pathways
The official publication of the New York State Outdoor Education Association
Summer 2003
EE-Link Unveils
Capacity Building Component
By Jeremy Higgins, Outreach Specialist, NEEAP
The National Environmental Education Ad-
vancement Project (NEEAP) and the North American
Association for Environmental Education's (NAAEE)
EE-Link are preparing to unveil an exciting new
Internet resource that will facilitate interaction among
people building environmental education (EE) capac-
ity.
The Capacity Building section of EE-Link
(http://eelink.net/capacitybuilding.html) focuses
on highlighting good examples of organi-
zations, programs, agencies and web
resources available to environmental
educators interested in enhancing
their efforts. “Rather than hav-
ing to search through hundreds
of hits on conventional search
engines to locate a desired
resource, environmental
educators can use this sec-
tion of EE-Link to quickly
and easily explore high qual-
ity capacity building resources
that have already been identi-
fied,” explains Katy Wang, Project
Manager of EE-Link.
The Capacity Building section is
based on NEEAP's State-Level Comprehensive EE
Programs, better known as “the wheel”. This model
has been a guide for EE leaders to strengthen their EE
programs, and has been updated regularly.
NEEAP Co-Director Abby Ruskey, who devel-
oped the model with Dr. Rick Wilke anticipates that,
“the EE-Link Capacity Building section will be invalu-
able for those interested in finding examples to create
the infrastructure needed to support environmental lit-
eracy, the tools to achieve stronger EE programs and
for connecting with others in the field.”
The Capacity Building section will be launched
with more than 20 different categories of resources,
with several excellent links in each. Although many re-
sources for educators are immediately available, it will
be important for site visitors to continue expand-
ing the database by using the “suggest-a-
link” option available on the site.
“This is an evolving tool that will grow
and improve through the input of its
users. While NEEAP and EE-Link
will continue to add links to the
Capacity Building section, we
rely on our colleagues in the
field to make sure that their
favorite resources are also in-
cluded,” explains Wang.
In addition to the Ca-
pacity Building section, EE-
Link has also incorporated a spe-
cial icon to clearly identify capacity
building oriented links throughout the
whole website. NEEAP and NAAEE have
been collaborating on this project through the Envi-
ronmental Education and Training Partnership
(EETAP). One of EETAP's primary goals is to build
the understanding and skills needed to create compre-
hensive and sustainable EE programs at the state and
local level. Another goal is to make EE resources more
Continued on page 3
 NYSOEA Message From the President
Executive Board PROMOTE! PROMOTE! PROMOTE!
By Foster Portzline
President
Foster Portzline
I have a favor to ask ALL of you:
VP Administration Please help PROMOTE the 2003 Con-
Kathy Ambrosini ference! If you have looked through
this year’s conference booklet I hope
VP Communication you have noticed all that the confer-
MaryLynne Malone ence has to offer. NYSOEA could use
your help in spreading the news. We
VP Human Resources know that our organization and our
Tom Vitti annual conference are still a “secret”
to thousands. We would like to change
VP Program that. PROMOTING the conference to
Midge Monat all those who might benefit by attend-
ing can be EVERY member’s contri-
Secretary bution. Look at the “Who We Are”
Sue Williams membership section in “Pathways”.
Are we reaching everyone? Do you
Treasurer have contacts in your community that
Sharon Kennelty-Cohen should know about NYSOEA and our
annual conference? Read “Our Goals”
Regional Directors in the same section. Would we not ALL
Jim D'Angelo, Central benefit to have a huge turnout at the
Frank Benenati, Central conference? NYSOEA has new mem-
vacant, Eastern bership fliers, conference fliers and
Elaine Young, Metro
