A free resource for finding school programs and resources in Alberta and BC
Teachers, we know that finding environmental education programs and resources that work for your classroom’s needs can be difficult. This database helps you find relevant, fun offerings that can bring these important topics to life.
Filter and browse our listings to find the perfect activity to engage and energize your students on environmental learning.
You can support this initiative by donating to Elements Society
Trees and Me: Activities for Exploring Nature with Young Children
Project Learning Tree CanadaBasic Details
PLT Canada's Trees and Me guide introduces young learners to the importance of the environment and forests through engaging, relatable activities. It encourages a deep connection to nature, promoting environmental stewardship and helping children understand forests’ vital role in our world.
PLT Canada's Trees and Me guide introduces young learners to the importance of the environment and forests through engaging, relatable activities. It encourages a deep connection to nature, promoting environmental stewardship and helping children understand forests’ vital role in our world.
Aquatic Ecology Inquiry, Terrestrial Ecology Inquiry, Winter Ecology Inquiry
Biogeoscience Institute at the University of CalgaryBasic Details
Hands-on, inquiry-based, ecology focused programs for high school students in the Canadian Rockies.
Hands-on, inquiry-based, ecology focused programs for high school students in the Canadian Rockies.
Algonquin College's Play, Learn and Teach Outdoors in the Early Years (PLaTO) program
Outdoor play CanadaBasic Details
The Play, Learn, and Teaching Outdoors in the Early Years college certification immerses early learning professionals in a specialized educational journey constructed around the national framework developed by the Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play.
The Play, Learn, and Teaching Outdoors in the Early Years college certification immerses early learning professionals in a specialized educational journey constructed around the national framework developed by the Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play.
From the Streets
Sea SmartBasic Details
Explore the connections between rivers, lakes and the ocean and investigate how freshwater plastic pollution affects our ocean.
Explore the connections between rivers, lakes and the ocean and investigate how freshwater plastic pollution affects our ocean.
Resources for Rethinking
Learning for a Sustainable FutureBasic Details
Resources for Rethinking (R4R) is a FREE online database where educators can search for high-quality, teacher-reviewed, curriculum-matched resources (including lesson plans, videos, children’s books, outdoor activities and apps/games) on issues related to sustainability.
Resources for Rethinking (R4R) is a FREE online database where educators can search for high-quality, teacher-reviewed, curriculum-matched resources (including lesson plans, videos, children’s books, outdoor activities and apps/games) on issues related to sustainability.
PLT Canada Educator Training Workshop
Project Learning Tree CanadaBasic Details
Join a workshop to explore how PLT Canada materials can enhance environmental education. Learn to engage students in hands-on, place-based learning, fostering environmental stewardship and critical thinking through activities focused on sustainability and conservation.
Join a workshop to explore how PLT Canada materials can enhance environmental education. Learn to engage students in hands-on, place-based learning, fostering environmental stewardship and critical thinking through activities focused on sustainability and conservation.
Climate Policy Quest
GreenLearningBasic Details
Explore how climate science connects to real-world policies as students learn about, and design climate solutions.
Explore how climate science connects to real-world policies as students learn about, and design climate solutions.
Benji SDG Education Program
Benji SDG Education ProgramBasic Details
Benji SDG Education Program engages young learners in environmental stewardship, global citizenship, and sustainable development through original storytelling, structured lessons, and practical activities for schools, families, and youth organisations.
Benji SDG Education Program engages young learners in environmental stewardship, global citizenship, and sustainable development through original storytelling, structured lessons, and practical activities for schools, families, and youth organisations.
Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide
Project Learning Tree CanadaBasic Details
Our 50-activity guide is designed to provide hands-on learning experiences that seamlessly bring the outdoors into your classroom or take your students outside, fostering a deeper connection to nature and enriching their education.
Our 50-activity guide is designed to provide hands-on learning experiences that seamlessly bring the outdoors into your classroom or take your students outside, fostering a deeper connection to nature and enriching their education.
Orcas in the Salish Sea
Sea SmartBasic Details
Dive into the rich culture of the Coast Salish Peoples, explore the fascinating world of the Southern Resident Killer Whales, and learn to be an effective environmental steward!
Dive into the rich culture of the Coast Salish Peoples, explore the fascinating world of the Southern Resident Killer Whales, and learn to be an effective environmental steward!
Activities from NatureWILD Magazine
NatureKids BCBasic Details
Downloadable crafts, activities, puzzles, and stories archived from NatureWILD magazine.
Downloadable crafts, activities, puzzles, and stories archived from NatureWILD magazine.
Room to Play Consulting
Room to PlayBasic Details
Dr. Megan Zeni offers engaging and practical professional learning for elementary school teachers and school staff who locate provincial curriculum in school gardens and outdoor classrooms. Select a curricular area to focus on, or work with Megan to design a customized professional learning event that pedagogically situates outdoor play and learning as an effective opportunity for developing environmental ethics of care with young children.
Dr. Megan Zeni offers engaging and practical professional learning for elementary school teachers and school staff who locate provincial curriculum in school gardens and outdoor classrooms. Select a curricular area to focus on, or work with Megan to design a customized professional learning event that pedagogically situates outdoor play and learning as an effective opportunity for developing environmental ethics of care with young children.
Environment & Natural Resource Classroom Resources
Inside EducationBasic Details
Inside Education's no-cost environmental and natural resource learning resources are curriculum-connected and classroom-ready, complete with fun activities and exercises that support different learning styles and teaching situations.
