NEWS
Environmental Education & Employment Showcase
BYEN Awards - View profiles of the awardees who were honored at the BYEN Showcase, October 28th
BYEN Receives Grant from DCR for Urban Youth Park Stewardship Program: Press Release
BYEN Youth Networking Dinners 4:30PM - 6PM at BYEN Office
January 18th, Presenter: Student Conservation Association
February 15th, Legislative Training with Youth Jobs Coalition
March 14th
Youth Jobs Campaign Important Dates
BYEN is active in the Youth Jobs Coalition, a statewide coalition in Massachusetts working for sustainable youth jobs funding and youth leadership. Click here for a list of this year's Youth Jobs Campaign important dates. |
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RE-THINK Waste for a
Sustainable
Massachusetts
MassRecycle's 2012 Recycling & Organics Conference & Trade Show
Tuesday, March 27, 2012 | Holiday Inn Conference Center, Boxborough
Join MassRecycle for its 2012 Recycling & Organics Conference & Trade Show on Tuesday, March 27th, at the Holiday Inn Conference Center in Boxborough, MA. The conference will gather over 400 industry professionals, policy makers and citizens to RE-THINK WASTE for a Sustainable Massachusetts. Our goal is to move the conversation forward and find new ways to increase recycling, reuse and waste reduction in the Commonwealth.
The plenary session will feature Commissioner Ken Kimmell, MassDEP; Lynn Rubinstein, NERC Executive Director; Phil Goddard, Town of Bourne - ISWM; and Dan Moon, Environmental Business Council. Session to be moderated by Meg Morris, COVANTA Energy.
The Conference will also feature 18 workshops covering topics in six tracks - Strategy and Policy, Organics, Municipal, Managing Packaging and Printed Materials, K-12 Projects, and SWANA Solid Waste Issues. Workshops include presentations by local and national experts with topics ranging from creating infrastructure in preparation for the 2014 organics waste ban to getting ready for the e-waste bill and sorting through different types of electronics recycler certifications to where the rigid plastic containers go.
The Conference & Trade Show will be preceded by a Compost Marketing Workshop on Monday, March 26th, and followed by a series of recycling and organics facilities tours on Wednesday, March 28th.
Exhibition opportunities still available. Please consider raising the presence of your company or organization by sponsoring the conference. Download the sponsor and exhibitor prospectus and sign up no later than February 13th.
James Jiler, Founder, Urban GreenWorks, and CEO, Native Splendor Designs
1 Session: Tuesday, February 28, 7:00–8:30pm
Location: Trinity Church
Prisons by nature are bleak and barren places and are, in fact, a bio-physical metaphor for the 2.3 million lives warehoused in the US criminal justice system.
James Jiler, former Director of the Greenhouse Project, a renowned horticultural job training program for inmates at New York City's Rikers Island prison, former Director of Community Services for the Horticultural Society of New York, and author of Doing Time in the Garden, will speak of the harsh reality of our prison system and a unique approach to re-directing prisoners’ lives through horticulture. He will speak of his work with individuals, both inside and outside of prison walls and the human and landscape transformations he has witnessed.
Fee $15 member, $20 nonmember
Offered with Trinity Church in the City of Boston 2/3/2012
Work with Boston’s Youth, ages 15-21
The Emerald Neckalce Conservancy seeks a Youth Programs Coordinator
The Youth Programs Coordinator will be responsible for management of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy's youth programs. These are the Youth Leadership Program, an after-school program and the Conservancy's Summer Green Team. The programs address the need for the continued restoration and maintenance work in the Emerald Necklace park system and provide a foundational work experience for young people interested in working outdoors and learning about the environment. In addition, the Youth Leadership Program prepares participants for possible leadership roles with the Green Team or other environmental programs and exposes participants to careers in horticulture, land stewardship, landscape architecture and design, horticulture, and environmental studies.
The Coordinator will:
- Recruit youth to participate in the Green Team and YLP programs
- Recruit and train crew leaders for summer Green Team
- Coordinate with our public partners and sister organizations
- Establish program hours and daily work schedule for youth programs
- Develop and deliver environmental lesson plans
- Coordinate activities ranging from field work to workshops, and outdoor excursions
- Prepare participants for and accompany youth on overnight camping trips
- Manage a blog with the youth participants
- Establish means to evaluate and track program outcomes
- Write proposals for funding the program, with direction and assistance from supervisor and the Director of Development
This position is part time during the school year and becomes a full time position during the summer. It includes some evenings and weekends.
