West- Central LEEF News

LEEF mini-conference FAQ

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 19:54:00 +0000

I've had some questions about Camp Bayou and particularly about the possibility of camping overnight for the conference so I thought I'd post some commonly asked questions:

What is Camp Bayou?
Camp Bayou is a 160 acre, Hillsborough County Preserve, that is generally open for day use only. It was an RV park in a past life but has been purchased for public use through the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP). The County has had a partnership agreement with our local non-profit since 1999 to provide environmental education to the public.

Is it OK if we arrive before the scheduled start of 9:30am?
Camp Bayou's gates will be open at 8am. Feel free to arrive early to browse the nature center, fossil museum, native people's camp or other interesting sights and/or walk a trail. Or try to find our Geocaches or Letterbox or snap some pictures for our Picture Posts.

Day use only? But I thought we could camp there!
Through a special agreement with Hillsborough County Conservation Services, LEEF conference attendees have permission to camp overnight on Friday.

What is the fee to camp on Friday night?
Camping will be permitted, for this event only, for FREE! I do need to know how many people to expect overnight so be sure to include that info on your registration form and/or email me at campbayou@gmail.com.

What kind of restroom facilities can we expect?
There are 2 restroom buildings leftover from the RV park and although they look all of their 40 some-odd years old, they do have working toilets and showers- with hot water! There are women's and men's sides with 2 toilets and 2 showers in each side of each building. The only thing that campers need to be aware of is that the septic fields are just as old as the structures so conserving water should be at the top of everyone's list so we do not have an... episode.

Can we use a propane camp stove?
You can bring a camp stove as long as you exercise caution and use it with sensible safety in mind.

Are there any- more civilized- accommodations nearby?
There are a couple motels about 5 miles away: Comfort Inn and Ruskin Inn
A few more miles away is Little Harbor, a resort on Tampa Bay, right in Ruskin.

What's on the lunch menu?
Lynn Kessel, Food Columnist for the Tampa Tribune/SouthShore News, has graciously agreed to provide lunch for us. Enjoy Dill and Dijon Egg Salad Wraps or BLT with Avocado Wraps, plus a fruit platter. Save room for dessert- Vanilla Bean Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting. Yummm!

Can we have a campfire?
Much depends on what the fire quotient is for that weekend but there is a fire circle and logs for seating that can be used on Friday night- again, following safe practices such as having the water hose handy and not making a huge bonfire.

Can I bring my canoe or kayak?
Yes! We have a great canoe launch just down the trail from the tenting area with direct access to the Little Manatee River. There is a nice 90 minute loop around the island south of Camp Bayou.
UPDATE! If you don't have your own canoe, Camp Bayou will have canoes for rent starting in March! Perhaps those interested can do the 90 minute loop after the conference ends at 4pm.

Is there going to be a Silent Auction this year?
There is not enough time at the conference this year to have the regular silent auction. In lieu of an auction, there will be a raffle table where folks can put their tickets to win a variety of items. Tickets will be available, for a donation of $1 each, at the registration table. If anyone is interested in donating an item for the table, contact Dolly .

Will there be a Teacher Resource exchange?
There is nothing on the agenda for a planned teacher resource exchange but Camp Bayou will have a table with some items that can be taken for free: nature magazines, posters, a fish tank or two, some water testing kits, etc.

Where exactly are you located?
Camp Bayou is 3 miles south of SR 674 at the end of 24th St SE in Ruskin, just 5 miles from I-75 exit 246.
If you want to Google it, the physical address is 4140 24th St SE, 33570.

If anyone has any other questions, please email me at campbayou@gmail.com and I will be happy to answer them and perhaps include them in this FAQ.

LEEF News!

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 01:31:00 +0000

Registration is OPEN for the LEEF mini-conference, to be held March 9, 2013 at Camp Bayou. You can go to our LEEF website and click on the conference announcement in the top middle of the page, and then register by going to the conference tab. If you are going pay by credit card, you can go directly to Leef2013.eventbrite.com. If you are paying by check or purchase order, you will need to do that through the LEEF website.

