Wild Voices Online!
An Online Series for Students
CBEEN presented Wild Voices Online in May and June 2020 as a live webinar series for students. Although the series is now complete the recordings and follow-up activities are available here for you to watch and explore!
Each session was presented by a local educator on topics ranging from wildlife, to permaculture, to climate action, and more.
This program was possible with the generous support of the Columbia Basin Trust, BC Hydro and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council.
Past Session: May 6
Climate Action, Cool Solutions
With Ingrid Liepa
Recommended Grade Level: Middle School and High School
Time: 10 am Pacific Time / 11 am Mountain Time
Climate Savvy is a fast-paced one-hour journey that will increase your core knowledge about climate change, climate action and solutions. It will weave insights from climate science, social studies, economics and human pyschology, bringing a global perspective to the personal level, and engaging personal perspectives back to the global level. Gain a better understanding of how you can be part of the solution.
Past Session: May 7
What’s the Buzz?
With Jessica Bamford
Recommended Grade Level: Primary and Intermediate Elementary
Time: 10 am Pacific Time / 11 am Mountain Time
What is all the buzz about pollinators these days? Join me to learn about the magic of pollinators, pollination and how the process is interconnected with the plant world, other life forms and us as humans.
Past Session: May 13
How Old is the Earth?
With Jade Harvey and Alex Berril
Recommended Grade Level: Intermediate Elementary / Middle School
Time: 10 am Pacific Time / 11 am Mountain Time
The world is OLD. Lets find out how old it is, how scientists measure this and how the land and climate we see changes over time.
We will learn what the Earth is made of, as well as learn to identify different types of rocks and get a demonstration of the Rock Cycle. There will also be an introduction to the concept of Geological Time. We will also talk about climate, as well as weathering as an agent of change.
Both Jade and Alex have a BSc in Physical Geography, and teach programs about climate, earth science, and geology to students through Stoked on Science, based in Revelstoke, BC.
Click here for their downloadable rock sorting activity that you can complete after the presentation!
Past Session: May 14
Legends of the Forest
With Darcee O’Hearn
Recommended Grade Level: Primary and Intermediate Elementary
Time: 10 am Pacific Time / 11 am Mountain Time
In Legends of the Forest, Darcee teaches how to identify trees and plants that grow and live in our forests. Students get to know our woods and notice things as small as a tiny mushroom all the way up to a tall Grand Fir tree. Includes discussion on the importance of balancing harvesting, fire management, pest management, and proper preservation of wildlife and parks.
Darcee has a background in forestry and has worked in the forestry industry all over BC. She loves telling stories about her experiences in the field, and has written a series of children’s books about species of trees found in the Kootenays called Legends of the Forest.
Past Session: May 20
Reverse Climate Change – Lessons from Project Drawdown
With Malin Christensson
Recommended Grade Level: Middle School and High School
Time: 10 am Pacific Time / 11 am Mountain Time
Explore solutions to climate change, even ways to reverse global warming with Project Drawdown. Through engaging exercises, we will connect to solutions that are inspiring for us. Project Drawdown, an international coalition of more than 200 researchers and other experts who identified and presented the 80 most substantive solutions to global warming. https://www.drawdown.org/
Malin first taught climate change education in Sweden, but now calls the West Kootenays home. She is an educator with a forest preschool and nature camp in the Nelson area.
Past Session: May 21
All About Bats
With Mandy Kellner
Recommended Grade Level: Primary and Intermediate Elementary
Time: 10 am Pacific Time / 11 am Mountain Time
Learn about bats in BC and around the world! We will investigate why bats are so interesting (think echolocation!) and important (hint: mosquitos). Learn how we do research on bats, what is important for bat conservation, and how you can help bats in your community.
Mandy lives in Revelstoke and is the provincial coordinator of the BC Community Bat Program
Past Session: May 27
From here and away; exploring the differences between native and invasive species in BC’s wetlands and beyond
With Kim Kaiser and Laurie Frankcom
Recommended Grade Level: Primary and Intermediate Elementary
Time: 10 am Pacific Time / 11 am Mountain Time
This interactive webinar will focus on the differences between native and invasive species in wetlands and beyond. An introduction to the impacts and characteristics of invasive species will be followed by a lesson on why the American bullfrog and yellow flag iris are unwelcome guests in our wetlands.
After the lesson and discussion, students will be given activities that will turn them into Citizen Scientists while exploring the great outdoors . Activities include a backyard biodiversity scavenger hunt, creating a nature journal and using technology to identify and report invasive species.
Kim is the Outreach Program Coordinator with the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society and Laurie is the Education Program Coordinator with the Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society.
