Chesapeake Stories: Living on Deal Island Chesapeake Bay Program 2018-06-29 | Ike Humphrey, a retired Wicomico County administrator, remarks on his experience of living on Deal Island over the past 45 years.Video: Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay ProgramMusic: Blue Dot Sessions via FreeMusicArchive.org
The Seed Saver Chesapeake Bay Program 2024-09-27 | Southern Exposure Seed Exchange specializes in growing seeds of heirloom crops. The company now works with over 100 small farmers to sell more than 800 varieties of vegetable, flower, herb, grain and cover crop seeds. Southern Exposure encourages practices to maintain soil health like using cover crops which reduce runoff from farms.Hear Ira Wallace of Southern Exposure Seed Exchange describe how her organization is encouraging sustainable farming practices.Video by Marielle Scott/Chesapeake Bay Program
Bay 101: Freshwater mussels Chesapeake Bay Program 2024-09-19 | Freshwater mussels serve a vital ecological role in upstream habitats, filtering water where the water is too fresh for oysters and other shellfish in the Chesapeake Bay estuary. They are also the most imperiled group of animals in North America, susceptible to water pollution and the loss of habitat caused by dams and other impediments to fish migration.Watch as Jorge Bogantes of the Anacostia Watershed Society describes the organization's efforts to restore freshwater mussels in one Chesapeake tributary, the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C.Video: Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay ProgramMusic: "Somewhere Nice" by John Bartmann and "Waves" by MonplaisirAll music via FreeMusicArchive.org
The Bay Beyond 2025: Looking to the Future of Chesapeake Restoration Chesapeake Bay Program 2024-06-28 | By 2025, several outcomes of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement will meet their deadline, including those related to oyster habitat, protected lands and pollution reduction. A group of Chesapeake Bay Program partners are developing recommendations for how the Watershed Agreement can be reimagined beyond this date. Join this webinar to find out what’s being proposed and how you can give feedback.
The Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Indicator Webinar Chesapeake Bay Program 2024-02-16 | Join the Chesapeake Bay Program for a webinar to highlight a new indicator that demonstrates progress toward meeting the Clean Water goals of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. The Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (Bay TMDL) indicator combines monitored and modeled data to estimate the progress of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution reductions in response to implemented best management practices.This webinar is open to everyone, but prior knowledge of the Bay TMDL, modeling and monitoring is essential.
Bay 101: Watershed connections Chesapeake Bay Program 2024-01-19 | Water connects, and so the goals of the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership are interwoven. Just as a watershed connections residents living upstream and downstream, the work of the Chesapeake Bay Program involves many cross-benefits and requires the collaboration of many stakeholders.Kristin Saunders, the Chesapeake Bay Program's Cross Program Coordinator, describes the interconnected work of the partnership effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay watershed.Produced by Will ParsonMusic: "Periodicals" by Blue Dot Sessions via www.freemusicarchive.orgAdditional footage by Carlin Stiehl and Steve DroterSpecial thanks to Kristin Saunders
Bay 101: Land use Chesapeake Bay Program 2024-01-19 | How we use the land affects both people and the environment. Forests provide valuable habitat that protects clean water and air. Well-managed agricultural lands can restore rivers and streams and provide habitat to insects, birds and mammals. And land use planning can make communities more livable and resilient.Listen as experts from the U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and Piedmont Environmental Council discuss efforts that have conserved land, restored habitats and protected residents.Produced by Brian CanavanMusic: "Smart Tech Process", "Investigation" and "Ambient Calm Technology Medicine Science" by MV Productions; "Ambient Technology Science" by FredBProductionsAdditional footage: Chesapeake Bay ProgramSpecial thanks to Peter Claggett, Pete Lesher, Michael Ports, Cait Fisher, Julie Bolthouse and Joe Coleman
Bay 101: Green infrastructure Chesapeake Bay Program 2024-01-19 | As stormwater flows across streets, sidewalks, lawns and golf courses, it can pick up harmful pollutants and push them into storm drains, rivers and streams. Green infrastructure such as rain gardens, street trees and green roofs can help capture and treat pollution by mimicking the way natural landscapes slow water down and help it infiltrate into the ground.Listen as experts from the Chesapeake Stormwater Network, Morgan State University and the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, describe green infrastructure efforts that have helped improve local waters and the Chesapeake Bay.Produced by Brian CanavanMusic: "Smart Tech Process", "Investigation" and "Ambient Calm Technology Medicine Science" by MV Productions; "Ambient Technology Science" by FredBProductionsAdditional footage: Chesapeake Bay ProgramSpecial thanks to David Wood, James Hunter, Elford Jackson, Kate Austin, Michael Lutz, Francine Firestine
MWEE Climate Resources Chesapeake Bay Program 2024-01-19 | This webinar features a number of resources for developing and implementing a climate-focused MWEE, including a brand new Environmental Literacy Model (ELM) that can be used or adapted to your local context.