vacant, Northern
Mary Anna Russo, Western pathways (ISSN 1077-5110) is published
four times a year by the New York State Out-
2003 Conference door Education Association and is mailed
to NYSOEA members. Opinions expressed
Committee Chairs by contributors are theirs solely and not nec-
John Stowell essarily those of the Editorial Board of path-
Tom Smith ways or of NYSOEA. Advertisements in-
cluded in pathways should not be inter-
Office Services preted as endorsement of the product(s) by
NYSOEA.
George Steele
418 Merry Road,
Amsterdam, NY 12010
Advertising in pathways
518-842-0501 Office pathways welcomes advertisements which
518-842-1646 Fax will be of interest to the membership of
NYSOEA. If you have a product, service,
E-mail: nysoea@aol.com
equipment, resources, programs, etc. that
you would like to share with our member-
ship via an advertisement, please contact
MaryLynne Malone (845 351-2967.
2
booklets, and press releases to dis-
tribute. Do you have an event where
you could pass out some fliers? Is
there a group you could notify?
Would a local paper help us with a
press release? To coordinate our
efforts here are the channels to take:
Contact Office:
New Membership Fliers
George Steele
518-842-0501
nysoea@aol.com
Conference Co-Chairs:
Conference Fliers and
Booklets
John Stowell
845-265-2496
John.Stowell@oprhp.state.ny.us
Tom Smith
845-896-5910
tsmith@freshair.org
continued on next page:
Materials Submissions
Anyone interested in contributing to
pathways is encouraged to submit ma-
terial to the NYSOEA pathways c/o
MaryLynne Malone, P.O. Box 39,
Southfields, NY 10975 or E-mail:
malone@highlands.com. Materials
should be typed. Please include a short
biographical section about the author of
the article. References cited in the ar-
ticle should be listed at
the end of the ar-
ticle, APA style.
President's Message continued:
Announcing the 2004
Conference Promotion Coordinator:
Press Releases
NYSOEA Conference!
Dan Kriesberg
kriesb@aol.com The 2004 conference is al-
If we ALL pitch in, think what results we might get! ready in the works! It will
Thank you for your time and effort! be held from November 4
- 7 at the Montauk Yacht
Club Resort & Marina.
That’s in Montauk, folks.
Hello NYSOEA! We are fast approaching our The very tip of Long Is-
land. The easternmost part
annual conference and I would like to remind you about of our state. Between the
the 2003 awards. It may seem far away, but try to think Atlantic Ocean and Block
about who would be deserving of an award. I know Island Sound. The facil-
you all know someone who would be perfect to re- ity sits directly on the harbor. We are planning an ex-
ceive a NYSOEA Award! The awards are: citing, educational confer-
Harlan “Gold” Metcalf Award ence, taking advantage of
Leadership Award all that Long Island has to
Service Award offer: ocean, bays, estuar-
Art/Literary Award ies, ponds, lakes, rivers,
Environmental Impact Award sand dunes, woods, pine
Outdoor Educator Award barrens and more. Over
Julian Smith Student Award the next few months we
Let’s try to get every award will be putting together the
given this year! Watch your mail for conference committees
the nominations form, which will have and we will be calling upon
full descriptions of each award, and our members to join us. If
send them in! you are interested in help-
ing, please contact the conference co-chairs:
Elaine Young at
EE-Link Unveils Capacity Building Component
Continued from the cover: Elaine114@aol.com
Sue McGuire at
accessible. The EE-Link Capacity Building section helps samcguire@hotmail.com
achieve both goals by making a myriad of capacity build-
ing resources readily available to environmental edu-
cators throughout North America.
The new EE-Link Capacity Building section will
be unveiled in May 2003. Look for official announce-
ments in EE-News, the EETAP Bulletin and in many
other environmental education publications. For more
information about this project contact Jeremy Higgins,
NEEAP Outreach Specialist, at:
Jeremy.Higgins@uwsp.edu or 715-346-4179.

