Wild Rose Education News

Serving North America's eePro Community

8/28/2018

Sarah Johnson has recently been selected to serve the North American Association for Environmental Education's eePro community as a moderator of the Guidelines for Excellence Group. She will grow the online community of practitioners and leaders in environmental education sharing resources, discussing and asking questions about how members are utilizing the Guidelines for Excellence and other innovative best practices that incorporate the Guidelines and professionalize the field of EE, and celebrating the excellent work members are doing across North America and beyond.
All are invited to join the free eePro professional platform hosting a wide spectrum of environmental education interests. Upon creating a free account, you can join as many eePro groups as you'd like.
Sarah is co-moderating the professional community alongside Bora Simmons and Renee Strnad who are all three members and leaders in the Guidelines for Excellence Trainers Bureau.

Guidelines for Excellence

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Celebrating 2nd Annual Western Rivers Teacher Workshop

6/29/2018

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Eighteen educators from across Colorado, Nebraska, and Nevada convened for a River Ecology and Water Management courses during the 2nd annual Western Rivers Teacher Workshop during Western State Colorado University's Summer Teacher Institute in June 2018.

Reflections from Participants

Never underestimate the power of giving your students a voice and a magnifying glass!
I feel that this class was helpful to me by giving me more knowledge, ideas, and empowerment to lead students in outdoor science experiences myself. I feel that this class gave me more tools that I could use to creatively teach many different science standards outdoors, particularly about rivers and streams.
This course left me with more questions than answers, which is a very good thing from my social science perspective. The content and discussion will continue to inform the questions and perspectives I explore personally, as well as shape the strategies and activities I employ as an educator.
I became a better observer by the sustained practice of looking closely and thoughtfully at my environment, but in this class I learned more about how to help my students become better observers.
The teaching strategies that were used in this class were good models of teaching strategies that I can use for my students who are learning English as a second language, whether in science or in another subject.
I think that what I learned in this class will help me better consider and articulate what all students need to be curious and inquisitive learners.
I will remember that it is most important to instill an intrinsic love of learning and active curiosity, rather than teaching students that their job as learners is to find a right answer.
I feel I gained such new understanding about macro-invertebrates through the way Sarah intentionally led us through the process of exploring, observing, asking questions, making connections, discovering scientific mysteries, and making evidence based explanations...
One of the most significant insights that I come away with is not only giving students time to observe the natural world but teaching them how to observe the natural world.
My ways of teaching students about the river have changed after taking this class.
The course made me think about our water differently and what I can do to help conserve and teach others about the importance of our water.
After this course I have come to see that we live in an arid west and because of many things, water is being used up. I need to be even more intentional about the way I think about and use water.
I will start with myself and thinking about how I can help. Then, I will teach my students the facts and encourage them to look past themselves and into the solution. One small stone thrown into a lake creates a ripple that continues over the surface of the lake. My goal is to create a lot of ripples because my students know the facts and have a heart to help.

Participant Feedback

I felt the class (instructor) did an excellent job of bridging the gaps and providing valuable insights, resources, and activities for any type of teacher in any environment.
Outstanding field trips and impressive, compelling speakers. Wow!
Instruction was intentionally well-modeled, engaging, and hands-on, providing many ready-to-go classroom activities, and a variety of resources and lesson ideas.
The workshop has helped me realize how to make my classes student-centered.
The workshop information was mostly appropriate for students I teach and I felt I left with projects I could use immediately (mapping water basins, relief maps, buckets, vocabulary list, and a deeper understanding of local water issues).
The class is so applicable to living here in southern Nevada.
Excellent use of pedagogy, content, and discussion! VERY applicable for teachers!
I really enjoyed all aspects of the class, even those that I didn't see a direct path for what I teach. It was nice to participate with a group of experienced teachers and hear their perspectives on the activities and lessons we learned.
This class emphasized the process of science and the need for curiosity in learning.
I'm looking forward to showing the kids the story map program so that they can use it in the class.

Participants' Story Maps

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View Youth-made Climate Change Films

6/21/2018

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The student made films from the Lens on Climate Change Program are now available to be viewed and shared.

Thanks again to CIRES, University of Colorado Office of Outreach and Engagement, and the Colorado Film School for bringing their program on the road to Carbondale reaching 20 local middle and high school students during the 6 day free workshop at the Third Street Center.

The films will be screened during the 2018 Healthy Rivers Youth Water Summit and also submitted to the Colorado Environmental Film Festival.

Thanks to Sponsors and Community Partners

Special thanks to all who made the Lens on Climate Change program possible in Carbondale, Colorado including: Community Office for Resource Efficiency, Third Street Center, CLEER, Solar Rollers, and Two Rivers Unitarian Universalists.

Career Panel

Ellie Barber, Aspen Global Change Institute
Morgan Hill, Garfield County Public Health
Ali O’Neil, Evergreen Zero Waste
Haley Thompson, filmmaker
Sarah Uhl, artist, joy evangelist

Community Experts

Jake DeWolf, Colorado Division of Water Resources
Matt Hamilton, Aspen Skiing Company
Kevin Horch, Sunlight Ski and Bike Shop
Dave Kanzer, Colorado River District
Brook Levan, Sustainable Settings
Liz Mauro, Pitkin County Landfill
Heather Tattersall-Lewin, Roaring Fork Conservancy
Aaron Taylor, Way of Compassion Bike Project

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Youth Designed Logos for Youth Water Leadership Program

6/5/2018

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Now in the program's second year, we are excited to share the new logos for the Youth Water Leadership Program and the local Healthy Rivers Youth Water Summit in the Roaring Fork Watershed. Designed by a local college student these two bright youthful marks are distinct yet closely related and elevate the program and its future expansion.

Meet the Designer: Olivia Koski
In the spirit of the Youth Water Leadership Program, it is a priority to highlight the work of local youth. In this case we did not only highlight, we hired Olivia Koski and she delivered a very professional design process and quality final product while also adding these pieces to her own portfolio of work.
Olivia is currently a student in Colorado Mountain College's New Media program where she studies graphic design. Olivia grew up in the Roaring Fork Valley and currently lives outside of Carbondale, Colorado.
We look forward to hiring her again: Olivia Jo Design & Studio