Performance Assessments + MWEEs Chesapeake Bay Program 2023-12-20 | Performance Assessments measure students ability to apply the skills and knowledge learned from a unit of study typically through creating a product or answering a question. In some states like Virginia, PAs are required at various points in a student's K-12 career. During this webinar learn about how PAs can be used to also meet the MWEE approach by exploring an example developed by the Virginia Department of Education.
Designing MWEEs for Special Education Learners Chesapeake Bay Program 2023-11-30 | MWEEs should be accessible and available for ALL students. During this webinar learn from Intermediate Unit 13 about how they designed and implemented MWEEs for their Center-based Programs as well as some of the resources that can be adapted and used in any context.
2023 Chesapeake Executive Council Chesapeake Bay Program 2023-10-27 | This audio recording is from the Chesapeake Executive Council meeting on October 19, 2023.
The Magic of Monarch Butterflies and the Race to Protect Them Chesapeake Bay Program 2023-10-23 | With a migratory range of 3,000 miles, the monarch butterfly is beloved far and wide. From summer to spring, monarchs grace the Chesapeake region before traveling down to Mexico in search of warmer weather and food. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, our October webinar will focus on this keystone critter and its protection. Hear from people working to conserve monarch habitat in the U.S. and Mexico, learn more about the cultural significance of monarchs and find out how Hispanic and Latino communities are empowering the environmental field here in the Chesapeake.SpeakersJulie Thompson-Slacum, U.S. Fish & WildlifeJosé Luis Alvarez, Founder of Forests for MonarchsShanna Edberg, Director of Conservation Programs for the Hispanic Access Foundation
Jump Start Your Green Career in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Chesapeake Bay Program 2023-09-08 | There’s no better time to join the environmental field, especially here in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Whether you’re interested in science, project management, policy, communications or something else, there are numerous organizations looking for passionate and talented professionals. Join us for a webinar about the different career programs available for college students or recent graduates, including the Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps, the Environmental Management Staffer Program, C-StREAM Internship Program and the Young Professionals of Color Program.
Learn Outdoors Skills With These Women-led Recreation Groups Chesapeake Bay Program 2023-04-28 | The number of women who are fishing, hunting and getting outdoors is growing in the United States. Want to be a part of this trend but don’t know where to start? Join us for a free webinar featuring three amazing organizations who specialize in teaching women and girls to participate in outdoor recreation. You’ll hear from Artemis, Becoming an Outdoors Woman, and SheJumps—all groups that help women in the Chesapeake region develop new outdoor skills.
