Biodiversity Day Grants: Application Deadline April 5, 2013

Posted on March 11, 2013 by webmaster
BEAN is pleased to announce that we are once again supporting the delivery of International Biodiversity Day events across the province by providing support of up to $500 to reimburse eligible event expenses for selected grant recipients.

For more information on the IBD Event Grant Fund, and to submit your application online, please visit the IBD Event Grant Page at http://biodiversityeducation.ca/biodiversity-day/ibd-grant/

Organizations wishing to apply to the grant must complete the online application form by Friday, April 5, 2013.

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Biodiversity Day 2013 Theme: Water & Biodiversity

Posted on December 19, 2012 by webmaster

Each year the Convention on Biological Diversity announces a theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity (or Biodiversity Day). Biodiversity Day is celebrated around the world on or near May 22. This year the theme Water and Biodiversity was chosen to coincide with the United Nations designation of 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation. For more information see the Convention’s website at http://www.cbd.int/idb/2013/.

Each year BEAN promotes a day of local action and awareness to engage Ontarians in events and activities that involve communities, organizations and individuals in the conservation of biodiversity.


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BEAN Supports International Biodiversity Day 2012 Activities

Posted on September 6, 2012 by webmaster

The Biodiversity Education and Awareness Network (BEAN) is a collaboration of education, industry, government and non-governmental organizations and agencies dedicated to increasing awareness, understanding and action related to biodiversity in Ontario.

Each year BEAN promotes the International Day for Biological Diversity (or “International Biodiversity Day” (IBD), May 22nd) by supporting events focussed on local action and awareness activities that engage communities, organizations and individuals in the conservation of biodiversity.  The theme of IBD in 2012 is Marine Biodiversity.

In 2012, with support from the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, BEAN provided $10,272 to aid the coordination and delivery of 25 IBD events acrossOntario. The total cost to hold these events was over $37,800, meaning that BEAN was able to leverage it’s investment at a rate of almost 4:1. Over 2,300 Ontarians (including 1,400 youth) participated in the events. Events included a wide range of activities, including interpretive nature walks, vegetation plantings, presentations, interactive educational activities, invasive species control activities, and natural area clean-up. Examples of some of the activities supported this year are provided below:

  • Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority provided interactive educational sessions to 83 grade four students on biodiversity, turtles, invasive species and aquatic environments
  • Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation educated participants (10 adults and 22 students) on species at risk and native plants in the First Nation and planted a pollinator garden
  • Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve led 170 students through ten educational activity stations set up in Killbear Provincial park where they learned about water ecology, conservation and technology
  • Prince Edward Stewardship Council provided hands-on field experiences on aquatic surveys and stream ecology for 70 students and delivered a professional development day for teachers who wanted to learn how to incorporate the activity into the curriculum
  • Belfountain Public School organized over 100 participants into pulling 1,200 pounds of garlic mustard from a local natural area

 

 

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Ontario releases draft of Biodiversity: It’s in Our Nature

Posted on June 22, 2012 by webmaster

In Ontario we are fortunate to be surrounded by a spectacular environment with an amazing abundance and variety of natural wealth and beauty. This abundance and variety of species and ecosystems enriches our lives and we owe it to ourselves and to future generations to safeguard it for our well-being and for the sake of the planet itself.

Ontario developed Biodiversity: It’s in Our Nature to set out the actions the government will undertake to contribute to the vision and goals outlined in Ontario’s Biodiversity Strategy 2011, released by the Ontario Biodiversity Council in 2011.  The draft document is posted for review and comment until August 6, 2012.

 

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Summer PD Opportunity for OTF Members

Posted on May 16, 2012 by webmaster

Linking Literacy Learning to Nature and the Outdoors (K-8)

Offered as part of the OTF Summer Program 2012 through COEO with the support of LSF

Dates: July 17 and 18
Location: Mississauga U of T campus
Cost: $100 includes two days of program, breakfast and lunches and overnight accommodation.

Register by June 8 at https://event-wizard.com/OTFSummerProgram2012/0/welcome/. Select COEO/Outdoor Education.  Open to OTF members only.  School teams welcomed to attend.

 

Description: Outside every school there’s an array of experiences that deeply engage learners. By linking these to learning expectations in literacy, numeracy and other subjects, teachers bring the vibrancy of the real world to the essential tasks of developing literacy and numeracy skills. We explore how to engage every student by using the built, cultural and natural environments right outside the school doors.

Teachers will gain:

  • Field-based pedagogical skills that address the challenges of taking your class to learn outdoors.
  • Experience in identifying the natural phenomena and biodiversity in most schoolyards and neighborhoods throughout the year.
  • Identification and application of key learning strategies such as inquiry, integration, acting on learning and making real world connections to create meaningful learning experiences that address curriculum expectations.

Activities to include:

  • Professional inquiry approaches to identify the issues and challenges that each participant wishes to address.
  • Individual and group reflection and daily feedback.
  • Learning through direct experience by being outside for much of the program.

Prepare and/or bring:

  • A laptop, if available, to access resources and curriculum documents and establish online learning links with other participants.
  • Visit Step Outside: Nature’s Calendar to review the range of nature-related events that occur in Ontario throughout the year.

Facilitators: Stan Kozak and Pamela Gibson

For further program information contact:
Stan Kozak
519 826-0408
skozak@sentex.ca

 

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