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.
What a great day! It was too cold to paddle board, so the team did a tour of each other's gardens for our Team Get Together.
Many yummy raspberries, peas and the occasional tomato were enjoyed by all! π₯°π³βπ π ... See MoreSee Less
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Join us in celebrating ?Akisq'nuk Elder, Alfred Joseph, who led a beautiful and inspiring celebration on the launch of his book, Ktunaxa Nature Walk: Alfred Joseph's Walkabout π
Watch the moving video below where Alfred Joseph talks about the history of his incredible book and shares memories of Nadine Hale, who had a significant role in its creation β€οΈ
youtu.be/KeQP0OOXVCQ?si=8ymV7kUvOqWEnzzt ... See MoreSee Less
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Another great team get-together! π
A big thank you to Groundswell Community Greenhouse & Gardens for donating a garden bed to Jenna, Director of Indigenous Learning, who led us in planting sweetgrass and strawflower πΈπΎπΌ
Jenna shared some words from Robin Wall Kimmerer to inspire our gardening this Summer:
"Plant a garden. Itβs good for the health of the earth and itβs good for the health of the people. A garden is a nursery for nurturing connection, the soil for cultivation of practical reverence. And its power goes far beyond the garden gate. Once you develop a relationship with a little patch of earth, it becomes a seed for itself.β
By following Kimmerer's wise words, we are offering reciprocity to the land, the earth and the people π ... See MoreSee Less
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Just sayinββ¦. β₯οΈβ₯οΈβ₯οΈ ... See MoreSee Less
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Join Ktunaxa Elder Alfred Joseph on Tues, June 18 @ 5pm Mountain / 4pm Pacific for this virtual book launch celebration.
We will also honour Nadine Hale, who recently passed away, and whose efforts helped to bring this important project to life. π§‘
Learn more & sign-up to join us: cbeen.ca/workshops
You can order this book, and other books from this region, here: cbeen.ca/columbia-basin-resources ... See MoreSee Less
Sign Up
Workshops – CBEEN Online
cbeen.ca
Author Alfred Joseph is a highly respected Ktunaxa Elder and past chief of the Akisqnuk Nation. He is an expert in Ktunaxa language and knowledge and an immensely passionate, dedicated and talented ed...3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Ktunaxa Kinbasket Child and Family Service Society Ktunaxa Nation Lands and Resources Ktunaxa Nation Education & Employment Ktunaxa Nation Ktunaxa Pride Akisqnuk First Nation
There’s a glitch with the provinces not being listed for the required choice in the registration section.
New book alert!! π₯°π₯° ... See MoreSee Less
The Serviceberry: An Economy of Gifts and Abundance (pre-orders open!) - Outdoor Learning School & Store
outdoorlearningstore.com
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Braiding Sweetgrass, a bold and inspiring vision for how to orient our lives around gratitude, reciprocity, and community, based on the lessons of the ...1 CommentsComment on Facebook
We invite you to use your voice to join in advocating for important work in environmental learning! π³βπ
This is a rare opportunity for all Canadians to tell the federal government what a national framework on environmental learning should look like and to consider the many factors at play in this complex initiative. Consequently, we want all our Outdoor Learning Partners to be part of this pivotal discussion!
You can contribute towards this crucial work here: ... See MoreSee Less
Share your thoughts: Toward a National Framework for Environmental Learning Consultation - Canada.ca
www.canada.ca
A discussion paper for public consultation that provides an overview of environmental learning and its role in helping Canadians address climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Last week, we celebrated more outstanding local educators from across the Columbia Basin region for their efforts in educating students and the public on environmental stewardship and sustainability! πππ²
Thank for all of your efforts in providing and supporting outdoor and environmental learning in our local area! π
Join us one more time in celebrating CBEENβs 2024 Awards of Excellence in Environmental Education recipients:
πPost-Secondary Educator β Allison Lutz (Nelson/Castlegar)
πIntermediate Teacher β Dylan Dainard (Invermere)
πEarly Years Educator β Emma Shaw (Invermere)
πCommunity Educator β Jessie King (Invermere)
πPrimary Teacher β Katie Niddrie (Windermere)
πCommunity Educator βKim Urbaniak (Kimberley)
πIntermediate Teacher β Ricki Thomson (Cranbrook)
The 2024 award winners are all committed to creating opportunities for people to connect with, learn about, and learn from our amazing local environment. We are so grateful for their dedication to bringing outdoor learning opportunities for students, professionals, and community members throughout the Columbia Basin! ... See MoreSee Less
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Groundswell Community Greenhouse & Gardens, Wildsight, Wildsight Invermere, School District No. 6 - Rocky Mountain
Little Badger Early Learning Programs & Nature School
Congratulations to all! And thank you!
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In preparation for National Indigenous History Month (June) and National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), we offer these resources & training on the recommendation of Indigenous staff, advisors and partners. These are all written, created, developed and offered by Indigenous authors, educators and artists.
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βοΈ Resources for National Indigenous History Month
mailchi.mp
In preparation forΒ National Indigenous History Month (June)Β and National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), we offer the following resources & training on the recommendation of Indigenous staff, advi...4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Hi there, is there a certificate for this? Thanks!
Very Impressive! Would love it if there were as much interest in Victoria β€οΈ
Dawnalyn Webster