MAEOE News
April 16, 2021
Senator Mike Miller - Green Schools Legacy
Cecil Whig Letter to the Editor by Laura Collard, March 2021
April 16, 2021
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility Symposium Wednesdays
MAEOE is holding a four-part Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, Accessibility Symposium Series on Wednesdays in April and May. There is no charge for this event. We hope that you will be able to attend all 4 symposium, but you can register for each date.
DEIJ Symposium; four-part series: Food Justice, Accessibility to Nature, Air Quality and Community Health, and Creating Safe & Welcoming Spaces Outdoors. Participants will discuss their work and personal experiences in a conversational style discussion.
January 19, 2021
Virtually or in Class, the Outdoors Belongs in the Curriculum
The Bay Journal has recently published an opinion piece by MAEOE: https://www.bayjournal.com/opi...
December 21, 2020
The 2021 MAEOE Conference is virtual this year!
Dates: February 3 - 7, 2021
Theme: Climate, Nature, People and Education: It’s All Connected!
November 27, 2020
Native American Heritage Day Statement
November is Native American Heritage Month, also commonly referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. It was declared by President George H. W. Bush in 1990. Additionally, the Friday after Thanksgiving, was declared to be Native American Heritage Day by President George W. Bush in 2008. While these actions have been taken to formally acknowledge the historical genocide that Indigenous Americans experienced, their timing has been legitimately criticized.
November 18, 2020
Outdoor Classrooms Reenergize Kids During the Pandemic
SFI's educational initiative, Project Learning Tree (PLT), was profiled on CNN today. The article and accompanying video details how PLT is helping kids explore their environment using forests as a window to the world while also learning science, math, and creative writing skills.
Visit CNN, Forests.org, or read on to see the full story.
October 29, 2020
Maryland Green Schools Sustainable Schools Update
Starting in the 2020-2021 school year, the Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE), is modifying the Maryland Green Schools program. This modification will impact a school that has successfully completed four or more applications and is recognized as Sustainable. Starting in 2022, Sustainable Schools will need to reapply every four years to maintain their Sustainable status. This process will allow schools to continue their best practices, encourage environmental education, participate in conservation professional development, and grow student stewardship. |
October 19, 2020
Attend an Info Session this October!
Do you plan to submit a Green School application in March 2021? Are you interested in assisting schools with the Green Schools application process? Attend an Info Session this October to learn more!
October 09, 2020
Outdoor Learning is Essential: Resources to Aid Planning
Outdoor learning and outdoor classrooms have always been a priority of the environmental education (EE) community, and these topics are rising to more widespread awareness as vital for education, in particular as we navigate the realities of teaching and learning during the coronavirus pandemic.
June 04, 2020
Towards Justice and Change
Dear MAEOE community,
We are heartbroken and frustrated by the murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery, the racism experienced by Christian Cooper while he was birding in Central Park, and other racial injustices experienced by people of color whose incidences are less publicized. We recognize these recent events are just a small sample of what very often does not go viral. There cannot be inclusive environmental education in outdoor spaces until all people are heard and feel safe in their communities. The process to accomplish this may drive anxiety, conflict, and even pain but it is one of the keys to our success.
As an organization that promotes environmental awareness and supports our communities to improve the health of their schools and neighborhoods, we must work together to fight the systemic racism that underlies the very fabric for our nation.
We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of ensuring an environmentally sustainable future and are building it into the mission of our organizational structure. This will help us develop long term goals that will ensure MAEOE continues to be an inclusive space for all Marylanders.
Our students are our future and their voices matter. Guiding them through difficult conversations is an important practice that we must model. There is much work to be done and we must work together for lasting solutions that protect every single person of every single race to achieve our collective vision of a sustainable future.
We can only solve the environmental issues of today and tomorrow by including everyone in the discussion. We ask you to consider the following questions with the board, advisory council, and staff:
- How do we share relevant topics with our students in a virtual environment?
- How can we integrate topics of equity and inclusion into our discussions about the environment?
- How do we help our students to process their thoughts and feelings about current or future injustices in a virtual environment?
We invite the MAEOE community to let us know how we can help your organization, school, family, and children. The challenges we face are immense, and it will take every single one of us to commit to building an anti-racist world.
Our hearts go out to everyone feeling the pain of these recent incidents.
Sincerely,
MAEOE Staff, Advisory, and Board
