EcoSchools U.S.

Great opportunity for young photographers to show off their best photos!

📷 Find details here: https://rangerrick.org/photo-contest/

Ideas for connecting kids to nature!

🌿 As part of our Connecting Kids to Nature series, let’s talk about another effective way to connect kids to the natural world!

#8 Incorporate Vocabulary Whenever Possible and Revisit that Vocabulary After it has Been Introduced

Daniel suggests, "You can use new words by pairing them with familiar words, like, 'Hey, check out how that pervious pavement allows the rain water to soak through it!' - The more comfortable your child is hearing new vocabulary, the more confidence they’ll have to break words down or otherwise infer their meaning."

Bures adds, "One way to explore animal habitats is with a scavenger hunt -Depending on the age of your child you may use words, pictures, or a combination of both on the scavenger hunt and include things like a bird nest, rotting log, hole in the ground, creek, leaves… "

To read more on Connecting Kids to Nature, click the link below!

🔗https://ncwf.org/blog/connecting-kids-to-nature/

What can you do to reduce your plastic consumption and waste this summer?
📲Read this NWF blog for ideas ⬇️
🌎 Check out the global Plastic Free July movement: https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/

Plastic Summer - The National Wildlife Federation Blog Summer usually means more waste due to an increase in outdoor activities with friends and family. Learn how to be more mindful with plastic waste.

“Nothing rejuvenates many of us quite so much as connecting the young to nature.” – Richard Louv

Ever seen nature’s magic through a child’s eyes? It’s not just great for them, but a boost for us too!

This summer, make memories in nature with those around you. It’s bound to be a fun adventure for all!

"Intergenerational collaboration to create and restore habitat has been a key component of the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge program since it was introduced in 2015 to encourage communities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to combat monarch butterfly decline and the pollinator crisis."

Read Generations of Environmentalists Protecting the Four Generations of Monarchs

https://blog.nwf.org/2024/06/generations-of-environmentalists-protecting-the-four-generations-of-monarchs/

Congratulations to all the schools who earned EcoSchools U.S. Certification! As summer kicks into high gear, our team is busy working on exciting updates for the 2024-25 school year. We can't wait to share the new action cards & campaigns!

Juneteenth, celebrated each year on June 19th, marks the day in 1865 when enslaved African-Americans in Texas were finally informed of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. 159 years later, Black communities across the country are still fighting for freedom–-freedom to have clean air, clean water, and healthy environments. Today and everyday, we thank the environmental justice leaders who continue to fight for these freedoms, as it has not only benefited their communities, but all communities.

Want to learn more about pollinators during ? Take a look at this blog from the National Wildlife Federation.

Pollinator Week: Birds, Bees, & Everything in Between - The National Wildlife Federation Blog As Pollinator Week comes and goes, we learn facts about some well-known and not-so-popular pollinators and the native plants they thrive on.

How can educators bring youth and community together to take collective action for the environment? The Resilient Schools and Communities Replication Toolkit from the National Wildlife Federation equips educators with a solutions-focused curriculum that instills hope for the future.
Learn more about the toolkit and the partners involved in bringing it to life: https://eepro.naaee.org/community/blog/national-wildlife-federations-toolkit-whole-community-climate-resilience (EcoSchools U.S.)

Celebrate Oceans - NWF Green Hour Show the ocean some love.

Did you know that today, June 5th is , celebrated by millions around the globe?

The theme for 2024 focuses on land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience. Learn how you can get involved with

World Environment Day World Environment Day is the United Nations day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment.

Celebrating 30 years of the global Eco-Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment programs! 🥳

🥳Join our 30 Year Anniversary Celebration Webinar of Eco-Schools and Young Reporters for the Environment on Thursday 6th June 15.00-16.30 CEST 🥳
📌 Register here to join the celebration:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvcuihpz8qHNHKW7PyqLCye9Azr9UMdGj0 #/registration
🔉 During this celebration you will hear from teachers, students and experts that have been part of our programmes.
They will share about the transformative practices which are extending sustainability and climate action beyond campuses into the wider community. This webinar will also recognise the outstanding work of teachers in Education for Sustainable Development from around the globe! 🌐

Feel free to invite other teachers and colleagues that want to celebrate with us: https://www.yre.global/webinars
Photo credit: Детска Градина "Иглика" Бургас / Kindergarten "Iglika" Burgas

UNESCO Office for Climate Education

Why Connect Kids With Nature? | National Wildlife Federation Connecting children with nature has health benefits, such as developing physical strength, enhancing imagination, reducing aggression and improving academics.

Upcoming summer institute opportunity for educators!

May is American Wetlands Month, and it's the perfect time to deepen our understanding of one of nature's most dynamic wetland ecosystems—estuaries.

Estuaries are areas where a river meets the ocean, typically seen as a place of mixing between fresh and saltwater. These environments are not just biologically rich; they are also economic powerhouses.