Yes, this is a much shorter conference than usual. There were many reasons for the decision to keep it short and sweet. One reason is the lower price, another a shorter time commitment. Let's get as many members to this event as possible so we can address our future at the annual meeting, held during the lunch period.

If anyone misses the overnight stay of previous conferences, be aware that tent camping will be allowed at Camp Bayou (Thanks to special permission from the County) for FREE for Friday night. A word of warning- the showers are a bit iffy. If one can get past that, Camp Bayou is a wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors in Florida. We can have a campfire and night hike if there is enough interest. Visit the FAQ page for more info.

Let's rally for this meeting! Go LEEF!

invitation to participate in Spring Open House

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 14:55:00 +0000

Greetings!
You are receiving this email because you are associated with an organization that we at Camp Bayou would love to include in our Spring Open House on Saturday, March 16 from 9am-1pm.

There is of course an educational 'Green' theme, in the range of its meanings: natural, sustainable, restoration, garden... and yes, even St. Patrick's Day.

We will have speakers on the hour and children's activities on the half hour, plus tables set up for ongoing nature explorations with ant lions, butterflies, etc; nature crafts and games plus informational tables.

We would love to have your organization represented at this event. Your input could be brief, such as our scheduled HC Cooperative Extension speaker on rainbarrels for a half hour, or stay for the 4 hours at an activity table and/or display information about your organization, cause or skill. Participants are not permitted to sell anything.

If you can let me know by Jan 26, I will include your organization in the press releases that will be sent starting the following week and in signage at the event. All I need to know is which organization you will represent, which option- speaker and/or tabling- that you would like to do and the best contact email to reach the person who will actually be on site on March 16.

Thank you for your time and I hope to see you on the Bayou!
Dolly Cummings
Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center
Ruskin, FL
www.campbayou.org

LEEF newsletter Winter 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 01:08:00 +0000

Hope everyone has received their last automatically mailed, printed copy of the Winter 2012 LEEF newsletter! If you wish to continue to receive the printed copy of the LEEFlet, you must contact Eileen Tramontana to opt-in for this service. You must confirm your mailing address in your email.

Please note that by accepting the online only version, you help LEEF to conserve funds that would otherwise be spent on printing and postage- plus think of all those trees you save :o). In addition, the online version often has just a bit more information since the printed copies are limited to a layout that is in multiples of 4. For example, the online version of the Winter 2012 newsletter has 14 pages, 2 more than the printed version.

Future newsletters will be posted online. You will receive an email alerting you to each new posting. Please be sure we have your current email address to ensure that you have access to all that's happening in EE in Florida. Be sure that your spam filters are set so that they do not block emails from etleef@gmail (Eileen) or from w.c.leef10@gmail.com(Dolly).

Hope your holidays were happy and best wishes for the New Year!

Volunteers needed for Boyd Hill Survey

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:36:00 +0000

Save the Date! March 8-11, 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:17:00 +0000

LEEF Conference 2013 in Ocala, FL, March 8-11, 2013. It will get you fired up!

Interpreting Nature Series with George Heinrich

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 02:29:00 +0000

Interpreting Nature Series (adults, age 16 and up)

Improve and broaden your interpretive naturalist skills during this new series of engaging, hands-on workshops for naturalists, educators, land managers, park volunteers/docents, and other interested individuals.

Join wildlife biologist and environmental educator George L. Heinrich (Heinrich Ecological Services) during one or more of these fun and educational half-day programs scheduled to be held at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve (St. Petersburg, Florida). The series (9:00 am-12:00 pm) includes:

Snakes of the Tampa Bay Region (16 February 2013)

Scatology: Discovering the Secrets of Scat (16 March 2013)

American Alligator: Ruler of the Wetlands (20 April 2013)

Gopher Tortoise: Icon of the Uplands (18 May 2013)

Registration fee is $40/workshop or $120/full series (four workshops); space is limited and registration is available on a first-come, first-served basis. A PDF including detailed program information and registration form is available by contacting George at (727) 865-6255 or george@heinrichecologicalservices.com.

