Pathways Fall 2014

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www.nysoea.org 60 7. 59 1. 64 22 photo courtesy of Eileen Beare

PATHWAYSOfficial Publication of the New York State Outdoor Education Association Fall 2014


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2 Pathways Fall 2014

In an effort to build momentum moving forward, the NYSOEARegional Directors have committed to have regional events

such as environmental speakers, tree plantings, citizen

science projects, and park clean-ups leading up to Earth Day

and Environmental Education week. They will need the

support and assistance of our growing affiliate network and

membership to launch these events. Spread the word and

invite potential new members. If you have an idea or want

to be involved, simply contact your Regional Director. As a

NYSOEA member, each of you is represented by a great cast

of regional educators and you do want to know them! How do

you contact them? Its easy

(your region)[email protected].

Spring will also feature our annual appeal, conveniently

moved from the financial pressures of holiday season to the

tax-return season. It is our hope that the membership and

supporters of EE and OE will rise up and be more generous

However, the holidays are still a perfect time to give a Gif

Membership to a deserving teacher, student, family member

or friend.

Now is the time to collect the acorns, bring in the firewood

catch up on our rest, and recollect ourselves for an exciting

busy year within our personal and professional lives.

2

A Note from the President

Volunteers with a Vision

Nature puts on her best colors in the autumn, as if her exit to

slumber is a grand goodbye to all who take a moment to notice.

She produces an abundance of food to provision those that

must endure the famine of winter, and provides the shelter

needed to bring life forward to a new spring. Late autumn is

a time of sleep and inward reflection. Our natural world is

an inspiration and I take time on a cold and frosty morning

to reflect on the accomplishments of our organization. I am

most proud of what can be accomplished by volunteers with

a vision.

Our 2014 Conference, assisted by the natural beauty of the

Adirondacks, really brought us back to the heart of outdoor

education; one only had to take in a deep breath and let go

to experience the power of the outdoors. This well-attended

conference inspired members with new ideas and new

knowledge while rekindling the flame of passion to share

the outdoors with others. The hard working conference

committee, led by Fred Von Mechow, Laura Carey, and

Marsha Guzewich, brought a team of educators together that

reminded us of the NYSOEA motto that we are all life-long

learners. Surrounded by new and old friends, we were invited

to once again explore the boundless wonders outside the door

and take the excitement of discovery back home.

Our newly formed Development Committee worked diligently

to expand the pool of donations for the annual auctions which

raise money for the Endowment Fund. This year the silent

and live auctions raised $3,500; that exceeded our initial goal

and surpassed auctions of previous years. Of course, this is

only the beginning and members need to save a little money

for bidding in this worthy event next year! Our goal is a $100K

endowment by our 50thanniversary in 2018 so that NYSOEA

will be in a place to consistently fund future initiatives. We

are nearly halfway there!

Timothy F. Stanley

President, NYSOEA


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3Pathways Fall 2014

Written by Jessica Kratz [email protected]

Climate change. Predator/prey relationships. Habitat loss.

Endangered and extirpated species. Bioaccumulation Extreme

weather events. Poison Ivy. Tick bites. Mass extinctions.

Hopefully, this list didnt get you down. No profession is

without its share of challenges, and as fun as environmental

education can be [and generally is], EE professionals constantlyencounter risks, uncertainties, hazards, and challenges.

Fortunately, we are well-equipped to counter stress, conflict,

and more by cultivating a sense of humor.

What exactly is a sense of humor? According to Wikipedia,

humor is the tendency of particular cognitive experiences to

provoke laughter and provide amusement. Being funny is the

ability to express humor in some way, whether it be a joke,

a pun, or some sort of physical comedy. A sense of humor is

being able to laugh at or at least find the humor in the

absurdities of life1. A sense of humor is a tangible asset that

can be learned, taught, or acquired, and, if we already haveone, we can each work to make our sense of humor better.

What is the first step? Learning to laugh at yourself is a grea

way to improve your sense of humor. In a workplace filled

with mud, rocks, water, scat, and more, there is plenty of

opportunity for physical embarrassment. The secret is turn

your own fear and embarrassment into amusing stories to be

shared. For instance, when I trip on a rock or tree root when

leading a class trip on a hike, I tell the class, I must not havebeen following my own rule: I was dragging my feet. Then

I remind everyone to lift up their feet and revert back to a

mini-march so this doesnt happen to anyone else.

Whats next? Treat humor like exercise. For best results

seek out humor and commit to a schedule. Laughter itself

is exercise: a hearty laugh can engage all 43 of your facial

muscles, along with your abdominal muscles and your

cardiovascular system.2 The best approach is to seek out

something humorous every day: watch funny television

shows or movies, play with a pet and/or children, share funny

stories or jokes, spend time with funny people, engage in funactivities [i.e., bowling, karaoke, miniature golf], host a game

night with friends3, draw cartoons, wear costumes or

other fun articles of clothing, or otherwise seek out the funny

or the absurdin your life.

