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. . . education that cannot wait

The Return of the Light Page 1

Call For Awards Page 2

Nomination Form Page 3

Mini-Grant Application Page 4

President’s Pen Page 5

Mini-Grant Application Page 5

Opportunities Page 6

Membership Form Page 9

Spring 2009

In This Issue:

The Vernal Equinox:The Return of the Light

The magic day we call Spring has arrived, but long before that day the critters and Mother Nature were full of signs of the return of Spring. A flock of Cedar Waxwings fruiting, flocks of migrating robins scattered across the area, swelling buds on trees, sap running from woodpecker holes on our sugar maple,spring peepers calling out in the wetlands of our golf course, a mother phoebe perched on a limb calling out even with a covering of wet snow on the ground. All of these things have been happening for those atuned to the pulse and timetable of nature. Our organization is stirring with signs of activity as our members faithfully work behind the scenes in most cases to prepare for another year of providing opportunities for our members. As a member do you know of a neighbor or colleague who might be waiting and ready to participate in our work? Reach out and invite them to our Spring gathering at Montgomery Bell. Your contact may plant seeds that will yield fruit for years to come. Tune your eyes and ears to nature its happening all around us.

Mickey Larkins

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CALL FOR AWARDSIt’s awards time again! One of TEEA’s major projects is recognizing outstanding practitioners of EE from across the state. Your board selects an educator and administrator of the year from each of the three grand divisions of the state, and we also select an overall state educator of the year. These selections are made from nominations submitted by YOU.

There are two frequently asked questions concerning awards. First, how do you determine if an individual fits in the educator or administrator category? The educator category is for individuals whose primary responsibility is to work directly with students or the public, no matter what the age group. The administrator category includes persons whose major responsibility is to direct, supervise, or facilitate programs in which teachers work with students or the public, again no matter what age group. Of course, many EE folks fit in both slots. When in doubt, just pick the one you think is the best fit.

The second question is geographic – how do I know what region I am in? If you are in the Eastern Time Zone, you are in the East Tennessee Region. If you are in the Central Time Zone, but are east of the Tennessee River where it flows north from Alabama through Tennessee into Kentucky, then you are in the Middle Tennessee Region. If you are west of the north-flowing Tennessee River, you are in the West Tennessee Region. If you are on the border, use the nominee’s work address as the determining factor.

We need those nominations – your board cannot honor someone unless we first hear from you. You all know someone who deserves recognition. Now is your chance to make that happen. DON’T HESITATE – NOMINATE!

Deadline is May 31, 2009. Nominations should be sent to:Jim Holt, Awards Chair311 Colonial CircleGreeneville, TN 37745or emailjimbouh@comcast.net

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DEADLINE IS MAY 31, 2009 – DO IT NOW!

TENNESSEE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATIONNOMINATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AWARD

Check the award category for which this nominee is to be considered:

__________ Outstanding Regional Environmental Educator of the Year__________ Outstanding Regional Environmental Administrator of the Year (A State Educator of the Year will also be selected from the regional nominees)__________ Special Recognition Certificate (for specific accomplishments of individuals/organizations not considered for regional awards)

Please provide the following information about the nominee:

FULL NAME______________________________________________________________________________

COMPLETE ADDRESS_____________________________________________________________________

City___________________________, State_____Zip_______E-mail_________________________________

PHONE ( )_____________________________ REGION______East_____Middle_____West

List the nominee’s top four (4) accomplishments/projects involving environmental education.1.________________________________________________________________________2.________________________________________________________________________3.________________________________________________________________________4.________________________________________________________________________

Please include a typed narrative (maximum of 2 pages one-side-only, or 1 page front-and-back) explaining why this individual should receive the award for which he/she is nominated. Also include a letter of recommendation from one other person (this person need not be a member of TEEA). The completed nomination packet will include: (1) this form; (2) typed narrative (two-page maximum), and (3) one letter of recommendation (may be sent under separate cover).

