July News

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Funding Sources and Upcoming Deadlines
Partner Updates and Resources
Your Virginia
Assorted Items of Professional Interest

Funding sources and upcoming deadlines

Profits for Funds
Stonyfield Yogurt offers aProfits for the Planet funding. The funds are awarded on a continuous basis, so there are no deadlines. A brief e-mail is the best way contact Stonyfield. Projects which meet the following criteria will receive the highest priority for funding: Protect and restore the planet, generate measurable results, i.e. natural resources saved, people educated , and promote Stonyfield Farm via sampling opportunities, collateral, media relations. www.stonyfield.com/EarthActions/givingProfits/criteria.cfm

Edith Stevens Groundwater Educator Award
Deadline: July 14
The Groundwater Educator award was established to recognize leadership in the field. Anyone actively involved with the implementation and delivery of these education programs is eligible. For more information www.groundwater.org/aw/edithabout.html

Reminder…Survey is closing…Please Contribute
Input needed on Environmental Education facilities for 2007 VA Outdoors Plan Deadline: August 1
The 2007 VOP, will include a listing of environmental education facilities across the Commonwealth. Such facilities provide opportunities to communities for place-based and hands-on education for all ages. We need to know where sites currently exist and what may be potential sites. Please assist in this important inventory by completing the following survey www.vanaturally.com/vopsurvey.php Questions? Contact Janit Llewellyn , VOP Coordinator at 786-0887 or Janit.Llewellyn@dcr.virginia.gov. We have had some technical difficulties with the survey that have been resolved so if you have taken it already, please take the time to resubmit it so we are sure to have everyone's input.

Toshiba America Foundation Grants
Deadline: August 1
The Toshiba America Foundation encourages teacher-led, K-12 classroom-based programs, projects and activities that have the potential to improve classrooms experiences in science, mathematics and technology. www.toshiba.com/taf/apply.html

3rd Annual HRAEE Conference
August 25, 10:00 am- 3:30 pm , The Rose Room- Norfolk Botanical Garden
Registration Deadline: August 16
The Hampton Roads Alliance for EE will host its third annual conference in August. To register for the one day event, visit www.vanaturally.com/hraee/3rdannual.pdf or email Holly Carson at hraee@msn.com

MWEE Professional Development Workshop
September 18, 1:00 am- 5 pm , W.E. Skelton 4-H Education Conference Center at Smith Mountain Lake
Limit: 50
MWEE (Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience) Pre-Conference workshop will be sponsored by NOAA. Space is limited and will be open to the first 50 educators affiliated with MWEE projects that return their registration forms and pay the conference registration fee. There is no charge for the workshop but workshop attendees must register and pay the registration fee for the EE conference. www.vanaturally.com/eeconf_registration.doc The MWEE workshop will include lunch, dinner, breakfast, refreshments and one night lodging at double or triple occupancy on Monday, Sept. 18th.

2006 Virginia Environmental Education Conference and 2 nd Annual VaNaturally Partners Meeting
September 19-20, W.E. Skelton 4-H Education Conference Center at Smith Mountain Lake
“Racing to Improve the Environment”
Registration Deadline: August 25
Virginia ’s annual statewide conference www.vanaturally.com/eeconference.html information. Space is limited. Double Occupancy will be available to the first 110 people that register. Remaining rooms will be available at triple occupancy. Room assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis. We suggest you register by August 11, 2006. Registration will be CLOSED after August 25, 2006. www.vanaturally.com/eeconf_registration.doc

Litter and Recycling Grants Application
Deadlines: August 31
The Accounting Report for the FY 2007 locality program grant information is now available on the DEQ website. www.deq.virginia.gov/recycle/forms.html Program Managers can download Guidelines, the Grant Application and Performance and Accounting Report forms. Please note the 25% carry forward limit on FY 2006 grant funds. Contact Steve Coe gscoe@deq.virginia.gov if you have any questions.

Next Round of Classroom Grants
Deadline: September 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

The Remarkable Trees of Virginia Project Nominations Being Taken
The Remarkable Trees project seeks to increase public understanding and appreciation for trees in our communities. Citizens are invited to nominate trees on-line, where they will be posted for all the world to enjoy. Approximately 100 trees will be featured in a book to be published in 2008. Trees can be a remarkable for their size, beauty, age, historic significance, community significance or for some other unique reason. For more information visit: www.cnr.vt.edu/4h/remarkabletree/index.cfm . Nominations accepted until October 31, 2006.

