January 11, 2006

Free environmental workshops scheduled

by Karen Hine

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Teachers throughout Southern Illinois can take advantage of free environmental workshops that will certify them to incorporate Project WILD or Project Learning Tree environmental activities into their school curriculum.

Project WILD (Wildlife in Learning Design) and Project Learning Tree are national environmental education programs widely used among educators of students in kindergarten through high school. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources sponsors Project WILD and Project Learning Tree.

The Beautify Southern Illinois Regional Campaign and community colleges throughout Southern Illinois are coordinating these environmental education workshops.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Center for Environmental Health and Safety is assisting in the regional campaign, founded by SIU President Glenn Poshard.

Serving others is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it observes its 150th anniversary in 2019.

Kindergarten through eighth grade educators, teacher's aides, college students and environmental educators are welcome to attend these workshops. Classroom teachers will receive continuing professional development units. College credits are available.

Here are the workshop dates and locations:

• Jan. 21: John A. Logan College in Carterville. The workshop will take place in Room F119. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. and the workshop will wrap up by 3:30 p.m. Register by calling Terry at 800/232-0908. Deadline to pre-register is Jan. 16.

• Feb. 9: Southwestern Illinois College in Red Bud. The workshop will take place in the Performing Arts Room. Deadline to pre-register is Feb. 1. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. and the workshop will be completed by 3:30 p.m. To register, contact Karen Stallman at 618/282-6682, ext. 8133.

• Feb. 24: Shawnee Community College, Ullin. The workshop will be held in the River Room. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. and the workshop will be completed by 3:30 p.m. Register by calling Joyce Davault at 618/634-3309.

These workshops will provide environmental projects, training aids, classroom resources, grant information and a presentation on service learning by the U of I Extension Office.

Beautify Southern Illinois, Shawnee National Forest Service, Childcare Resource and Referral, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the U of I Extension Office are funding the workshops. These sponsors help provide many resources, guest speakers, registration and meals.

For more information on these workshops, please contact Jennae DuBois at 618/453-7170 or jdubois@cehs.siu.edu.

These workshops will help achieve the goal of developing a comprehensive long-range strategy for assisting our schools in implementing educational initiatives, which create positive environmental awareness and participation in maintaining a clean community.