The Coordinator will report to the Senior Projects Manager and work directly with all members of Conservancy's project management team, collaborating sister organizations, and our public partners. The Coordinator will also be responsible for promoting the program through various popular electronic social media (Facebook, the Youth Programs blog), and cultivating and expanding the program’s alumni base.
In collaboration with the Projects staff, the Coordinator will also be responsible for program evaluation and quantifying measurable outcomes.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Valid US Driver’s License
- Demonstrated experience working with youth in a supervisory/youth development capacity
- Enthusiastic about leading and coordinating outdoor environmental activities
- An understanding of ecology and current environmental issues
- Attention to detail as well as a broader programmatic vision
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Education/Background in horticulture, landscape architecture, landscape management, environmental studies/science, education, or youth development
- Demonstrated experience building and managing relationships with institutional partners
Part-time position: 28 hrs/week, beginning in early March 2012; 40 hrs/week from June through August 24; Reverting to part time 28 hrs/week on August 25th.
Applications due by 5 pm on Friday, February 10. Email your cover letter and resume to roladapo-johnson@emeraldnecklace.org. No phone calls please.
The tech-savvy public is invited to enter the “Get Outdoors Massachusetts Mobile App Contest”. Environmental agencies are seeking assistance in developing technologies that feature Massachusetts’ outdoor recreation and natural resources. The goal of the competition is to create an application in which people use a smart phone to locate state wildlife management areas, state parks and forests, state boat ramps, farm tours, and other state outdoor recreation venues.
Deadline for submitting an entry is March 30.
JUNIOR DUCK STAMP CELEBRATES 20 YEARS OF CONNECTING CHILDREN WITH NATURE
Teachers, parents, youth workers, scout leaders, and other educators looking to connect their students with nature through science and art should consider submitting a waterfowl art entry to the Massachusetts Junior Duck Stamp (JDS) Program.
The entry deadline is March 15, 2012.
Modelled on the adult waterfowl stamp competitions, the Junior Duck Stamp Program was launched by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), to increase young people’s awareness of the importance of preserving wetland habitats, waterfowl conservation and wildlife observation.
In late winter, the USFWS plans to launch a new curriculum to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the JDS.
Entries are judged in four categories representing grades K - 3, grades 4 - 6, grades 7 - 9 and grades 10 - 12.
All entrants are recognized for their efforts, with the top 25 in each grade category receiving additional recognition. The overall state winner represents Massachusetts at the National Competition.
Official entry information is posted at the US Fish & Wildlife Service website at www.fws.gov/juniorduck.“The Junior Duck Stamp Program is a great way to introduce conservation through the arts,” says Pam Landry, MassWildlife Education Coordinator. “Not only is it fun to create a drawing or painting, it’s interesting for participantsto learn about the species being drawn so it can be depicted in its natural habitat.”
Do you know a Youth Worker that is deeply committed to the lives of young people? Do you know a Youth Worker who is doing amazing work and should be recognized? Nominate them for a Youthie Award!
2012 Youthie Awards
What is a Youthie?
The Youthie Award (Youthie) recognizes the contribution of youth workers to the lives of young people and their communities. Youthies celebrate the myriad of ways youth workers support the development of youth, create spaces for youth leadership and help youth reach their greatest potential. Youthies recognize all facets of youth work including program development, implementation, assessment and evaluation, advocacy, networking, intervention and communication.
Nominations are done online and are due by February 27th. Voting will be held online on March 15th and in person at the Youth Work Intensive.
Winners will be announced on Wednesday, March 14th at the Youth Work Intensive.
Finalists will be contacted on March 7th.
BEST Initiative
Open Position: E.A.G.L.E. PROGRAM MANAGER
The E.A.G.L.E. Program is a set of coordinated activities intended to start urban young people on a path to becoming effective advocates for themselves and others, for their community, and for the Earth. Three experiential activities (learning, stewardship, and advocacy) focus on building awareness, responsibility, and leadership. The activities are produced largely by trained volunteers and partners.
Click here for more information. 2/2/2012On Sunday, March 4th from 9 AM to 3 PM, the Everyday Explorers Learning Community is hosting a Project Learning Tree workshop for teachers, youth group leaders, home school parents, and others who want to educate children about the environment.
Project Learning Tree (PLT) is an international, award-winning, interdisciplinary environmental education program. PLT gives students the opportunity to explore interdisciplinary concepts and develop critical thinking skills through activity focused, place-based education. Designed for use with students pre K-8, each PLT activity is correlated to state standards and requires minimal preparation, so they can fit right into your lesson plans.