Editors Corner:Laughing Matters!

1. wikiHow to Improve Your Sense of Humor. http://www.

wikihow.com/Improve-Your-Sense-of-Humor. Accessed 22

October 2014.

2. 6 Simple Ways to Enhance Your Sense of Humor: Actively Look

for a Laugh Every Day. http://www.rd.com/slideshows/sense-

of-humor/#slideshow=slide5. Accessed 22 October 2014.

3. Melinda Smith, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. Laughter is

the Best Medicine: The Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter.

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/

laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm . Accessed 22 October 2014


4/19


My favorite comedic character of all time is Mork, an alien

spun off of Happy Days onto his very own sitcom, Mork and

Mindy, which aired on ABC from 1978 to 1982 and then re-

broadcast in syndication. Played by the legendary actor Robin

Williams, Mork is brilliantly funny and relatable. He could

also be considered an honorary environmental educator. His

brightly colored shirts and long khaki pants are great for

teaching in the field and offer good protection against ticks.

His ability to improvise, incredible child-like sense of wonder,

and position working in a childrens day care center would

also certainly prepare him well for a career in environmental

education.

Like Mork, I tend to favor bright colors and khaki pants. My

tendency is to take the fashion choice [and tick protection] one

step further by adding fun socks that I can tuck my pants into,

taking some style inspiration from another comedic icon, Mr.

Steve Urkel. Whether argyle pattern, bird print, or superhero

character, I enjoy adding this fun and humorous element

to safety. Additionally, my approach to insect repellent is a

cross between gas station attendant, sommelier, and perfumetester. I enjoy providing staff and patrons with background

information about their options, from the fragrant and

natural lemon eucalyptus and botanical blends to high test

[DEET and permethrin]. Also, nothing quite covers a cut or

scrape or calms down a child quite like a seemingly infinite

pool of character bandages.

At the annual NYSOEA conference in the Adirondacks,

master of ceremonies Brian DeGroat and his staff, the Pok-O-

Macready Players provided an informative and entertaining

variety show demonstrating the principles of humor. From a

slide show poking fun at the lack of cell phone service and thefour seasons of Adirondack weather (ice, mud, black fly, and

fall foliage) to improvisational skits to guessing which food

allergy or medical condition was made up, Brian and his team

demonstrated quick wit, the ability to laugh at themselves,

an understanding of context, and smatterings of the element

of the unexpected, which worked in concert to provide great

comedy. From wearing a headlamp on his thigh as part of a

costume made from clothing borrowed from the audience to

skits mixing in screams, squeals, and Bazinga-s, the Pok-o-

Players ran the gamut of humor in the variety show. Laura

Careys Scat Rap and Fred vonMechows chocolate rap added

some additional flavor, while George Steeles Rabbit addedsome physical comedy and audience participation.

In an entertaining and close-to-home homage to David

Letterman, Brian came up with his own Top Ten list: 10

Reasons You Know Youre an Environmental Educator (While,

as a social media savvy Communications Committee member, @

ModernThoreau, I disagree with #6, but should let the rest of the list

speak for itself).

Youre really good at making circles

You could probably teach at least three lessons

using the contents of your car

You have more footwear than

Imelda Marcos.

Youre probably over smores.

Whats Twitter?

Your friends think they know what you do, but

they have no idea.You cant figure out how the rest of the

population stays hydrated without their

Nalgene (water bottle).

You get really excited about scat.

Over 50% of your wardrobe is various shades of

green.

Your wallet is not.

References

The Connection between Laughter, Humor, and Good

Health. Publication HSW-CAW.807. UK Cooperative

Extension Service: University of Kentucky- College of

Agriculture. http://www2.ca.uky.edu/hes/fcs/factshts/

hsw-caw-807.pdf. Accessed 22 October 2014.

Humour. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humour.

Accessed 22 October 2014.

6 Simple Ways to Enhance Your Sense of Humor. http://www.rd.com/slideshows/sense-of-humor/#slideshow.


Smith, M. M.A., and Segal, J. Ph.D. Laughter is the Best

Medicine: The Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter.

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/

laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm.


wikiHow to Improve Your Sense of Humor. http://www.

wikihow.com/Improve-Your-Sense-of-Humor

NYSOEAReasons You

Know Youre an

Environmental

Educator

By Brian [email protected]

10.

9.

8.

7.

6.

5.

4.

3.

2.

1.

Well, I hope you learned a few tips and had a few laughs as

you read through this article. Nanu Nanu.