Fall Open House- Out of the Dark!

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:17:00 +0000

Who should attend? YOU! and bring your family and friends

Where: Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center, 4140 24th St SE, Ruskin

When: Saturday, October 27, 2012; 9am-1pm
What: FREE family-friendly event, taking the BOO! out of some typical Halloween creatures
Registration not required but appreciated at www.campbayou.org .

Schedule:
9am- Activity tables open
9:30am- Going Buggy. Discover the wonders of the invertebrate world with Dr. George, our entomologist.
10am- Cockroach races. Pick one of Camp Bayou's resident Cockroach Racers or bring your own to see which can scurry the fastest! All cockroaches (large Palmetto bugs only) entering the race must be registered at the membership table by 9:45am. Check the Nature Notes blog at campbayou.blogspot.com for details.
10:30am- Snake Stroll. Look for Bettina and Xerxes, the albino corn snake, who will be out and about for a breath of fresh autumn air. Xerxes will be back in the Nature Center after the Species Walk for his weekly mouse if anyone wants to join him for lunch.
11am- Species Walk. Make an animal mask in the morning or wear your Halloween costume, then join others in a guided tour along the trails and through the old fishing cabin and meet Dan the Fisherman. All those who take part in the Species Walk will receive a small token for participating. Cabin restoration volunteer, Frank, will be on hand to answer questions about the work completed on these restored Giant's cabins and what more is in store for them in the future.
11:30am- National Food Day Buffet- For a small fee, several alternative treats to typical Halloween sweets will be available for a good-for-you snack,
Activity tables will stay open until 1pm.

Throughout the morning, there will be several activity tables, some with live critters to handle, such as millipedes and ant lions. Games such as the Spider Scavenger Hunt and crafts such as Animal Masks will provide lots of fun and educational things to do. Other non-profits, such as ConserveItForward.org and the Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum will be also be offering nature-based activities.

Registration is not required but encouraged. Door prizes will be drawn on the half hour from the list of all participants who register online at campbayou.org . Door prizes include Seminole pumpkin seedlings, goody bags and other surprises. The winning entries for the 2012 Camp Bayou Annual Photo Contest will be on display at the Fall Open House. Nature Nook Books will also be on hand with books for sale for children and adults. Sponsors include "24th Street Neighbors" and Sweetbay Supermarket in Ruskin. Enjoy what you're seeing? Help others to see by donating your unwanted eyeglasses in the Plant City Lion's Club collection box, located at the membership table.

These activities are part of a Get Outdoors Florida, Children and Nature, No Child Left Inside, Be Out There!-NWF, Let's Move Outside, National Food Day, Make a Difference Day, inspired initiative.

Camp Bayou is neither a campground nor a summer camp. It was an RV park before the County's ELAP program purchased the land but it is now open for day use only, open to the general public. Through volunteers, donations, membership and grants, the Center offers pre-scheduled programs to schools, youth groups, adult groups and families plus it's open from Thursday- Saturday from 9am-2pm for passive recreational pursuits such as wildlife watching, nature photography and trail walks.

The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is managed by the newly created, non-profit Bayou Outdoor Learning & Discovery, Inc. (BOLD), in a public- private partnership with the non-profit Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. (RCDF) and Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Camp Bayou is located 3 miles south of SR674 at the end of 24th St SE in Ruskin. More information is on the web at www.campbayou.org or call 813-641-8545.
###

--
Dolly Cummings
Camp Bayou OLC
www.campbayou.org

Gopher Tortoise/Fire Programs in Pinellas

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 19:42:00 +0000

George L. Heinrich is working with staff from three local nature preserves- Boyd Hill, Weedon Island, Brooker Creek- to promote a new series of powerpoint lectures and guided interpretive hikes regarding the ecological relationship between gopher tortoises and prescribed fire. They hope that it will generate additional support for prescribed burning at the three preserves.

