Connections

California Regional Environmental Education Community (CREEC) Network

Volume 1, Issue 3 Fall 2004

Spring 2005

Involve Me and I Learn...by Tricia Dunlap

Making connections is what the CREEC River. Students in the after school programs at
Network is all about. Connections between high Salida and Waterford Schools planted trees as a
quality environmental education providers and restoration project along the river’s edge.
professional educators. Connections between Hickman School organized a clean up of the
students and their natural community. Most American Legion Park, which is adjacent to the
teachers intuitively know that it is important to Tuolumne River, and Empire’s Community
Tricia Dunlap
connect students to their community, but with all School’s service learning project included
Coordinator
CREEC Region 6B of the current mandates and time restraints, how planting a school garden in the shape of
can educators find the energy to do yet another California, showing representative crops. Other
thing? The following is an example how some schools gathered and planted acorns for a
“A teacher schools in Stanislaus County were able to study native plant restoration project. Overall there
affects eternity: their local environment, teach the required were 19 fourth grade classes participating,
he can never standards, and get students excited about which included more 600 students. “By
tell where his learning. participating in the Tuolumne River Service
This partnership began in the Spring of Learning Project, Tuolumne School students
influence
2003 when the Region 6 Service Learning co- were able to develop an appreciation for the
stops.” lead, Danielle Jones, approached her regional Tuolumne River and river science. While this
CREEC Coordinator and mentioned that she river exists, for many students, right in their
Henry Adams would like to offer an environment based service own back yard, few know very much about it.
learning project for schools in Stanislaus County. Overall, the project was a wonderful learning
Through the CREEC Network she was able to experience for our students. We hope to do it
connect with the Great Valley Museum and their again in the future.” Debie Cefre, Tuolumne
new standards based Trekking the Tuolumne Elementary School Project Coordinator.
River curriculum. Through funding from the Stanislaus
Using the Great Valley Museum’s County Office of Education, this program
education program, fourth grade classes were continued into the 2004-2005 school year.
introduced to the Tuolumne River ecosystem Teachers are seeing first hand that connecting
Inside this issue: through hands on activities related to food chains students to their community, and integrating
of the riparian system, mapping of their local the curriculum, is not only an effective way to
“Involve Me 1 water drainages, and development of river teach students content knowledge but is also
and I assessment tools. The students then took their enjoyable. “We better start paying attention
Learn…” newly acquired knowledge and applied it during or we won’t have a planet to have stronger and
a visit to the Tuolumne River. Along the river, tougher academic standards.” Martin Petersen,
Teacher 2-3 they learned about water testing and river Superintendent, Stanislaus County Office of
Success
dynamics, took a riparian trail hike, observed Education.
Stories
aquatic organisms, learned about Native Connect with your regional CREEC
CREEC 4 Americans, and planned their service-learning Network Coordinator today and make learning
Leadership project. Each project was not only meaningful in your area. “Tell me and I
environmentally based but also needed to relate forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me
Partner News 4
to the Cesar Chavez character traits. and I learn.” –Benjamin Franklin.
The Tuolumne School’s fourth grade
class created a brochure that related character
education traits to stewardship of the Tuolumne

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PAGE 2 CONNECTIONS VOLUM E 1, I S S UE 3