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5Pathways Fall 2014

4:40 AM:The alarm clock robot starts squawking his persistentyet cheerful wonkawonkaWonkAAA, wonka wonk, over and

over again until I move to silence his cheerful chirruping.

Then, I sit straight up. NYSOEA today, I say to my dog, as she

sleepily rolls over, stretches, and promptly ignores me.

Stumbling through the briefest of morning rituals, I am soon

on the road with a travel buddy, and we are wending our

way through the farm country of Northwestern NJ and up,

up, up to the NYS Thruway. Watching the sunrise is one of

my favorite activities, and we both get to watch it out of the

windshield as the miles between the Silver Bay YMCA and us

shrink by the hour.

9:00 AM: Im checking in, re-evaluating my workshop choices,and getting the new-faces-new-places jitters on a small scale.

OK, maybe not SO small a scale.

10:30 AM: The welcome and invocation address makes me feelat peace with the conference and with all around me. Toh! I

affirmatively exclaim at each earthly blessing and refrain of

Do we agree that this is important, and deserves our thought

and attention? David Arquette has succeeded in erasing my

jitters, and guiding my focus to the present moment as we

all prepare to do the inevitable icebreaker sessionright after

I scarf down that tasty chocolate. After a Spartan banana

breakfast on the road, the sugar rush was dearly relished.

Written by Maren V. Morsch

Perspective of a NYSOEA Newcomer

Photos courtesy of Eileen Beare, Jessica R. Kratz, Maren V. Morsch, and Tim Stanley


6/19


What feels like moments later, Ive been whisked off into the

sunshine of a warming Adirondack morning, to shout and run

simultaneously, to meet new friends awkwardly with nose

jousting, silly state-based handshakes, and the birthday ring-

string game. My jaw muscles hurt from grinning as we move

on from the sunny circle to the days next workshop. Oh, hi,Oh! I cant help but repeat as I unpack the car before heading

to the next, all-important piece of the agenda

LUNCH:I repose with unfamiliar faces, until.I then sheepishlyfind myself volunteering for things. I proceed to enjoy the

meal surrounded by cheerful and productive conversation

of many of the NYSOEA Executive Board, and ready myself

for Mr. Yaples storytelling seminar. I cant yet decide if being

in the darkened auditorium after lunch will be a blessing or

a curse.

1:00 PM: Back in the auditorium, I quickly realize that Immuch too involved to even consider a siesta, as the journeyfrom myth to fable to a real-life story seeking journey takes

shape before us (with only one costume change and one

equally epic moustache)with me sitting on the edge of my

fold-down seat the whole time.

Man, I really wish I knew what happened next! I lamented,

as the legend of Foxy Brown ran around in my head like some

kind of half-crazed mountain creature readying before a long

winters nap.

2:15 PM: I leave the auditorium with Mr. Brown still bouncingaround in my brain, until all thoughts except the presentmoment are whisked away, in the same way I am whisked

away by the Lake George Associations captain on the

floating classroom. I relish Environmental Education-focused

conversation, bask in the sunshine, and try to get a good Secchi

disk reading before studying some plankton and working on

my hydrologic vocabulary. Im already running ideas through

my head for what to do with the much smaller bodies of water

we study at my park as we disembark (much too soon!) and

disperse, setting off on our way to the next workshops.


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7Pathways Fall 2014

3:30 PM: I am tossed in different directions by all theinformation and emotional contexts of learning and teaching

about something as serious as climate change. While the

workshop itself was a little heavy after the beauty and light on

the lake, the conversations and discourse are productive, and

I stay long after the session ends talking about all matters in

our shared field with newfound kindred spirits.

4:?? PM: I wend my way through the Artists and Authorsofferings, with a singular purpose and mission: find FoxeyBrown so I may indulge in scratching the itch to know wha

comes next in the historic saga. As the hour is winding down

by the time I make it there, Im lucky to browse the auction

items before securing Mr. Yaples novel (yes! I will eventually

get to know what happens!). Although I missed the wine, the

spirit of the hour is still alive and well as everyone wraps up

and heads for the dining hall again.

5:30 PM:I again enjoy sharing a meal with a table of all-newfaces, where I happen to take a seat next to someone who

worked at my current (and fabulous) place of employmentHigh Rock Park on Staten Island. -many years before. We laugh

and swap stories and myriad questions during the dinner hou

while watching the dynamic and legendary NYSOEA evening

auction, then happily get to work transforming my superviso

into a (rather convincing, I might add) version of the iconic

comedic genius Mork. And of course, this was accomplished

using, as outdoor educators are apt, only that which can be

reused, repurposed, and scavenged from the kitchen and the

pockets of the others at the table.

