December News
Funding Deadlines
Upcoming Events
Partner Updates and Resources
Your Virginia
Assorted Items of Professional Interest
Toyota Tapestry Grant Program
Deadline: January 18
Toyota Tapestry Grants are administered by National Science teachers Association (NSTA) and are available to K-12 teachers of science. www.nsta.org/programs/tapestry
The Virginia Outdoor Writers Association, Inc.
14th Annual Youth Writing Competition
Theme: "My Most Memorable Outdoor Experience"
Deadline: January 31
The Virginia Outdoor Writer's Association, Inc. (VOWA) announces its 14th Annual Youth Writing Competition for 2006. The goal of the contest is to reward young people for excellence in communicating their personal experiences in and of the outdoors. For competition guidelines visit www.vowa.org.vt.edu/youth.html or download www.vowa.org.vt.edu/youthrtng.pdf
NAAEE Announces 2007 Conference Call for Presenters
Deadline: January 31 2007
North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Annual Conference will be held November 14-17, 2007 in Virginia Beach, VA. The theme is "Explore New Horizons for Environmental Education". Visit www.naaee.org or www.naaee.org/conference/2007-call-for-presentations
Next Round of Classroom Grants
Deadline: February 15
Mark your calendar as the deadline for the next round of classroom grants for meaningful watershed educational experiences. Amounts of $500, $750 and $1,000 are available. www.vanaturally.com/classroomgrants.html
Citizen Science Survey
Cornell Laboratory has received funding from National Science Foundation to build community support for emerging and existing citizen science projects. If you coordinate a North American citizen science project, please help our efforts by completing an online survey www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=282972629584 If you have any questions about the survey or the toolkit project, please email Jennifer Shirk at JLS223@cornell.edu
Green Living and Energy Expo
To Provide, Promote, and Advocate Energy Conservation
December 1, 10 am � 6 pm
December 2, 10 am � 4 pm
Expo will highlight Green Building; Land Conservation; Hybrid Cars; Fuel Cells; Wind Power; Solar Energy; Energy Star Appliances; Weatherization; Recycling; Water Conservation; Energy Efficient Lighting; Building Science; Geothermal Heat Pumps; Energy Efficient Stoves; Energy Education; Indoor Air Quality;Sustainability;Rainwater Harvesting; and Green Products. Contact Billy Weitzenfeld, AECP at (540) 745-2838 or visit www.aecp.org
Land Conservation Update
December 6, 7 pm, Herter Hall at Garth Newel Music Center, Homestead Preserve
Faye Cooper, formerly a conservation easement specialist with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation and currently an independent consultant will present on land management and conservation practices. Program is sponsored by VHS Preservation Trust and is free and open to the public. Contact Sally Johnson sjohnson@homesteadpreserve.com
Virginia Farmer & Small Producer Workshops on Safe Biodiesel Production and Usage
December 7, Eastside Community Enhancement Center, Petersburg, VA
Virginia Clean Cities will be hosting this workshop to increase awareness of biodiesel as a viable alternative fuel that can be produced on a small-scale and which can take advantage of a community�s local resources. This one-day workshop will cover the basics of biodiesel use and production, why it is important to switch to cleaner, domestic and more environmentally friendly fuels, important safe usage and production information, and case study experiences with making and using biodiesel. For more information, www.hrccc.org/biodiesel.html , or email cjenkins@hrccc.org for registration information.
Attention Boaters! Register Now!
14th Annual James River Parade of Lights
December 9 James River Advisory Council needs boaters to register now for this annual event. Each year boaters decorate their vessels and converge on the James River for a boat parade marking the festive holiday season. Spectators line the shorelines at several viewing sites along the parade route, which runs from Richmond to Henricus Historical Park in Chesterfield County. To register, or for more information call 804 - 717-6681 or visit www.jamesriveradvisorycouncil.com
Flying WILD Workshop
December 9, 8:30 am, Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center
Join us for a day of learning about birds with the new Flying WILD curriculum. Participants will receive the Flying WILD activity guide and information on Virginia birds. Dress warm and bring your field guides and binoculars. Lunch and lodging available for a small fee. Contact Leticia Villarreal at lvillar@vt.edu to register.
Save the Date! Streams of Stewardship
A Symposium on Water Management
February 24, 10 am � 4 pm, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Presented by Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and the Virginia Society of Landscape Design. Visit www.lewisginter.org/streamsofstewardship for details and updates.
Partner updates events & resources
Welcome New Partners
- Clean Power Foundation Joyce@c2invest.net
- Dan River Basin Association www.danriver.org
- Kush-Hara Farm & Goat Diary/School of Sustainable Living www.kushhara.com
- Luray High School http://www.geocities.com/lurayhigh/index.html
- Prince William County Schools keenmx@pwcs.edu
- Thunder Ridge High School (Dept. of Juvenile Correctional Education) www.publicschoolreview.com/high_schools/stateid/VA
The Wildlife Center of Virginia
Environmental Education Services
The Wildlife Center of Virginia is the only professionally staffed veterinary hospital for wild animals in the mid-Atlantic region. In addition to the care of Virginia�s native wildlife, one of its most important goals is to help educate young people about conservation and respect for natural resources. Programs are uniquely created to promote and encourage positive values, attitudes, and behaviors towards wildlife and the environment and include up-close experiences with live, non-releasable wild animals (including birds, mammals, and/or reptiles) and information about the wildlife hospital. Visit www.wildlifecenter.org or call (540) 942-9453 or email Kristin O�Connell at edu@wildlifecenter.org for more information.