3
 Science and Civics: Sustaining Wildlife
Curriculum Guide for grades 9-12
Project WILD’s new high school curricu-
lum, Science and Civics: Sustaining Wildlife, is
designed to serve as a guide for involving stu-
dents in environmental action projects aimed at
benefiting the local wildlife community. It in-
volves young people in decisions affecting people,
wildlife, and their shared habitat in the commu-
nity. This program is appropriate for service learn-
ing and performance-based assessment. Using
the curriculum, students perform a series of in-
quiry investigations that will teach field research
methodology skills and develop conceptual un-
derstanding of ecological principles. The curricu-
lum also provides activities for investigating en-
vironmental laws, economic, political and cultural
factors that affect a community.
The program consists of four major components:
1) Awareness: alerts students to the im- Workshops are offered throughout the year and by
pact of human and individual activities on request.
habitat quality and quantity.
2) Participatory Democracy: develops
principles related to government structures Contact:
and is appropriate for government and civ-
ics units of social studies courses.
3) Habitat Exploration: studies biotic and
abiotic parameters of a site and is
appropriate for ecology and environmen-
tal science units of science courses; and
4) Taking Action: guides both science and
social studies students in designing,
implementing, and communicating
projects to enhance a particular site.
4
Science and Civics: Sustaining Wildlife taps
into students’ desires to be part of a team and into
their natural urge to understand, debate, and resolve
real-life issues. Working methodically to achieve
a positive result, students develop a sense of con-
trol and success.
Examples of student action projects con-
ducted during pilot testing of the curriculum in-
clude: the planning and construction of school and
community wildlife habitats, cross-cultural water
festivals along the Rio Grande River between Texas
and Mexico, and impact studies of airport expan-
sion on wildlife. A common ingredient in all
projects is that they depended on local action to
succeed. The end result was that students could
see the impact of their actions and gain confidence
that they had made a difference.
Laura Carey
Project WILD Coordinator
NYSDEC Rogers Environ-
mental Education Center
2721 State Highway 80
Sherburne, NY 13460
(607) 674-4017
lacarey@gw.dec.state.ny.us
 The Nature of Learning Start-up Grants
The Nature of Learning, formerly known as “Earth
Stewards,” is the National Wildlife Refuge System's new
community-based environmental education initiative.
Schools, non-profit organizations, “Friends” groups,
Cooperative and Interpretive Associations and Audubon
Chapters are encouraged to apply for these grants of up
to $5,000. For more information go to www.nfwf.org/
programs/tnol.htm.
EE Link: Your Link to EE
Resources on the Internet
EE-Link develops and supports Internet-based
communication tools to build the capacity of environ-
mental education (EE) organizations through collabora-
tion, information dissemination and access to EE re-
sources and professional development opportunities. EE-
Link”s work includes the development and support of
statewide EE resource databases as well as the EE-Link
web site (http://eelink.net), which provides access to over
3,000 EE materials, programs and grant and job oppor-
tunities. A bi-weekly electronic newsletter, EE-News, is
another service that includes current information on pro-
fessional development/research opportunities, grants, leg-
islative updates and EE resources.
Eggxactly
what we're
looking for!
Time to get crack-
ing and share your
Experiences, Observances or
Unique Lessons!
pathways seeks your writing. Some folks never write
unless they’re asked. Consider this your invitation.
5
A New Way to Bird
A great new teacher tool
& family bird activity
The Taconic Outdoor Edu-
cation Center has created a
unique tool to help teach
birding skills to children and adults.
All About Birds solves the one big chal-
lenge faced by all educators – how to iden-
tify moving birds using binoculars.
The colorful, weather and fade resistant,
life sized birds can be placed outdoors in
their natural environment. Without need-
ing to focus on moving targets, students
easily learn how to use binoculars. Both
student and teacher can observe a chicka-
dee, cardinal and woodpecker side
by side. The teacher can help ev-
eryone compare and contrast
the species, and assist the stu-
dents in referring to a field
guide to practice identifying
birds.
The supporting curriculum and field guide
is an excellent resource. It allows the
teacher to focus on content information
and related observation. It insures suc-
cess for all age levels.
All About Birds includes a 28 page cur-
riculum activity guide, Peterson First
Guide and 12 color life sized birds.
For further information, contact
the Taconic Outdoor Education
Center at 75 Mountain Laurel
Lane, Cold Spring, NY 10516
(845)265-3773.
 nysoea.org is up Elections The Roger Tory Peterson Institute
Approaching! has created an electronic naturalist to
and running! Please
Thinking about ways you their list of accomplishments. They are
visit us there and
could help out NYSOEA? Con- the creation of John Wiessinger a natu-
send your
Extra! Extra! sider running for a position on the ralist/artist. This is a real treat. Elec-
friends.
nysoea.org up Board. Many board positions are tronic Naturalist at:
Feel free to
and running up for election and it is time to www. enaturalist.org
send an-
stop wondering and start volun- Check it out!
nounce-
ments for teering. The following positions
affiliate are available: President Elect,
Metro Region Director, North-
Check out Nature Dad
programs and
ern Region Director, Western at linature.com. Newsday, Long
regional events.
Region Director, Vice President Island’s newspaper, is doing a
All program announcements will
of Administration, Vice President year long series of articles on the
be reviewed before posting.
of Communication, Secretary. natural world of Long Island.
Look for nomination information Yes, there is nature on Long Is-
NYSOEA Conference land! They have also developed
in the mail. The following posi-
mentioned in tions are currently empty and can a great website that includes our
Conservationist Magazine be filled by appointment until very own Dan Kriesberg as Na-
ture Dad. Click on the Nature
Do you get Conservation- they are filled by election: East-
Dad icon and see a video and read
ist Magazine? Well make sure you ern Region Director and North-
articles on introducing children
look for an article by member Dan ern Region Director. Anyone in
to the natural world. The site also
Kriesburg in an upcoming issue fea- these regions interested in filling
the remainder of the term please has loads of information on natu-
turing the Nature of New York.
contact Foster Portzline as soon ral history topics of interest to all
as possible at nysoea@aol.com. New Yorkers.