Teacher Success Stories

Region 1—North Coast J o yc e G u ts te in ). Te ams o f Region 6A—Delta-Sierra
Ms. Liza Eichert of Mary Collins undergraduate interns visited 4th As a science educator for 3-8th
School at Cherry Valley in Petaluma grade classrooms to present energy grade students at Mountain Oaks
has received incredible support from conservation activities. As Suzanne Charter School in San Andreas, Terry
CREEC Coordinator Olga Clymire. noted, “the visits were informative Hampton is always looking for great
While Ms. Eichert and her students and helpful, and they dovetailed with ways to present science. The CREEC
love to plant seeds and watch critters the standards we’re working on in Network provides many classes that
in nature, she’s had a tough time science.” have offered her exciting, hands-on,
convincing parents and other teachers multi-level ideas. Through The
about the value of connecting Region 4—Bay Area CREEC Network she learned of
students to the environment. As a Lana Husser and Rebecca Delta Studies, Project Wet, Project
result of the support she has received Robinson, teachers at Richmond Wild and Wild Aquatic, Service
from the CREEC Network, Ms. High School, attended the Urban Learning, Project Learning Tree, and
Eichert has been inspired to bring Environmental Education field trip opportunities. Terry
teachers and parents on an awareness Conference that was convened by appreciates the CREEC Network for
journey through various staff the CREEC Network at Crissy Field acting as a clearinghouse for
development opportunities. The in San Francisco. They attended environmental education in this area.
CREEC Network website and the E- workshops that highlighted topics The classes are informative and give
Newsletter she receives have such as restoration, bird her a chance to connect with other
provided her with links to recycling identification, and creating a native teachers and hear their thoughts and
lessons and information and plant garden. They learned how creative ways of teaching science.
curricular resources on habitats. other teachers have been successful The programs are organized and fun.
in developing projects at their school Don’t miss out, attend one of the
Region 2—North East sites which inspired them to embark classes hosted by the CREEC
Lisa Rassmusen Middy attended on projects back at their school. The Network.
the GLOBE training sponsored by the CREEC Network also connected
CREEC Network. At the workshop, them with numerous EE providers CREEC Network Annual
Lisa learned about the strict protocols they can contact for information on Conference
necessary for scientific data urban EE programs.
collection. She has implemented
some of those protocols in a stream Region 5—South Coast
study with 5th and 6th grade students Fifth grade teacher Sarah Leonard
attending Whiskeytown has benefited from the Project WET
E n v i ro n me n ta l S c h o o l . Li s a training she received last fall and so
a p p re c ia te s th e p ro fe s s io n al have her Amesti Elementary School
opportunities offered through the students. The workshop, sponsored
CREEC Network. by the Soquel Water District and
CREEC Region 5 Network, was a
Region 3—Capitol two-day training packed with
Fourth grade teacher, Suzanne classroom lessons for students CREEC Network staff and several
Pitner, has been relying on the grades kindergarten through twelve. p a r t n e r s p a r t ic ip a te d i n a n
CREEC Network for resources to The lessons are California State environmental service learning
build the science program at Esparto standards-based and hands-on. Not project during the annual CREEC
Elementary in Yolo County. Last only do students learn about the Network Conference held in Santa
year, Suzanne was the “champion” science, but also they develop a Barbara in January. The group
for the School Energy Efficiency deeper awareness of their role in pictured above spent a couple of
(SEE) Program. Knowing of water conservation and the issues hours at the City of Santa Barbara
Suzanne’s interest in energy surrounding water in our region. Housing Authority’s community
education, CREEC Coordinator Sarah’s commitment to enriching her garden weeding the area, cleaning the
Deborah Bruns connected her with students classroom experience helps tool shed and greenhouse, and
the UC Davis Science Education her students learn about the future of preparing the site for student and
Outreach Program (headed by our communities as they struggle to community programs.
CREEC Advisory Board member save our resources.
www.creec.org - 3350 Education Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405
VOLUM E 1, I S S UE 3 CONNECTIONS PAGE 3