7:00 PM: With Morks transformation complete, our table

continues our work together to put up the moth attractorsheet with the enthusiastic and well-prepared George Steele

all the while watching some of the variety show participants

rehearsing their acts just behind the auditoriums side doors

8:00 PM: As someone who is a relatively youthful person, am ashamed to admit that a short nights sleep compounded

by the long drive and new experiences of the day thoroughly

exhausted all of my available physical and mental resources

and, knowing I faced a long drive after another early- morning

wake up (because I couldnt stand to miss the first-ligh

morning bird walk) the next day, opted to skip the variety

show in favor of a few minutes with my new Foxey Brownbook, followed by a long episode of Eyelids. I sank into sleep

thinking about all I had learned, laughed over, accomplished

and the many new places and people I had met and wha

a shame it was that I hadnt opted to register for the whole

weekend. (Lesson learned!)

Thanks to all who made my first NYSOEA conference an

awesome, entertaining, and informative one.


8/19


The Conclusion of a College Degreein the Wildest Clasroom

Written by Katie Grace Leung, SUNY-ESF August 2014 graduate,

[email protected]

When it was time to review my transcript to see if I met all

the requirements for my Conservation Biology degree at

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF),

I was disappointed to learn that I was an elective short of

fulfilling my requirements. This disappointment quickly

changed to excitement when I was about to embark on an

educational adventure that would take me beyond New York,

immersing me in the natural world more than ever before.

The opportunity to study wildlife corridors in and aroundBanff National Park in Alberta, Canada, was a short but most

rewarding experience, unlike any adventure I had taken

during my college career. There was a list of field projects

offered by Wildlands Studies, an associate of California State

University Monterey Bay Extended Education. Along with 11

other students, I chose to study in Banff, the worlds third

established national park. The project analyzed the efficiency

and efficacy of corridors as a conservation strategy against

habitat loss, deforestation, and species loss.

Traversing through the Wildlife Corridors of Banff National Park:

Upon arrival, my team and I made our base camp at a public

campground close to the town of Banff. We pitched our tents

under the towering lodgepole pines and near the lake where

we had a great view of the mountains. Base camp was where

we made our breakfast every morning before setting off on our

excursions and where we completed our reading assignments

and field journal entries every night.

After packing necessary materials in our day packs everymorning, our instructor and teaching assistant drove us to the

locations where they planned for us to explore and evaluate

wildlife corridors. Wildlife corridors are large tracts of land that

maintain connectivity between habitat patches to facilitate

animal movement in the midst of human development and

habitat depletion. We conducted our studies by transecting

and bushwhacking while doing our best to leave no trace

through the corridors, which made hiking strenuous as we

climbed up slopes and over logs, crossed streams, and fought

Purple field of fireweed in the subalpine zone of the Lake Louise trail


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9Pathways Fall 2014

an onslaught of mosquitoes. We evaluated a total of four

corridors based on their size, vegetation hiding cover, animal

occurrence and evidence, negative human disturbance,

and slope topography. Our results showed that certain

characteristics of the corridors were inadequate and required

adjustment.

Large mammals were our primary focus because on a regional

scale they have the most extensive home ranges and travel

the longest distances. We found evidence of deer, elk, bear,

and cougar, seeing the prey species, but not the predators, as

they generally avoid humans to prevent any conflict.

In addition to conducting transects, we took two backpacking

trips where we carefully observed ecosystem change and

species diversity. During the entire course, we identified

species using Ben Gadds Handbook of the Canadian Rockies

and recorded them into our journals. I saw many wildflower,

bird, lichen, moss, and mammal species that I had never seen

before but noticed the most diversity during the backpacking

trips as we ascended from the densely vegetated montane

region all the way up to the rocky alpine region above tree line.

Erosion caused by flooding events, affecting the structure

of the Cougar Creek corridor

Analyzing part of an elk vertebra in the Rundle corridor Elk footprint in a mudflat

A view from my base campsite on the lakeside

Despite carrying a quarter of my body weight up a mountain

which was the most physically demanding challenge for me

I was still able to hold a deep appreciation for the vast variety

of life within the Canadian Rockies. I learned we need to look

at life on a broader spectrum from species level to landscape

scale. If we only consider one part of the spectrum, we wil

have a more difficult time finding solutions to protect and

restore some of the worlds last natural treasures. I have taken

away many things from this journey, which is the real reward

-- not the credit I received from participating in this course.

If you are a student who has a passion for the outdoors, andare looking to gain field experience, I highly recommend

joining a project team with Wildlands Studies at http://www

wildlandsstudies.com/.

Editors Note: Katie Leung received her B.S. Conservation Biology

degree from SUNY-ESF in August 2014. She spent Summer 2013 as

a camp counselor and intern in the Staten Island Greenbelt and spen

Summer 2012 as an intern for the Wolf Conservation Center, South

Salem. She has a passion for large carnivorous mammals. I wish

her luck as she begins her environmental career.


