“I loved how the facilitators were engaging students in aesthetic experiences throughout the day… it wasn’t all about science but engaging science with the senses and arts” - Primary Teacher, Southeast Kootenay SD5 on Wild Voices' I.D.E.A.L. Society Tour.

This week, we're profiling BC Parks in our #CBEENdirectory feature!

BC Parks protects representative and special natural places within the province’s Protected Areas System for world-class conservation, outdoor recreation, education and scientific study. In addition to their other important work in the Basin, BC Parks supports our Wild Voices program by providing bussing subsidy for classrooms visiting nearby parks! You can find them among our other important funders here: https://cbeen.ca/cbeen-supporters/.

BC Parks is now hiring for seasonal Park Ranger positions across the province! Find details on our job board: https://cbeen.ca/job-volunteer-board/

Learn more about BC Parks and over 125 other organizations in the region at http://cbeen.org/directory/.

“I received feedback from many parents that the children talked about their experience and wanted to go back to the site we visited to show their parents the insects we discovered.” - Distributed Learning Teacher, Kootenay Lake SD8 on Wild Voices' A Day with Macroinvertebrates.

Columbia Outdoor School is this week's #CBEENdirectory feature!

Columbia Outdoor School educates youth and adults to broaden perspectives, develop science literacy and foster appreciation for engaged citizenship. The society owns and operates Blue Lake Camp and coordinates the Restore Joseph Creek Project. In case you missed it, there are a number of great job opportunities for Columbia Outdoor School's spring and summer season posted on CBEEN's job board: https://cbeen.ca/job-volunteer-board/

Find out more about Columbia Outdoor School and over 125 other organizations in the region at http://cbeen.org/directory/.

Share the Love this February! This month, mention the teacher-friend who recommended Wild Voices to you when you book a program, and we'll grant them a second complimentary booking (incl. bussing) to use this year!: https://cbeen.ca/wildvoices-programs/.

“Connecting the classroom learning with hands-on outdoors experiences promotes an interest in the 'bigger picture' of science.” - Middle School Teacher, Kootenay-Columbia SD20 on Wild Voices' Winter Safety and Survival Skills.

The East Kootenay Invasive Species Council - EKISC is this week's #CBEENdirectory feature!

EKISC's mission is to mitigate the negative environmental, social, and economic impacts of invasive species. Check out some of their resources for learning, and find out how to get your class involved in your community, here: http://ow.ly/PQBV30nsk1P. If you're looking for an exciting job opportunity in the Basin, EKISC is now on the hunt for a Program Manager! Check it out on our job board: https://cbeen.ca/job-volunteer-board/

Find out more about EKISC and over 125 other organizations in the region at http://cbeen.org/directory/.

This week we're profiling the North Columbia Environmental Society in our #CBEENdirectory feature!

Based in Revelstoke, the NCES came together to represent the environmental issues that concern of residents, and to work together to find positive solutions. In addition to other public outreach and education offerings, the NCES gets students involved in nature-based learning through their Glacier Adventure Stewardship and Jr. Naturalists programs. The NCES is currently looking for a Coordinator for Jr. Nats programs to take place this March 2019, check out the posting on our job board: https://cbeen.ca/job-volunteer-board/

Find out more about the NCES and over 125 other organizations in the region at http://cbeen.org/directory/.

Teachers! We love reading your feedback on Wild Voices programs so much we had to share it. Sending you off this Friday with some positive, place-based vibes... “I have done this presentation a few times and I still learn a lot from it. I really feel enthusiastic about this amazing place we live and I think the kids get that feeling from this presentation. Shanoon really is passionate about the wild plants and gets the kids to become very engaged and proud of where they live as well.” - Primary Teacher, Kootenay-Columbia SD20 on Wild Voices' Incredible Edibles.

Climate Change Educators! Are you considering attending EECOM 2019 in Saskatoon to invigorate your passion, connect with fellow educators and glean some new ideas? CBEEN can support up to five educators from the Basin by covering their conference registration fee. Apply for a bursary by Jan 31st (next Thursday) by following this link: https://cbeen.ca/workshops/. Tag an educator who might be interested!

Thank you to the City of Rossland for their commitment to support Wild Voices programs locally for the next three years!

Sometimes just a simple piece of gear, a tool, prop or costume can make learning memorable for students. Thank you to the Kootenay Savings Community Foundation for their generous contribution to support equipment and material purchases for our Wild Voices presentations and field studies this year!

It's been a full and incredible year: with a wildly successful EECOM conference, almost 5,000 students participating in Wild Voices programs and the launch of our EE Endowment Fund! Thank you to the community partners, innovative educators and to the members who helped make 2018 so wonderful. We can't wait to share what's in store for 2019. As we get ready to sign off for the holidays, we're wishing each of you and yours a season that's merry, bright and full of natural wonder.

Our gratitude to the Columbia Valley Community Foundation, and donors the Loewen family, for their contribution to support Wild Voices programs in the Columbia Valley this year!

Thank you to the Nelson & District CU for their contribution to support classroom bussing for Wild Voices programs in Nelson this year!

Support from Regional District of Central Kootenay areas H, I and J has made Wild Voices programs possible in Slocan Valley South and Rural Castlegar this year. Thank you RDCK Directors for your contribution to environmental learning!

Looking for some winter outdoor learning inspiration? Here are some local tips & tricks for educators from educators! http://kbee.ca/winter/

The latest from our friends at the North American Association for Environmental Education - NAAEE? Research that supports what many of you already know: http://ow.ly/3MEh30mDl8y

"Place-based and community-engaged environmental education can empower students to exercise greater civic agency related to sustainability. This type of experiential pedagogical approach can inspire environmental action, not only among students, but also in surrounding communities."

FortisBC has been a long-time supporter of Wild Voices programs in the Basin communities they serve. Thank you FortisBC for helping us get more kids outside, learning in and from their natural environment!