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.
Due to popular demand, Lauren & Jade are BACK! π€© We invite educators & adults of all types to join us for this Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Strategies Course in January: outdoorlearning.com/event/sel-winter-2027/
In these 4 x 1 hour weekly online sessions, participants will learn how to use the outdoor environment around their school as a dynamic classroom for teaching self-awareness, relationship skills, emotional regulation, and responsible decision-making.
Each session offers practical strategies, outdoor learning activities to support educator wellness and tools to help students develop vital life skills while deepening their connection to the world around them. Perfect for educators seeking to weave SEL into their daily routines in joyful, grounded, and memorable ways.
Topics include:
π³ Self-awareness, mindfulness, emotional literacy through sit spots, nature observation and journaling.
π³ Social awareness, empathy, and communication through play, group activities and cooperative games.
π³ Emotional regulation, perseverance, and coping skills developed through outdoor challenges and tasks that take time.
π³ Ethics, problem-solving, and community-building using environmental stewardship and Indigenous pedagogies.
We hope you can join us! π₯° ... See MoreSee Less
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π Open to everyone! We invite you to sign-up for this SecwepemctsΓn (Shuswap) Introductory Language Course starting in January: outdoorlearning.com/event/secwepemctsin-intro-2027/
It includes 8 x weekly online sessions, access to the recording, and a certificate of completion for those that you attend. π« Both Eastern and Western dialects will be taught.
EVERYONE who wants to support language revitalization is invited to join, and it is FREE for Indigenous participants. ... See MoreSee Less
Learn More
Secwepemctsín (Shuswap) Introductory Language Course - Outdoor Learning School & Store
outdoorlearning.com
The language of the SecwΓ©pemc (Shuswap) people is known as SecwepemctsΓn. SecwepemctsΓn comes from the land and is a reflection of SecwΓ©pemc identity. It1 CommentsComment on Facebook
NEW! β¨ A Monthly TOP 10 Bestseller List: outdoorlearning.com/2026/11/07/top-10-monthly-bestsellers/
Included this month are books and resources by:
π³ Monique Gray Smith
π³ Carolyn Roberts
π³ Gillian Judson
π³ Lauren MacLean-Douglas
π³ Robin Wall Kimmerer
π³ Jo Chrona
π³ April Pikkarainen
π³ Michelle McKay
π³ Klara Redford
As always, 100% of our net proceeds go back to supporting outdoor learning non-profit initiatives. π Read more: outdoorlearning.com/ethical-policies-practices/ ... See MoreSee Less
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Just arrived! π A Steady Brightness of Being: Truths, Wisdom, and Love from Celebrated Indigenous Voices. Your can order this from our charity: outdoorlearning.com/product/a-steady-brightness-of-being/
Contributors include several Indigenous educators and authors who have been involved with Cycles of Indigenous Learning, including: David A. Robertson, Niigaan James Sinclair, Jesse Wente, Waubgeshig Rice & Richard Van Camp.
Other contributors include: Wab Kinew, Billy-Ray Belcourt, Cindy Blackstock, Cody Caetano, Warren Cariou, Norma Dunning, Kyle Edwards, Jennifer Grenz, Jon Hickey, Jessica Johns, Wab Kinew, Terese Marie Mailhot, Kent Monkman, Simon Moya-Smith, Pamela Palmater, Tamara Podemski, Miss Chief Eagle Testickle, Zoe Todd, David Treuer, Katherena vermette & Joshua Whitehead. Edited by Sara Sinclair and Stephanie Sinclair. ... See MoreSee Less
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π This week our Director of Indigenous Learning, Jenna, was elected to be on Council for her Shuswap Band. We commend her for stepping up for her community in this way! 𧑠Jenna will continue to play an integral role in offering the Cycles of Indigenous Learning Course. If you haven't already signed up, there is still time! outdoorlearning.com/cycles/ ... See MoreSee Less
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π€© This Week's Top 10 Bestsellers:
#1) Learning with the Land by Lauren MacLean-Douglas & April Pikkarainen (forward by Leona Prince): outdoorlearning.com/product/learning-with-the-land/
#2) The Journey Forward by Monique Gray Smith & Richard Van Camp: outdoorlearning.com/product/the-journey-forward/
#3) Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults adapted by Monique Gray Smith: outdoorlearning.com/product/braiding-sweetgrass-for-young-adults/
#4) Nature-based Therapy by Dr. Nevin Harper & Kathryn Rose: outdoorlearning.com/product/nature-based-therapy/
#5) Revered Roots by LoriAnn Bird: outdoorlearning.com/product/revered-roots/
#6) Outdoor Learning Sit Pads: outdoorlearning.com/product/outdoor-sit-pads/
#7) A Walking Curriculum by Dr. Gillian Judson: outdoorlearning.com/product/a-walking-curriculum/
#8) Re-Storying Education by Carolyn Roberts: outdoorlearning.com/product/re-storying-education/
#9) Handheld Field Magnifiers: outdoorlearning.com/product/handheld-field-magnifiers/
#10) Animal Tracks & Traces Field Guide: outdoorlearning.com/product/animal-tracks-traces/
View our ALL TIME most popular books, resources & tools: outdoorlearning.com/shop-outdoor-learning-products/?orderby=popularity ... See MoreSee Less
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π New Indigenous Learning Resources! outdoorlearning.com/themes/indigenous-learning/
These are recommended by Indigenous staff, advisors and partners, and offered and created by Indigenous authors, educators and organizations. ... See MoreSee Less
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π The view of one of our offices. We feel SO lucky to get to do this work in, about and for NATURE. ππ³β ... See MoreSee Less
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π FREE virtual workshop next week! Drs. Brussoni and Zeni will offer guidance for creating conditions and building capacity for risky play in schools, which serves to support the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth of children. π³β
Learn more & sign-up: outdoorlearning.com/event/supporting-risky-play-in-schools/ ... See MoreSee Less
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