans to play, learn, serve, and work in the great outdoors and the President's 21st Century Conservation Service Corps initiative, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell announced $6.7 million in grants to support conservation employment and mentoring opportunities at 43 projects on public lands across the country - a 60 percent  increase over last year's funding.
Connecting People with NatureConnecting

Bulls Bay Nature Festival - Celebrating Nature from the Forest to the Sea

In Region 4, the second annual Bulls Bay Nature Festival in Awendaw, SC,  brought families and individuals outside to celebrate nature and community! Sixteen partners - federal and state agencies, town municipalities, conservation organizations and outfitters, local businesses and schools - joined forces to host activities at Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, Francis Marion National Fisheries, Hampton Plantation State Park, Camp Sewee Marine Science Center, Bishop Jerden Conference Center, and the Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center. Local school students in grades 3-12 showcased their talents in a wildlife art exposition and competition while local musicians entertained throughout the day.  Plan your own community celebration and draw the crowds. 

www.fws.gov/caperomain 


Flat Fish Program
& World Fish Migration Day
As part of World Fish Migration Day, two field offices in Region 5 are modelling the Flat Stanley effort and doing a Flat Fish Program, where people take photos of themselves with a paper cut-out fish in various locations. The photos are featured on a photo gallery. There are also a number of educational materials that teachers or students can download. The goal of Flat Fish Migration is to track the migration of the species of paper Flat Fish to fishing sites, project locations, restoration sites, migration sites, other special places all over the species' ranges. An online map with location markers with links to photographs of the Flat Fish has been developed.  You can participate in the Flat Fish Migration: take a short video of your colleagues, families, friends....and the flat fishes in front of an office sign, next to a river, stream, removed dam, open arch road stream crossing...or iconic landmark in your town, so that we can identify that the fish is "on the move."
Migration Day: http://atlanticsalmonrestoration.org/projects/world-fish-migration-day
 

Kid's Fishing Rodeo

A kids fishing rodeo is one way to connect people with nature.  At Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, staff hosted the second annual Kid's Fishing Rodeo. Over 300 children participated in fishing, BB air gun shoot, and bow shooting. Children were provided poles and bait to fish in the one-acre stocked pond. Partnering with local businesses and volunteers, the Refuge provided opportunities for over 500 individuals to enjoy the day outside. Can you round up a fish rodeo at your field station?  

www.facebook.com/TRComplex?ref_type=bookmark  

 

July is Park and Recreation Month

This year's theme is OUT is IN.  Let's get people to go outside, change their outlook, and get involved in the community. 

http://www.nrpa.org/Content.aspx?id=858

FWS Professional DevelopmentFWS

For all courses, register in  DOI Learn www.doi.gov/doilearn/index.cfm

  

Building Urban and Community Wildlife Habitats with Youth OUT8064

Date: July 15, 2014 - Webinar, 2-3:30 p.m. ET, Adobe Connect

August 5-7, 2014 - In-person, Atlanta, GA

September 23, 2014 - Webinar, 2-3:30 p.m. ET, Adobe Connect

Location: Atlanta, GA, and online

Description: This course empowers conservation professionals to assess, develop, and work with local youth service corps to engage 14-25 year olds in job training, conservation skills, and leadership opportunities through community wildlife habitat enhancement, restoration, or monitoring projects.

Registration Deadline: Call for availability.   

Note: Participants must attend all 3 sessions to complete the course. 
Contact:
[email protected] or 304-876-7494   


Creating a Schoolyard Habitat/Outdoor Classroom OUT8164

Date: August 19, 2014 - Webinar 2-3:30 p.m. ET, Adobe Connect
September 8-11, 2014 - In-person, Greenwich Audubon Center, Greenwich, CT
October 28, 2014 - Webinar, 2-3:30 p.m. ET, Adobe Connect
Participants must attend all 3 sessions to complete the course.  
A Schoolyard Habitat/Outdoor Classroom (SH/OC) Program is a coordinated effort between schools, FWS offices, and other conservation and community organizations to establish ecologically sound restoration projects that are sustainable outdoor learning areas on school sites. This course develops SH/OC technical consultants that can assist schools at the local level in areas such as project design, plant selection, construction, maintenance, and curriculum connections. This course supports the Service's Connecting People with Nature, Urban Wildlife Refuge, and Youth initiatives.
Registration Deadline: July 15, 2014
After deadline, call for availability.
Contact: [email protected], 304-876-7685

   

Connecting People with Nature through Birds OUT8163 
Date:  September 9-12, 2014
Location:  Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, Homer, Alaska
Birds make a perfect means for connecting people to nature. Birds are awake and active 
when we are; they are relatively easy to spot and hear; and, birds are in every backyard. 
Moreover, research has shown that the ability to identify birds heightens awareness and 
creates a sense of stewardship among youth and adults. In this course, explore activities 
that engage people in bird watching. Specifically, participants will learn to teach others 
basic bird identification, and explore a variety of programs that connect people to nature 
including citizen science and mist netting birds.
Registration Deadline: July 31, 2014
After deadline, call for availability.

