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Workshops, Programs, and Special Events: Environmental Concern is passionate about creating high quality, diverse professional development and learning opportunities for all ages and experience levels. Environmental Concern offers workshops that reach a broad audience including landscapers, Master Gardeners, institutions of higher learning, community members, and retirees. EC’s outreach programs include monthly lectures, Saturday presentations, week-long professional development opportunities for educators, and training for scientists and field experts.
Educator Professional Development Workshops Since 1986, Environmental Concern has been training Educators (non-formal and formal teachers) across the nation to build a relationship between wetland ecosystems and the next generation. Environmental Concern’s professional services and publications (e.g. WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands and POW! The Planning of Wetlands) provide aligned curriculum content that fits within the state-mandated curricula. EC’s professional development courses provide trained teachers and non-formal educators the expertise and confidence to provide authentic restoration and wetland educational programs that will enhance students’ relationship with the natural world. Join us for one day or come for a week-long professional development series. EC currently offers seven EC developed teacher professional development courses to enhance classroom and student experiences. Workshops are offered at EC’s Campus, or EC Educators will come to your location. For a list of courses click here>> EC Staff and highly qualified trained wetland experts bring technical courses and professional development opportunities to field practitioners. These courses will provide a week-long immersion into Wetland Delineation, Hydric Soils, Wetland Plant Identification and more. for more information on professional courses click here>>
When registering, please don't forget to include a contact phone number where we can contact you with important information.
Pollinators are more often related to upland environments. Come explore the various pollinator visitors to the Chesapeake Bay's many wetland ecosystems. Habitat Revitalization - Taking Your Outdoor Classroom Back! Participants will gain ideas and inspiration to restore their
aging-schoolyard habitat back to its original beauty. Participants will
leave with suggested maintenance plans and tips to increase their use
and efficiency as an outdoor classroom. Wetlands are located across the world on every continent but
Antarctica. Participants will view and explore the wonders of wetlands
and how they are used across the world. Gardening for Winter Interest: Participants will gain inspiration to enhance an existing garden or
create new gardens that incorporate winter interest into the space. Wetlands Boot Camp - Educators' Professional Development Holiday Series: Join EC for a three-day long professional development series designed to connect your students to authentic wetland learning experiences. WOW! WOW! Facilitator is a special MAEOE customized combination course of Environmental Concern's WOW! The Wonders of Wetlands and WOW! Facilitator Training workshops. Participants will learn the basics of wetland ecology while learning the processes of leading WOW! workshops and protocols of the nationwide WOW! Facilitator Network. Participants will also receive a wetland resource guide with over 50 hands-on, multidisciplinary activities, and ideas for student action projects. Upon the completion of this course, participants will have a strong background in wetland ecology and the ability to lead their own WOW! workshops for their local community. POW! The Planning of Wetlands: Participants will learn the step-by-step process for creating or enhancing wetlands on school grounds or within the community. POW! guides participants through wetland design and construction with the goal of utilizing the habitat as an outdoor classroom. POW! includes cross-curricular activities that allow students to participate in the design, installation and monitoring of a schoolyard habitat. More information on POW! Planning of Wetlands Implementing Citizen Science In Your Outdoor Classroom: EC staff will guide participants through the various citizen science applications available (e.g. E-Bird, Project NOAH, Journey North, Project Budburst, Leafsnap and more) to connect your students to authentic learning experiences utilizing campus outdoor classrooms. Wetlands come in all different shapes and sizes. There may be one right in your own backyard! Come learn about the basics of wetlands and their vital contributions to the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Thirsty Thursday for Wetlands, Rain Gardens & More! Journey North— Become a Monarch Scientist at Home: Elizabeth Howard from Journey North joins EC remotely from Vermont as a special guest speaker. Learn how to track monarch data from the comfort of your home while contributing to a global study of wildlife migration and seasonal change with Journey North. Join the movement and become a citizen monarch scientist. An Introduction to Living Shorelines: Participants will learn the basics of living shoreline structures as a means to control erosion and protect waterfront property. Bee populations across the world are in a state of significant decline. Participants will construct a basic bee hotel and explore the variety of design plans available to create beautiful pieces for their backyards. Life in a Chesapeake Bay Marsh Tour: Join EC Staff for a tour of the wetlands that have been restored or constructed across the region. Wetlands play a vital role in the health of the Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem. Gain inspiration to construct or restore your own wetlands during this Saturday morning tour. Participants will learn about vegetative buffers and how they are used as an important conservation tool used to improve the health of the Bay. Come learn how to install buffer areas to improve water quality for fish and aquatic organism found in local streams. BMP Options for Stormwater Runoff: Participants will learn the defining characteristics of best management practices and the structures that are available to take responsibility for the stormwater runoff at home and in their communities. Citizen Science - Tracking Monarchs: Late Season Nectar Sources for Monarchs: Wetlands were once