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Tree Canopy Funding and Policy Roundtable Day 2 Chesapeake Bay Program 2023-04-28 | Day Two: March 14, 2023Click 'See More' to jump to individual presentations6:17 KEYNOTE | Mitigating urban heat threats through a community-driven frameworkJeremy Hoffman, Virginia Science Museum and Sheri Shannon, Southside ReLeaf 42:05 PANEL | Rooted in equity: Ensuring tree canopy benefits for all Erica Smith Fichman, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Brenda Richardson, Anacostia Parks and Community Collaborative Ruby Stemmle, ecoLatinos 2:03:06 PANEL | No leaf unturned: Local strategies to drive actionFrank Rodgers, Cacapon InstituteCody Kiefer, City of Lancaster, PA Ryan Alston, Baltimore Tree Trust To review presentation slides, please visit https://arch.umd.edu/research-creative-practice/centers/environmental-finance-center/project-areas/technical-assistance/chesapeake-bay-watershed-tree-canopy-funding-and-policy-roundtable
Chesapeake Bay Watershed Tree Canopy Funding and Policy Roundtable Day 1 Chesapeake Bay Program 2023-04-28 | Day One: March 13, 2023Click 'See More' to jump to individual presentations9:45 INTRODUCTION | Chesapeake Bay Watershed tree goals and progressJulie Mawhorter, USDA Forest Service17:30 KEYNOTE | City of trees: Then, now, and in the futureEarl Eutsler, District of Columbia Department of Transportation43:29 PANEL | Branching out: Leveraging climate goals to achieve tree canopy outcomesRachel Lamb, Maryland Department of the Environment slidesMark McPherson, City Forest CreditsBeth Krumrine, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Molly Hassett, New York Department of Environmental Conservation 2:10:15 PANEL | Stemming the loss: Policy solutions for tree canopy protectionKaren Firehock, Green Infrastructure Center Marian Honeczy, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service Vincent Verweij, Arlington County Parks and Natural Resources Katie Lautar, Baltimore Greenspace To review presentation slides, please visit https://arch.umd.edu/research-creative-practice/centers/environmental-finance-center/project-areas/technical-assistance/chesapeake-bay-watershed-tree-canopy-funding-and-policy-roundtable
Bay 101: Oysters Chesapeake Bay Program 2023-04-03 | Oysters are one of the most recognizable species in the Chesapeake Bay, and one of the most important to the health of its ecosystem. Listen as experts explain the environmental role that oysters play and describes what scientists are doing as part of the largest oyster restoration project in the world.Speakers: Stephanie Westby and Jay Lazar of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Andrew Button of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC), and Patrick Temple of Oyster Recovery Partnership.Video: Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay ProgramPhotography: Norfolk Public Library and USDA NRCSMusic: "3rd Chair" and “Well Water” by Blue Dot SessionsAll music edited and redistributed under a Creative Commons license (Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International) via FreeMusicArchive.org
Shared Waters: An upstream, downstream MWEE partnership Chesapeake Bay Program 2023-03-24 | The shared waters project embraces the idea of teaching students to be good watershed neighbors. In partnership, Millersville University of Pennsylvania and Virginia Wesleyan University Schools of Education partner with a local school district to implement a MWEE in elementary schools. Our goal is the systemic implementation of MWEEs in local schools and undergraduate teacher education.
VCU BEST in Bay Watersheds: Examining the Role of Bivalves in Sustaining Local Watershed Ecosystems Chesapeake Bay Program 2023-02-22 | Learn about two modules that engage secondary students in the impact and importance of bivalves in their ecosystems. One module is a Role Play unit that places students in stakeholder roles (e.g., scientists, environmentalists, watermen, consumers, regulators, legislators) as they research an authentic scenarios for oysters depletion (over-harvesting, disease, habitat loss) and mussel population loss (excess fertilizers/pesticides, bacteria/viruses) and solutions to sustain these bivalves. The second module examines bivalves, specifically mussels and oysters, embedded within a MWEE model. The module lessons include life cycle history, water quality studies, virtual field trips (thinglinks and ArcGIS StoryMaps), and opportunities for students to take action related to issues faced by mussels and/or oysters.
Increasing Access to Green Space Where its Needed Most Chesapeake Bay Program 2023-02-22 | Across the United States, low-income communities of color often have fewer and smaller-sized parks than neighborhoods with a majority white population. This disparity has serious implications, as access to green space is a proven benefit to one’s physical and mental health. In this webinar, we’re going to showcase a new mapping tool funded by the Chesapeake Bay Program that identifies low-income communities of color in the Chesapeake Bay watershed that have limited or no access to green space. Join us for a demonstration on how conservation groups can use the tool to invest in underserved areas, as well as a presentation from NeighborSpace on how they’ve increased access to green space throughout the Baltimore region.
