Season's Greetings

As we prepare for another year, we also pause to reflect on the year behind us with gratitude for the extraordinary support, generosity, and enthusiasm of the CAEE community... thanks for being a part of it!

Warm wishes for peace, health and joy this holiday season and throughout the coming year,
Ali and Amanda

Executive Director's Corner: Ali Goulstone Sweeney

This Month's Topic:
Environmental Literacy in America

The National Environmental Education & Training Foundation (NEETF) has published a new report titled Environmental Literacy in the U.S.: What Ten Years of NEETF/Roper Research and Related Studies Say About Environmental Literacy in the U.S. You can obtain a copy at www.neetf.org. From the preface:

• 95% of the public supports environmental education in our schools.
• Over 85% of Americans agree that government agencies should support environmental education programs.
• A large majority (80%) believes that private companies should train their employees to help solve environmental problems.

I also want to encourage you to continue to work hard, because there is much more work to be done according to some fascinating research that shows just how much Americans understand about our complex environmental systems. For example:

• 45 million Americans think the ocean is a source of fresh water;
• 120 million Americans think spray cans still have CFCs in them even though CFCs were banned in 1978;
• 120 million Americans think disposable diapers are the leading problem with landfills when they actually represent about 1% of the problem; and
• 130 million Americans believe that hydropower is America's top energy source, when it accounts for just 10% of the total.

Yet there is great hope in this report as well. The report reads that "there is encouraging evidence that the public can learn about the environment and complex ecological relationships," and continues by suggesting that a "comprehensive coordinated approach to environmental education" will help us reach our goals. To which we say - THANK YOU for being a part of CAEE.

All statistics are found in "Environmental Literacy in America," published by the National Environmental Education and Training Foundation, September, 2005. www.neetf.org

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Each month, EE Infolink will feature the most recently updated listing on CAEE's Online Database/Directory of EE Resources. To search this statewide directory, update your organization's entry, add a listing, or view the Calendar of Events, visit www.caee.org and click on "EE Database/Directory." You just might see your programs posted here next month!

Organization: Thorne Ecological Institute, Boulder
Programs: Joseph Cornell Sharing Nature Workshop, Life in the Rain Shadow, Project Bear (Building Environmmental Awareness and Respect), Sombrero Marsh Wetlands Program, The Gaia Theory, Thorne Natural Science School (TNSS),

Bulletin Board

Upcoming Events, Workshops, Classes, etc.

Visit www.caee.org/calendar.html for an online listing of upcoming events!

Grant Writing Assistance from The Denver Foundation
Pre-Application Workshop and one-to-one consultations for the Community Grants Program of The Denver Foundation.  January 11, 2006.  8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.  Volunteers of America Colorado Branch, 2660 Larimer Street, Denver, 80205.  The Denver Foundation is offering a free Pre-Application Workshop to assist 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, serving the metro Denver area, in developing grant proposals to their Community Grants Program.  Get a better understanding of The Denver Foundation's grantmaking process, a step-by-step review and explanation of all components of the proposal package, and an opportunity to ask specific questions of the grantmaking staff. Individuals who have attended this workshop previously are urged not to repeat it.  Advance registration is required, only ONE person per organization. 
Meet the Program Officer Day at The Denver Foundation.  January 25, 9:00 am-noon. RSVP by January 20. Make a 20-minute appointment with a program officer at The Denver Foundation to introduce your organization, give an update on a previously funded program, tell about the new and exciting things that are happening at your organization, come with specific questions about applying for a grant.  Please contact Pat Veasley at 303-300-1790, ext. 111. or visit www.denverfoundation.org for more information.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATION FOR BEHAVIOR CHANGE ~ ONLINE COURSE
January 17 - February 24, 2006.  Early Registration deadline: December 30, 2005.  This course provides environmental professionals with a practical introduction to the strategies, methods and tools of environmental communication that effectively lead to changes in behavior. The primary set of tools covered in this course will focus on environmental social marketing.  This course is taught entirely from a distance using online and telecommunication technologies.  http://www.nicholas.duke.edu/del/continuinged/envcommunication.html

Camp isn’t just for kids anymore!!  Winter Family Camp at Keystone Science School.  Bring up to 4 family members to Summit County for a weekend of snow science and avalanche dynamics education, exploring the forest on cross-country skis or snowshoes and enjoy meeting new families from around Colorado.  Info at:  http://www.keystone.org/html/family_winter_camp.html.  Price includes 2-nights lodging, food, cross-country ski equipment and instruction as well as science instruction in the field.

“Energy and Natural Resources: Finding the Balance”
Colorado Chapter of The Wildlife Society Winter Meeting.  January 25-27, 2006, Ramada Inn I-25, Fort Collins.  Learn about the effects of energy development on wildlife, ways to minimize impacts, laws and regulations associated with energy development and wildlife, and how to increase dialog between industry and natural resource professionals.  The Chapter is offering half-price registration to the first 5 teachers who register - $45 for the conference.  Membership in the Society is encouraged ($15 per year) but not required.  The Division of Wildlife will offer scholarships to cover 1 day of sub pay for the first 5 secondary teachers to register.  Graduate credit is available through CSM - 1/2 credit is $34.  For a registration form or more information, contact Lisa at 970-472-4343 or lisa.evans@state.co.us

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Career

Note: these announcements are only position highlights and are not intended to be all-inclusive.