🐟 Nurseries & Protection: Estuaries serve as crucial nurseries for numerous marine species vital to the fishing industry and act as natural buffers that absorb storm surges, helping reduce coastal erosion.
🌿 Biodiversity Hotspots: Estuaries are some of the planet's most productive ecosystems, supporting diverse flora and fauna communities.
🌊 Natural Filters: Estuaries enhance water quality by filtering out sediments and pollutants from rivers, ensuring cleaner ocean waters.

Given estuaries' critical role in enhancing biodiversity, protecting coastlines, and maintaining water quality, it is more important than ever to understand and safeguard these ecosystems.

Explore the significance of estuaries with us and discover how you can contribute to their preservation: https://buff.ly/3V0Wic4

It's that time of year and we are so excited to recognize the amazing work happening at schools around the country! Congratulations to DeSoto Trail Elementary School on their EcoSchools U.S. Green Flag certification! What a great way to end the school year!

It’s a good day to learn more about bees!

Explore these links to learn more about Endangered Species!

A friendly reminder - if you are working towards an certification, please submit your completed plan no later than June 7th!

Did your school participate in ? Scan the QR code below to take the survey or head to https://www.fee.global/gad-2024-participation-survey-certificate

Deadline 5/17/24!

🌟This year’s were bigger than ever with over 430,000 participants from 116 countries but we want to know what YOU think!

➡ Make sure to complete the participation survey by May 17th to receive your 2024 Global Action Days Participation Certificate: https://www.fee.global/gad-2024-participation-survey-certificate 🎖

Mental health plays a critical role in the cognitive, emotional and social development of children and youth.

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re highlighting how something as simple as a green schoolyard can make such a huge difference with a child’s mental health.

Green schoolyards offer a handful of benefits including decreased stress, enhanced positive emotions and enhanced supportive social relationships.

Check out this infographic to learn more about why green schoolyards should be implemented everywhere to enhance children’s mental health, social emotional learning and well-being.
https://bit.ly/3y9GE5n

There's one day left to participate in our teacher appreciation giveaway before we close the form tomorrow! You have until 5PM CST on Friday, May 10th to add your name to the drawing to win free registration to the Summer Institute for Climate Change Education or a free bag of coffee from Peace Coffee.
https://bit.ly/3JUdnhM

Who’s that bird I hear? What’s that bird I see? Empower yourself and your students to identify birds with free apps and online resources. Birds provide a great way to connect kids to nature and encourage them to tune into their local habitat. In this free webinar, we’ll explore the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s latest tools in supporting your efforts to watch birds with youth, including our new Educator’s Guide to Merlin, the Lab’s free bird ID app. Join us on May 21! Register here: https://buff.ly/3FdLi2l

📷 Cornell Lab K-12 Education

A week is not long enough to express our appreciation for all the work teachers do throughout the year, whether teaching in the classroom, working in an outdoor schoolyard learning lab, or working with youth leaders to tackle environmental issues in the local community. Thank you!

The 2024 Challenge encourages young people to address marine issues like biodiversity loss and marine debris through the power of science, innovation, collaboration, education, and technology.

🐠Youth ages 15–30 from around the world are invited to share their ideas to protect our ocean.

➡Visit https://thegeep.org/youth-innovation-challenge to learn more and submit by June 12, 2024

Around the world, young people are taking steps to advance marine conservation. In partnership with the Taiwan Ocean Conservation Administration (海洋委員會海洋保育署) is launching the 2024 Challenge, which encourages young people to address marine issues like biodiversity loss and marine debris through the power of science, innovation, collaboration, education, and technology.

🐠Youth ages 15–30 from around the world are invited to share their ideas to protect our ocean. Winning solutions that are innovative, feasible, and informed by research will receive global recognition, a $1000 USD prize, and be invited to attend an award ceremony at OCA’s marine debris conference in Taiwan in September 2024!

🪸This next generation of marine heroes can begin by visiting the link in our bio or bit.ly/YouthInnovationChallenge to learn more and submit by June 12, 2024.

Get creative while raising awareness for by joining the Endangered Species Chalk Art Event from May 11th - May 19th!

Find all the details here: https://www.endangered.org/endangered-species-chalk-art-event/

Endangered Species Day is just weeks away. Join the celebration at home or at an event. - Endangered Species Coalition It’s here again – the 19th annual, international Endangered Species Day will be taking place on Friday, May 17th, 2024! Find out how you can celebrate Endangered Species Day this May. Endangered Species Day is an opportunity for people of…

Check out the cost-saving, health-promoting, hands-on learning practices of the 2024 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools. Learn more in the Highlights Report. https://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/performance.html

Meet the 2024 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools! Join the U.S. Department of Education in congratulating them, as well as reading and sharing their stories of whole school sustainability.

https://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/awards.html