NASA Galileo Educator Network Fellow

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 07:26:00 +0000

From NASA Education Express:

The NASA Galileo Educator Network is accepting applications for a professional development institute in September 2012, at the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Ill.

The 15-hour institute will focus on the integration of science content, science practices and the nature of science as outlined in the national Framework for K–12 Science Education. The goal of this program is to train participants to assist K-12 teachers with the implementation of the Next Generation Science Standards, in the context of astronomy and space science.

Lodging support for out-of-town participants and stipends for all participants are available.

Applications are due Aug. 31, 2012.

For more information about the NASA Galileo Educator Network and to apply for the professional development institute online, visit http://astrosociety.org/education/GEN/index.html.

Questions about this opportunity should be emailed to Brian Kruse at bkruse@astrosociety.org.

To subscribe to all NASA Education Express emails visit http://www.nasa.gov/education/express

Calendar in the Sky Webinar

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 11:38:00 +0000

You are invited to join a free Calendar in the Sky webinar on Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at 11am PT/12pm MT/1pm CT/2pm ET. This is the third webinar in the series.

Title: Putting it into Practice: Resources and Activity Ideas for Programming about Maya Astronomy
Presenter: Amy Grochowski, Curator of Education at the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, Albuquerque, NM
Date: Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Time: 11am PT/12pm MT/1pm CT/2pm ET
Duration: 90 minutes
Format: Online Webinar (60 min presentation with 30 min discussion period)
Registration: Please register for this webinar at https://cc.readytalk.com/r/yum9pbobbdqj.

Description:
Join museum curator Amy Grochowski as she showcases programming about Maya science and culture implemented at the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology in Albuquerque, NM. She will describe activities offered in a museum setting and suggest how to build Calendar in the Sky topics into overall programming. Useful resources for developing programs will also be highlighted. Other Calendar in the Sky workshop participants will also present on activities they have tried in their informal education settings. We'll end the webinar by opening up the discussion to all participants to share their activities and resources around this topic.

Presenter Bio:
Amy Grochowski has been an informal science educator in museums and science centers for over 13 years. She is currently Curator of Education at the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology in Albuquerque, NM where her recent work has focused on exhibitions and programs about Maya science, culture and art. Prior to working at the Maxwell Museum, she taught science and nature programs at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science and the Detroit Science Center. Her background in museum education combined with degrees in the natural sciences has instilled in her a passion for teaching about the connection of people to the natural world.

Calendar in the Sky is a NASA-funded project led by UC Berkeley to engage the American public, particularly Latino audiences, in NASA science (space exploration, astronomy, planetary and Earth sciences, etc.) via the broad interest in Maya culture. We are conducting a series of webinars for educators on NASA science and Maya astronomy. Following the webinars, attendees will be given access to private discussion boards on the project website (www.calendarinthesky.org) where they can discuss the webinar topics and exchange ideas and resources for educational programming with colleagues. The webinars will be recorded and archived on the website.

Please pass this message on to any colleagues you think would be interested in attending.

Back to School- Back to Nature event, Ruskin

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 18:43:00 +0000

Before homework, tests and the smell of markers or chalk dust fill the air, enjoy a beautiful morning filled with learning that is fun and check off some school supplies in the process.

Camp Bayou's 5th Annual Back to School- Back to Nature event will be held on Saturday, August 4 from 9am- noon. Registered families will visit several nature stations where they will learn something about frogs, fossils, forests or one of several nature topics. This year there will also be a station with information about NASA's Curiosity rover and its expected landing on Mars on August 5.

Before leaving each station, the children will be given a free school supply item! For a possible extra bonus, children will be given a free raffle ticket when they arrive after their family signs in at the registration table. Tickets will be drawn every 30 minutes for other items, including backpacks, journals, lunch bags, and more. As in past years, registration is requested but FREE, online at www.campbayou.org .