ShoreRivers: Elementary MWEE Chesapeake Bay Program 2023-01-31 | A Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) can be intimidating at the elementary level as challenges can include limited time for science lessons and defining age appropriate action. This video features ShoreRivers on Maryland's Eastern Shore about how they have partnered with their teachers to create an interdisciplinary MWEE around the endangered Atlantic Sturgeon.
Howard County Conservancy: Climate kNOWledge MWEE Chesapeake Bay Program 2023-01-31 | This video explores an innovative climate change and climate justice education program with Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs) that engages every sixth grade student and science teacher in Howard County Public Schools in current climate science, action, and solutions. Climate kNOWledge draws on the expertise of local and national partners to bring cutting edge science, real local data, and climate justice awareness to the curriculum including examples of climate change impacts and solutions local to Howard County, Maryland.
Science in Action: 3 Tools Used in Chesapeake Bay Restoration Chesapeake Bay Program 2023-01-24 | At the Chesapeake Bay Program, our restoration efforts are guided by a suite of cutting-edge tools and datasets—and we want to share them with you! In this webinar, you will learn about three of our most productive tools that can be used to advance restoration at a regional or local level. They are free and available to members of the public, as well as everyone working in the environmental space: Very High Resolution Land Use/Land Cover Data Project: The most detailed and comprehensive dataset depicting how land is used in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Chesapeake Assessment Scenario Tool (CAST): This is the digital version of the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Watershed Model. Jurisdictions across the region use this tool to create watershed simulations and develop stringent pollution reduction plans. Resource Targeting Portal: This resource was designed to help Chesapeake Bay Program decision-makers allocate resources to projects that support the maximum number of restoration goals.
2022 Chesapeake Executive Council Meeting Chesapeake Bay Program 2022-10-12 | The annual Chesapeake Executive Council Meeting was held at the headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 11, 2022.
Oysters and Mussels—a Dynamic Duo of Bay Restoration Chesapeake Bay Program 2022-08-16 | The Chesapeake Bay Program hosts a webinar about how oysters and mussels work together to clean Chesapeake rivers. Hear from experts in the field and learn about exciting restoration projects that incorporate both bivalves—in the headwaters where mussels live and in the tidal waters where oysters thrive.Speakers:Jorge Bogantes Montero, Anacostia Watershed SocietyAndrew Button, Virginia Marine Resources Commission
Bay 101: Climate Change Chesapeake Bay Program 2022-05-05 | How is the Chesapeake Bay watershed experiencing the impacts of climate change, and what is being done to make the region more resilient? Experts touch on both the challenges that climate change presents, as well as the efforts to adapt to climate change and mitigate its worst effects.Produced by: Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay ProgramMusic/Audio: "Rate Sheet," "Children of Lemuel" and "True Blue Sky" by Blue Dot Sessions
Inspire Local Stewardship With “Chesapeake Behavior Change” Chesapeake Bay Program 2022-04-15 | Chesapeake Behavior Change is a new resource that helps organizations increase the number of residents taking on-the-ground action to protect and restore the Bay. During this webinar, you’ll learn how to use the site to create an effective behavior change campaign—whether that’s getting folks to pick up litter, install a rain barrel or protect a shoreline.
Women on the Water: Female anglers and business owners on the Bay Chesapeake Bay Program 2022-03-29 | The Chesapeake Bay Program hosts a webinar featuring three women with expertise in aquaculture, crabbing and fishing. Hear firsthand about how these women found their passion for the water and how for some of them, it led to careers. Learn more about the opportunities that exist for aspiring water women and recreational anglers within the Chesapeake Bay watershed.Speakers:Ida Hall - Chesapeake Bay waterman Imani Black - Founder of Minorities in AquacultureKate Fritz - Chief Executive Officer at the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
Green Re-Entry: How Environmental Jobs Help System-Involved People Chesapeake Bay Program 2022-03-01 | The Chesapeake Bay Program’s Diversity Workgroup hosts a webinar on “Green Re-Entry,” the process of providing environmentally focused jobs and opportunities to assist formerly incarcerated people in finding professional opportunities as they leave the prison environment and re-enter society. Hear from leaders in this space, including Civic Works, First Alliance Consulting and Division Street Landscaping.
