We are happy to announce that Minnesota's Changing Climate received the Environmental Education Award at the 2012 Environmental Initiative Awards! Thanks to all of our partners who made this work possible!

As the school year is winding down and you are looking back on all you have accomplished this year, please share your thoughts on Minnesota's Changing Climate with us by taking our brief survey. This is your last chance to share feedback before the new edition is finalized. Thank you so much to those who have already shared their thoughts!

The first public draft of the Next Generation Science Standards became available last week and we were happy to see the inclusion of climate change as a core idea. Read more.

Duluth News Tribune published Kristen Poppleton's response to Congressman Chip Cravaack's amendment to cut funding for the National Science Foundation's Climate Change Education Program.

Thanks for all your great work!

Kristen and Ann

Featured Resources

The Natural Resources Defense Council has a great resource that examines what states are doing to prepare for climate change impacts on water resources and what risks they face.

Read this excellent article on the signifcant impact of climate change on moose in Minnesota's coniferous biome.

Upcoming Event

The White House is hosting a Community Partnership Summit in Minneapolis on June 8, and there will be a Clean Air, Climate and Health roundtable event at the summit.

Professional Development Opportunities

Start your summer reading with the Not-So-Serious Book Club:

You are invited to discuss Carbon Diaries 2015 by Saci Lloyd online June 1, Friday 2:30 CT.

The Carbon Diaries 2015 is a story told through the eyes of a teen punk rock guitarist girl. The UK is the first to ration carbon emissions, and society is turned upside down. It's a quick read, maybe a good way to relieve your mind of end-of-semester woes. if you can, please share thoughts on the ICEE forum - even if you do not have time to read the book this is a great way to learn about this Young Adult Fiction book. You may view and post here and log into the meeting space here. Enter as a guest-you don't need a login and password. You will get a free conference call number next week and it will be on the meeting space as you come in. Join here.

Take the time to share information about the 2012 Summer Institute with any of your colleagues who may be interested. Check out the great representation we already have on the map of schools registered for the 2012 Summer Institute. Let's get even more!

Happy Spring! As many of you plan action projects this spring, share your plans with us! As always, feel free to contact us with any questions.

New City School submitted this creative PSA for the Parks Climate Challenge:

Last week, the first White House Summit on Environmental Education was held. Read Richard Louv's reflections on this event and the importance of environmental literacy.

We are loving the fall photos that are coming in from students in your classrooms!  Make sure to check out the observations page daily to see all the new submissions.  If you just want to see images, click on the image tag on the righthand side.  Visit the page now.

We are busy this month getting ready for conference presentations at the North American Association for Environmental Education and Education Minnesota.  If you have any photos of your students in action, or stories you would like to share about how you are involved with this project please send an email with the photos and/story to Kristen Poppleton, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

If your colleagues are jealous of the Explore Minnesota's Biomes Kit you have been using, it is now easy to check one out from us via our website.  Educators anywhere can borrow them, but will have to pay shipping if they cannot pick them up from our office.

Don't forget to stop by the Will Steger Foundation table at Education Minnesota, October 20 or send colleagues to Kristen's session Explore Minnesota's Biomes in Your Classroom, 2:45-3:50 in Room 10!

Enjoy the lovely autumn weather!

Kristen Poppleton

Ann Benson

Parks Climate Challenge Video

Watch our latest video highlighting the Parks Climate Challenge cohort!

Featured Resource

Due to a grant from the National Education Association we were able to develop a small resource with background information and some activities related to  extreme weather and climate change.  Check it out.

Field Trip and Opportunities to Extend Learning on Minnesota's Changing Climate

Audubon Center of the North Woods announces 50 percent school scholarship expiring soon
In partnership with the Jeffers Foundation, the Audubon Center of the Northwoods is able to offer 50 percent scholarships to elementary schools that have never attended or have not attended a residential environmental learning center (RELC) in the past two years. The scholarship is applicable to the first year only that a school visits the Audubon Center of the North Woods.  More information.

School Buildings as Green Teaching Tools – Wednesday, October 19 at 7:00 p.m. EST.

This October, the National Environmental Education Foundation (www.neefusa.org) in partnership with the National Education Association Foundation (www.neafoundation.org) and Green Schools National Conference (www.greenschoolsnationalconference.org) is launching the first of a series of three webinars to help educators around the country learn from experts and peers how to green their schools and curriculum. Webinar participants will interact live with national experts and teachers who are transforming their schools for the 21st Century.  Registration is free!  All educators are invited to join us for the webinar.  For details and to register

The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge | The Siemens Foundation
The Siemens Foundation, Discovery Education, and the National Science Teachers Association invite you to join the only Challenge of its kind that empowers students to create solutions to environmental problems in their own backyards, and to share their results with students nationwide. They'll learn. They'll take action. And their ideas may well end up changing the world.
Description, contest criteria, rules, suggested timelines, and prizes are all available on the contest website.

Teaching Climate Change in Your Classroom,  2 credit online graduate course, Hamline University
October 30-December 4, 2011
Register by going to www.hamline.edu.  Under "Logins" on the right select "Course Listing" then select Fall 2011 under "Continuing Studies".  Scroll down to select ENED 6126.

Grades 2-4 Are Invited to Participate in the Wonders of Weather Art Contest ~ Deadline November 7thInstitute for Global Environmental Strategies