What does CBEEN do?

CBEEN is the regional network for environmental education (EE) professionals in the Canadian Columbia Basin. Our aim is to build a community of engaged and effective EE practitioners by connecting them with each other, and with the best and most current resources, information, professional development and networking opportunities available.

What we DON’T do: As an umbrella network for EE practitioners, CBEEN avoids duplicating services that are already offered by our members. Instead, we promote the fantastic work our members are engaged with, and we create opportunities for them to share their knowledge and skills with each other, and with other Basin residents. CBEEN is also not an advocacy organization; we are non-partisan and focus on supporting and promoting science-based and bias-balanced information and programs for educators. We support teaching people how to think about the environment, not what to think.

Some of our current projects include:

WEBSITE: Our website is the information sharing hub of CBEEN. Here you can find, and contribute to news and event listings, job postings, grant information, teaching resources, web links, as well as links to our Facebook and Flickr accounts. Don’t miss our member directory, including a very cool map feature which allows you to search for members by geography and area of interest.

E-NEWS MEMBER UPDATE: Every month members are emailed a synopsis of the latest news, events, job postings, and resources from the EE world. Your contributions are welcome and can be sent to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

WILD VOICES FOR KIDS: CBEEN’s flagship environmental and heritage education program coordinates hundreds of FREE, curriculum-linked, in-class or field-based presentations every year for students in grades K-12. Programs are available in school districts 5, 6, 8, 10, 19 and 20, and are presented by passionate and knowledgeable Community Educators. If you have knowledge to share, please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) about becoming a Community Educator.

VOICES FOR SUSTAINABILITY: CBEEN’s popular annual ‘open space’ symposium, or weekend micro-conference, provides opportunities for members to share and celebrate knowledge, resources and inspiration with fellow sustainability educators from throughout our own bioregion. CBEEN’s VFS is part of a national symposium series for educators founded by the EYES Project (www.eyesproject.com). The next VFS gathering will be in Fall, 2013 in the West Kootenay.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS: CBEEN works in partnership with regional school districts, event sponsors, and other organizations to coordinate environmental education professional development workshops. Contact us for assistance with your pro-d needs.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BURSARY PROGRAM: As funding permits, CBEEN provides bursaries to support the ongoing professional development of our members residing in the Columbia Basin. Visit our Bursary page for program guidelines and to download the application form.

OTHER PROJECTS: As time permits and opportunities arise, CBEEN is happy to engage with other projects and partners that match our mission and goals. Contact us to find out how we can support your next environmental education project.