There will be a LEEF Teacher Resource Exchange- an area for educators to leave materials they no longer need or pick up something new. Current items available for the Teacher Exchange include a fish tank with some accessories, posters, colorful nature magazines, water quality test kits and more! Teachers can also learn about field trips to the Nature Center or Fossil Museum, upcoming teacher professional workshops, League of Environmental Educators in Florida (LEEF) regional information and Florida Master Naturalist Program updates.

Organizations that will be participating in this year's event include:

Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful

Florida Division of Forestry

ConserveItForward.org

League of Environmental Educators in Florida

A cooler will be on hand to help keep participants hydrated with free cups of water. There will also be hot dogs, chips and soda for sale starting at 11am to keep those tummies from grumbling.

This event is a Summer Learning Day, Be Out There!, Get Outdoors Florida, "Let's GO"- Children and Nature, No Child Left Inside, and Let's Move Outside inspired initiative. Plus, this year, it is also a Mars Curiosity Landing event!

Camp Bayou is neither a campground nor a summer camp. It was an RV park before the County's ELAP program purchased the land but it is now open for day use only, open to the general public. Through volunteers, donations, membership and grants, the RCDF offers pre-scheduled programs to schools, youth groups, adult groups and families plus it's open from Thursday- Saturday from 9am-2pm for passive recreational pursuits such as wildlife watching, nature photography and trail walks. General admission is still FREE.

The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is a public- private partnership between Bayou Outdoor Learning and Discovery, Inc. (BOLD)., Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. (RCDF) and Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Camp Bayou is located 3 miles south of SR674 at the end of 24th St SE in Ruskin. More information is on the web at http://www.campbayou.org/ or call 813-641-8545.

###

Pictured: Visitors have fun learning about nature then receiving a free school supply item at last year's Back to School- Back to Nature event.

Florida PLT Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 00:14:00 +0000

From Nancy Peterson, Coordinator, Florida Project Learning Tree:

Registration is now open at http://floridaplt2012conf.eventbrite.com/ for Sustainable Forests: Lessons from the Lorax, Florida PLT Conference, November 2-3, 2012! We are so excited about this unusual training opportunity. The FPLT steering committee members worked hard at securing sponsors so this 2-day program is only $40 for early registration! Enrollment will be capped at 50. Below is the draft agenda. Friday dinner will be catered by Nicole’s on the River and the food is good! Our hotel is across the street from the ocean on Amelia Island!

I hope to see you there.
Nancy

PROGRAM Draft Agenda

Thursday, November 1- those needing to arrive early Hotel check-in 4:00PM

Dinner on your own or join the group. (Will make reservations at a near-by restaurant for our group. Cost of dinner is not included in registration fee)

Conference Agenda

Tour, Friday, November 2, 2012 Long pants and closed-toes shoes are required for the tours

9:00 Check at hotel
9:45 Load bus/vehicles
10:30 Rayonier, logging site and SFI talk
12:30 Lunch provided by Rayonier
1:30 Tour RockTenn facility
4:30 Load bus/vehicles for hotel

Room Check-in
6:00 Load bus/vehicles for dinner
6:30 Dinner sponsored by Langdale and PCA.
8:00 Load bus/vehicles for hotel

Workshop, Saturday, November 3, 2012

8:00 Private vehicles to depart hotel for meeting room
8:30 Introductions, Icebreaker
9:00 SFI introduction/correlations
9:30 PLT Activity
10:30 PLT Activity 11:30 PLT Activity
12:00 Lunch, Sponsored by Buckeye
1:00 PLT Activity
2:00 Common Core Standards & STEM
2013 Workshop plans
2:45 Evaluation and wrap-up
3:00 Adjourn

Event Sponsors: Packaging Corporation of America, Langdale Woodlands, Rayonier Foundation, RockTenn, Buckeye, National Project Learning Tree-American Forestry Foundation, Florida Project Learning Tree

NAI Region 3 Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 14:24:00 +0000

NAI Region 3 Workshop

February 18-22, 2013

Wekiwa Springs State Park Youth Camp
Longwood, Florida

Located at the headwaters of the Wekiva River, the beautiful vistas within this park offer a glimpse of what Central Florida looked like when Timucuan Indians fished and hunted these lands. Today, canoeists and kayakers paddle along the Wekiva River and Rock Springs Run. Thirteen miles of trails provide opportunities for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding. It is a perfect spot for natural and cultural heritage resource interpreters and educators to get together and share their expertise!