Nominator Information (nominator MUST be a TEEA member):

Print Name_______________________________________________________________________________

Signature_______________________________________________________Date_____________________

Street address____________________________________________________________________________

City___________________________, State_____Zip_______E-mail_________________________________

Work phone ( )________________Home phone ( )_________________

Send information to: Jim Holt, TEEA Awards Chair, 311 Colonial Circle, Greeneville, TN 37745.Email: jimbouh@comcast.net

(Deadline for nominations is May 31, 2009.)

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TEEA 2009 MINI-GRANT APPLICATION

To apply for a minigrant, you MUST have been a TEEA member as of May 1st of the current year. Send completed application by September 1, 2009 to: TEEA Mini-Grants, Nancy Gronostaj, 6529 Stage Road, Bartlett, TN 38134, 901.388.8623 kay51752@aol.com

Teacher’s Name____________________________School______________________________________

School Address________________________________________________________________________

Street City Zip_________________________________________________________________________

School Phone ______________________________________ Email:______________________________

Amount Requested________________________(Most awards will be for $100 or less, but you may re-quest up to $300 in rare cases.) (Preference will be given to materials requested for hands-on projects involving students)

How many students will be affected by your project?________________ Is this a new project?__________

If not, have you received a TEEA Mini-Grant to support this project in the past?_______

What other sources of funding do you have for the project?______________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

How long have you been a member of TEEA? ________year(s)((( ((( ((( ((( ( ((((((( ((((((( (((((( (((((((( ((( (((

((((( (((((((((( ((((((((((((

Do you plan to attend the TEEA Fall Conference?______

Did you attend the Regional Spring Conference?_______

Please sign, and have your principal sign, this application in the space provided below, and attach the fol-lowing:1) A one page (250 words maximum) summary of WHAT YOU PLAN TO DO.2) A bulleted list of ITEMS FOR WHICH TEEA FUNDS WILL BE USED.

Signature of Teacher ________________________________________

Signature of Principal________________________________________

Date ____________________

Whether you’re a teacher, parent, grandparent, child care worker, naturalist, aunt, uncle, or neighbor, each one of us can do at least one thing to enhance a child’s experiences outside. In the spirit of connecting kids to nature, I suggest the following things to do with kids outdoors this spring:

10 Fun Things to do with Kids Outside

Walk in the Woods—hike through the woods in a local or state park.

Grow a Garden—dig in the dirt, plant flowers or veggies and enjoy the “fruits” of your labor.

Hike at Night—attend a Naturalist-led program or venture out on your own nocturnal adventure.

Splash in the Rain—cool off during a summer shower, splash in a puddle, and celebrate the rain.

Enjoy a Picnic—pack lunch or dinner and enjoy a shady spot for a summertime picnic.

Go Wildlife Watching—sit quietly and watch birds, insects, squirrels, or even spiders.

Wade in the Water—search for crawdads and queen snakes in a nearby creek or stream.

Camp Under the Stars—set up a tent in the backyard or enjoy one of Tennessee’s many campgrounds.

Play in the Mud—make mud pies, squish your toes in the mud, and get dirty.

Climb a Tree—find a strong, sturdy climbing tree and ascend as high as you can.

For more ideas and activities for getting kids outdoors, check out these websites: EE in Tennesssee www.eeintennessee.org NWF’s Green Hour www.greenhour.orgC&NN Nature Clubs www.childrenandnature.org/movement/ natureclubs/Nature Explore www.arborday.org/explore/

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PPF (Practically Painless Fundraising!) for TEEA through the Kroger Card Fundraising Plan!!! WHAT YOU DO: Contact me to purchase one or MORE $5 “pre-loaded” Kroger cards for $5 each (you don’t lose any money). Many of us are purchasing 4 cards for $20, and giving a card to our family members and friends, so they can help us out when they buy groceries and gas at Kroger’s.