EPAs Adam Ortiz Answers 10 Questions About Restoring the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Chesapeake Bay Program 2022-01-21 | Regional Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Mid-Atlantic Region (Region 3), Adam Ortiz, talks with the Chesapeake Bay Program about how the partnership will continue restoring the Chesapeake Bay watershed.0:05 - Adam Ortiz describes Regional Administrator role1:30 - Favorite place in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Chesapeake Executive Council Meeting December 15, 2021 Livestream Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-12-16 | The Chesapeake Executive Council gathered on Dec. 15, 2021, in Richmond, Virginia, to review the many successes of the Chesapeake Bay Program over the past year, while providing transparency about the challenges that lie ahead.Established 38 years ago, the Chesapeake Executive Council is responsible for guiding the policy agenda and conservation and restoration goals for the Chesapeake Bay Program, a regional watershed partnership. Members include the governors of Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, the mayor of the District of Columbia, the chair of the tri-state legislative Chesapeake Bay Commission and the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of the federal government.Read more about the meeting at www.chesapeakebay.net
Schools & Climate Resilience Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-11-08 | This video is part of the "MWEE Practitioner Webinar Series" hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Program and the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office to advance practice around delivering Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences across the region.
Community Engagement Guidelines #5 Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-11-08 | This video is one in a five-part series around NAAEE's Community Engagement Guidelines for Excellence. In this series you will hear B-WET grantees discuss how they used these strategies for community engagement in their program design of systemic MWEEs as well as in their implementation of MWEEs.We recommend reviewing the Guidelines for Excellence in tandem with this video. You can access them at: www.naaee.org/eepro/resources/community-engagement-guidelines.
Community Engagement Guidelines #4 Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-11-08 | This video is one in a five-part series around NAAEE's Community Engagement Guidelines for Excellence. In this series you will hear B-WET grantees discuss how they used these strategies for community engagement in their program design of systemic MWEEs as well as in their implementation of MWEEs.We recommend reviewing the Guidelines for Excellence in tandem with this video. You can access them at: www.naaee.org/eepro/resources/community-engagement-guidelines.
Community Engagement Guidelines #3 Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-11-08 | This video is one in a five-part series around NAAEE's Community Engagement Guidelines for Excellence. In this series you will hear B-WET grantees discuss how they used these strategies for community engagement in their program design of systemic MWEEs as well as in their implementation of MWEEs.We recommend reviewing the Guidelines for Excellence in tandem with this video. You can access them at: www.naaee.org/eepro/resources/community-engagement-guidelines.
Community Engagement Guidelines #2 Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-11-08 | This video is one in a five-part series around NAAEE's Community Engagement Guidelines for Excellence. In this series you will hear B-WET grantees discuss how they used these strategies for community engagement in their program design of systemic MWEEs as well as in their implementation of MWEEs.We recommend reviewing the Guidelines for Excellence in tandem with this video. You can access them at: www.naaee.org/eepro/resources/community-engagement-guidelines.
Community Engagement Guidelines #1 Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-11-08 | This video is one in a five-part series around NAAEE's Community Engagement Guidelines for Excellence. In this series you will hear B-WET grantees discuss how they used these strategies for community engagement in their program design of systemic MWEEs as well as in their implementation of MWEEs.We recommend reviewing the Guidelines for Excellence in tandem with this video. You can access them at: www.naaee.org/eepro/resources/community-engagement-guidelines.
Chesapeake Executive Council meets to sign climate change directive Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-10-05 | Representatives from the Chesapeake Bay watershed states, the District of Columbia, the Chesapeake Bay Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gathered in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on October 1, 2021, to discuss the impacts of climate change on the 64,000-square-mile Chesapeake Bay watershed—stretching from Cooperstown, New York to their meeting location at the Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach, Virginia.At the meeting, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and Chesapeake Bay Commission Chair David Bulova joined their colleagues in signing a directive that commits the Chesapeake Bay Program to address the increasing threats of climate change in all aspects of the partnership’s work. In particular, Bay Program partners will utilize their world-class scientific, modeling, monitoring and planning capabilities to prioritize the communities, working lands and habitats that are most vulnerable to the risks that a changing climate is bringing to the region.NOTE: Due to a technical issue, the live video feed archived here does not include approximately six minutes of Gov. Northam's and Gov. Hogan's prepared statements.