More information will be coming to you soon! To volunteer for the planning committee, contact Debbie Fritz-Quincy at hsnature@aol.com or call (772) 546-2067.

Save the Date!

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Thu, 28 Jun 2012 00:22:00 +0000

The 2013

LEEF Conference

will be at

Camp Ocala

March 7-10.

ISS EarthKAM Summer 2012 Mission

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 11:15:00 +0000

International Space Station EarthKAM Summer 2012 Mission

Middle school educators are invited to join NASA for the International Space Station EarthKAM Summer 2012 Mission from July 10-14, 2012. Find out more about this exciting opportunity that allows students to take pictures of Earth from a digital camera aboard the International Space Station.

International Space Station EarthKAM is a NASA-sponsored project that provides stunning, high-quality photographs of Earth taken from the space shuttle and the space station. Since 1996, EarthKAM students have taken thousands of photographs of Earth by using the World Wide Web to direct a digital camera on select spaceflights and, currently, on the space station.

For more information about the project and to register for the upcoming mission, visit the EarthKAM home page www.EarthKAM.ucsd.edu.

If you have questions about the EarthKAM project, please email ek-help@earthkam.ucsd.edu.

School Gardens and JMG workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 15:00:00 +0000

From Crystal Sutherland:

Good morning educators,

There will be a School Gardens and JMG workshop held on July 12th on the Gainesville campus at the University of Florida. This will be a one day event with topics including gardening basics and safety, as well as school garden models throughout the state. We will also work through classroom activities from the Junior Master Gardener curriculum. More information and the registration from for this workshop can be found at http://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/schoolgardens/hot_topics/jmg_workshop.shtml Please pass the word on to anyone interested in implementing a school garden into their classroom learning. Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at csutherland@ufl.edu Have a great gardening day!

Speak up for Florida Waters

noreply@blogger.com (West- Central LEEFers) — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 11:33:00 +0000

An urgent note from Jon Brainard, LEEF member:

please ask members to come to this!!!

Join Senator Bob Graham and Senator Lee Constantine at “Speak Up: Silver Springs”, a call to action to protect and restore Silver Springs and Florida’s imperiled waterways; June 23, 2012 in Ocala.

For more information click here

Summer Educator Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:46:00 +0000

From TBEP:

'Tampa Bay: Living Legacy' Summer Educator Workshop

Thursday, August 2, 2012
9 am - 4 pm
Weedon Island Preserve
Cultural & Natural History Center

Immerse your students in the natural and cultural history of Tampa Bay with this FREE workshop featuring curriculum designed to accompany our popular documentary film, "Tampa Bay: Living Legacy." This program is presented by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program and is geared for upper middle and high school teachers.

Participating K-12 teachers will receive a $35 stipend for completing the workshop.

The film and teaching guide highlight the memories and perspectives of the many local "Champions of the Bay" who helped to bring about Tampa Bay's remarkable transformation from one of the nation's most polluted waterways to one of its most heralded success stories. Teach your students about the bay so they can help to protect it in the future!

Participants will receive a CD teaching guide, a DVD of the documentary "Tampa Bay: Living Legacy," and many other classroom resources. P re-registration required.

Special Project Request

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 14:26:00 +0000

The League of Environmental Educators in Florida is looking for any members who hold a Masters Level Degree in Humanities. We have an upcoming amazing project we would like to do for the Organization but are in need of anyone in the organization that holds this degree to help us start it up. Once it is going we will put out another call for others to help.

Thank you,

Tara Powers

President

League of Environmental Educators in Florida

If you are interested, please leave a comment or email w.c.leef10@gmail.com .