referred to as the "original 711." They provide an abundant array of
resources for wildlife. Whether that wildlife is passing through for
water and rest, or living within the wetland's acreage, you will fund a
diverse group of organisms. Come explore the various wildlife species
found in wetlands. Green School Application Pre-Review: As a MAEOE Green Center, EC is excited to open our facility and share our staff with local schools and volunteers to pre-review their 2017 MAEOE Green School application drafts. EC staff will offer support and critiques to ensure your application meets the requirements. MAEOE Green School applications are due March 17, 2017. Don’t miss out! Conservation Landscaping Techniques: Living Shorelines, native plantings, meadows, forests, Oh my! Gain a better understanding of techniques and practices that will improve your home’s habitat value. Gardening with native plant species allows homeowners to become designers of habitat for a variety of wildlife—waterfowl, songbirds, mammals and more. Wetlands are a unique ecosystem inhabited by specialized water-loving plant species. Come increase your knowledge of wetland plants and the adaptations they possess to best survive in a wetland environment. Habitat Maintenance and Monitoring Techniques: This program provides
participants an understanding of the necessary maintenance and
monitoring techniques required to ensure their habitat is functioning
properly. Participants will focus on best management practice habitat
types (e.g. wetlands, rain gardens, native plantings, etc.) that are
essential in contributing to the improved health of the Chesapeake Bay. Rain Gardens: Landscaping for Water Quality: This course introduces participants to the concept of rain gardens with a focus on their benefits to the environment and the surrounding watershed. Participants will leave with the basic knowledge of how rain gardens are designed, created and maintained. Wetlands are a unique ecosystem
defined by specialized hydric soils. Come increase your understanding of
what hydric soils are while learning about the variety of soils found on
the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Learn how to start a flock of
chickens (with baby chickens or by hatching eggs) to naturally control
your property’s weeds. Participants will gain helpful tips on chicken
breeds, do-it-yourself chicken coop plans, and how to pasture chickens
using portable, poultry fencing and more. Best Management Practices for Weed and Pest Control: Native Plants for Happy Pollinators: Wetlands Boot Camp– Educators’ Professional Development Summer Institute: Join EC for a week-long professional development series designed to connect your students to authentic wetland learning experiences. Five courses are available. Pick one or join us all week. WOW! introduces participants to
wetland ecology through a study of the three parameters of wetlands:
vegetation, soils and hydrology. Participants will also learn
about wetland functions and values by utilizing K-12 cross curricular,
inquiry based activities. Leave with a wetland resource guide with
over 50 hands-on, multidisciplinary activities, and ideas for student
action projects.
Participants will learn how to
build a rain garden from start to finish while gaining the understanding
of their benefits to the environment and the surrounding watershed.
Participants will leave with the basic knowledge of how rain gardens are
designed, created and maintained. Environmental Concern specializes in
the implementation of student-centered action projects. Participants
will learn helpful tips and strategies to include students throughout
this process, so they gain the skills to implement action projects on
their own in the future.
Schoolyard Habitat Maintenance and Monitoring: Schoolyard Habitat Maintenance
and Monitoring provides educators with an understanding of different
habitat types and how to properly maintain the space with their
students. Participants will also learn how to identify a schoolyard
habitat’s success by utilizing K-12 cross curricular, inquiry based
activities. Educators will gain valuable tools to increase
students’ interest in wetland maintenance, and inspiration to involve
the entire school in the process.
Student Action Projects for Watershed Improvements: This course provides Educators with the tools they need to implement student-driven meaningful best management practices to improve the health of their local watershed. Educators will leave with activities and tools to ensure their programs are meeting the new MWEE requirements.
Wetland Plant ID: Know ‘Em and Grow ‘Em: This introductory wetland plant identification course provides participants with an understanding of wetland plant ecology and adaptations, and the resources to identify plant species in the field. Materials will also cover native and non-native species and planting tips.
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Course Information Educator Training:
Mid-Atlantic Monarch Initiative Workshops: Mid-Atlantic Monarch Initiaitive Information MAMI Workshops and Registration
Facilitator Program: Facilitator Led Workshops Schedule
EC Led Courses: Registration and Cancellation Information
Unless otherwise noted, all workshops and programs will be held at Environmental Concern's Waterfront Wetland Learning Campus in St Michaels, MD. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. Courses are subject to change
based on registration levels and program requests. To request a program at
your facility, or to customize a workshop for a specific group please
call 410-745-9620.
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