How Home Landscaping Projects Can Protect Local Waterways Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-08-20 | Stormwater runoff is one of the top threats to the water you depend on for drinking, bathing and cooking. It also negatively impacts your community's local rivers and streams, as well as the Chesapeake Bay. But homeowners with even the smallest piece of property can help reduce it! Join the Chesapeake Bay Program for a free webinar about five home landscaping projects that you can install to help project your local environment. This webinar will include presentations from two Washington, D.C. homeowners who installed rain barrels, rain gardens, shade trees and other infrastructure with the help of River Smart Homes. We will also cover programs and resources available to homeowners from across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Monthly Webinar Series: The Life of a Chesapeake Blue Crab, From the Bay to Your Plate Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-07-23 | Join us for a free public webinar about the lives of Chesapeake Bay blue crabs and those catch them. Learn about the critters fascinating biology, the ecosystem it lives in and how crabbers use this information to catch the beloved specimen. Hear from experts at the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership and have all of your questions answered during an open discussion.
PM Breakout 5 Increasing Diversity in Youth Leadership and Corps Programs Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-07-12 | (Session Organizers: Brittany Hall, National Park Service; Joe Toolan, Chesapeake Bay Trust)Increasing diversity in the environmental field is essential to developing culturally responsive solutions to climate change and other complex environmental challenges that we face as a society. Yet today’s green workforce lacks the diversity of voices needed to achieve a truly inclusive movement. Providing opportunities for youth from all backgrounds to further their interest in the many different types of environmental work and advocacy is important to motivate and inspire them for their future and prepare them for the workforce demands of climate change. How can agencies and organizations more equitably engage youth in these important opportunities? Once engaged, how can we make sure that these opportunities are inclusive and culturally proficient in meeting the needs of all youth?
PM Breakout 6 Teaching Science and Engineering Practices using STEM and Environmental Literacy Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-07-12 | (Session Organizer: Kirsten Jackson, Maryland State Department of Education)Adapting to a changing climate will call on society to have a firm understanding of how to use evidence-based data and information to make informed decisions and take appropriate action. This includes but goes beyond understanding climate change content to also foster an understanding of how science is conducted and why that matters. This session will explore how STEM and environmental literacy programming allows students to engage in contextualized science and engineering practices that build the critical thinking skills students need to better understand and respond to changing environmental conditions. What do we need to make sure is in place to ensure this is happening in schools and helping students use problem solving and scientific ways of thinking in their approach to understanding and addressing the existential threat of climate change?
PM Breakout 4 Integrating Environmental Literacy into Community College & CTE Programming Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-07-12 | (Session Organizer: Judd Pittman, Pennsylvania Department of Education) Green, climate-focused jobs represent a growing sector of our region's economic future. Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in high schools and technical programs in community colleges along with traditional university programs provide in-demand, skill-based opportunities for students to enter the local and regional workforce. These programs support students pursuing the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed by industries ranging from agriculture to information technology. What opportunities exist to build connections across the educational continuum in support of developing environmentally focused skills and competencies, and constructing career pathways for learners to access jobs in the Green Economy?
PM Breakout 3 Building Career Awareness to Support the Green Economy Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-07-12 | (Session Organizer: Bart Merrick, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office)Today’s middle and high school students will be instrumental in identifying opportunities to solve problems and address the challenges of a changing climate. These new and emerging career paths will exist in a wide range of disciplines and draw on a broad range of educational backgrounds meaning that students with diverse interests can be part of the climate solution. Harnessing the interests and abilities of today’s students towards future careers and life opportunities is an exciting part of being an educator, but we know inequities exist in this system. What can we do to build career awareness and better connect students with the diversity of jobs and careers that support the emerging green economy for both career and college tracked students?
