The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET Chesapeake) grant program supports hands-on watershed education to students and teachers to foster stewardship of the Bay. Environmentally literate citizens with the skills and knowledge to make well-informed environmental choices are key to sustaining the nation’s ocean and coastal environments.

Kids in Kayaks is a program sponsored by Baltimore City Recreation and Parks that engages 8th graders in hands-on activities to learn about Baltimore’s rich history and environmental issues through kayaking and land based education stations at Middle Branch Park.

From November 6-December 20, 2018, educators and students enrolled in this online course will engage in worldwide networking and social learning to understand environmental education foundations and approaches.

The mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Teacher at Sea Program is to provide teachers hands-on, real-world research experience working at sea with world-renowned NOAA scientists, thereby giving them unique insight into oceanic and atmospheric research crucial to the nation. The program provides a unique opportunity for kindergarten through college-level teachers to sail aboard NOAA research ships to work under the tutelage of scientists and crew.

The Green Schools Conference & Expo is the only national event to bring together all the players involved in making green schools a reality: people who lead, operate, build and teach in U.S. schools. Two days of programming offer inspiring keynote speakers, informative workshops and breakout sessions and the chance to network with colleagues from across the country. In 2019, GSCE will be hosted in St. Paul, MN on April 8-9 in partnership with IMPACT, a regional sustainability conference.

Green Apple Day of Service is an opportunity to join schools across the world in celebrating the central role that schools play in preparing the next generation of sustainability leaders. Green Apple Day of Service is kicking off for the 2018/2019 school year, and we wanted to let you know what’s in store.

The Bay Backpack eNewsletter provides resources for teachers and environmental educators searching for grant funding opportunities, professional development, and stewardship events across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed as well as schools in the news recognized for advancing environmental education. eNewsletters are mailed four times per year. To subscribe, visit baybackpack.com and enter an email address at the bottom of the home page.

On October 7, 2018, University of Delaware’s Hugh R. Sharp’s campus in Lewes will host Delaware Coast Day where university scientists, staff, and students will help citizens to better understand ocean environments and learn how to serve coastal communities.

The Roving Ranger is a mobile trailhead designed to serve as a visitor contact and information center within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Chesapeake Conservancy and National Park Service employees staff the vehicle to provide information about park sites, topics of interest, and park events. Staff also offer unique educational programs developed specifically for the Roving Ranger. Visitors to the Roving Ranger can collect a National Park passport stamp, pick up special junior ranger program books related to the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and participate in an interpretive program.

Maryland’s Big Tree Champions is one of the many innovative ideas by Maryland’s first state forester, Fred W. Besley, whose dedication and vision laid the groundwork for the system of state forests and parks that currently exist in the state. He developed a successful educational campaign about the need for fire suppression and scientific forest management. This unit challenges students to move beyond the foundations of language to a mature application of facets of communication. The Big Tree Curriculum and documentary on Mr. Besley’s Forest are embedded and take a deeper look into forest conservation.