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Celebrating Excellence in Environmental Education

Tackling Topics for a More Inclusive Community

Feeling ready to take action in the face of pressing environmental challenges? Many of us do. That's why we're highlighting 5 Calls, a user-friendly app designed to bridge the gap between concerned community members and their elected officials. Instead of navigating complex policy documents or searching for contact information, 5 Calls streamlines the process. They provide thoroughly researched scripts on key environmental issues, pinpoint the relevant decision-makers, and offer direct phone numbers for their offices. This empowers you to deliver concise, impactful messages directly to those who shape policy. In a time where individual voices matter more than ever, 5 Calls offers a practical and efficient way to make a tangible difference. Check out 5 calls today: https://5calls.org/

Dear Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education (WAEE) Members, As environmental educators, we are committed to raising awareness about the environmental challenges facing our state and teaching the next generation about the importance of environmental stewardship. Today, we are reaching out with an urgent call to action in light of the oil spill that occurred in December 2024 in Wisconsin and the ongoing Enbridge pipeline battle in Northern Wisconsin, which has the potential to catastrophically contaminate the Great Lakes. We strongly encourage you to take a moment to watch the film Bad River , available now on Peacock. This powerful documentary sheds light on the struggle faced by communities and ecosystems impacted by Enbridge’s pipelines, including the threat they pose to the pristine waters of the Bad River Watershed. The film is an eye-opening look at the risks of oil pipeline operations in Wisconsin and the people and wildlife that stand to lose everything if action is not taken. We believe it is essential that our voices, as environmental educators, be heard in this critical moment. We encourage you to call your senators and express your concerns about the environmental risks posed by the Enbridge pipelines and the recent oil spill. Your voice can make a difference in the fight to protect Wisconsin’s natural resources and ensure a safe, sustainable future for all. Here’s what you can do:  Watch the film Bad River to understand the environmental implications. Call your state senators to urge them to take immediate action to hold Enbridge accountable and protect Wisconsin’s waters. Find contact information for your representatives here . Share this alert with others in your community, and encourage them to take action. As environmental educators, we have a unique role in advocating for the health of our state’s ecosystems. By raising our voices in support of stronger environmental protections, we can help shape a future where our waters, lands, and communities are safe from the risks of oil pipeline disasters. Thank you for your dedication to environmental education and advocacy. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.

WAEE Honored for 2023 & 2024

Outside for 5 The NAAEE Affiliate Network is challenging teachers, administrators, nonformal educators, parents, and more to join the OutsideFor5 movement. Sign the OutsideFor5 Pledge and commit to: Spend at least 5 minutes a day, 5 days a week, or any meaningful amount of time learning outside with youth. Support outdoor learning efforts in schools Connect with other local educators and outdoor professionals. Learn more From our NAAEE Affiliate Network friends in Colorado: We know you work hard all year long! Nature is just as important for your well-being as it is for your students! We hope you take some time to rest, recharge, and renew in nature this summer. Check out these articles to learn more about what nature can do for you as an educator or parent! Experiencing Awe in Nature has a Powerful Effect on Well-Being . “Experiencing awe can contribute to a host of benefits including an expanded sense of time and enhanced feelings of generosity, well-being, and humility.” Stress Reduction and the Natural World "However, Hunter et al (2019) found that just 20 to 30 minutes three times a week is enough to bring benefits." What is Kaplan's Attention Restoration Theory "In a nutshell, Attention Restoration Theory, or ART, proposes that exposure to nature is not only enjoyable but can also help us improve our focus and ability to concentrate (Ohly, White, Wheeler, Bethel, Ukoumunne, Nikolaou, & Garside, 2016)." Take the Nature Connectedness Scale (NCS) Survey to learn more about your own relationship with the natural world: Nature Connectedness Survey