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July 2015                                          News for Agency Professionals


Enter the 3rd Annual Take Me Outside Video Contest!

   
  • Do you go to school in Canada?
  • Are you in a K-12 class?
  • Does your class explore and find adventures outside of the classroom?
Prove it! Create a short video to let us know how your class explores and finds adventures beyond the schoolyard fence. Then submit your video for a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to Banff as well as some great prizes from Mountain Equipment Co-op - tents, sleeping bags, and packs! If your video is chosen as a finalist, you could have it screened at the 2015 Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, alongside some of the best mountain, adventure and exploration films in the world! The deadline to apply is August 15th. 

 

Read more at: http://takemeoutside.ca/contest

 

 

Collective Impact in Environmental Education Webinar

    

When: July 28, 2015,  2:00 pm MST


 

Collective impact occurs when organizations from different sectors agree to solve a problem using a common agenda, aligning their efforts, and using common measures of success. Join the Affiliate Network and NAAEE for an overview of the collective impact framework and explore how collective impact and collaborative practices can help support increased environmental literacy across North America.


 

Presenters: Bill Fulton, Founder and Director of the Civic Canopy and Hanna Nichols, Early Childhood Coordinator at the Civic Canopy.


Register!

 
 

Earth Matters Conference- Oct. 15-17th, 2015

     

If you are looking for a great PD opportunity, why not attend the 2015 Earth Matters Conference in beautiful Canmore this October!


We have over 70 sessions to choose from! There is something for everyone.

  • Interested in what is going on in classrooms? Hear about projects and practices from classroom teachers.
  • Interested in community engagement and outreach? Learn techniques and hear about programs from across the country.
  • Want to get outside and enjoy fall in the rockies? Join the outdoor sessions and learn by doing.

Come and connect with other environmental educators for an amazing two days of learning. And don't forget to book your accommodation at the Coast. All conference registrants receive a discounted stay rate but rooms are filling up fast!

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To discover more about the Earth Matters conference or to register, click here. 
 

Shift Lab- An Initiative for Educators

     

SHIFT Lab is a stream of professional learning for educators designed by TELUS Spark. SHIFT Lab is currently offered as a one-year, professional learning program for educators. The program builds each participant's capacity to use design thinking, inquiry, and making to innovate their practice and enrich student-learning experience. The program focuses on mindset and process, rather than content. As a result, SHIFT Lab is open to all educators regardless of position and expertise. 

The one-year program includes: 

  • a one-week summer intensive 
  • fall/winter workshops 
  • an online community 
  • individual project support at your school 
  • education conference 

The 2015-16 cohort has already been accepted. Applications for the 2016-17 cohort will be accepted in Spring 2016.  Starting in October 2015, SHIFT Lab will offer evening workshops at TELUS Spark on the second Thursday of the month on design thinking, making, and innovating for educators. Questions? Email: SHIFTLab@SparkScience.ca 

 

Learn more


 

Calling Citizen Scientists: Meso-carnivore Project


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Are you curious about the fisher photos and appearances in Elk Island National Park? Are you interested in Citizen Science? The Friends of Elk Island National Park could use your assistance on Sunday, August 9th with the meso-carnivore project.


 We will visit 4 wildlife camera sites to check for DNA hair samples, switch out memory cards and re-stock bait (extremely smelly paste). Some hiking is in store but no more than ~2 km for the morning. Ensure you bring water, food, good hiking boots, active clothes that you don't mind getting a bit dirty, a camera and a sense of adventure. We will provide any equipment required for the study, bear spray, first aid kit and transportation to sites.

 

More details

 

 

Helsinki Alert of Biodiversity and Health

    

The Helsinki Alert of Biodiversity and Health, a report released recently by the international medical community, confirms the vital connection between nature and human health.

 

According to the report, the loss of habitat due to urbanization has caused a massive loss of biodiversity and this loss of biodiversity impacts our health. Exposure to natural environments enhances physical and mental health as well as cognitive functions. Our disconnection from nearby nature is a prime reason why allergies, autoimmune diseases, inflammatory bowel disease and even some forms of cancer have become epidemics. The same is true for mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. The report highlights the possibilities to restore broken immune tolerance among urban dwellers, summarizing the main messages in four statements and calling for actions to combat major public health threats, as well as encouraging people to create nature connection opportunities that allow children to interact and engage natural settings.  

 

Read the report

 
 

How Walking in Nature Changes Your Brain

    

How does walking in nature affect your brain? Research by graduate students at Stanford University shows that nature can help us worry and brood less, by decreasing the activity and blood flow to the subgenual prefrontal cortex of our brains.


 Read the full article

 
 

Jobs in Alberta

 
Quick Links
Perseids Pajama Party!
On August 14th, join the Devonian Botanic Garden for a pyjama party under the stars! Wear your cozy pyjamas, bring your pillows, blankets, flashlights and lawnchairs, and sit back to enjoy one of the busiest times in the sky during the annual Perseids Meteor Shower. 

 

Eco-friendly Ways to Beat the Heat 
Temperatures across Alberta have been soaring this summer! But you can still keep cool without cranking the A/C. Check out these great tips to keep your cool this summer. 
For more information visit:  
www.abcee.org
Questions or comments? Please contact rosemarie@abcee.org.