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What can reduce CO2 emissions? Save water? And stimulate green collar employment? Come and learn about the current state of wind power development in Virginia and how wind can help YOU! On June 18th and 19th, 2008 the Virginia Wind Energy Collaborative will be hosting a Wind Symposium at James Madison University at the College of Integrated Science and Technology.  Workshops will be offered that present information on the Virginia Renewables Scoring System for Siting (VRS3), National Education Energy Development (NEED) for teachers, small wind installations (installation will be performed on site), and media communications.   Panel sessions on pertinent topics include the environmental and economic benefits of wind, opportunities for offshore development, and wildlife impacts, utilities and their commitment to wind power development, funding and incentives for small wind, and future wind development on Federal lands and facilities.  Keynote addresses include Mark Warner former Governor of Virginia and Congressman Bob Goodlatte.  http://vwec.cisat.jmu.edu/conf/ Please feel free to call Remy Luerssen at the JMU VWEC office at (540)568-8754 with any questions.

Great American Backyard Campout™(GABC) http://www.nwf.org/backyardcampout/index.cfm provides an opportunity for everyone to relive -- or to experience for the first time -- how much fun it is to spend a night sleeping under the stars and enjoying the sounds of nature at night. Held each June and now in its fourth year, is the national event encourages individuals, youth, friends and families to camp out together for one night. Each year the number of campers has steadily grown, and in 2007 over 40,000 individuals participated. The locations and types of campsites vary from family campouts in the backyard to public campsites with 30 or more community members.

MBC in Staunton, Virginia is considering development of a Master of Arts in Environment-Based Learning (EBL) degree program. The target audience would be educators who are interested in receiving a graduate degree and who would like to focus on using the environment to teach all subjects. The idea for the degree originated through the successes of professional courses and comments from environmental educators.  MBC is conducting a national feasibility study to measure interest in this degree and they need your help.  Please complete this short survey (5 minutes) to help with this worthwhile goal.
The URL is:  http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB227VX3VG8CW

Help fight summer ozone generation and by using Clean Air Partner’s new curriculum, On the Air: Exploring Air Pollution Sources and Solutions  The curriculum developed by Clean Air Partners for the metro Washington and Baltimore areas but is applicable statewide. Clean Air Partners, a nonprofit partnership chartered by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, has strived to improve public health and the environment by working with businesses, organizations and individuals throughout the region to raise awareness and reduce air pollution through voluntary actions..  On the Air is an interactive curriculum, composed of 7 units, that engages 6 graders in the exploration of their environment as they study important air pollution topics and climate change. Check out “create your own kit” instructions.

Published: May/June 2008
164 pages, Softcover $16.95; ISBN: 9780820331034; Publisher: University of Georgia Press

In his book, A Natural Sense of Wonder, Van Noy describes his methods for getting his own two kids out of the house and into nature. His job, as he sees it, is not to diagnose or condemn the growing indoor trend, but to show his readers an alternative. How does a parent tempt their children out the door when so many beeps, whistles, and flashing lights beckon from within?

Take a kid fishin’ this summer. More than 30 Kids Fishing Days are being planned statewide by various organizations in partnership with VDGIF. These events are an enjoyable time for the family and a great opportunity to introduce kids to fishing in a fun atmosphere. There are events every weekend state wide through June. For details, check the Kids Fishing Days calendar (PDF)

With several night field trips to the Lynchburg College Belk Observatory at the Claytor Nature Study Center. Course news release: http://www.lynchburg.edu/x13091.xml Grant funded scholarships for teachers, makes tuition only $200.