June 2 press release- H2Ohhhh!- Ruskin

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:52:00 +0000

H-2-Ohhhh! 
Aquatic Reflections 
Saturday, June 2, 2012
9 a.m.–2 p.m.
FREE family-friendly fun!
 
Pre-registration is appreciated for H2Ohhh! at www.campbayou.org. You'll also be entered into the contest for grand prizes such as a hydration backpack when you register. Visitors can register at the event if internet access is unavailable.
 
 There will be several aquatic activity tables set up on the "Big Lawn" with folks from Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, Tampa Bay WaterAtlas, League of Environmental Educators in Florida, ConserveItForward.org and Camp Bayou volunteers. Door prizes will be awarded throughout the morning for water related items such as water bottles, water test kits and more.
 
Scheduled activities:
 9am: Gates Open- check in at registration table
 9:30am: Aquatic Critter Netting with George
 10am: Native Plants Walk with Diane
 10:30am: Watercolor painting demo with Ruth
 11am: Landscapes for Learning with Dolly
 11:30am: Swamp Dog Lunch available for purchase- $5 includes hot dog, chips and drink
Noon: Final door prize drawings for free use of canoe during afternoon paddle- 5 winners will be picked!
12:30-2pm: Canoeing the Little Manatee River Loop with Camp Bayou staff
 
If you have your own canoe or kayak, you are welcome to join us on this 90 minute paddle around the island south of Camp  Bayou.
 
 
Can't make the event? You can still enter the prize drawing by filling out the survey link at SeeDoShowH2O.blogspot.com. Since only entries with all correct answers are eligible for the drawing, it will help to attend the event where all the questions will be answered during the morning, or browse through the event blog. Deadline for entries is June 16.
 
H-2-Ohhhh! is sponsored by grant from the Southwest Water Management District.
  
H2Ohhh! is also a National Trails Day's 'Trailgating' event.These activities are part of Get Outdoors Florida!, "Let's GO"- C&N, No Child Left Inside, Be Out There!-NWF, and Let's Move Outside inspired initiatives. 

Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center (Camp Bayou) is neither a campground nor a summer camp. It was an RV park before the County's ELAP program purchased the land. It is now open to the public for day use only. Through volunteers, donations, membership and grants, Camp Bayou offers pre-scheduled programs to schools, youth groups, adult groups and families! Plus, it's open from Thursday–Saturday from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. for passive recreational pursuits such as wildlife watching, nature photography and trail walks.
 
 The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is managed by the newly created, non-profit Bayou Outdoor Learning and Discovery, Inc. (BOLD) in a public-private partnership with the non-profit Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. and Hillsborough County  Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Camp  Bayou is located 3 miles south of S.R. 674 at the end of 24th   St. S.E. in Ruskin. For more information, visit the website at www.campbayou.org or call (813) 641-8545.
 
###

Pictured: Canoeing the Little Manatee River

 

Announcing June 2 event- H2Ohhh!

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Tue, 08 May 2012 16:41:00 +0000

New event at the Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center in Ruskin

H-2-Ohhhh!
Aquatic Reflections
Saturday, June 2, 2012
9 a.m.–2 p.m.
FREE family-friendly fun!

Participants are asked to pre-register for H2Ohhh! at http://www.campbayou.org/.

There will be several aquatic activity tables set up on the "Big Lawn." Plus, since it is National Trails Day, there will be hikes that highlight water-related facts. For instance, did you know that our native prickly pear cactus is a great survival plant for people as well as animals? The flowers produce edible fruit and the prickly pads can be peeled away to provide a moist snack when water is scarce.

Participating organizations include Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, Tampa Bay WaterAtlas and ConserveItForward.org.

These activities are part of Get Outdoors Florida!, "Let's GO"- C&N, No Child Left Inside, Be Out There!-NWF, and Let's Move Outside inspired initiatives. Camp Bayou is an active member of LEEF (League of Environmental Educators in Florida).

