What are the consequences of a childhood removed from nature? One generation from now most people in North America will have spent more time in the virtual world than in nature. New media technologies have improved our lives in countless ways; information now appears with a click, overseas friends are part of our daily lives, and even grandma loves Wii.

But what are we missing when we are behind screens? And how will this impact our children, our society, and eventually, our planet?

Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Educators (NLEE) – in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Environment Network (NLEN)  – will be hosting two FREE Connections Events to screen “Play Again” to the public.

STEPHENVILLE – CNA Main Lecture Theatre Fowlow Bldg.

Presented in partnership with the Bay St. George Sustainability Committee Monday, Feb 21st, 8:00 – 10:00 pm

CORNER BROOK – CNA Main Lecture Theatre

Presented in partnership with the Model Forest of NL Monday, Feb 28th, 7:00- 9:00 pm

Parents, teachers, youth, educators, community members – all are welcome to attend! There will be networking after the film; coffee, tea and snacks will be provided.

If you would like to arrange a screening for your workplace or to students at your school while the film is here on the West Coast, please contact margaret.mckeon@wnlsd.ca to arrange a time.

To learn more about this film, please watch the below trailers or visit: [ http://www.playagainfilm.com/ ]www.playagainfilm.com

TRAILER 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ3J0szCGqk

TRAILER 2 (with David Suzuki):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erVmBIx2lUY&feature=related

For more information about the events, please contact Stephanie Simms at info@nlee.ca, or call 709-753-7848. 

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s Newfoundland and Labrador Chatper, urges snowmobilers throughout the province to respect our parks and protected areas and the laws that are put in place to protect these special places.

We are concerned with recent reports of trail cutting and proposals to snowmobile in Terra Nova National Park. Terra Nova is one of the few places on the Island set aside from snowmobiling, and focused primarily on protecting habitat for sensitive wildlife. It covers less than half a percent of the Island, and provides critical habitat for the endangered Newfoundland pine marten and woodland caribou, which rely on intact forests to survive. Opening the park to snowmobiling could have a serious impact on these and other species. Cutting trails in the park would further disturb and fragment their forest habitat, making it even more difficult to sustain and recover these already fragile populations.

Snowmobiling is an enjoyable winter activity within the province of Newfoundland, however we need to ensure there are some places in the province, including Terra Nova National Park, that are dedicated first to the needs of wildlife and where we don’t snowmobile. Snowmobiling has never been permitted within Terra Nova National Park and we believe this is appropriate, particularly given the park’s importance in protecting undisturbed forest habitat for species like marten and caribou.

For further information:
Suzanne Dooley
709-726-5800
nlcoordinator@cpaws.org

NOTE: NEW DATE — Friday, March 11

We are very excited to announce the launch of Green Teacher’s 2011 Webinar series. We hope you’ll join us in one or more of our 30 FREE webinars on various environmental education topics this year. Almost 800 non-formal and formal youth educators filled out our online survey and helped us choose the topics for these webinars. Each session will feature a 20-30 minute presentation, and 30-40 minutes for you to ask a question of our presenter.

The topics and dates for our first four webinars are below. For more details, and information on how to register, please visit http://greenteacher.com/webinars. Once again, these webinars are offered free of charge, and we hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunity to explore these current popular topics in environmental learning with us.

We’ll be announcing more webinars very soon, so check back frequently – OR click here and join our listserv to receive email notices of upcoming webinars.

Webinar #4: February 24, 2011, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. EST
Webinar topic: “Energy Education: How & Why?”
Presenter: Pat Higby

At the outset, Pat will explain why energy education is especially important at this moment in history. Then she will share some simple experiments that you can use to convince others of its importance, before directing us to some of the best energy education resources for youth educators. Note: Pat strongly encourages all participants to have on hand – at the beginning of the webinar – 2 styrofoam coffee cups full of warm water and 2 ziplock bags large enough to place a full cup inside.

We are very excited to announce the launch of Green Teacher’s 2011 Webinar series. We hope you’ll join us in one or more of our 30 FREE webinars on various environmental education topics this year. Almost 800 non-formal and formal youth educators filled out our online survey and helped us choose the topics for these webinars. Each session will feature a 20-30 minute presentation, and 30-40 minutes for you to ask a question of our presenter.

The topics and dates for our first four webinars are below. For more details, and information on how to register, please visit http://greenteacher.com/webinars. Once again, these webinars are offered free of charge, and we hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunity to explore these current popular topics in environmental learning with us.

We’ll be announcing more webinars very soon, so check back frequently – OR click here and join our listserv to receive email notices of upcoming webinars.

Webinar #3: February 23, 2011, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. EST
Webinar Topic:  “Two-Eyed Seeing: Building Cultural Bridges for Inclusive Science Education”
Presenter:  Annamarie Hatcher

Two-Eyed Seeing, from a Mi’kmaq Elder named Albert Marshall, is an expression that refers to the importance of looking at the world through two sets of eyes: those of Western sciences, and those of Indigenous sciences. In her presentation, Annamarie Hatcher will describe the challenges for marginalized students in the school science classroom, which is dominated by the Western eye. She will provide some ideas for teachers to help them bridge the cultural gap between these two worldviews, through some hands-on activities.

