ABOUT US
CBEEN is the regional network for environmental education in the Columbia Basin.
MISSION
To encourage environmental stewardship and sustainability in the Canadian Columbia Basin by supporting environmental educators.
VISION
People in the Canadian Columbia Basin respect the natural environment and engage in sustainable activities.
GOALS
1. Maintain a vibrant and engaged network of educators in the Canadian Columbia Basin, and provide this network with excellent environmental education professional development resources and opportunities.
2. Facilitate collaboration amongst members, partner organizations, and Basin communities to effectively achieve our shared mandates and vision.
3. Undertake a process to better role model and support diversity, equity, and inclusion in the field of Environmental Education.
4. Expand network to increase engagement with and support for early years educators.
5. Maintain a sustainable organization which has effective and ethical governance in accordance with its non-profit and charitable status.
CBEEN is a Non-Profit Society and Registered Charity.
Over a decade ago, educators from across the Canadian Columbia Basin recognized that they shared geographic and cultural links and also a common interest in environmental education (EE).
The Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN) was born out of this shared sense of identity and from the common desire to support and promote EE on a regional scale. Over the past 10 years CBEEN has grown from a small group of passionate educators to a large and vibrant network of educators from across the Columbia Basin and beyond.
The Canadian Columbia Basin stretches from the Okanagan in the west to the Alberta border in the east and from Valemount in the north to the United States border in the south.
The communities within this region are linked through the water and their citizens’ past and future are intertwined historically, socially, economically, and environmentally. The region is also internationally recognized for its biodiversity values. Networks like CBEEN facilitate connections and information exchange among individuals who share common interests, inspiring innovation and efficiencies at all levels. This is especially important in the largely rural context of the Canadian Columbia Basin where communities are small, geographically dispersed and resources are limited.
Staff & Board of Directors
Awards
In 2018, CBEEN’s Executive Director, Duncan Whittick, won the Canadian Environmental Education ‘Outstanding Individual in an Organization’ award. This national award is presented to an individual associated with an organization who has made a significant contribution to environmental education in Canada.
In 2018, Cheryl Lenardon (CBEEN Director) received a Canadian Award of Excellence on behalf of the Kootenay-Boundary Environmental Education Committee (KBEE), representing school districts 5, 6, 8, 10, 20 and 51. This is an initiative of the Kootenay-Boundary Chapter of the BC School Superintendents Association.
In 2014, CBEEN was successful in nominating the Columbia Basin Trust for a National Award of Excellence, recognizing their outstanding capacity building efforts of environmental education across the Columbia Basin. CBEEN had the privilege of presenting this to CBT on behalf of the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication.
In 2015, CBEEN was the sole recipient of the province-wide BC School Superintendent Association (BCSSA) Community Award of Recognition. This award recognized CBEEN’s “outstanding contributions to support and enhance public school education in the Province of British Columbia”.
In 2015, CBEEN Director Monica Nissen was named ‘Outstanding Environmental Education Non-Profit Individual’ by the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication (EECOM) at its national conference in Canmore.
In 2013, CBEEN was named ‘Outstanding Environmental Education Membership Organization’ by the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication (EECOM) at its national conference for its ongoing successful support of environmental education across the region.
Looking for some fun, easy, nature-based games? Just added! ☀ Sticks, Stones & Pine Cones: Games to Play in Nature. outdoorlearning.com/product/sticks-stones-and-pine-cones/
“This book is a revelation of games that connect players to the world around them, uses found objects, plays with math, literacy and all around thinking concepts in a way that was super engaging for the students I worked with K – 7!” – Outdoor Educator
“A great book packed with activities to reach any learner. These games have a high ceiling and low floor approach with so many options for differentiation. I could see these activities being used as a filler, or more specifically for math and literacy options. Absolutely love the no-prep use of natural objects, which connects the learner to their outdoor spaces.” – Elementary Teacher ... See MoreSee Less
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Newly added! Sticks, Stones & Pine Cones: Games to Play in Nature. outdoorlearning.com/.../sticks-stones-and-pine.../
“This book is a revelation of games that connect players to the world around them, uses found objects, plays with math, literacy and all around thinking concepts in a way that was super engaging for the students I worked with K – 7!” – Outdoor Educator
“A great book packed with activities to reach any learner. These games have a high ceiling and low floor approach with so many options for differentiation. I could see these activities being used as a filler, or more specifically for math and literacy options. Absolutely love the no-prep use of natural objects, which connects the learner to their outdoor spaces.” – Elementary Teacher ... See MoreSee Less
Sticks, Stones & Pine Cones: Games to Play in Nature - Outdoor Learning School & Store
outdoorlearning.com
This portable, charmingly illustrated book features 37 board and other games that are easy to set up and require only the materials you can sustainably forage around you, such as pinecones, pebbles, s...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
With the resumption in postal services, literally HUNDREDS of orders left our Outdoor Learning Store today, destined for new homes. 🥰
We want to extend a HUGE thanks to our staff team who managed the challenges of this past month, and found new and creative ways to get orders into people's hands (including many hand deliveries and friends passing along to friends passing along to new friends!😅)
If you want to see some of the faces behind these orders, check out our Awesome Outdoor Learning Store Team: outdoorlearningstore.com/about/our-awesome-team/ ... See MoreSee Less
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⭐️ Newly added Indigenous Learning Books & Resources!