Can't make the event? You can still enter the prize drawing by filling out the survey on the registration webpage. Since only entries with all correct answers are eligible for the drawing, it will help to attend the event where all the questions will be answered during the morning course.

Still can't make the event? During May, the event blog at http://bit.ly/602media will post information that may include hints to all the answers. You can also sign up for blog updates in the box on the left side of the webpage.

Deadline for entries is June 16.
H-2-Ohhhh! is sponsored by grant from the Southwest Water Management District.

Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center (Camp Bayou) is neither a campground nor a summer camp. It was an RV park before the County's ELAP program purchased the land. It is now open to the public for day use only. Through volunteers, donations, membership and grants, Camp Bayou offers pre-scheduled programs to schools, youth groups, adult groups and families! Plus, it's open from Thursday–Saturday from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. for passive recreational pursuits such as wildlife watching, nature photography and trail walks.

The Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center is managed by the newly created, non-profit Bayou Outdoor Learning and Discovery, Inc. (BOLD) in a public-private partnership with the non-profit Ruskin Community Development Foundation, Inc. and Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Camp Bayou is located 3 miles south of S.R. 674 at the end of 24th St. S.E. in Ruskin. For more information, visit the website at http://www.campbayou.org/ or call (813) 641-8545.

Pictured: Children have fun looking for aquatic critters in collections pans filled with river water.

"Tampa Bay: Living Legacy" Educator's Workshop

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:13:00 +0000

"Tampa Bay: Living Legacy" Educator's Workshop

August 2, 2012

9 am to 4 pm

Weedon Island Preserve
Cultural and Natural History Center
1800 Weedon Drive N.E.
St. Petersburg, FL 33702

Immerse your students in the natural and cultural history of Tampa Bay by attending this free one-day workshop featuring curriculum designed to accompany the documentary film "Tampa Bay: Living Legacy" This film chronicles the transformation of Tampa Bay from one of the nation's most polluted waterways to one of its most heralded environmental success stories.

The curriculum is designed for grades 9-12.

Participating teachers will receive a $35 stipend.

The teaching guide offers six complete lesson plans that complement key chapters in the bay's natural and human history, highlighting important natural resources such as birds and seagrass habitats, and drawing on the memories and perspectives of the local "Bay Champions" who fought to save this centerpiece of our region.

Pre-registration is required; home school and informal educators are welcome.

Click here for more information and to register online

The Common Language of Environmental Education

noreply@blogger.com (West- Central LEEFers) — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 16:48:00 +0000

Post from George Heinrich:
Please see the flier announcing a program by my dear friend and international environmental educator Amalia Fernand (Nature Explorers International). Amalia is currently visiting from her home base in Michigan and will be presenting "The Common Language of Environmental Education" on Tuesday, 24 April (7:00 pm) at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. There will also be a children's workshop at 6:00 pm. Please call BHNP at (727) 893-7326 to sign up for this program as space is limited.

Amalia is a role model for young girls and boys alike as to what one can accomplish with a dream, hard work and a college education. Please visit her website at www.natureexplorersinternational.com to learn more about her work. Be sure to watch the video located on the bottom right of the homepage. I hope to see some of you on the evening of the 24th.

Regards, George

Save the Frogs Day event

noreply@blogger.com (Blogwright) — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Join us for the world's largest day of amphibian education and conservation action! This is the 2nd year for the FREE Tampa area event at Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center in Ruskin, FL.

Spend a few hours in a natural Florida setting learning how to help frogs and the environment! Enjoy educational frog games, activities, and be part of Florida's Largest (Human) Frog Chorus ever!

Visit www.ConserveItForward.com for more information and to pre-register (appreciated, not required).

For directions, please visit www.CampBayou.org.

A $5 suggested donation per person which will equally benefit Save the Frogs!, America’s first and only public charity dedicated exclusively to amphibian conservation AND Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center, a nature preserve open to the general public with trails, nature center, fossil museum, native camp, picnic tables and events throughout the year.