Technogy Resource for Non-Profit Organizations
A new resource program Recycled Computer Initiative (RCI) gives nonprofits nationwide a chance to get high-quality refurbished computer systems at a discount. The first nationwide refurbishing program geared strictly to nonprofits, RCI also provides an environmentally friendly alternative to used equipment disposal. These are machines that are typically phased out after two to three years of use and are in very good condition. Each one is loaded with a new operating system. Visit www.techsoup.org/stock/rci/ for program guidelines and qualifications
Governor Kaine Opens First Phase of Virginia Capital Trail
Also Announces Release of New Statewide Bicycle Map
On November 21, Governor Timothy M. Kaine participated in a ceremony to mark the opening of the Greensprings Phase of the Virginia Capital Trail, the first phase to open to public use. When complete, the Virginia Capital Trail - a facility for pedestrians, cyclists, and other recreational users- will connect the Canal Walk in downtown Richmond with Jamestown and Williamsburg along the James River/Route 5 corridor and Colonial Parkway. In total, 37 miles of Trail are in development or under construction. www.governor.virginia.gov/MediaRelations/NewsReleases/viewRelease.cfm?id=288
During the ceremony, Governor Kaine also announced the release of Virginia�s first official map indicating bike routes and bicycle-friendly trails throughout the Commonwealth. The map, which was developed in partnership with the Virginia Tourism Corporation, is designed to serve as a �Gateway� to information about the abundant and diverse bicycling experiences that can be enjoyed in Virginia. Visit www.vdot.virginia.gov or www.virginia.org to download copies of the map.
2007 Virginia Outdoors Plan Update
The Virginia Outdoors Plan is the Commonwealth's official conservation, outdoor recreation, and open space plan, and it is intended to serve as a guide to all levels of government and the private sector in meeting the land conservation, outdoor recreation, and open space needs of the state. The 2007 Virginia Outdoors Plan (VOP) will be the 9th produced in Virginia in accordance with � 10.1-200 of the Code of Virginia. In addition, the plan serves as a guidance document for the protection of lands through actions of the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF). Its development is also necessary to meet requirements for Virginia's participation in the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund (LCWF) program.
Three public input meetings for the Virginia Outdoors Plan will be held in December. The draft text and locations and schedule of the meeting may be queried using the following link: www.dcr.virginia.gov/prr/vop.htm. Comments on the draft 2007 Virginia Outdoors Plan are due December 15, 2006. Comments may be e-mailed to vop@dcr.virginia.gov or via US mail to John Davy at Department of Conservation and Recreation, 203 Governor Street, Suite 326, Richmond, VA 23219.
Make Virginia Your Home for the Holidays
From colonial Christmas and Victorian celebrations to Civil War and Frontier traditions, Virginia�s holiday observances and customs celebrate nearly four centuries. Combine your love of history and heritage with the sights, smells and sounds of the season. www.virginia.org/site/features.asp?FeatureID=78
Virginia Tourism Industry �Goes Green�!
Announcing VIRGINIA GREEN! Virginia Green is Virginia�s new initiative to promote environmentally-friendly practices in Virginia�s Tourism industry. The Virginia DEQ�s Green Lodging Program (www.deq.virginia.gov/p2/lodging), which certifies green hotels and other lodging facilities that qualify, is the centerpiece of Virginia Green. However, Virginia Green is designed to incorporate all aspects of tourism in Virginia including parks and recreation areas, theme parks, even sports and music venues. Virginia Green represents a partnership between the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association. Environmentally-aware travellers and visitors to Virginia will be able to find Virginia Green facilities and attractions through the Virginia is for Lovers website (Virginia.org). So �go green� on your next vacation � and support facilities that are minimizing their impacts on the environment! For more information on the Green Lodging Program, contact DEQ�s Tom Griffin at rtgriffin@deq.virginia.gov.
Virginia Natural Resource Agency News
For the latest information about VA�s seven natural resource agencies visit www.naturalresources.virginia.gov/Agencies/agency.cfm and click on the agency link you need.
Assorted items of professional interest
Educator Survey & Chance to Win $500
Deadline: December 31
D.J. Case & Associates is seeking input from practicing educators throughout the nation for an education portal. Qualified teachers and educators who take the survey and refer a qualified peer to take the survey, will earn a chance to win a $500 grant that can be used for any classroom materials or education programs. Contact: Sarah Sanders, 574-258-0100 or sarah@djcase.com
http://djcase.com/selectsurvey/TakeSurvey.asp?PageNumber=1&SurveyID=452383MM5p7KG
High School Essay Contest
Deadline: January 15
The American Planning Association (APA) nationwide essay contest to get high school juniors or seniors to think critically about the role of planning in creating communities of lasting value. A $5000 scholarship will be awarded to the first place winner. Ten honorable mention contestants will receive a $100 gift certificate to Planners Book Service. www.planning.org/institutions/hsessay.htm
Rainforest Workshops- Teachers & Students to the Amazon
To learn about two exciting ways for teachers and environmental educators+ to travel to the Amazon Rainforest visit www.travel2learn.com
Reconnecting with Nature 2007 ~ Online
Project Nature Connect (PNC) Institute of Global Education is offering online course teaching Organic Psychology, a hands-on science that helps individuals increase personal and environmental well-being. www.ecopsych.com/newbook2007.html
SustainLane
SustainLane is an open-source knowledge base for state and local government officials to exchange best practices in sustainability, and network among peers. Also offers a site for people to rate and discuss green products, services, and personal sustainability. www.sustainlane.us/
Visit www.vanaturally.com/k12ed/teachers.html for current listings of professional development opportunities.