Attention Conference 2003 Attendees the

AwardtheDeserving
Please consider nominating
someone deserving a NYSOEA
award. Award nomination infor-
mation has been mailed it is never
to early or too late to start the
wheels turning. Awards include:
The Harlan "Gold" Metcalf
Award, Leadership Award, Ser-
vice Award, Creative Art/Literary
Award, Environmental Impact
Award, Outdoor Educator Award,
and Julian Smith Student Award.
6
NYSOEA Annual Auction is looking for new and
quality slightly used articles for both the silent and
live auctions. These events are major fund raisers
for the association. It is important to realize that
this is not the time to empty your closet but to help
fill the want or need of another attendee. If you
have constant dealings with a local merchant and
you think that they would be willing to donate
something do not hesitate to ask, you’d be surprised
at the outcome. Please find the time to label your
item with your name if you’d like recognition as
well as where it came from and what it might be
worth. It is important that all auction items be given
to either MaryLynne Malone or John Lancos as
early in the conference as possible so items put in
the silent auction have had time for bidding.
 Featured Speakers
Vicki Cobb
Vicki Cobb is the well known author of 2003 Conference
more than eighty highly entertaining Site Information
nonfiction books for children. Cobb’s
lighthearted approach to hands-on science
has become her trademark for getting kids
involved in experiences that create real
learning.

Dr. Susan Flader

Susan Flader is professor of history at the
University of Missouri-Columbia, where she
teaches American and world environmental
history. She has published several books and
numerous articles on the career and thought
of Aldo Leopold, including Thinking Like a
Mountain and The River of the Mother of God.

David Middleton Villa Roma Resort

David is a full-time professional nature Callicoon, NY
photographer, writer and naturalist. He has (845) 887-4880
produced several books including: Ancient www.villaroma.com
Forest, The New Key to Ecuador and the
Galapagos and The Nature of America.
More than an outdoor photographer and
naturalist, David is a gifted and enthusiastic
teacher who truly enjoys sharing his experiences and
expertise with people.

New York State Outdoor Education Association

36th Annual Conference

~ The Nature of New York ~

A Natural History Celebration
October 23 - 26, 2003
Villa Roma Resort - Callicoon, NY
Workshops specific to New York native flora & fauna
7
 Who We Are We assist our members in
Established in 1968, the As- expanding their knowledge and
sociation is the leading professional skills in using the environment for
group supporting outdoor educa- responsible education purposes.
tion, environment education and in- We act as a unified voice
terpretive services in New York supporting the fields of environmen-
State. tal education, outdoor education, in-
Our membership includes terpretation and outdoor recreation.
classroom teachers, environmental Benefits of Membership
educators, college professors, natu- Annual Conference
ralists, interpreters, youth leaders, Regional Events
administrators, students, parents Publications
and others interested in the out- Awards
doors. Scholarships
Our Goals Membership Fees
We promote public aware- Individual $40.00
ness of the value of outdoor and Family $50.00
environmental education and inter- Retired $30.00
pretation. Student $25.00
We foster a lifelong appre- Affiliate A $45.00
ciation and sense of stewardship to Affiliate B $75.00
enrich curricula and programs. Library $30.00

The New York State Outdoor Education Association, Inc. is a not-for-profit professional organization
dedicated to lifelong learning in and about the outdoors. Outdoor Education is a method which embraces
multiple subject areas, including development of an appreciation of nature and the total environment.
Membership services, in addition to pathways, include the annual conference which provides opportunities
to share and learn, regional activities, annual award presentations and scholarships.

New York State Outdoor Education Association, Inc.

418 Merry Road
Amsterdam, NY 12012
E-mail: nysoea@aol.com

Printed on recycled paper.

Address Correction Requested