NAAEE/EE-Link offers a jobs database service for EE job seekers or employers seeking EE staff.

To view job postings, visit: eelink.net/eejobsdatabase.html

To submit a job to the database: eelink.net/cgi-bin/ee-link/add_job.cgi

CIRES seeking applicants for 2006-07 Geoscience Education Fellowship.  Deadline: December 31, 2005. 
The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the CU at Boulder welcomes applications for a three-to twelve-month fellowship.  This fellowship provides a unique opportunity for a geoscientist, college-level educator, or post-doctoral scientist to simultaneously develop an educational project and enhance his/her scientific research. The fellowship may begin at any time after 7/1/06.  For more information visit http://cires.colorado.edu/science/themes/ and http://cires.colorado.edu/education/k12/.  Prospective applicants should contact CIRES in advance to discuss proposed plans. Contact Susan Buhr, Director of the CIRES Outreach Program at sbuhr@cires.colorado.edu.

Mountain Park Environmental Center, Development Director. Closes January 16, 2006 or when filled. 
The Mountain Park Environmental Center is an award winning 501c3 non-profit based in Beulah, Colorado with a mission of providing environmental education programming. The Development Director is a new position responsible for the organization’s fund raising efforts. Demonstrated success in developing and implementing comprehensive fund raising plans and systems to support fund raising required. Familiarity with environmental and education issues a plus.  Salary: $28,000 - $30,000 DOE.  Benefits: Vacation and sick leave, modest retirement, and health stipend.  Contact: Dave Van Manen, Mountain Park Environmental Center, 9161 Mountain Park Rd., Beulah, CO 81023

Daniel O. Parker Internship for Environmental Education at the Plains Conservation Center.  Closes: January 25, 2006.  Primary duties include presentation of education programs and support along with program design and evaluation. Also includes assisting with animal care (farm & teaching specimens), organic gardening, demonstration gardens and maintenance of historical structures.  Participate in ecological field studies, grounds maintenance and outreach programs.  15 week position, mid-March-June.  30 hours/week.  Stipend.  Contact Fran Blanchard at 303-693-3621 or fblanchard@plainscenter.org  for position description and application.

GREEN TEACHER SEEKS NEW TEAM
After 15 years, Green Teacher editors Gail Littlejohn and Tim Grant are seeking a new team to take over the publication of Green Teacher magazine and the day-to-day operations of the non-profit organization, beginning in the spring of 2006. The chosen team will demonstrate that they have the right combination of skills and are capable of managing a bi-national publication.  http://www.greenteacher.com/newteam.html

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El Pomar Youth in Community Service Grants  Deadline: January 13, 2006.  Through hands on grant making, students provide direct financial support to nonprofits in their communities. EPYCS students will grant more than $1 million to CO nonprofits this year. For guidelines and information, visit www.elpomar.org\epycs.

Lois Webster Fund Makes Grants Available for Colorado Wildlife Research Projects.  Deadline: January 20, 2006.  The Lois Webster Fund (LWF) of the Audubon Society of Greater Denver supports Colorado non-game wildlife research and related education projects. The LWF funds projects designed to lead to conservation of non-game species that are declining, under stress or suffering loss or degradation of habitat. ~$5,000 will be available for projects in 2006.  Complete grant guidelines and an application form are available at http://www.denveraudubon.org/loiswebster.htm.  Please contact Polly Reetz at reetzfam@juno.com with questions.

INT'L YOUNG ECO-HERO AWARDS.  Deadline:  February 28, 2006. 
A great opportunity to recognize 8 to 16 year olds for their environmental successes and to inspire others is available through the INTERNATIONAL YOUNG ECO-HERO AWARDS offered annually by Action For Nature.  Info: awards@actionfornature.org.  http://www.actionfornature.org

FREE TEACHING GREEN BOOKS FOR EE FACULTY
If you teach EE courses to youth educators, pre-service or in-service teachers, Green Teacher is willing to send you a free copy of their new 240 page books, Teaching Green: The Elementary Years and Teaching Green: the Middle Years. In exchange, you would show the books to your students, giving them the opportunity to make a bulk purchase at a big discount.  http://www.greenteacher.com/reviewcopies

EPA HISPANIC ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH WEB SITE
New EPA Web site in Spanish "El medio ambiente y su salud" provides information on various environmental issues and the effects among Hispanics living in the United States. A new environmental health issue will be featured each month and will offer general information, environmental triggers, FAQs, and environmental health studies of Hispanics. http://www.epa.gov/espanol/asma.htm

NEW RADIO SHOW FOCUSES ON PLAYA AND PRAIRIE CONSERVATION
Playa Country, a new series on the High Plains Public Radio (HPPR), will begin airing Mondays at 10:30 am and Saturdays at 11:15 am starting in the New Year. The show features the people, communities and programs that are making a difference in the conservation of playas, other wetlands and prairies in the six-state playa lakes region.  Info at: http://www.pljv.org/newsarchive/NewsReleases/release122105.html

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Posting of resources or events does not constitute endorsement of those materials or activities by the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education or CAEE’s sponsors.

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EE InfoLink Editor: Amanda Peterson
Phone: 303-273-9527 Fax: 303-273-5780
E-mail: info@caee.org

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This list is hosted and maintained by EE-Link (http://eelink.net), The site for Environmental Education on the Internet.