Whether you plan to take your K-8 class outdoors or bring nature inside, this workshop will give you the tools and knowledge to be successful!
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
• The workshop will be held at The Nonprofit Center, 89 South Street, Boston, MA 02111
• Please contact Emily Shaer for details on how to register. Phone: 617-345-5322 x 110
• Cost is $35 and includes a Project Learning Tree Pre K-8 Environmental Education Activity Guide for each participant.
• A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Pre-registration is required. Space is limited so please register soon!
Farrington is looking for a new Program Director to run our summer program and help pilot new spring and fall programming.
Overview: The Program Director position is full time during the summer (for 2012 from late June- August 24). The rest of the year will average 32 hours a month. This position does not offer health or dental benefits. The Program Director reports to the Strategic Director. The Program Director is responsible, with the Strategic Director, for planning and executing the Summer Program and piloting Fall and Spring Program activities, as approved by the Farrington Trustees.
Programmatic Responsibilities:
• With the Strategic Director, recruit organizations to participate in the Summer Program, running from 7/2/12 through 8/17/12, and pilot Spring/Fall Program activities
• Recruit and supervise adult staff and/or adult volunteers where necessary to assist with the Program
• Schedule and organize activities for visiting summer camps (art, animals, ponding, gardening, hikes)
• Organize First Aid and CPR training for self and available youth staff
• Ensure safety measures are in place to provide for the safety and well-being of all participants and staff.
• Be on site for set-up and execution of the summer program, including overnight visits
• With Strategic Director, design and carry out summer curriculum based on agreed upon plan
• Organize and execute an annual, full-year calendar, to include preparatory work plans, recruiting, and – schedule for visiting programs
• With the help of the Program Committee, recruit, train and supervise eight Youth Leaders (Senior and Junior). Training for Junior and available Senior Youth Leaders in the spring and fall teaches them about Farrington Memorial, its grounds, how to care for animals, and basic environmental science information necessary for successfully leading younger children. Staff supervision also includes leading staff journal writing, preparing weekly reviews for the Farrington website, and organizing and directing needed maintenance projects.
• Plan and run training workshops and retreats for Youth Leaders
• Ensure safe transportation for teen leaders
• Provide own transportation and use personal vehicle for program tasks
Administrative Responsibilities:
• With Strategic Director, create and manage approved program budget
• Record and track all program expenditures
• Send all invoices to the Strategic Director
• Gather appropriate insurance forms from visiting groups, assure adult/youth ratio is correct
• Write daily logs re: activities visitors participated in attendance, comments, etc.)
• Create, send to parent/guardians and collect appropriate forms for Youth Leaders
• Purchase and maintain supplies for the program
• Procure animals from Codman Farm, care for animals and return animals
• Ensure proper maintenance, safety and cleanliness of all program-related buildings and grounds, including classrooms, trails, animal pens, etc. and report any unsafe conditions and necessary repairs to Strategic Director
• Create /collate surveys from client organizations, collect /collate demographics, program data and stories to be used for program evaluation, fundraising, grants and the Annual Report.
• Create annual program report and present to Trustees
• Present program updates at quarterly Trustees meetings
• Maintain documentation of hours worked
• Ensure proper organization, maintenance and storage of classrooms and materials at the end of each season
• Participate in appropriate organization events, such as the staff-trustee picnic and outreach events
• Other duties as required
Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Art, Biology or Environmental Science – or a related field
• A minimum of 5 years experience working with school-age children
• Love of nature and the outdoors that includes experience and/or interest in working outdoors
• Skills in youth development
• Experience working with a diverse community
• Experience with curriculum creation for children ages 5-13
• Strong communication skills, written and verbal
• Administrative/management experience
• Basic computer and technology skills
• First Aid/CPR certification
• Experience with farm animals, gardening and hiking is a plus!
• Ability to lift and move objects weighing up to 30 pounds several feet
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical incidents and ability to direct others in appropriately responding to emergencies
• Physical ability to negotiate hilly terrain, dirt roads and dirt and gravel trails.
• Physical ability to respond quickly to situations requiring immediate action.
• Valid driver’s license, personal automobile insurance, and safe driving record
Please send a resume and cover letter by February 13 to Wendy (at) NatureLinc.org
Applicants must agree to a CORI check as part of the job screening, but evidence of a criminal record is not necessarily an impediment to hiring. A copy of our CORI policy is available on request. |
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