10/19


RAMBLINGS

FROM

REDH

ILL

bySnapperPetta

ContentmentThomas Jeffersons was a feat of science and

engineering. Archie Bunker had one too. In fact,

his is in the Smithsonian Institute. Mine is off to

one side, located in our living room. The fact of the

matter is each one of you probably has one as well.

So what do many of us have in common with one of

our founding fathers and Americas most famous

bigot? A chair.

In todays world, most of us spend too much time

sitting at a desk. With our societys proclivity to

being overweight, sedentary days at work have

become the norm. This only exacerbates the

problem. That being said, quiet personal time in a

chair can be a rare commodity; one that many of us

would benefit from if given the chance. While my

wife jokingly tells me I appear content while sitting

in my chair, her thinly veiled look is code that says,

stop being lazy and get some work done. Yet its

while in this spot that I have the time to observe,reflect, and take a break from lifes hectic pace. My

heart rate slows and I become more open to whats

going on around me. The end result is my own

indoor version of a Seton Watch where the natural

world unfolds right before my eyes.

From the vantage point of my chair, I can look out

on three of the four cardinal points of direction.

Even with a limited northerly viewpoint, the late

summer months entice me with waves of golden

black-eyed susans as they gently sway in the

breeze, caressing my wifes garden. Our barn stands

in the background, a silent sentinel keeping vigi

over the landscape. To the east and south, Im able

to observe the suns arc as it travels throughout

the day, dancing between shadow and light while

altering the mood outside. At least once a month

the gentle glow of a full moon kisses the interiorof our home, softly illuminating our persona

living space. In spite of the heavily forested land

just outside our door, cloudless evenings allow for

the full radiance of the heavens to burst into our

consciousness. Stars passing slowly overhead create

a new attraction every time we look through clear

glass panes. Autumns arrival heralds the first frost

and falling foliage, exposing more of the night sky

opening an extended view of natures firmament

Each successive turning of the years wheel opens

another chapter in the book of life. As these stories

unfold outside the sanctuary of our home, I am

privileged to witness this unending story from my

chair. It is what adds true contentment to my life

and is my wish for you in the days ahead. Find

your chair. Visually explore the wonders that exist

outside your window. Its a gift youve earned and

deserve. Enjoy it.

Until next time, may all your rambles lead you to

new and exciting places.


11/19

11Pathways Fall 2014

With the falling leaves of autumn, my attention is drawn

inward... into the forest where hidden treasures are revealed,

inviting the life-long learner on an outdoor odyssey. One such

treasure that has captured my imagination: the corbelled

stone chambers of Putnam County. It has long been said thatthese stone chambers, reminiscent of a hobbit house, were

built for root cellars, but perhaps a few are actually part of a

greater antiquity, and upon their discovery by newly-arrived

colonists had actually been repurposed as root cellars.

On a cold February weekend, a group of adventurous

NYSOEA outdoor educators, attending the annual Winter

Weekend at Taconic Outdoor Education Center, made their

way on snowshoes to explore one such chamber. These

curious mortar-less stone structures with giant 14-foot long

granite slabs laid side-to-side forming the ceilings must have

been a feat of engineering in their day. While exploring thestructure the group began to hypothesize and theorize (with

no definitive conclusion) the intended purpose of this curious

enigma of history. And to this day, though they do make good

root cellars, nobody knows beyond a shadow of a doubt the

true origin or purpose of these relics.

Root cellars are built and used as a place to store the bounty

of a harvest . Yet curiously, Putnam County, a region sparsely

settled until the mid-1700s and most unsuited to farming

Written by Tim Stanley [email protected]

A Root Cellar to Unravel the World:

An Outdoor Odysseydue its very rocky topography, has the highest density of these

structures than anywhere else. With over 100 of these stone

chambers dotting the county, one could speculate that an

entrepreneurial group of men with beastly oxen, an array o

sturdy tools and strong backs made a successful professionof building these structures for struggling farmers. Many

certainly were built in colonial times as evidenced by drill

hole marks -- even though there is little documentation o

their construction. Others of these stone chambers have no

discernible tool marks and some of the stones are still in their

natural state. This scant evidence and other clues indicate

some of the chambers may be more ancient in origin, perhaps

a prototype to imitate.

A number of theories abound as to their origins. Maybe they

were built by Native Americans and used as winter burial

chambers or for ceremonial purposes. Another theory saysthey were built by an ancient European settlement of Celts

who used them to honor their sun god, Bel, during seasonal

solstices and equinoxes. Yet another theory suggests they

were constructed by the Vikings and used as religious

observatories. Of course, we cant dismiss the popular idea

that they were built by colonists for root cellars. Speculations

are as endless as the imagination can wander. But the fac

remains that very few academic studies have been done on

the stone chambers of Putnam County.