We are very excited to announce the launch of Green Teacher’s 2011 Webinar series. We hope you’ll join us in one or more of our 30 FREE webinars on various environmental education topics this year. Almost 800 non-formal and formal youth educators filled out our online survey and helped us choose the topics for these webinars. Each session will feature a 20-30 minute presentation, and 30-40 minutes for you to ask a question of our presenter.

The topics and dates for our first four webinars are below. For more details, and information on how to register, please visit http://greenteacher.com/webinars. Once again, these webinars are offered free of charge, and we hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunity to explore these current popular topics in environmental learning with us.

We’ll be announcing more webinars very soon, so check back frequently – OR click here and join our listserv to receive email notices of upcoming webinars.

Webinar #2: February 22, 2011, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. EST
Webinar Topic:  “How to Create Engaging Environmental Education Programs Using a Narrative, Storyline Approach”
Presenter:  Alan Warner

Stories organize and provide meaning in our lives, yet educators typically teach through outcomes and activities. Young people become more engaged when they come to the learning context with a purpose or role that is meaningful to them, where they become the actors or leaders in a story (e.g., detectives, aliens, adventurers, entrepreneurs, teachers, leaders, etc.). This webinar presents the framework for a storyline/narrative approach to program design, enabling participants to apply the concepts and develop storyline ideas for their learners in their classroom, outdoor or community learning contexts. The result is adventurous, meaningful and engaged learning.

We are very excited to announce the launch of Green Teacher’s 2011 Webinar series. We hope you’ll join us in one or more of our 30 FREE webinars on various environmental education topics this year. Almost 800 non-formal and formal youth educators filled out our online survey and helped us choose the topics for these webinars. Each session will feature a 20-30 minute presentation, and 30-40 minutes for you to ask a question of our presenter.

The topics and dates for our first four webinars are below. For more details, and information on how to register, please visit http://greenteacher.com/webinars. Once again, these webinars are offered free of charge, and we hope you’ll take advantage of the opportunity to explore these current popular topics in environmental learning with us.

We’ll be announcing more webinars very soon, so check back frequently – OR click here and join our listserv to receive email notices of upcoming webinars.

Webinar #1: February 17, 2011, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. EST
Webinar topic:  “Sustainability 101: Teaching the Ecological Footprint”
Presenter:  Susan Santone

Looking for ways to effectively teach sustainability “basics”? This webinar will highlight strategies and activities for teaching fundamental sustainability concepts using the Ecological Footprint as a context. Preview examples of hands-on, engaging activities to teach human-environmental impact, the Commons, interdependence, policies, and other topics essential to effective instruction on sustainability.

Who should attend? Educators interested in getting started with or reviewing essential sustainability concepts.

The application period for this year’s Science Horizons youth internship program is now open.  Environment Canada is accepting applications until February 28, 2011.

Science Horizons is a Government of Canada employment program offering young scientists the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and work experience for environment-based careers.

Through funding and collaborative partnerships with successful applicant organizations, Science Horizons offers promising young, post-secondary graduates hands-on experience working on environmental projects lasting from 6 months to 1 year. During these projects, they are guided under the mentorship of experienced scientists and program managers. Up to a maximum of $12,000 in Science Horizons funding is available for each approved project.

Employers interested in applying for funding for a Science Horizons intern are encouraged to consult the Science Horizons web site (www.ec.gc.ca/sci_hor) for complete details and to access the application.

This year, applications will be accepted online only.

Applications will be received by the Science and Technology Branch of Environment Canada, who are available to respond to your requests for additional information about the Science Horizons program at science.horiz@ec.gc.ca.

* * *

La période d’inscription pour le programme de stages « Horizons Sciences » est maintenant ouverte.  Environnement Canada acceptera vos demandes jusqu’àu 28 février, 2011.

Horizons Sciences est un programme d’emploi du gouvernement du Canada qui offre aux jeunes scientifiques l’occasion de développer des connaissances et des compétences professionnelles pour un emploi durable dans le domaine de l’environnement.

Grâce à des fonds et à des partenariats de collaboration avec des organismes bénéficiaires, Horizons Sciences permet à de jeunes scientifiques ou diplômés prometteurs de niveau post-secondaire d’acquérir une expérience pratique en prenant part à des projets environnementaux ayant une durée de six mois à un an. Pendant ces projets, ils sont guidés sous le mentorat et l’encadrement de scientifiques ou de gestionnaires de programme chevronnés.  Dans le cadre d’Horizons Sciences, un financement maximum de 12 000 $ est offert pour chaque projet approuvé.

Les employeurs qui s’intéressent à soumettre une demande sont encouragés à consulter le site web « Horizons Sciences » (www.ec.gc.ca/sci_hor) pour tous les détails et pour accéder à la demande.

Cette année, les demandes seront acceptées en ligne seulement.

Les demandes seront reçues par la Direction des Sciences et de la Technologie, qui est disponible à répondre à vos demandes de renseignements supplémentaires concernant le programme Horizons Sciences à l’adresse science.horiz@ec.gc.ca.