In 2014, the new CREEC.org will be a one-stop-shop for teachers, to find EE programs, resources, current information, funding sources, and events!  

Providers:  Don't forget to create an account on the new CREEC.org website and upload each of your programs into our searchable database.  If you are on a government network, you'll find Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome to be the browsers of choice, as IE sometimes (but not always) behind some firewalls may not let you see the login or nav bar.   Log on soon and help put Region 7 on the map! 

Sierra Foothill and Conservancy Classes 

March 1 ... Geocaching - Amie Mazzoni and Robert Snow will help you learn the ins and outs of your GPS. You will then embark on a geocaching adventure looking for hidden 'treasure' on the McKenzie with your GPS as a guide. 8 am-12 pm.

March 2 ... Mushrooms of the Sierra Foothills - Local field biologist Russell Kokx will join participants on the McKenzie Table Mountain Preserve for a day of exploration, collecting and identifying the fungi of the Oak Woodlands. There will be discussions on the ecology, edibility, and toxicology of the specimens collected. 9 am to 2 pm.

March 15 ... McKenzie Natural History - Join biologist Rodney Olsen, geologist Craig Poole and anthropologist Allen Beck to explore plants, animals, rocks and archeological sites, including a 6 mile round-trip hike to the table top. 9am to 3pm.

March 29 ... Ecology of Birds - Join Biologists Rodney Olsen and Hawkins Dowis on the McKenzie Preserve where they will bring to life the behavioral, reproductive and feeding ecology of oak woodland birds. Bring binoculars, water and lunch. 8 am to 1 pm.

March 30 ... Wildflowers of the McKenzie - Botanist and local wildflower authority John Stebbins will show you beautiful spring flowers including vernal pool species, and spectacular scenery on a fairly strenuous 6 mile round trip hike to the top of the McKenzie Table. 9 am to 3 pm.

May 3 ... Wildflowers of Black Mountain - Botanist Jamie Tuitele-Lewis will lead a moderate hike to the top of the mountain looking at the many wildflowers and shrubs that will be in bloom, including carpenteria in all its glory and the orange lupine., as well as many other species. 9 am to 3 pm

Check Sierra Foothill for more information and updates on these classes! 

       EE Provider Workshop

         February 25, 2014

Summer 2014 - Flood Plains Institute June 23rd-28th 

Scout Island Outdoor Education Center will host this Department of Water Resource's sponsored Region 7 - Flood Plains Institute.  The Institute will focus on the watersheds of both the San Joaquin and Kings Rivers.  Curriculum, standards, field trips, freebies and canoeing all included.  For information, contact the CREEC coordinator at Email or (559) 265-4062.

CSU - Fresno Math and Science Teacher Initiative (MSTI)

MSTI is actively supporting teacher credentialing and professional growth in middle school Math and/or Science courses. The CSU Chancellor's Office funds Fresno State's MSTI grant, allowing the full-day science workshop to be offered free of charge if you a current or prospective Multiple Subject (MS) credential student (from any university), a credentialed teacher (Multiple or Single Subject), or a current or prospective Single Subject credential student at Fresno State, assuming you apply for your new credential through Fresno State's credential office (Kremen Education, Room 100). You are also eligible to take advantage 

of our courses, have your CSET fees reimbursed, and obtain free membership in CSTA.

Sponsored by the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District, mini-grants are available for 5th grade classes. The grant funds transportation and the Scout Island facility docent fees. 

Email or call (559) 456-3292.

Upon request, the Flood District can provide classroom quantities of brochures, activity booklets, fact sheets, presenters and posters specially designed for school use. Watershed models, a library of videos and environmental education books can be checked out.  Call (559) 456-3292.   

 

Meyers Water Bank and Wildlife Project Transportation Funding 

Grant funding is available to offset field trip transportation
costs to this Mendota wetland site.  

Meyers has also created a new interactive Water Map on display at the Project (photo at right).  To take advantage of this program or schedule a field trip, register  as space is limited.  Contact Jason Dean, Project Manager/Staff Biologist,
or call office (559) 659-3033; cell (559) 694-1562.

 

 

This free Water Check-Out Kit is available for classroom use.

There's water quality testing equipment, macroinvertebrate viewing devices, a watershed model and posters, a water quality handbook, water conservation information, water videos and games for use in your classroom.  To borrow the kit, contact your CREEC Coordinator.  It is available on a weekly basis and it is FREE.  A refundable deposit is all that's required.

Celebrate Urban Birds with this FREE Birding Kit

Cornell Birds is teaming up with Walmart and Pennington� Wild Bird Food brand to distribute free Celebrate Birds kits to 2,500 teachers across the country through their brand new Adopt-A-School program.  This kit provides a classroom with a bird feeder to put on their classroom window, as well as bird seed, kids' binoculars, fun classroom activities, and the chance to win a mini-grant that will help the schools hold a Celebrate Birds event!  Nominate your school at allaboutbirds.org

Spotlight on an EE-xceptional Program

 The FARMS Leadership Program:

Fun, Informative, and Looking for Teachers

The Farming, Agriculture, and Resource Management for Sustainability (FARMS) Leadership Program is a successful program from the Center for Land-Based Learning.   

The mission of the FARMS Leadership Program is to inspire and motivate people of all ages, especially youth, to promote a healthy interplay between agriculture, nature and society through their own actions and as leaders in their communities.

Over the course of a school year, students from five area high schools attend monthly workshops on farms, ranches, wildlife areas and at agriculture related businesses.  At each workshop, students receive hands-on experiences doing things such as: crop harvesting, animal care, soil testing, meat processing, ag-related research, watershed restoration, teambuilding, pest management, and much more. 

FARMS Students Play a Watershed Game

Fresno FARMS Leadership coordinator, Claudia Sersland, partners with local businesses and non-profit organizations serve as workshop hosts.  By emphasizing watershed education and restoration, students make connections between agriculture, the environment and their own lives.  Claudia has recently been working with the San Joaquin River Parkway and 

Conservation Trust for many years, to help her students explore watersheds.  Students enjoy learning through games and hands-on activities.  They learn to appreciate our shared natural resources, by canoeing on Millerton Lake and conducting water quality monitoring tests.  As part of the curriculum, the group also visits the Friant Fish Hatchery to learn about historical land use and the need for hatcheries.