HOW THIS HELPS TEEA: As you use the card and continue to recharge and use it, you are PAINLESSLY raising money for TEEA as well---we automatically get a check for 4% of our purchases every time our ‘card group’ hits $5,000 in recharges. If you buy both groceries and gas at Kroger’s, this can add up fairly quickly!! IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER TO GET THE MOST $$$ for TEEA: 1. “Reload” money on the card either at the checkout (up to $100) or at customer service (up to $500) or at the gas window BEFORE making your purchase. If you use it ‘as’ you purchase, it won’t count for us. 2. USE THE CARD, USE THE CARD, USE THE CARD!!! Put money on it PRIOR to purchase, whether it’s for gas or groceries. TO ORDER A CARD:

[Each card will come pre-loaded with $5 on it]

Mail a check for a total of $5.00/per card (1 card=$5, 2 cards =$10, etc.), made out to:

Karen Hargrove7502 Suggs St.Christiana, TN 37037

(I am paying Kroger’s for these cards up front.) Add a card or note with your name and mailing address. I will mail your card(s) to you. Then all you do is prepay on the card, and use it to purchase groceries or gas at Kroger’s! It’s practically PAINLESS and TEEA benefits! Feel free to contact me with any questions, etc. at khargrov@bellsouth.net. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR HELPING TEEA!!!

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O P PORTUN ITI E S FO R YOU !

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O P PORTUN ITI E S FO R YOU !

Call for presentations at the Fall Conference,September 25-27: Sustainability Sounds Good to Tennessee

To quote Wikipedia: “Sustainability, in a broad sense, is the capacity of maintaining a certain process or state. It is now most frequently used in connection with biological and human systems. In an ecological context, sustainability can be defined as the ability of an ecosystem to maintain ecological processes, functions, biodiversity and productivity into the future… The Earth’s resources must be used at a rate at which they can be replenished.” Quantitative measurements make it possible to make goals and monitor progress.

Please use the link provided below to fill in the form for your presentation proposal.

Deadline for submitting proposals is July 15. Notice of acceptance with details will be shortly forthcoming after that.

You can view the published form here: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cGxfYXYtZXMxRDcwYzIwY1M1WU4wVkE6MA.

Contact: Bonnie Ervin bervindisccenter@comcast.net or 615.890.2300(w)

Find a “sombrero” before Cinco de Mayo at www.leaps.ms!

Check out the Natural Calendar for April 2009, http://www.leaps.ms/Natural%20Calendar%200409.htm, for a super photo of Messier 104, the “Sombrero Galaxy.”

The purpose of the Natural Calendar is to give scout leaders, educators and naturalists an idea of some of the natural events coming up each month. Discover a variety of natural events ranging from sky events to calling periods of amphibians, bird and mammal watching tips, prominent wildflowers, visible constellations and much more!

/www.eeintennessee.org/environment/images/shared/Binocs-550.jpg

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Tap into TSAPHilary Hargrove

If you are a teacher, a member of TEEA, and a sponsor of a student club that does environmental education, then you are a part of the TSAP network and eligible for the TSAP Club of the Year award!

The past couple of years I have been impressed with the accomplishments of the environmental, recycling, science, and student government clubs across the state that apply for the TSAP Club of the Year award. It is always difficult for the TEEA Board to choose just one to win. This year the Board has agreed to split the TSAP Club of the Year award into two categories: grades K-6 and grades 7-12. The winning clubs for each category will be presented with a plaque and $125 cash prize at the Fall Conference.

O P PORTUN ITI E S FO R YOU !

To nominate your TSAP club for the 2009 award, send the following information to Hilary Hargrove, 138 Ziffell Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 37128 or e-mail hargroveh@bellsouth.net by July 1, 2009: club name, sponsor’s name, grade category, school, school system, school address, school phone, home phone, a complete list of environmental activities in which your club has been involved in the 2008-2009 school year, and a letter of recommendation from a person knowledgeable of your club’s activities. Application information will also be on the EEinTN website, www.eeintennessee.org/.

YES! I want to renew my membership to TEEA!

Name

Address

E-Mail Address: Region: West Middle East

Affiliation

$10 Student $25 Individual $30 Organization*

Donation (tax deductible)

*Each organization should select one representative to cast votes and receive the newsletter.

Mail to: TEEA Membership, Carrie Hembree P.O. Box 717 Tracy City, TN 37387

please send newsletter information to:

Mickey LarkinsP.O. Box 1 Decaturville, Tennessee 38329mickeylark@tds.net

VISIT TEEA AT: www.eeintennessee.org

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