1. Just Keep Swimming….

3. History Council For Environmental Education Wildlife In Learning Design 1983 Roots with Western regional Environmental Education Council, Inc. and Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (since 1970) Last updated in 2013 1.3 Million educators strong

4. Back in Illinois Illinois Sate Coordinator: Jennifer Day Tariq

5. Importance of Environmental Education 1. Young people spend ? Hours using electronic media in a typical day.? 2. ? % of children ages 6-9 are overweight. ? 3. ? % Of schools have cut recess. ? 4. Children are ? Times more likely to play video games than ride a bike.? 5. ? Of pediatricians believe that unstructured play helps build children’s social skills and confidence. ? 6. ? % of pediatricians believe that unstructured play helps kids from becoming overweight. ? 7. ? % of pediatricians believe that unstructured play helps kids improve problem-solving skills ?

6. The truth is…the nature of childhood has changed. There’s not much nature in it.

8. Environmental Education Philosophy Experience Understand Appreciate

9. Ecophobia “Beyond Ecophobia” By David Sobel 56 % worry that the planet will be…. a very unpleasant place to live.11

10. Step 1: Ages 4-7 Appreciation Cultivate empathy between child & natural world Focus on what’s around them Explore relationships & emotions

11. Step # 2: Ages 8-11 Exploration Child’s world expands beyond their home More daring, shall we say?

13. Step # 3: Ages 12+ Social Action Child’s social interest changes Local, obtainable projects make the greatest impact

14. “What’s important is that Children have an opportunity to, Bond with the natural world, To learn to love it and feel comfortable in it, Before being asked to heal its wounds." - David Sobel

15. Help students how to think, not what to think.

16. Sample Activity

18. Activity 1:

19. Activity 2:

20. Activity 3: Field Investigation!

21. Breakout Sessions Dragonfly Pond (pg. 282) Water Works (pg. 216) How Wet Is Our Planet (pg. 180) Marsh Munchers (pg. 75)

22. Aquatic Wild Resources