Partner updates events & resources

2006 Environmental Stewardship Award Winners Announced
One individual and three organizations received the 2006 Virginia Environmental Stewardship Awards during a presentation June 29 by Secretary of Natural Resources L. Preston Bryant, Jr. and Mike Ward, Executive Director of the Virginia Petroleum Council.

This marks the eleventh year of the statewide environmental recognition program co-sponsored by the Virginia Petroleum Council (a division of the American Petroleum Institute) and the Commonwealth. Four awards were presented in four categories: organizations, communications, education and individual.

Organization

Clinch Valley Soil and Water Conservation District , Lebanon- In 2004, Clinch Valley SWCD took the lead in identifying and mapping all of the illegal dump sites in Russell County . Since starting the project, 287 illegal dumps have been identified and with 98% of the county mapped.

Communications

Clean Valley Council, Inc., Roanoke- The council has developed a Green Construction Site Manual for green home building and design homes to be constructed in that area. The manual directs builders and homeowners on how to minimize and eliminate waste resulting from new home construction and how to use recycled materials. Manual can be viewed at www.cleanvalley.org/ or www.deq.state.va.us/veep/

Education

Southeastern Public Service Authority, Chesapeake- “Trashinator” is the environmental education program for students in grades K-5. The program teaches the importance of recycling, how solid waste is managed, and the proper disposal of household hazardous waste. In 2005 over 5,000 students in 16 schools viewed a total of 24 performances.

Individual

Ms. Deanna Fehrer, Farmville- As an avid gardenerMs. Fehrer has helped generate additional local interest in the Master Gardener classes and programs. She was instrumental is forming the local Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H Garden Club. She is currently helping children at a private school in the area plan a rain garden.

To read a complete summary on all of the award winners, visit www.vanaturally.com/esa06.html

Greater Richmond Environmental Education Network (GREEN) Survey
For anyone involved with environmental education in the Greater Richmond area feedback is needed. Members of the GREEN Steering Committee would appreciate completion of a brief survey www.vanaturally.com/green/greensurvey.html they developed so that this network with continue grow and will meet each members needs.

Open Houses at Hyla Brook Farm
Whether you’re a master gardener or a brown thumb, our open houses and demonstration classes are a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon. You can round out your day in the country with a visit to one of the nearby wineries, a trip to Gordonsville for lunch or dinner, or just a leisurely drive through the Green Springs Historic Landmark District. Open houses are the last Sunday of the month and run from noon to 5 p.m. www.hylabrookfarm.com The one to two hour demonstration classes begin at 1:30 p.m. and are open to 12 participants. The demonstrations are hands-on so prepare to get your hands dirty. Please reserve your space by sending an email to: nativeplants@hylabrookfarm.com or call 540-967-6160.

Virginia Outdoors Weekend
July 7-9, Twin Lakes State Park
Designed to offer the entire family an opportunity to learn out door skills through hands-on courses such as introductory rifle, archery, shotgun skills development, basic fishing, wild edibles, animal tracking, camping, wilderness survival, kayaking, map and compass, outdoor cooking and much more! Participants must be 6 years of age and older. Call the Outdoor Education office at the VA Department of Game and Inland Fisheries 804-367-0656 or email OutdoorEd@dgif.virginia.gov for more information.

Discover Virginia
A Natural History Retreat
August 4- 6, Wintergreen
The Wintergreen Nature Foundation believes that understanding the landforms and life forms of the Commonwealth are the first steps to wise stewardship and conservation. Discover Virginia brings the state’s finest field scientists, out door enthusiasts and teachers together in a classroom with breathtaking scenery and undisturbed natural gardens. Contact Melissa Hutchinson or Lillian Ledford at 434-325-7473 or visit www.twnf.org/programs/naturalhistory.asp to register.