Teacher Success Stories

Region 7—Central Valley CREEC Region 9a opportunities. This parent also
As a chemistry teacher at Clovis Samantha Carr teaches appreciates the mentors she has
High School, Jeanette Coburn likes incarcerated high school students found in her search for EE news.
to augment her curriculum with awaiting sentencing at a local
discussions about environmental detention facility. The unique set- Region 10—RIMS
issues. The CREEC Network up and transient nature of her Pat Mazullis is the president of the
website gives her an up-to-date students make it difficult to conduct Inland Area Science Teachers
source for a diverse number of an ongoing environmental project, Association (IASTA) and a teacher
topics. She has found resources for but Ms. Carr found out about a free at Kaiser High School in Fontana.
water and air pollution that she uses recycling presentation for students He has used the CREEC Network
in her class. The CREEC in San Diego through the CREEC for it’s easy access to
Coordinator helps the Central Network. A group of young men environmental education programs
California Science Teachers participated in a presentation about and resources. He attended several
Association facilitate networking recycling managed by SDCOE's of the professional development
among local science teachers. Outdoor Education Program. The workshops and has participated in
Jeanette is grateful to the CREEC feedback from the students was several of the contests and grant
Network for it’s continued support fantastic. One student wrote opportunities advertised on the
of Environmental Education. She "before I just used to throw website. This past year he invited
feels that the CREEC Coordinator’s everything away, but now I the CREEC Network to have a
on-going support and involvement understand why it is important to strand of workshops in the Science
is a valuable component to the recycle." This is a great example of and Technology Educational
success of environmental how the CREEC Network provides Partnership Conference (STEP),
educational in the Central Valley. EE resources to teachers to engage which IASTA co-sponsored.
students.
Region 8—Central Coast Region 11—Los Angeles
It is said that "word of mouth" is a Sharleen Johnson is a first year
powerful marketing tool. Traci high school teacher at Viewpoint
Cajas, a teacher at Grover Beach School in Calabasas. She teaches
Elementary School in San Luis three different high school science
Obispo County, participated in the courses all for the very first time
Jiminy Cricket Environmentality this year. Through CREEC-LA she
Challege last year after hearing has found some great web sites as
about it in the CREEC Network well as attended a Generation Earth
Region 8 monthly electronic Region 9B—Orange County teacher workshop. In early March,
newsletter. She shared this project A parent volunteer at Irvine Home Sharleen attended the Los Angeles
opportunity with Steve Scudder, a School, a K-8 school in the Irvine Environmental Education Fair
5 th grade teacher at Harloe School District, is especially where she was exposed to more EE
Elementary. Steve's 5th grade class grateful for the E-Newsletter that providers and won a great package
entered the competition for the first she receives from the CREEC of teacher resources donated from
time this year, winning a semi- Network in Orange County. As a various providers. Just recently she
finalist award. Congratulations to result of all the great information applied to a week-long summer
Mr. Scudder's class and thanks to included in the newsletter, she has Plant Development & Genetics
the CREEC Network for participated in workshops including workshop at the Huntington
connecting teachers with great EE tide pool life, water quality, and Library, Art Collections and
opportunities for students. insects. She also participated in Botanical Gardens and was
Science Olympiad with 7-8th grade accepted. Congratulations
“The important thing is not so students testing the water in San S h a rle e n ! T h e C R EE C -LA
much that every child should be Diego Creek. The Orange County newsletter has helped to connect
taught, as that every child should CREEC E-newsletter is the best her to different resources within
be given the wish to learn.” resource for her to receive Los Angeles County.
John Lubbock information about workshops,
curriculum resources, and field trip

www.creec.org - 3350 Education Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