Contact: [email protected], 304-876-7685 

 

Volunteer Recruitment and Management CLM8114

Date: August 5-September 9, 2014

Location: Online

Learn how volunteer programs play a role in meeting the management objectives of the Service. Benefits of and sensitive issues in working with volunteers will be discussed, as well as examples of resident, and nonresident volunteer programs throughout the Service. This five week class will meet online for nine, 2-hour sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays with one final session during the fifth week.

Registration Deadline: July 18, 2014

After deadline, call for availability. 

Contact:[email protected], 304-876 7486

 

Writing with Clarity CLM8201

Date: August 5-September 23, 2014 (Webinars held Tuesdays, 2:00 pm Eastern)

Location: Online

Write authentically, in a voice that is genuinely you, and that will resonate with your audience! This 8-week online class meets once a week for 90-minutes, focusing on one aspect of the writing process and progressing through the six stages of the Writing Cycle. Lessons will be reinforced with weekly exercises completed in a collaborative forum where students can comment on each other's work and receive feedback from the instructor and others.

Registration Deadline: July 18, 2014

After deadline, call for availability. 

Contact: [email protected], 304-876 7345

   

Writing with Clarity CLM8201

Date: August 7-September 25, 2014 (Webinars held Thursdays, 2:00 pm Eastern)

Location: Online

Write authentically, in a voice that is genuinely you, and that will resonate with your audience. This 8-week online class meets once a week for 90-minutes, focusing on one aspect of the writing process and progressing through the six stages of the Writing Cycle. Lessons will be reinforced with weekly exercises completed in a collaborative forum where students can comment on each other's work and receive feedback from the instructor and others.

Registration Deadline: July 18, 2014

After deadline, call for availability.
Contact: [email protected], 304-876-7345

   

National FWS Communications, Outreach and Visitor Services Training Workshop -
Telling Stories, Making Connections CLM8252

Date: September 3-5, 2014 

Location: National Conservation Training Center

This training introduces innovative communications, outreach and visitor services tools, including storytelling, to participants to build and maintain relationships with key audiences. Using a concurrent-session format, students will focus their learning on their specific training needs. Several sessions will be offered as distance learning opportunities for those unable to attend.

Registration Deadline:  July 11, 2014
After deadline, call for availability. 

Contact: [email protected] or 304-876-7486

 

Introduction to Visitor Services CLM8140

Date: October 6-10, 2014

Location: Prime Hook NWR, Milton, DE

This course will familiarize participants with visitor services within FWS. Upon completion, you will be able to demonstrate a working knowledge of the Visitor Services standards; determine the mix of interpretive, environmental education and outreach programs at your field station to effectively communicate with visitors; and identify ways to engage new and non-traditional partners.

Registration Deadline: August 8, 2014

After deadline, call for availability.
Contact: [email protected] or 304-876-7486

 

Visitor Services Planning CLM8251

Date: November 4-20, 2014

Location: Online

This course is designed to enable FWS employees to develop a visitor services plan for their field station that is consistent with current guidance, the station's CCP and, is effective at providing direction for the program. Topics include visitor services reviews and pre-planning, overview of NEPA and how it relates to visitor services, and data collection.

Registration Deadline: October 10, 2014

After deadline, call for availability. 
Contact: [email protected] or 304-876-7651

 

Online: ELEARNING - Supervising Young Adults in Conservation OUT8045

Date: Ongoing

Location: DOI-Learn - Archived OUT8045 Webinar/Online 

Supervising young adults in seasonal and internship positions can be a new and challenging experience for even the most seasoned of supervisors. This recorded webinar, led by Student Conservation Association & US Forest Service staff, will relate critical thinking and problem solving to common issues and situations often faced by supervisors working with young adults aged 16-25. Participants have a "quarterly" timeline to complete this course; i.e., four-month intervals (Jan 1; April 1; July 1; Oct 1).