With Kim Kaiser and Laurie Frankcom
Recommended Grade Level: Primary and Intermediate Elementary
Time: 10 am Pacific Time / 11 am Mountain Time
This interactive webinar will focus on the differences between native and invasive species in wetlands and beyond. An introduction to the impacts and characteristics of invasive species will be followed by a lesson on why the American bullfrog and yellow flag iris are unwelcome guests in our wetlands.
After the lesson and discussion, students will be given activities that will turn them into Citizen Scientists while exploring the great outdoors . Activities include a backyard biodiversity scavenger hunt, creating a nature journal and using technology to identify and report invasive species.
Kim is the Outreach Program Coordinator with the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society and Laurie is the Education Program Coordinator with the Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society.
Past Session: May 28
Wildlife in the Kootenays
With Dave Quinn
Recommended Grade Level: Primary and Intermediate Elementary, Middle School
Time: 10 am Pacific Time / 11 am Mountain Time
Learn about the spectacular wildlife diversity of the Kootenays with Kimberley wildlife biologist and educator Dave Quinn. Dave will share stories and information from 20 years of work with a range of species, from the tiny least weasel to the endangered and disappearing mountain caribou, and explore questions like: What is the difference between horns and antlers? How many species of the weasel family call the Kootenays home? Why do black bears adapt to humans easier than grizzly bears? What techniques do biologists use to gather information about wildlife? There will also be an opportunity to ask questions about your favourite Kootenay wildlife.
Dave Quinn is a wildlife biologist, a BC-certified teacher and a certified wilderness guide who has lead expeditions in the Kootenays, the Canadian Arctic and West Coast, as well as overseas. Dave’s work as a photographer and writer has been published in several adventure tourism magazines and scientific publications.
Past Session: June 3
Citizen Science Techniques in a Migratory Bird Study
With Patti Meldrum
Recommended Grade Level: Primary Elementary
Time: 10 am Pacific Time / 11 am Mountain Time
Learn what techniques are used and how scientists and biologists help migratory birds in research. Learn why scientists and biologists band and capture migratory birds for research. Basic bird identification and special features/ characteristics biologists look and listen for.
Patti is an Applied Biology Technician and environmental educator. She lives in Cranbrook and hopes to inspire kids to become citizen scientists.
Past Session: June 4
Turtle Truths
With Ayla Bennett
Recommended Grade Level: Primary and Intermediate Elementary
Time: 10 am Pacific Time / 11 am Mountain Time
This program will explore the Western Painted Turtle, a species of turtle native to BC. Students will discover the history of turtles, learn about their traits and behaviours and what we can do help to protect this blue-listed turtles.
Ayla is an environmental educator from Fernie, BC. She holds a BSc in Environmental Science and is passionate about conservation and the outdoors.
Past Session: June 10
Thought for Food
With Kalista Pruden
Recommended Grade Level: Intermediate Elementary and Middle School
Time: 10 am Pacific Time / 11 am Mountain Time
In this program students will learn about why it is important to know where our food comes from, and why it is important to support local food producers and/or grow your own food. Students will be asked to identify some common and uncommon foods and we will discuss their journey from seed to table. Students will also learn how to grow microgreens, which is something they can grow at home, even if they don’t have a garden. This webinar will be delivered from my greenhouse on my urban homestead!
Kalista is certified in Renewable Resource Management and Permaculture Design. She lives in Invermere on a permaculture-based homestead.
Past Session: June 11
Animal Survival Instincts
With Patty Kolesnichenko
Recommended Grade Level: Primary and Intermediate Elementary
Time: 10 am Pacific Time / 11 am Mountain Time
June 17
Biodiversity Around Us
With Rita Corcoran
Recommended Grade Level: Primary Elementary
Time: 10 am Pacific Time / 11 am Mountain Time
In this primary aged program students will learn about common local plants and animals, including local birds and their calls. The lesson will be partly taught through story. Some follow-up nature activities will be provided for participants to engage with the outdoors on their own time.
Rita is the teacher for the Kootenay Heartwood Nature School. She has explored and lived in the West Kootenays for 20 years and has greatly enjoys leading Environmental Education classes in this inspiring area.
June 18
WildSafe BC Ranger Program: Wildlife awareness and safety for children
With Kathy Murray
Recommended Grade Level: Grades 3 – 5
Time: 10 am Pacific Time / 11 am Mountain Time
The WildSafeBC WildSafe Ranger Program introduces students to the concept of human-wildlife conflict. It encourages them to take an active role in reducing human-wildlife conflicts by helping their families identify wildlife attractants around their home. The program fosters a respectful relationship with all wildlife that emphasizes keeping wildlife wild and communities safe.
