October 2015 News for Agency Professionals

Canada's Coolest School Trip Is Back!

The My Parks Pass program, which offers free entry to Parks Canada places
for all grade 8/secondary 2 students, has launched the fifth edition of the
Canada's Coolest School Trip contest. With the support of Air Canada, this
year's winning grade 8/secondary 2 class will visit Jasper National Park on
a five-day all-expense-paid trip. Enter until February 22nd.

Find out how to enter at: http://www.myparkspass.ca/

Thanks For Making Earth Matters A Success!

A huge thank you to all the delegates and volunteers who helped make the 2015 Earth Matters conference such a success! Your passion and dedication to environmental education is truly inspiring. Three incredible days of connecting and sharing knowledge and ideas has re-energized much of the EE community in Canada and abroad to go forth and do great things!

Thanks also to our conference partners and to our sponsors, who helped make this event possible.

We are pleased to report that 88% of conference delegates who filled out the post survey rated the conference as Excellent/Very Good!

For those that are suffering from post-conference withdrawal, or missed the conference, you can view conference testimonials and photos at: http://www.abcee.org/conference/2015

Get Outside and Play Network for Early Childhood - Events in Calgary and Edmonton

The Get Outside and Play Network brings together individuals from health care, environmental education, play, sport, recreation and parks, child care, and early childhood development to ensure:

All young children, 0-5 years old and their families in Alberta have the opportunity for active outdoor nature play that is safe, positive and engaging.

Come join the network and begin building relationships and skills to increase your capacity to get more young children outside. There are events coming up in Calgary and Edmonton. Learn more below and sign up!

December 1 - Calgary

December 3 - Edmonton

Edmonton Community Energy Forum - Register Now!

Please join the City of Edmonton and community partners for a one-day forum to discuss issues of energy transition, climate change and building a sustainable future. The intent of this one-day event is for citizens to:

learn more about Edmonton's Community Energy Transition Strategy
learn from local residents that are leaders in renewable energy, sustainable building, active transportation and urban planning
inspire local action

This event will give residents an opportunity to understand the impacts of climate change while focusing on local solutions.

When: Saturday, November 14, 2015, from 9am to 5pm
Where: Shaw Conference Centre
Cost: $20 (includes GST)

Increase Your Impact - Workshops in Calgary and Edmonton

Join us for a full day workshop in which you'll:

Apply the internationally recognized Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education to increase the impact of your programs, and
Collaborate with colleagues to help move environmental education and energy education from the margins to the mainstream in Alberta.

Learn more and register.

December 2 - Calgary

December 3 - Edmonton

World of 7 Billion Video Contest

Back by popular demand, the World of 7 Billion student video contest can help you bring technology and creativity into your middle and high school classes. The contest challenges your students to create a short (60 seconds or less) video illustrating the connection between world population growth and one of three global challenges dealing with either Deforestation, Public Health, or Water Scarcity. Students can win up to $1,000 and their teachers will receive free curriculum resources. The contest deadline is February 25, 2016. Full contest guidelines, resources for research, past winners, and more can be found at www.worldof7billion.org/student-video-contest.

Upcoming Outdoor Education Workshops

Check out these two awesome upcoming workshops in Edmonton and the Cypress Hills. Click on the workshop title to view full details for each session.

Risky Play and Child Safety: A Balancing Act - Tuesday, November 17th - 9:00am to 4:00pm - Saville Community Sports Centre, 11610 - 65 Ave., Edmonton

Let's Bring This Outside: Outdoor and Environmental Education in South Eastern Alberta - November 14th - Cypress Hills Provincial Park Learning Centre.

If you would like to attend the Let's Bring This Outside session, please confirm by email no later than November 12th.

Email: Chris.Dodds@gov.ab.ca

Jobs in Alberta

Outdoor Programs Weekend Coordinator - Camp Chief Hector
Children and Youth Coordinator- Alberta Rec and Parks Assoc.

Quick Links

Saving The Planet One Vegetable at a Time

Lesser consumption of animal products is necessary to save the world from the worst impacts of climate change, UN report says. Check out the full article here.

Children and Nature Infographic

Check out this Children and Nature Infographic by the National Environmental Education Foundation that offers a visual display of the current state of children and nature and how being active in nature can improve health.

For more information visit:
www.abcee.org
Questions or comments? Please contact rosemarie@abcee.org.