Contact: [email protected]; 304-876-7783 or [email protected]; 304-876-7314

 

Online: Mentoring: Getting Started with Your Mentee OUT8081

Date: Ongoing

Location: DOI-Learn (Online) 

In this course mentoring experts provide tips and techniques based on their experience. The self-paced training focuses on mentoring fundamentals, including tools, job aids, and skills needed when meeting with a mentee for the first time. Participating in this course will contribute to building a successful partnership with your mentee. Participants are given a 'quarterly' timeline (Jan 1; April 1; July 1; Oct 1) i.e. 4 months intervals to complete this online course. Receive 2.5 hours credit annual diversity training upon course completion. This course is a prerequisite for Mentoring the Next Generation: Voices of Experience OUT8050-ELEARNING, an Archived Webinar.

Contact:  [email protected]; 304-876-7314 or  [email protected]; 304-876-7783 

 

Online: Mentoring: The Next Generation - Voices of Experiences OUT8050-ELEARNING

Date: Ongoing

Location: DOI-Learn (Archived OUT8050 Webinar/Online) 

Hear the ins and outs of mentoring as a panel of experienced mentors and mentees answer questions and provide suggestions for ensuring a productive mentor-mentee relationship. This archived webinar (eLearning) training builds on the mentoring prerequisite OUT8081 and focuses on trouble-shooting challenges in a mentoring relationship. Participants will apply the insights they've gained to their personal mentoring practices to build a more open, inclusive, and trusting relationship with their mentee(s). Course enrollees must score 80% or higher on the online final assessment for course completion. Participants are given a 'quarterly' timeline (Jan 1; April 1; July 1; Oct 1) i.e. 4 months intervals to complete this online course. Receive 2.5 hours credit annual diversity training upon course completion.

Contact:  [email protected]; 304-876-7314 or [email protected]; 304-876-7783

 

Other Professional DevelopmentOther

Build Connections
Formal and non-formal education leaders collaborated to build connections between the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and environmental education via two 2-hour webinars. Presenters provided an overview of The Framework for K-12 Science Education-Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Core Ideas, which informed the NGSS, and discussed opportunities to connect hands-on, real-world learning opportunities with the NGSS.

http://online.nwf.org/site/R?i=BoBP85iibOdJG9HtPLIf2A   

 

Changing Public Behavior: People and the Environment ~ Online

Sponsored by the eXtension Drinking Water and Human Health interest area and the University of Wisconsin-Extension Environmental Resources Center, this self-study, e-learning course is designed for natural resource professionals, extension educators, and environmental educators who work with communities. Through an interactive format and investigation of practical examples, participants build skills and confidence in identifying and analyzing behavior change opportunities. After completing the course, participants will have a draft plan for increasing people's involvement in an environmental situation. The course requires an account, but there is no fee.
To register: http://campus.extension.org/ 

More info: http://wateroutreach.uwex.edu/

 


Educational ResourcesEducational
 

Biomimicry Resource for K-12 Educators

Looking for new ways to engage students in STEM subjects? The Biomimicry Institute offers a free digital flipbook called Biomimicry in Youth Education, filled with more than 80 nature-inspired lesson plans, activities, and videos geared to K-12 educators.

http://ben.biomimicry.net/curricula-and-resources/youth-curricula/resource-toolkit-for-k-12-educators/

"Battle for Bats-Surviving White-nose Syndrome"  

"La Batalla por los Murcielagos" Battle For Bats: Surviving White Nose Syndrome
This 12 minute video shares the latest research on the devastating
fungus causing
massive die-offs of cave-dwelling bats in the U.S. and includes interviews with leaders in the lab and field from Forest Service, Bat Conservation International, U.S. Geological Service, National Park Service, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Vermont Fish & Wildlife. 

English version:  https://vimeo.com/76705033

Spanish version:  https://vimeo.com/96528882

  

Climate-Smart Conservation
The guide from the National Wildlife Federation, Climate-Smart Conservation: Putting Adaptation Principles into Practice, provides natural resource managers and other decision-makers with a toolbox on how to plan and implement effective natural resource conservation in the face of rapidly changing climate conditions.
 

www.nwf.org/pdf/Climate-Smart-Conservation/NWF-Climate-Smart-Conservation_5-08-14.pdf  

 

Doing Good Together         

Doing Good Together: 101 Easy, Meaningful Service Projects for Families, Schools and Communities, addresses family volunteerism with hands-on service projects focused on promoting literacy, helping the environment, and more. The website offers a free look inside at various pages, including the Table of Contents.

