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.
Kukstsélp Shuswap Band News & Suʔkni Ktunaxa Nation and Akisqnuk First Nation for continuing to hold the torch for the return of the Salmon in the Columbia River. Several of our team members joined in to bear witness to this event, and join the calls for Bringing the Salmon Home-Columbia River Salmon Reintroduction Initiative. ... See MoreSee Less
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It's another Feedback Friday and we're overjoyed with another beautiful sharing from a participant in 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning ✨✨✨
Join us this Fall for another journey into deepening understanding of Indigenous knowledge and perspectives while strengthening connections with the local Land and supporting more respectful, reciprocal relationships 🧡
Learn more: outdoorlearning.com/4-seasons/ ... See MoreSee Less
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🎉Feedback Friday! 🎉 We are stunned by the feedback we're receiving from so many amazing educators 🍂🌲🥳
Join us as we continue to learn from incredible authors and educators in our next FREE workshop series, starting September 17th!
Register here: outdoorlearning.com/workshops/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Early Bird closes on Sept 30 for this online Introductory Michif (Métis) Language Course starting on October 23. 🍂
This course is open to everyone – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous participants who wish to learn to uplift language revitalization. For Métis participants, it is offered at either a discounted or free rate - whatever isn't a barrier. And the course fee for other participants allows us to cover the costs to be able to offer this course for everyone.
Southern Michif is a traditional language of the Métis people. It is also known as Michif, Michif Cree, Heritage Michif, aan Cree, and aañ Crii. Participants will have 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 our Métis culture. Don’t miss this chance to connect with your roots and embrace the beauty of the Michif language.
We hope to learn alongside you this Fall! 🍂 ... See MoreSee Less
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Workshops – CBEEN Online
cbeen.ca
In partnership with over 50 non-profit organizations, we offer the 4 Seasons of Indigenous Learning course as an acknowledgement that authentically undertaking a personal learning journey towards Trut...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Our Inquiring Voices Gathering is coming up soon on September 27-29th at Riondel!!!! Just a few spots left so register today at cbeen.ca/gathering/
This retreat is being supported by our fantastic partners Environmental Educators Provincial Specialist Association (EEPSA) and Classrooms 2 Communities Education Network and is a great opportunity to network, exchange resources and stories, inspire one another, and have fun through dialogue and activity.
****If you need financial support to cover you registration fees please email education(at)cbeen.org ***** ... See MoreSee Less
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CBEEN Online – Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network
www.cbeen.org
Our organization supports a community of engaged and effective environmental educators by connecting them to resources, information, professional development, and networking opportunities.2 CommentsComment on Facebook
I'm stoked for this event!!! Who else is coming?
Love the picture. Great memories and learning opportunity.
We are excited to share our latest eNews which includes opportunities made possible by the following wide range of organizations:
The Outdoor Learning School & Store
Take Me Outside
Classrooms 2 Communities Education Network
East Kootenay Invasive Species Council - EKISC
Columbia Lake Stewardship Society
Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
Ktunaxa Nation ... See MoreSee Less
August eeNews: Welcome Back Edition 🌱
mailchi.mp
Land-based Learning and Reconciliation: Teaching CHILDREN Sept 24 How to Teach Nature Journaling: Curiosity, Wonder, Attention Oct 1 Climate Connections: Climate Change Education in Outdoor Learning O...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
A great resource from our friends at Take Me Outside ... See MoreSee Less
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Educators - our FREE Fall virtual workshops are now open for registration! 🙌🏼🍂🥳
outdoorlearning.com/workshops/
Each 60 min workshop includes a Certificate of Attendance, workshop recording, discounts for outdoor learning tools & resources and a chance to win great prizes! 🎉
These 7 free workshops bring together 15 AMAZING presenters & partners:
🍂 Land-based Learning and Reconciliation: Resources for Teaching Teens with Monique Gray Smith and Richard Van Camp
🍂 Land-based Learning and Reconciliation: Resources for Teaching Children with Elder Dr. Albert D. Marshall, Louise Zimanyi, Ariana Roundpoint, Rachel Vander Veen, Eileen Delehanty Pearkes and Willie Poll
🍂 How to Teach Nature Journaling: Curiosity, Wonder, Attention with John (Jack) Muir Laws
🍂 Climate Connections: Climate Change Education in Outdoor Learning with Hilary Inwood and Maria Vamvalis
🍂 FutureMakers: Resources to Inspire Students for Sustainability with Dawn Deydey at Wildsight Education
🍂 Virtual Book Launch! Sitting With Nature: An Educator’s Guide to Sit Spots with Lauren MacLean
🍂 Virtual Book Launch! Whispers of the Earth: A Journey through Indigenous Wisdom with Launa Purcell and Carl Sam
#outdoorlearning
#enviroed
Take Me Outside ... See MoreSee Less
Learn More
Free Virtual Workshops - Outdoor Learning School & Store
outdoorlearning.com
Free virtual workshops for educators featuring resource developers whose resources are available on the Outdoor Learning Store.3 CommentsComment on Facebook
Is this for only teens?
Jennifer Carla Nahanee Lorraine Louis
Chrystopher Thompson
Hi All, just a friendly reminder that early bird registration ends September 1 for the 2024 Inquiring Voices Gathering!
The gathering will take place September 27 – 29, 2024, at The Harbour at Riondel, in Riondel, BC! This starts late afternoon Friday September 27, and it ends at ~1pm on Sunday, September 29.
This event will bring together environmental educators to learn, share, connect, and collaborate with one another. These retreats are a great opportunity to network, exchange resources and stories, inspire one another, and have fun through dialogue and activity.
Registration includes all meals and accommodation.
Interested? Be sure to register ASAP here: ... See MoreSee Less
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Inquiring Voices – CBEEN Online
cbeen.ca
The goal of this annual event is to bring together educators to learn, share, connect, and collaborate with one another. These retreats are a great opportunity to network, exchange resources and stori...1 CommentComment on Facebook
Have the Indigenous people's been consulted and engaged?