Professional Development - Calendar of Workshops


NRES 742: School Forest Programs and Administration

June 14 - August 29, 2008

This one-credit, graduate level course is offered in a hybrid format. The initial component of the course is offered on-line. The final component is a face-to-face workshop. You can expect to spend approximately 25 hours on the course including reading, researching, field, workshop, and assignment time. You must attend one of the education plan workshops as the face-to-face component of the course. These workshops are:

  • Fennimore, July 10, 10:00 - 3:00
  • Medford, July 24, 10:00 - 3:00
  • Eau Claire, July 29, 10:00 - 3:00

A course syllabus and regional meeting location information will be mailed to you upon registration.

The first ten (10) registrants will receive a scholarship for the course. The scholarship will cover all but $100 of the registration cost (graduate credit tuition is approximately $350 per credit).  Registration info coming soon.

From Forest to Finish: A community-based learning course for school forest educators

Are you looking for effective ways to engage your students and connect what your students are learning with your community? We are offering two community-based learning workshops this summer that will provide the structure, lessons, and background information to help you accomplish this. During the workshops, we'll share our approach to transformative learning utilizing school forests as the focus. Community-based learning borrows effective components from project-based learning, the Fifth Discipline, service learning, and environmental education to create learning opportunities for students that utilize community resources and assets while addressing community issues.

The LEAF Program and the Wisconsin Forest Resources Education Alliance (WFREA) are offering a three-day, community-based learning course for 4th-12th grade teachers and non-formal educators. The course will apply project-based learning methods to research the question “What is the environmental impact of using wood products?”

Participants will conduct forest research, develop a forest management plan, harvest trees, and process lumber. The course will provide information, model activities, and development tools to help participants create interdisciplinary, standards-based forestry field programs at their school forests. One graduate credit will be available for additional cost. 

The first ten people to register for credit will receive a $100 scholarship towards the cost of the credit. The deadline for registration for either workshop is May 30, 2008.

Where and When:
Reedsburg School Forest - July 21-23, 2008
Elcho School Forest - August 11-13, 2008

Audience: 4th-12th grade teachers and non-formal educators

Registration (due 5/30/08): $30 will include food (prepared on-site by the group), lodging (camping at Reedsburg School Forest, dorm bunks at Elcho School Forest), and curriculum resources. One graduate credit will be available for additional cost.

Registration forms: REEDSBURG (pdf)   ELCHO (pdf)

Wilderness Writing for Wild Youth

Learn how to create an environmental writing program at your school, utilizing creative writing and environmental journalism meeting Wisconsin State Standards in English and Science for middle and high school.  Experiential, hands-on workshop for teachers and environmental educators who want to incorporate creative and scientific writing into their courses with elementary, middle, and high school students.

Explore the wild side of nature, develop your own writing style, and strengthen the environmental literacy skills of your students.  Walk away with a solid nature writing curriculum and the ability to lead your students confidently, into the wild, and deeper into discovering the wonders of life.

Workshop will be led by Jan D. Wellik, founder and executive director of Eco Expressions, a nature writing program for youth. She is the author of Nature Writing Field Guide for Teachers.  Here's more info on Jan Wellik and Eco Expressions.

When: August 20, 2008, 1pm-5pm

Where: Boston School Forest (Stevens Point)

Audience: K-12 teachers and environmental educators

Registration: $25 includes the recently published, Nature Writing Field Guide for Teachers ($25 value).  Here's more information and registration materials.



Non-LEAF Learning Opportunities

33rd Annual National Wellness Conference
“A Visionary Turning: Well Earth, Well People”
Jul 12-17, 2008
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
www.nationalwellness.org

Preserving nature and fostering wellness environments is the common thread woven through this year’s National Wellness Conference programming. The National Wellness Conference offers professionals a unique experience in learning how to develop methods to sustaining healthy living. Leaders from all over the world will be sharing their insights about how we can create a world that promotes optimal living.

Featured presenters this year: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Marian Nestle, Joan Borysenko, and Christine Thomas

More information: Conference Announcement (pdf)



Advanced Field Forestry
Jul 28, 2008-Friday, Aug 1, 2008
Trees For Tomorrow

Eagle River, WI 54521This workshop will provide teachers will field-based, advanced training in sustainable forest management. Visit logging sites, meet FISTA representatives, wildland fire specialists, and study woodland invasives. Food and lodging and 3 graduate credits provided by a WEEB grant for each participant. Fee: $50 non-refundable deposit.

To register: 800-838-9472 or www.treesfortomorrow.com/teachers.htm


54th Annual Environmental Education Workshop - Conservation Education, Inc.
July 28-31, 2008
Camp Sinawa, Valders, Wisconsin

Conservation Education, Inc. will host the annual Environmental Education Workshop at Camp Sinawa July 28-31. Teachers, non-formal educators, and others interested in learning more about the environment will participate in hands-on training in aquatic and terrestrial studies. Classes will take place at Camp Sinawa, in the beautiful Collins Marsh, and at other local natural areas. Credits are available through Silver Lake College. Here's the course announcement.  Go to http://www.conservation-education.org for more information.

EEK for Teachers!
WDNR Offerings for Educators and Students
This site lists oodles of opportunities for educators and others interested in environmental education!  Check it out!

Wisconsin K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP)

Masters in Environmental Education for K-12 Teachers Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education

GET(Global Environmental Teachings Program)

Environmental Education Online Courses: EETAP

College of Professional Studies: Professional Development Network

UWSP Continuing Education