www.amazon.com/Doing-Good-Together-Meaningful-Communities/dp/1575423545  

 

EcoLeaders

The National Wildlife Federation's Campus Ecology program's EcoLeaders initiative is an online community for student environmental leaders to connect, share ideas, and earn recognition for their projects on campus or in the community.

www.nwfecoleaders.org/home

  

Free for Feds: A Framework for K-12 Science Education
A Framework for K-12 Science Education proposes a new approach to K-12 science education that will capture students' interest and provide them with the necessary foundational knowledge in the field.  This and other National Academy Press publications are free to Federal staff.  To request a copy of any NAP publication (one per person), send an email  with the subject line, "Publication request," and Requestor Name; Office, Department or Agency; Street Address; Room/Suite/Mail Stop; City, State and Zip Code; Telephone; Fax; Email; Title of Report(s) and ISBN Number (if you know it).  
To request publications, email [email protected]
www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13165#    

 

Events, Conferences & WorkshopsEvents

Association of Partners for Public Lands Annual Conference 

The Association of Partners for Public Lands (APPL) Partnership and Trade Show Convention will be held in Atlanta on February 16-20, 2015.  The APPL is the national voice for nonprofit organizations dedicated to conserving shared natural and cultural heritage and to enhancing the experiences of all Americans in these special places.  This is a great opportunity for staff and Friends organizations to attend workshops and seminars, network, learn best practices, and browse a trade show of products and services

 www.appl.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1

NAAEE 43rd Conference
Attend the NAAEE 43rd Annual Conference in Ottawa, Canada, from October 8-11, 2014.  The theme is Building Momentum for the Next Chapter.
Grants, Awards & ContestsGrants

2014 Pollinator Challenge 

The USFWS is challenging stations to engage in pollinator education, management and science activities.  The Challenge runs from April 15 through September 30. 
https://inside.fws.gov/index.cfm/go/post/EC-Pollinators?   

 

American Trails National and International Trails Awards

American Trails presents the National and International Trails Awards Program to recognize the tremendous contributions of volunteers, professionals, and other leaders who are working for the betterment of trails.  Deadline is September 13, 2014.

www.americantrails.org/awards/index.html

Binoculars for Young Citizen Scientists

Through November 2014, Celestron, through Cornell's BirdSleuth K-12 initiative, will be awarding binoculars to schools where educators have made outstanding efforts to engage their students in citizen science.

www.birdsleuth.org/binoculars-for-the-citizen-scientists/  

 

Captain Planet Foundation Grants

The Captain Planet Foundation provides grants to school and community groups to support hands-on environmental projects for youth in grades K-12. The objective of the foundation is to encourage innovative programs that empower youth to work individually and collectively to solve environmental problems in their neighborhoods and communities. The next deadline to submit an application is September 30, 2014.

http://captainplanetfoundation.org/apply-for-grants/

 

Every Day Capacity Building Grants

Every Day Grants from the National Environmental Education Foundation, with support from Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc., help strengthen nonprofit public lands support groups, enabling them to do more to connect their communities to the land. Capacity Building Grants will be awarded to groups who make the best case for how the funds will build their capacity to better serve the lands they love. The next deadline for application is October 30, 2014.

http://publiclandseveryday.org/grants/capacity-building-grants 

 

GreenWorks! Grants

The GreenWorks! Grant is open to any Project Learning Tree-trained educator in the U.S who has participated in at least one ClimateChangeLIVE event. These grants support student-driven projects, enabling students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it to the real world. The deadline for application is September 30, 2014.

http://climatechangelive.org/index.php?pid=177 

 

Instagram Video Contest
Enter I Love This Public Land Because... Instagram Video Contest and share an activity that makes you happy. One grand prize winner and two runners up will each win an outdoor adventure prize pack from REI.
http://publiclandseveryday.org/i-love-public-land-because-instagram-video-contest

TurfMutt - Saving the Planet One Yard At A Time 
TurfMutt is an environmental education program offering free science-based, standards aligned curriculum, activities, educational videos, puzzles and more for students in grades K-5, their teachers and parents.  TurfMutt inspires kids to get outside, explore nature in their communities, and learn about the value of plants and green space. 
www.turfmutt.com

Young Birder of the Year Contest

Young people ages 10-18 are invited to compete in the American Birding Association's Young Birder of the Year contest, designed to help young birders discover new skills and enhance their talents.  Deadline to submit materials is October 15.

http://youngbirders.aba.org/young-birder-of-the-year-contest

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698 Conservation Way,  MS 19
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304-876-7772
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