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The chill is in the air, frost sparkles on the ground, and classrooms are alive with winter wonder! In this edition, we’re bringing you fresh updates, exciting resources, and cool opportunities to keep your environmental education thriving through the season. Grab a warm drink and dive into what’s happening in Virginia’s EE community!
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Winter-Themed Resources
When you think of winter in Virginia, you might picture Wintergreen, but have you heard about the Nature Foundation at Wintergreen? They offer outreach and on-site programs, plus natural and cultural history events. Explore Their Environmental Education Brochure.
If you want to venture farther this winter, bring the Arctic into your classroom with these amazing resources:
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Soil Science EnviroLearn
March 31 – April 2, 2026 | Claytor Lake State Park, Dublin, VA
Ready to dig deep? Join us for a FREE, hands-on professional learning experience designed for Virginia K–12 independent, public, and homeschool educators.
Spend 3 days and 2 nights exploring healthy soil science with expert-led sessions, outdoor adventures, and practical classroom applications. Expect to get muddy, hike, paddle, and conduct real soil testing and research.
What’s Included: Food, lodging, expert speakers, outdoor activities, VA SOL integration, and all materials.
Check out this flyer to learn more and spread the word. 🗓️ Apply by February 6, 2026
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International Student Art Contest
Calling all creative minds! The 2026 Science Without Borders Challenge is now open. This year’s theme: “Microscopic Marine Life.”
Who Can Enter: Students ages 11–19 enrolled in primary or secondary school (or homeschool equivalent).
Prizes: Up to $500 for top entries in two categories.
🗓️ Deadline: March 2, 2026 Learn More & Apply
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Two free Project WILD workshops are coming up for K–12 educators! Each session equips participants with hands-on environmental education activities and includes a copy of the Project WILD K–12 Activity Guide.
🗓️ January 17, 9 a.m.–3 p.m. — Blandy Experimental Farm (Boyce, VA) Click here to register.
🗓️ February 28, 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m. — Virginia Zoo (Norfolk, VA) Click here to register.
Cost: Free, covered by the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR)
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VENergize Series: Powering Environmental Literacy Planning
Ready to energize your Environmental Literacy Plan? The VENergize Series is a webinar series designed to help Virginia school divisions build, refine, and implement Environmental Literacy Plans (ELPs).
Each session offers practical tools, real-world examples, and collaborative strategies to guide progress, whether your division is just starting, refining goals, or scaling implementation.
The first session on asset mapping was a success, and you can find the video recording and upcoming sessions or register here.
Spread the word with this flyer
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VAEE Annual Conference
Hang out with your favorite Office of Environmental Education and connect with environmental educators across Virginia, at the Virginia Association for Environmental Education's Annual Conference.
Register now for early bird pricing and secure your spot!
February 26-28, 2026 | Richmond, VA
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Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences Grants
DCR is offering funding for Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE) in Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay watershed. Funding requests can be up to $45,000 with a total of $250,000 available statewide.
🗓️ Opens late December, 2025 - Closes March, 2026. Learn More
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Elizabeth River Project - River Star Schools Program
Empower your students with hands-on environmental learning! Apply for funding and support for Youth Resilience Projects like planting natives, raising oysters, and designing climate-smart landscapes. Includes field trips, teacher training, and classroom resources.
🗓️ Deadline: Rolling. Full details
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Walker Softer Education
This is a free program for high school classes, clubs, or after-school programs to explore sustainability and take action. Students learn about environmental issues, then design and implement a community sustainability project with up to $2,000 in funding. Educators can earn a $1,000 stipend for guiding their students through the program.
🗓️ Deadline: February 20, 2026. Learn More & Sign Up
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When art and the environment collide, amazing things happen and these educators proved it!
Amy Jackson (North Cross School) and Emalee Owens (Fredericksburg Academy) presented at the Virginia Association of Independent Schools Annual Conference in October!
They showcased how they successfully integrated environmental education into art instruction, giving students creative ways to learn about the environment. Their innovative approach was inspired by attending EnviroLearn: Arts in Environmental Education, hosted by the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Office of Environmental Education in collaboration with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
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Got an event, resource, or funding opportunity you want to share with the EE world? We want to hear about it! Fill out this form and let’s get your info into our next newsletter.
| | Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep inspiring. | | | | |