12/19


A case study in local history, these stone chambers

encompass history, archeology, literature, architecture,

engineering, environmental science, and a wide discipline

of subject matter that only outdoor education can fully

embrace. Education in the outdoors awakens our powers

of observation to speculate, surmise, and theorize, to

seek out answers to questions. An entire high schoolcurriculum could revolve around this oddity in the

outdoors, or a college thesis could delve into this errant

mystery of humanity. All this from simple stone structures

that have left scant clues of their origins or their makers.

Quite simply dismissed as root cellars, they may have

much more history to teach. Not knowing is where the

excitement abounds... the thrill to solve the riddle which

so far has no definitive answer.

The stone chambers bring alive the imagination and Im

reminded of a childhood story by Dr. Seuss called McElligots

Pool. It tells the story of a young boy fishing in a smallpool with no hopes of catching a fish, yet his imagination

leads him on an adventure filled with possibilities, because

all water in nature connects with other water. Indeed,

in nature, there are endless connections... natural and

historical, archeological, anthropological and geological.

Each and every time we step outside, our imaginations are

free to wander through our own personal outdoor odyssey

to seek answers to questions, questions if answered, could

unravel mysteries and reveal new information, changing

what we thought we knew of the world.

References

Cook, Thaddeus and Doyle, Barbara. Stone Chambers in

Putnam Valley. Putnam Valley: Putnam Valley Historical

Society, 1990.

Maxson, Thomas. Highlands Preservation, The Corbelled

Stone Chambers of Kent, Putnam County, New York, Kent, NY,

2006-2010

Kilgannon, Corey. Putnams Mysterious Chambers of Stone.

New York Times, April 22nd2001.

NYSOEAs WinterWeekend

at theTACONIC OUTDOOR

EDUCATION CENTER

Cold Spring, NY

Camp for Grown-ups

February 20th22nd, 2015

Come enjoy hikes, crafts, nature programs,campre sing along, good food, comfy lodging,

and great company!

- Student discounts; weekend and daily rates -

For more informationor to sign up to lead a workshop,

email Kate Brill:[email protected]


13/19


In a climate of changing academic priorities and budget

cuts, field trips to parks, forests, beaches, and zoos have

been reduced or eliminated by many school districts. Based

on two decades of research, Gerald Lieberman provides the

context, evidence, and imperative to re-integrate the local

environment into interdisciplinary academic instruction to

create more meaningful, authentic experiences to engage

students.

Following a brief introduction by Richard Louv that sets the

books hopeful tone, Lieberman provides a succinct summary

of the current environmental issues facing us. Then, using

examples from Pennsylvania and California, the only two

states to adopt environment-based standards prior to the

Next Generation Science Standards, he showed how the local

environment can be connected to human and natural systems

thinking. For instance, sixth grade students in Californiaconnected information about early civilizations such as

Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Kush to agriculture in Californias

Great Central Valley. This is followed by a clear two-page

table tracing the journey of environment-focused learning

programs from Nature Study (late 1800s) to Environment-

based Education (1997).

Extensively researched and thoroughly indexed, Education

and the Environment provides the evidence of how the

environment as integrating context process works as well

Seasonal Book Review

Education and the Environment:

Creating Standards-Based Programs

in Schools and DistrictsBy Gerald A. Lieberman

Paperback: 250 pages

ISBN-13: 9781612506296

Publisher: Harvard Education

Publishing Group (H E P G)

Publication date: November 2013

This book is available from various

online retailers as a paperback and

is also available as a Nook eBook.

Reviewed by Jessica R. Kratz [email protected]

as a blueprint for how other schools and districts

can implement projects and engage community

stakeholders. Touting three key benefits: increased

academic achievement, improved engagement and

behavior, and better college and career preparation

Lieberman goes on to walk the reader through

many amazing examples of successful student

engagement in environmental service learningsuch as the Armunchee Elementary School in

Rome, GA, whose students, following a trip to the

Arrowhead EE Center, successfully persuaded the

state legislature to name the green tree frog the

states official amphibian. Another example is the

Concrete Middle School in Washington State, where students

applied math to measuring trail distance and coming up with

itemized supplies and materials costs integral to securing

grant funding to build a nature trail adjacent to the school.

Liebermans book is a dense but swift read that clearly

demonstrates his thesis that standards- based instruction

and learning about the environment need not be mutually

exclusive. Education and the Environment is a must read for

both formal and non-formal educators and administrators

It is fresh, contemporary, and fills a void that once existed

among EE resources. It will inspire classroom teachers to

embrace the outdoors as a delightful setting for standards-

based learning and will give them the references and the

imperative to justify such explorations to their higher-

ups. Administrators will find the resource insightful and

enlightening and may find projects and community partners

that are replicable and fundable. Non-formal educators andadministrators will be delighted by the bridge that Education

and the Environment helps re-establish and can use the

books examples and imperative to bring greater numbers of

eager learners back to learning outdoors.