Your Virginia

Virginia Archaeology Month 2006

Every October, Virginia Archaeology Month highlights the importance of our unique archaeological resources to tourism, to education, and to understanding the past. This fall the theme of the annual, state-wide celebration is First People: The Early Indians of Virginia. The Department of Historic Resources (DHR) is pleased to be joined by the Virginia Council on Indians in sponsoring Archaeology Month 2006. Events ranging from exhibits, lecture series, and tours, to special hands-on children’s programs will take place at libraries, museums, historical societies, and on active archaeological sites. For further information, including suggestions for hosting activities, visit www.dhr.virginia.gov/home.htm , click on ‘Archaeology’ and then on ‘Virginia Archaeology Month 2006.’ Activities and events must be received by July 15 to be posted on DHR’s Calendar of Events www.dhr.virginia.gov/arch_DHR/archaeo_index.htm Join in the fun and fascination of Virginia archaeology.

The Foundation for Virginia’s Natural Resources
The Foundation for Virginia’s Natural Resources (FVNR) was established by SB1141 (Hanger) in the 2005 session of the Virginia General Assembly. Its purpose is to diversify and increase support for non-regulatory programs that address environmental education, pollution prevention, and citizen monitoring of the environment. Another goal of the new foundation is to stimulate opportunities for citizen engagement in such programs.

The Board of Trustees is comprised of 13 citizens representing the major river basins in the Commonwealth plus the Secretary of Natural Resources and the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry for a total of 15 Board members. Board members were appointed in November of 2005. www.dof.virginia.gov/boards/index-fvnr.shtml

Planning for Virginia ’s future water supplies
One of the Department of Environmental Qualities top priorities is to ensure that all Virginians have a safe and adequate water supply, and that the water supply planning initiative underway around Virginia will help achieve this goal. To read more about this visit the Director’s Corner www.deq.virginia.gov/info/directorscorner.html website.

The Department of Environmental Quality will hold seven information meetings for the public during July to receive comments on Virginia ’s latest water quality report. www.deq.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/deq/prweb/BrowseIndex.cgi?URL_NAME=CALENDAR

Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (CZM)
The Virginia CZM Program has released a redesigned website - www.deq.virginia.gov/coastal/ - with many new features and provides an on-line PDF of the Virginia Oyster Gardening guide.

The Help Your Coast feature www.deq.virginia.gov/coastal/involved.html highlights oyster gardening and upcoming Chesapeake Bay Foundation oyster gardening events and promotes citizen stewardship.

The Spring/Summer 2006 issue of Virginia Coastal Zone Management Magazineis available online at www.deq.virginia.gov/coastal/magazine.html). Hardcopies will be available next month.

Contact Virginia Witmer for additional copies at vgwitmer@deq.virginia.gov

Virginia Air Quality
Visit www.deq.virginia.gov/airquality/ for current air quality and forecasts by region.

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

West Central- Roanoke EE Workshop
August 7, 10 am- 2 pm , Science Museum of Western VA
Non-formal environmental educators in this region will host a free one day professional development workshop for teachers. Programs, hands-on activities and resources presented all correlate with Standards of Learning. If you would like additional information or want to register, contact Nancy McCrickard at nmccrickard@smwv.org or Nancy Drumheller at nwdrumheller@deq.virignia.gov . Add Jennifer for pdf link

Two-Day Talking Trash- Teacher Training Workshop
August 15- 16, SPSA
Southeastern Public Service Authority (SPSA) is sponsoring a free two day workshop for teachers. Did you know that individuals generate 2,000 pounds of trash a year! If you want to learn funds, hands on and effective ways to teach your students about solid waste management and the importance of conserving Virginia’s natural resources, join SPSA’s workshop for teachers. The workshop is aligned with SOLs and each teacher will receive Talking Trash! An Environmental Education Curriculum Guide on Solid Waste Management. Contact Beth Garrison at bgarrision@spsa.com or 757-420-4700 to register.

Summer 2006 Professional Development Opportunities
Visit www.vanaturally.com/summer.html for a complete list of opportunities.

New Teacher Resource on Global Sustainability
Facing the Future’s new book for middle and high school teachers, Engaging Students through Global Issues: Activity Based Lessons and Action Projects includes step-by-step lessons plans to help students understand complex global issues and sustainable solutions. www.facingthefuture.org/

Campaign Earth’s Monthly Challenge
The Monthly Challenge Program provides people with one new thing to implement into their lives each month, slowly guiding them along a path toward sustainability. It is designed to be accommodating to even the busiest of schedules by creating a "one step at a time" approach. People feel empowered that they too can make a difference, just by implementing one small change a month. Visit www.campaignearth.org for more information.

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