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 citizensβ 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 &Β Board of Directors
Awards
In 2018, CBEEN’s Executive Director, Duncan Whittick, won the Canadian Environmental Education ‘Outstanding Individual in an Organization’ award.Β 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 βoutstanding contributions to support and enhance public school education in the Province of British Columbiaβ.
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 βOutstanding Environmental Education Membership Organizationβ 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.
Resources for tomorrow & the seasons ahead! π³βπβ outdoorlearning.com/indigenous-learning/ ... See MoreSee Less
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If you are looking for additional ways to engage in reconciliation on Tuesday, September 30, we invite you to join us at this free 1 hour online session happening at 4pm Pacific / 5pm Mountain time: outdoorlearning.com/event/indigenous-learning-across-the-seasons/
This will be led by Director of Indigenous Learning, Jenna Jasek, who will be accompanied by 4 incredible Indigenous educators: Monique Gray Smith, Launa Payne-Purcell, Alyson McMullen and Myah Birrell! π§‘
This invitation is open to EVERYONE to participate in this welcoming workshop to better learn, recognize and take action in your truth and reconciliation practice through all seasons. π ... See MoreSee Less
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Tomorrow. Reconciliation is for EVERYONE.Don't forget, we are hosting a free pancake breakfast for Truth and Reconciliation Day tomorrow, September 28th from 9:00am to 11:00am at Columbia Lake Recreation Centre in Windermere.
Everyone is welcome! Wear orange to show your support. ... See MoreSee Less
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Outdoor Learning doesn't get much better than this!
140 kids all learning about (and from) the Salmon and the beautiful connections to us and all our relations within our local and watershed environment delivered by a group of superb educators, scientists and conservationists! ππ¦ π¦ππ
Our Director of Learning Jade loves the chance to spend time boots on the ground educating, in this case sharing interactive stories and educational games from our Super Salmon Learning Kit.
Such a delight to work with 140+ students from SD19 across 4 different Elementary schools!
Interested in learning about Salmon more yourself? Get your fins on one of our incredible kits:
outdoorlearning.com/product/salmon-kit/
So great to collaborate with:
Wildsight Wildsight Revelstoke Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society BC Hydro ... See MoreSee Less
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Don't take it from us...read the reviews from 200 past participants: outdoorlearning.com/feedback-4-seasons/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Exciting update! At this (free!) virtual workshop on Tuesday, Sept 30, Jenna will be joined by 4 incredible Indigenous educators: Monique Gray Smith, Launa Payne-Purcell, Alyson McMullen and Myah Birrell! π₯° They will each share more about some exceptional Indigenous learning opportunities are resources. Sign-up here: outdoorlearning.com/event/indigenous-learning-across-the-seasons/ ... See MoreSee Less
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Early Years Educators - it's finally here! π₯°
A New Course Built for Early Years Educators Like You ππ±
We know outdoor learning can feel overwhelming, especially with little ones. Thatβs why we created a course made just for Early Years Educators working with children aged 0β6.
Outdoor Play & Learning for Early Years Educators is a self-paced, online course packed with:
- Research-informed foundations of outdoor play
- Child development through nature-based learning
- Real tools and activities you can use right away
Whether you're in a preschool, childcare centre, or play-based program, this course is for you.
Learn more & sign-up! outdoorlearning.com/event/outdoor-play-and-learning-early-years/ ... See MoreSee Less
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September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
This day honours Survivors of Canada's residential school system, their families, and communities, and those who did not make it home. It helps ensure public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools in our country and is an important step in the process toward reconciliation. Show your support by attending an event and wearing an orange shirt.
Public Events:
~ Shuswap Band - Truth and Reconciliation Day - Shuswap Band Community Hall
Sept 26 -2:00 pm - Open to everyone, snacks and refreshments provided
~ ΚakisqΜnuk First Nation - Bringing Reconciliation and Breakfast to Our Community - Columbia Lake Recreation Centre, Windermere
Sept 28 - 9:00 am - Free pancake breakfast
~ ΚaqΜam - Truth and Reconciliation Day - St Eugene's Mission Golf Resort
Sept 30 - 10:00 am - Show your support by hearing the stories, making the walk and wearing orange
~ YaqΜit ΚaΒ·knuqⱑiβit First Nation in partnership with the City of Fernie - City Hall 501 3 Ave , Fernie BC
Sept 30 - 10:00 am - A morning of reflection and remembrance
~ Indigenous Learning across the Seasons - Online workshop
Sept 30 - 5:00 pm - Join Director of Indigenous Learning, Jenna Jasek (SecwΓ©pemc, Ktunaxa), along with special guests to showcase resources for learning
~ City of Kimberley Sugarcane Film Screening - Centre 64, 64 Deer Park Ave
Oct 5 - 6:30 pm - Award-winning National Geographic Documentary
Details of these events can be found here: www.rdek.bc.ca/about/national_day_for_truth_and_reconciliation
If you have an event that you would like included in this list, please email nsiemens@rdek.bc.ca ... See MoreSee Less
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Today we enjoyed spending time at the Groundswell Community Greenhouse & Gardens with staff from David Thompson Secondary School supporting them in their goal to engage more deeply with outdoor & environmental learning. Six organizations came together to offer this professional development session. π»
Groundswell Community Greenhouse & Gardens
Columbia Outdoor School
The Outdoor Learning School & Store
East Kootenay Invasive Species Council - EKISC
Wildsight
Wildsight Invermere
Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN)
School District No. 6 - Rocky Mountain ... See MoreSee Less
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