Note: A 13-minute webcast, Learning Outside the Box, featuring

Gerald A. Lieberman discussing Education and the Environment

is produced by the Harvard Graduate School, and is available at

http://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/13/12/harvard-edcast

learning-outside-box


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SNAPSHOT OF OUR2014 CONFERENCE AWARD RECIPIENTS

For consistent workshops throughout the years at annual conferences

and Winter Weekend celebrations, generosity of spirit, years of

mentoring others, and serving as a 2014 Keynote Speaker, MaryLynne

Malone nominated Andy Angstrom, a Founding Member of NYSOEA

and Educator of Outdoor Educators, for the Outdoor Educator Award.

The Champlain Area Trails [CATS], led by Executive

Director Chris Maron, was founded in 2009 with the goal of

connecting communities, in a literal and figurative sense,

by conserving land and creating and maintaining a network

of multi-use trails throughout the Champlain Valley in

Essex County, NY. In that short time, CATS has developed

35 miles of trails that when added to existing trails, gets it

halfway toward the long-envisioned goal of a 30-mile trail

loop between Westport and Essex. CATS will extend its

trails to neighboring towns and eventually connect them to

trails in the Adirondack Mountains, Vermont, and Quebec.

For tremendous vision and energy in promoting outdoor

recreation, community partnership, and economic vitality in

the northern region, Brian DeGroat nominated Chris Maron

and CATS for the Environmental Impact Award.

Outdoor Educator Award

Andy Angstrom

Environmental Impact Award

Chris Maron

From left: Chris Maron, Executive Director, CATS; Brian DeGroat,

Northern Region Representative; Tim Stanley, NYSOEA President;

Marty Strong, Awards Committee.


15/19


Mel Morris shakes hands with NYSOEA President Tim Stanley

Tim Grant and Gail Littlejohn launched Green Teacher magazine in 1991, and since that time, have provided a platform that

enabled more than 1000 youth educators from across the United States and Canada to share their expertise with a much

larger audience. They also co-edited 6 popular books that have sold over 60,000 copies. Additionally, Green Teacher will

be providing digital subscriptions to each affiliate member of NYSOEA, helping to further share the wealth of knowledge

and experience gathered in each publication. Since 2010, Tim has continued as Green Teachers editor and Gail now edits

conference materials for a health sciences institute. For over two decades of consistent content, leadership, and support of

the environmental education community, Tim Stanley nominated Tim Grant and Gail Littlejohn of GreenTeacher magazine

for the Art and Literary Award.

Mel Morris is highly deserving of the Leadership Award for his creation of the Open Space Stewardship Program, which

has provided a countless number of teachers and students with opportunities to create and participate in environmental

research projects on undeveloped land on Long Island. Founded in 2006, the OSSP currently has approximately 35

schools, and more than 3000 students, are actively participating in the OSSP, with even more students having been given

opportunities for hands-on scientific exploration in their backyard, fostering a sense of civic responsibility and respect for

open space, while providing them with the knowledge and skills to be successful in future careers in science and technology.

Mels vision to connect teachers and students to their community, deep concern for the Pine Barrens, and his passion and

determination to keep the OSSP program thriving is why Jolene Thompson nominated him for the Leadership Award.

Art & Literary Award

Tim Grant &Gail LittlejohnGreen Teacher Magazine

Leadership Award

Melvyn Morris


16/19


Mark Your Calendars!

In a speech invoking the eponymous Dolly Parton song, the question was begged, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene oh where do

we begin? Enthusiastic, upbeat, and easy to work with, she has done many little things that have made NYSOEA a whole

lot better. From capturing much of the annual conference paperwork into Dropbox and other formats that can be readily

shared with each subsequent conference committee to building an organized and cohesive framework for the Development

committee to increase the profitability and excitement of auctions, Jolene keeps NYSOEA moving forward. With her keen

attention to detail, Jolene has worked with subsequent conference committees to make sure things move forward smoothly.She advocates for activities that add value to conferences, such as evening entertainment and Authors and Artists corner,

and strives to provide the best NYSOEA experience for all members. For these reasons, Jessica Kratz nominated Jolene

Thompson for the NYSOEA Service Award.

Service Award

Jolene ThompsonFrom left: MaryLynne Malone, Past President and AwardsCommittee Chair; Tim Stanley, NYSOEA President; Jolene

Thompson, VP Program; Marty Strong, Awards Committee


17/19


18/19


Advertising in PathwaysPATHWAYS welcomes advertisements which

will be of interest to the membership of

NYSOEA. If you have a product, service,

equipment, resource, program, etc. that you

would like to share with our membership via

an advertisement, we can receive it through

any of the following ways.

