Earth Tracks Newsletter Spring 2025
- Misha Smith
- Apr 6
- 5 min read
News
Educator Awards
Each year, outstanding classroom and community educators are recognized for their unique and invaluable contributions to the field of environmental education. Four awards are given annually:
- Elementary Environmental Educator of the Year
- Secondary Environmental Educator of the Year
- Informal Environmental Educator of the Year
- Volunteer Educator of the Year
This year's nomination window runs from March 24th to May 1st, with winners to be announced at the Project Green Sustainability Summit on May 28th at Maple Grove Elementary School in Boise.
To nominate yourself or another deserving educator, please fill out our nomination form. If you have any questions, please contact Chris Taylor at chris.taylor@boiseschools.org.
Outside for Five
As a teacher, you inspire, guide, and empower your students every day, and nature can be a powerful partner in this journey. Whether it's a forest, a city park, or just the grounds outside your school building, nature offers endless opportunities to enhance your teaching and support your students' learning and well-being.
During April, we invite you to sign up to learn how to:
Incorporate outdoor lessons or activities for at least 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week, or any meaningful amount of time that works for you
Apply your current curriculum to engaging outdoor activities
Connect with fellow educators and professionals experienced in outdoor learning
We understand the many demands on your time, which is why we're here to provide you with tools, inspiration, and support to bring the benefits of nature into your classroom!
Sign up today to receive FREE resources and ideas to help you take learning outside—whether for 5 minutes daily or whatever schedule fits your needs. Learn more and register at www.outsidefor5.com.
Education for Sustainability in the Classroom
If you are an educator of students in grades 4-9 the University of Wisconsin Department of Sociology is asking you to please do this short survey as part of their study on education for sustainability. Your participation is completely voluntary and no identifying information will be collected. We estimate this survey to take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Please feel free to share the survey with other teachers to increase participation.
WaterShed Education Center High School Opportunity
The Boise WaterShed Education Center has a great internship opportunity for High School aged people in the Treasure Valley this summer. The Watershed Action Team is a paid internship that encourages students to get involved with science communication, water, climate action, and environmental education. It is a flexible and fun summer job that is a great resume builder. If you have further questions, please contact the WaterShed. Application in link.
Professional Workshops
Hope and Transformative Climate Action with Speaker
April 14th, 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM MT - Katharine Hayhoe Discovering, Exploring, and Sharing Climate Resources webinar series: This all-star series of interactive webinars in March and April is designed to increase knowledge of climate literacy and support the open sharing of resources and the adaptations that educators make for their local students. You can register for any of these events today, at this link!
Outdoor Learning Partners
We are excited to announce the line-up for our (free) Spring Virtual Workshops featuring a wide range of partners, presenters and topics!
April 22: Outdoor Learning Across the Curriculum
April 29: STEAM Learning Outdoors
Braiding Sweetgrass for Educators Course After some very positive feedback from our winter course, we wanted to let you know that we have just confirmed a Braiding Sweetgrass Course in May!
These 4 x 75 minute virtual sessions take place after school hours (5pm Pacific / 8pm Eastern time) and are facilitated by award-winning and best-selling Indigenous author, Monique Gray Smith, who adapted Braiding Sweetgrass for a new generation of readers. Monique will take participants on a learning journey, exploring the 6 sections of Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults and the chapters within each of them, including key content for classroom and school use.
We know that educators loved the winter course, and we invite you to share this learning opportunity widely. I've attached an image, and the information/registration page is here: https://outdoorlearning.com/event/braiding-sweetgrass-for-educators-spring/
Early bird registration is open for 1 month, until April 18. If you have a larger group, please feel free to get in touch for group registration options/discounts.
Resources
Arbordale books are available wherever you normally purchase your books (or ask for the books at your local library). You may also purchase books directly from Arbordale using our online store (https://www.arbordalepublishing.com/catalog.php) or by emailing us at orders@arbordalepublishing.com (discounts are available for non-profit organizations, schools/teachers, libraries, and gift shops). One of Arbordale’s new books happens to be about shorebirds that migrate through and nest in the Pacific Flyway.
Shorebirds can be found on the shores of or in marshes and grasslands near the ocean, rivers, or mountain lakes. These mighty migrators travel back and forth between summer breeding grounds and non-breeding grounds. They have special “rest stops” during their migration where they eat and rest for the remainder of their trip. They may dig a nest into the shore’s sand, mud, or rocks. Each shorebird has a unique bill to find its specific food. Learn how these fascinating birds are alike and different in this latest title in the Compare and Contrast series.
Looking for other book ideas? Go to our book homepages then use the “sort” or “search” features on the top right to see which books contain various animals or relate to specific subjects.
Upcoming Events
Membership benefits!
Networking call on April 17 → become a member today to join this online community-building event!
Join us in Eastern Idaho for the Portneuf Valley Environmental Fair. In 2025, the Portneuf Valley Environmental Fair will be held at the end of Earth Week on Saturday, April 26th, at Lookout Point from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. On average, over 5,000 people attend this free event. Over 70 local businesses, agencies, and organizations will host hands-on activities for children of all ages, provide giveaways, and teach everyone how to protect the Portneuf Valley for current and future generations. FREE admission, FREE food, LIVE music, and FREE bus rides from Pocatello Regional Transit to the event make coming to the Fair a no-brainer. We have something for everyone, so bring your friends and family for a fun-filled afternoon in the park!
Project GREEN Sustainability Summit
May 28th and 29th, 2025
Save the Date and Call for Presenters!
Join us this spring and be part of this growing sustainability movement. Register here.
For information on the conference click here.
IdEEA Updates
Membership benefits! Networking call on April 17
Climate curriculum available!
We have units for grades 5-12 based on the Idaho Climate-Economy Impacts Assessment and tied to the Idaho Science Standards for a place-based discussion of climate variability relevant to Idaho’s students. See the full list of lessons at https://www.idahoee.org/climate-curriculum.
Support EE in Idaho by becoming an IdEEA member today!
Our membership rates have increased to $25 in 2025 with increased member benefits. Stay current with all our updates: subscribe to this newsletter and follow our blog at idahoee.org. If you have an interest in supporting our mission more fully but don’t have the capacity to be on the board, join one of our committees. Any active members are eligible to meet with a committee to help with specific events and projects. Let us know you’re interested by emailing communications@idahoee.org under the subject “Committees” and we’ll connect you to the correct Committee Chair.
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