PAGE 4 CONNECTIONS VOLUM E 1, I S S UE 3

Partner News CREEC Leadership

The Walt Disney Company — Jiminy Cricket Region 1—North Coast Region 7—Central Valley
Environmentality Challenge Coordinator: Olga Clymire Coordinator: Michael Coburn
Congratulations to El Verano Elementary Phone: 707-263-7249 Phone: 559-351-6776
E-mail: olganc@pacific.net E-mail: creec7@yahoo.com
School in Sonoma, California for winning this
years' Grand Prize of the Jiminy Cricket Region 2—North East Region 8— Central Coast
Environmentality Challenge. Mr. David Coordinator: Allen Harthorn Coordinator: Debra Marker
Neubacher and his classroom of 5th grade Phone: 530-879-0887 Phone: 805-782-7265
students were recognized in a celebration at E-mail: ahart@harpos.to E-mail: dmarker@slocoe.org
Disney's California Adventure on Thursday and Coordinator: Trudy Rilling-Collins
Phone: 530-842-8429 Region 9A—SanDCREEC
Friday, April 7-8, 2005 for their project entitled E-mail: trilling@sisnet.ssku.k12.ca.us Coordinator: Adrienne Marriott
"Dare to Care." Coordinator: Kate Mahon Phone: 858-292-3733
Numerous dignitaries were present to help Phone: 530-225-0111 E-mail: creec9a@hotmail.com
celebrate the achievement of these students E-mail:
including Kym Murphy, Senior Vice President, kmahon@coe.shastalink.k12.ca.us Region 9B—Orange County
Coordinator: Helen de la Maza
Corporate Environmental Policy for the Walt Region 3—Capitol Phone: 949-548-1175
Disney Company; Jack O'Connell, State Coordinator: Deborah Bruns E-mail: HdelaMaza@ocde.us
Superintendent of Public Instruction; Michael Phone: 530-668-3781
Chrisman, Secretary of the Resources Agency; E-mail: bruns@ycoe.org Region 10—RIMS
A.G. Kawamura, Secretary of the Department Coordinator: Micah Justice
of Food & Agriculture; Rosario Marin, Chair, Region 4—Bay Area Phone: 909-386-2797
Coordinator: Maria Laxo E-mail: micah_henderson@sbcss.k12.
California Integrated Waste Management Phone: 510-482-3748 ca.us
Board; Wayne Nastri, Regional Administrator, E-mail: mlaxaa@yahoo.com Coordinator: Jennifer Futterman
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and Coordinator: Laura Powell Phone: 909-386-2797
Steve Thompson, Manager, U.S. Fish & Phone: 707-775-2420 E-mail: : shaktigaia@hotmail.com
Wildlife Service. E-mail: bacreec@comcast.net Coordinator: Margina Rhyne
Phone: 760-325-7186
Region 5—South Bay E-mail: mrhyne@monocoe.org
U.S. EPA — Presidential Environmental Coordinator: Pat Kent Coordinator: Susie Myrick
Youth Awards (PEYA) Phone: 831-479-5327 Phone: (760) 245-1661
Do you know any students doing good works E-mail: pkent@santacruz. E-Mail: smyrick@mdaqmd.ca.gov
for the environment? k12.ca.us
Since 1971, the President’s Environmental Region 11—Los Angeles
Region 6A—Delta Sierra Coordinator: Cherylin Leong
Youth Awards program has recognized young Coordinator: Heather Fogg Phone: 818-623-4876
people from kindergarten through 12th grade Phone: 209-468-9119 E-mail: cleong@treepeople.org
for projects that help protect our nation’s air, E-mail: hfogg@sjcoe.net
water, land and ecology. Each year the PEYA Coordinator: Wendy Harrison State Administration
program honors a wide variety of projects Phone: 209-736-6009 Director: Bill Andrews
developed by young individuals, school classes, E-mail: wandw1@sbcglobal.net Phone: 916-322-9503
E-mail: bandrews@cde.ca.gov
public interest groups, and youth organizations Region 6B—STEEP CREEC
to promote environmental awareness in their Coordinator: Tricia Dunlap Manager: Celeste Royer
communities. Phone: 209-525-6604 Phone: 805-782-7224
All qualifying nominees receive a certificate E-mail: tdunlap@bigvalley.net E-mail: croyer@slocoe.org
signed by the President honoring them for their
efforts to protect human health and the
environment. A regional winner is then chosen CREEC Connections is a quarterly publication of the
by each of the U.S. Environmental Protection California Regional Environmental Education
Agency’s 10 regional offices, and all 10 of Community (CREEC) Network. The CREEC
these winners travel to Washington, DC, to Network is administered by the California Department
receive a presidential plaque. of Education, Environmental Education Program, in
The deadline for applications is July 31, 2005. partnership with numerous agencies
For application forms or to learn more about the and organizations.
program, visit www.epa.gov/enviroed/awards.

www.creec.org - 3350 Education Drive, San Luis Obispo, CA 93405