Email: [email protected]

Fax: (607) 753-5982

Mail: Darleen M. Lieber

Ref: Pathways Advertisement / Article

SUNY Cortland RPLS Dept.

PO Box 2000, Cortland, NY 13045

Invitation for Articles and NewsThe PATHWAYS team is always eager to hear from members

and publish the articles that they have authored or news

or event announcements that they would like to share with

fellow members. We invite you to send your submission for

our next issue. Simply send us the text with any supporting

material -- pictures, newspaper clippings, and more. We can

receive it in any of the ways listed below.

NYSOEA Executive BoardPresident Tim Stanley

VP Administration Nicki Bogie

VP Communication Eric Powers

VP Human Resources Jessica Kratz

VP Program - Jolene Thompson

Secretary - Loren Smith

Treasurer - Elizabeth Van Acker

Office - Darleen Lieber

Regional DirectorsEastern - Kate Brill

Metro - Sunny Corrao

Northern - Brian DeGroat

Western - Kimberly May &

Caryn Corriere

Central - Josh Teeter

2014 Annual NYSOEA ConferenceLaura Carey

Marsha Guzewich

Fred vonMechow

Materials should be typed. Please include a

short biographical section about the author

of the article. References cited in the article

should be listed at the end of the article, APA

style.

(ISSN 1077-5100) PATHWAYS is published

four times a year by the New York State

Outdoor Education Association and is emailed

to NYSOEA members. Opinions expressed

by contributors are theirs solely and not

necessarily those of the Editorial Board of

PATHWAYS or of NYSOEA. Advertisements

included in PATHWAYS should not be

interpreted as endorsement of the product(s)

by NYSOEA.

Kate was born in the Finger Lakes region and grew up in

the Hudson Valley. She attended Binghamton University,

where she received a B.S. in Environmental Science. After

completing an SCA internship at Scenic Hudson she

moved to Portland, Oregon where she attended Lewisand Clark College for a Masters in the Art of Teaching

for 7-12 Integrated Science. After teaching Biology and IB

Environmental Science for a year, Kate moved back to New

York to be closer to family and begin her career at Scenic

Hudson as the Education Outreach Coordinator. She is

thrilled to be back hiking in the Hudson Valley with her dog,

Jozy, spending time by the Hudson River, and working with a

great network of outdoor educators.

Kate Brill, Eastern Region [email protected]

New Regional Director:

PathwaysIssue Editors

Jessica Kratz

Maren V. Morsch

Graphic Designer

Matthew Fraher

Content Editors

Sarah Conley

Darleen Lieber

Jill EisensteinRichard Parisio

Benette Whitmore, Ph. D.

Online Content/

Marketing Manager

Jonathan Duda

Contributing Past Editors

Frank Knight

Snapper Petta


19/19

On November 5, 2015, the Paul F-Brandwein Institute will convene a three-day Summit, NorthAmerican Actions to Inspire a New Generation, at the National Conservation Training Center, Shep-

erdstown, West Virginia. Over 200 key stakeholders will participate in the task of designing an action

plan to build life-long relationships with nature for current

and future generations. The World Parks Congress, to be

held in 2014 in Sydney, Australia, will set the stage for the

Summit by focusing a major strand on Inspiring a New Gen-

eration. The 2015 Brandwein Summit will build on the is-

sues identified by the Congress and determine specific

strategies to address them.

The major objectives of the 2015 Summit are

Convene key North American stakeholders to embrace

the Inspiring a New Generation Movement.

Develop a North American Action Agenda that defines

the opportunities for various stakeholders to contribute

to this movement and communicate the agenda to a

wide audience.

Share innovative best practices in connecting people with nature, including engaging new partners

and sectors of society that have been underrepresented in nature conservation fields.

Identify barriers to be overcome and motivators to build lasting connections with people to nature.

Engage young people to share knowledge, experiences, and perspectives, build capacity, take leader-

ship, and inspire others to connect with nature through international and intergenerational partner-

ships.

Naonal Conservaon Training Center, Sheperd-

stown, West Virginia, site of the 2005 Conservaon

Summit and the upcoming Summit in 2015.

The 2015 Summit will mark the ten-year anniver-

sary of the Brandwein Institutes Conservation

Learning Summit: A Re-Commitment to the Future

that brought together representatives from govern-

ment and public agencies, business, academia, and

philanthropy to form partnerships to re-connect

youth with nature and prepare a future work force

to take care of the nations natural resources. Also

held at the National Conservation Training Center,

the 2005 Summit established the groundwork and

identified the audience for the upcoming Summit.Parcipants at the 2005 Conservaon Learning Summit.

Pathways Fall 2014

Documents

Transcript of Pathways Fall 2014