PM Breakout 2 Incorporating Climate Justice into Curriculum and Programming Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-07-12 | (Session Organizer: Lindsey Kirkland, Climate Generation)Marginalized communities often face disproportionate impacts from climate change due to structural injustices in society, such as historical exclusion from decision-making and inequities in housing (i.e. lack of air conditioning, properties susceptible to flooding, few resources to adapt). Communities on the frontlines of climate impacts are often those creating the most innovative adaptive and mitigative solutions to climate change as well. How can we teach about the climate crisis in a way that highlights the wisdom and experience of frontline communities, and confronts racism, economic inequality, and other disparities to create more authentic and inclusive curriculum and programming?
PM Breakout 1 Involving K 12 students in Local Climate Action & Policy Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-07-12 | (Session Organizers: Carrie McDougall & Sarah Schoedinger, NOAA Office of Education)Over the past five years communities throughout the country have continued to work toward the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement (America Is All In). State and local governments are taking actions and implementing policies to address climate change causes and impacts (e.g., Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, Climate Action Plans, Energy Efficiency Initiatives). K-12 students can play leadership roles in implementing local climate action. School-based programs afford students the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of environmental literacy as it relates to local climate action. With teachers as their mentors, students can pursue place-based solutions to address specific climate vulnerabilities facing their communities. What opportunities and barriers exist to implementing equitable school-based climate change curricula and climate actions?
AM Breakout 6 Preparing Teachers for Environmental Project Based Learning in Every District Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-07-12 | (Session Organizer: Tom Ackerman, Chesapeake Bay Foundation)Project-based learning like the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) is a powerful tool for engaging learners, building 21st century skills, and imparting a stewardship ethic. However, many teachers feel unprepared to use project-based learning because it asks them to relinquish some classroom control to student-directed inquiry. How can we work with school districts to create comprehensive training programs? How can we build relationships with universities to offer meaningful pre-service teacher education? What are the key elements of PD programs that create sustained impact in underserved districts? What are the real/perceived barriers to this work with underserved districts?
AM Breakout 5 Applying Lessons Learned from COVID into the Future Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-07-12 | (Session Organizers: Nancy Striniste, Green Schoolyards America; Monica Wiedel-Lubinski, Eastern Regional Association of Forest and Nature Schools)COVID has changed the educational landscape -- perhaps forever. People around the world have been reminded of the value of spending time outdoors to our health and well-being. Since early in the pandemic the National COVID-19 Outdoor Learning Initiative (NCOLI) has been supporting schools and districts across the country in reopening safely and equitably by using outdoor spaces. Also during the pandemic, many young children in our region attended forest schools or nature preschools, which provided safe, joyful, and educationally rich outdoor experiences for the youngest residents of our watershed. How can we help school districts steward the land they own to enhance ecological function while improving the academic performance, and physical and mental health of students? How can we increase equitable access to high quality outdoor schools that support families and provide developmentally appropriate early childhood education?
AM Breakout 4 Harnessing the Power of Networks to Expand Reach Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-07-12 | (Session Organizers: Christy Gabbard, Local Concepts; Shannon Sprague, NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office)States play the starring role in encouraging and supporting the education community to establish embedded environmental literacy content and programming. Formal and nonformal educator networks exist in each state, but they are often not well-connected. Bridging these two types of networks and supporting them with technical assistance and consistent funding, so together they can build strong relationships with decision makers, school districts and community partners, is key to building a strong and sustainable environmental literacy movement in the region. Where are there opportunities to better connect and bolster formal and nonformal educator networks to collectively advance environmental literacy? How can a partnership of existing networks empower districts and teachers to advance environmental literacy priorities?
AM Breakout 3 Transformative Policies and Funding for Environmental Education Chesapeake Bay Program 2021-07-12 | (Session Organizers: Jason Morris, Pisces Foundation; Sarah Bodor, North American Association for Environmental Education;Anupama Joshi, Blue Sky Funders Forum)States across the nation are creating systemic change in their schools by embracing environmental education as a fundamental student right. This session will explore some of the best state level policy and funding examples from around the country by hearing directly from those people who helped to establish and grow the programs. How can these examples inform your state efforts?