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10 New Indigenous Learning Resources! - Outdoor Learning School & Store
outdoorlearning.com
On the recommendation of Indigenous staff, advisors and partners, we have recently made these incredible Indigenous Learning Resources available: The Serviceberry: An Economy of Gifts and Abundance Ro...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🔥 We invite you to gather up and join Indigenous storytellers for this incredible 4-part virtual series starting in January.
Hosted by Monique Gray Smith, join:
❄ Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer on January 30
🍀 Richard Van Camp on March 27
🌻 Judy Halbert and Linda Kaser on April 24
☀ Leona Prince on May 29
These inspiring and informative sessions will focus on the importance of stories and storytelling in the field of education and other disciplines that support educating hearts, minds and spirits.
Monique and her guests will also share stories from their own lives that have been impactful in how they work and in how they live their lives. They will be inspirational sessions that will leave participants thinking about their own stories, which stories to use in education and how to use the tools of storytelling in their work. ... See MoreSee Less
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We invite you to join us for this Winter Ktunaxa Introductory Online Language Course. ❄
This course is open to everyone – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants who wish to learn to uplift language revitalization.
Join Alfred Joseph and Mara Nelson for 8 weeks of Foundational Ktunaxa Language Learning. Learn the sounds, words and some history of the Ktunaxa Language. ... See MoreSee Less
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Ktunaxa Introductory Language Course (8 x 90 min classes) - Outdoor Learning School & Store
outdoorlearning.com
Scroll Down to Register We invite you to join us for this Ktunaxa Introductory Online Language Course. Join Alfred Joseph and Mara Nelson for 8 weeks of Foundational Ktunaxa Language […]8 CommentsComment on Facebook
School District No. 6 - Rocky Mountain School District 5 Southeast Kootenay Columbia Basin Trust Columbia Outdoor School Kootenay Conservation Program Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology SD8 - Kootenay Lake Wildsight College of the Rockies
Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child and Family Service Society Ktunaxa Nation Education & Employment Ktunaxa Nation Lands and Resources Ktunaxa Nation Ktunaxa/ Ksanka Language Group 2.0 Ktunaxa Pride Ktunaxa Nation Citizens' Forum Aq’am Language and Culture Akisqnuk First Nation Lower Kootenay Band
One of the most wonderful courses I have ever participated in (twice! and will be thrice soon! I am a level 1 lifer!) Mara and Alfred are such amazing humans and extraordinary teachers in their shared tenderness, humour, wisdom, and dedication to preserving the Ktunaxa language. So grateful that this offering is here again! It hits me right in the heart as a local gal who lives on/grew up on this land, I feel it helps me to have an even stronger connection to and a better understanding of this land through the world view that this beautiful language and culture express. Thank you so much for this generous offering! Highly recommend this course! 🙌💖
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We invite you to join us for this Winter Michif (Métis) Introductory Language Course. ❄❄❄
outdoorlearning.com/events/category/online-courses/
These 6 interactive 90-minute online lessons on Monday evenings in January & February offer the opportunity to delve into the rich Métis heritage and acquire fundamental Michif language skills.
Led by a traditional Michif speaker Marie Schoenthal, this workshop promises an immersive experience that celebrates and preserves Métis culture.
This course is sponsored by Métis Nation British Columbia and as a result, is free for all participants. ... See MoreSee Less
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Events Archive - Outdoor Learning School & Store
outdoorlearning.com
November 30, 2024 - May 31, 2025 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning Online Learning In partnership with over 50 non-profit organizations, we offer the 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning course as an ackno...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We’ve got our poop in a group 💩💩💩 and are ready for your orders of scat & tracks!
Wildsight 😊💩Getting our poop in a group with the Animal Tracks & Traces Teaching Kit! outdoorlearning.com/product/animal-tracks-traces-teaching-kit/
Wildsight ... See MoreSee Less
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Outdoor Experiences Online Auction
Bidding closes on Sun, Dec 1 @ 8pm Mountain / 7pm Pacific Time
As a result of the generous support of many partners, members and businesses, there are 30 incredible outdoor experiences and supporting equipment & gear available to be bid on! This will provide financial support for our Wild Voices for Kids Program! Help bring Environmental Education to students across the Columbia Basin by making a bid today!
cbeen.ca/auction/ ... See MoreSee Less
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CBEEN Outdoor Experiences Auction
www.32auctions.com
Silent auction 'CBEEN Outdoor Experiences Auction' hosted online at 32auctions.3 CommentsComment on Facebook
@followers - bidding closes tonight at 8pm Pacific! www.32auctions.com/WildVoicesFundraiser2024?r=1&t=all
We still have one adult lift ticket to Revelstoke Mountain Resort with no bids!!! This is a great opportunity to support Wild Voices for Kids and get an awesome price on a lift ticket to one of the best ski hills in Canada!
Irene Hervs