Inside Education's no-cost environmental and natural resource learning resources are curriculum-connected and classroom-ready, complete with fun activities and exercises that support different learning styles and teaching situations.
Water testing with Water Rangers
Water RangersBasic Details
Teach your students about water quality with Water Rangers testkits and online lessons!
Teach your students about water quality with Water Rangers testkits and online lessons!
Outdoor Environmental Education Lesson Plans
The Biosphere Institute of the Bow ValleyBasic Details
Are you looking to connect your classroom to the environment? Ever wondered how learning can be applied to the community? The lesson plans from Future Leaders tie the Alberta K-12 curriculum to environmental topics such as wildlife, climate change and ecology that are relevant across Turtle Island. We encourage you to recreate these lessons!
Are you looking to connect your classroom to the environment? Ever wondered how learning can be applied to the community? The lesson plans from Future Leaders tie the Alberta K-12 curriculum to environmental topics such as wildlife, climate change and ecology that are relevant across Turtle Island. We encourage you to recreate these lessons!
Clean Water Champions - Online Course
Sea SmartBasic Details
Investigate the importance of freshwater and how we can all take action to be champions for clean water!
Investigate the importance of freshwater and how we can all take action to be champions for clean water!
The Sea Level Rise Case Study
Ducks Unlimited CanadaBasic Details
How do salt marsh restorations help us adapt to sea level rise in Atlantic Canada?
In this case study, students will explore how we can best prepare for seas level rise in Atlantic Canada. Through their research, students will learn about the history of Atlantic Canada, salt marshes, climate change, and changing land use.
How do salt marsh restorations help us adapt to sea level rise in Atlantic Canada?
In this case study, students will explore how we can best prepare for seas level rise in Atlantic Canada. Through their research, students will learn about the history of Atlantic Canada, salt marshes, climate change, and changing land use.
Ocean Trash Talk
Sea SmartBasic Details
Become an expert about ocean plastic pollution and what actions we can take to help protect the ocean!
Become an expert about ocean plastic pollution and what actions we can take to help protect the ocean!
Flood:ED Program
GreenLearningBasic Details
The Flood:ED program provides an interactive learning experience and deeper understanding of flooding, floodplains, flood causes, and watersheds. Learners explore the impact of climate change on flooding and develop strategies to help their schools mitigate and/or adapt to its effects. The program encourages learners to implement practical actions including rain barrels, tree planting, building rain gardens, and adopting local storm drain.
The Flood:ED program provides an interactive learning experience and deeper understanding of flooding, floodplains, flood causes, and watersheds. Learners explore the impact of climate change on flooding and develop strategies to help their schools mitigate and/or adapt to its effects. The program encourages learners to implement practical actions including rain barrels, tree planting, building rain gardens, and adopting local storm drain.
Outdoor Learning Quickdraw
Ever ActiveBasic Details
Outdoor Learning Quickdraw is a card deck ($25 CAD) designed to provide activity and lesson ideas for classes of any age and subject area to try outside. There are four suits with 13 cards each: Physical Literacy, Outdoor Skills, Teamwork and Environmental Action
Outdoor Learning Quickdraw is a card deck ($25 CAD) designed to provide activity and lesson ideas for classes of any age and subject area to try outside. There are four suits with 13 cards each: Physical Literacy, Outdoor Skills, Teamwork and Environmental Action
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FAQs
For Teachers
I can’t find listings that work for me. What can I do?
Try removing any filtering criteria to see more results. If you can’t find listings in your area, try looking in the “Available Nationwide” category, or use the Delivery Format filter to select listings marked as “Online” or “Resource”. If you would like to suggest a listing for inclusion, contact us at fern@elements-society.org
How does the favourites list work?
Your list is stored temporarily on the device used to visit the site, and can expire between visits. Make sure to record the link to your list, or email the list to yourself. The link will always work if you return to it. When the contents of your list is edited (e.g. adding or removing items), the link will also change. Make sure to copy the new link after making any changes to your list.
How do teacher recommendations work?
The organization who produces the activity solicits recommendations from teachers who have completed their activities. Recommendations include a teacher’s school district in order to provide local context, but are kept anonymous for privacy reasons.
How do I leave recommendations for listings?
After you complete a program, the listing organization will send you a special website link that you can use to leave a recommendation. If you would like to leave a recommendation but haven’t received a link, contact the organization directly.
When browsing by location, how do I know which school district I am located in?
If you aren’t sure what public school district you are located in, see the Alberta Education Maps or the BC School District Map.
How do I suggest a listing for inclusion or provide any other feedback?
To suggest a listing, email us and we can try to connect with the organization. Note that organizations are responsible for publishing their own listings.
If you have any other feedback, email us. Although we strive to keep this resource up to date, Elements Society is not responsible for the accuracy of information provided by organizations.
I need a full run through of FERN, where can I find this?
Here is a full FERN run through for teachers/educators. Learn how to access classroom-ready environmental education resources to bring vital topics to life.
For Listing Organizations
How do I submit my organization’s programs or resources for inclusion?
If you create environmental education programs or resources, sign up for an account. Once you are signed in, you can create a new listing. All new and updated listings are subject to review before appearing on the website.
How do I submit an update to my listings?
Sign in to your account, and you will see all of your listings and have the option to submit an update to (or delete) any listing. Updates are subject to review before appearing on the website.
I no longer have access to the email used for my account. What can I do?
Email us and we can help restore access to your listings.
How do I get teacher recommendations for my listings?
When you create a new listing, you will receive a unique website link that allows teachers to leave a recommendation. After teachers complete a program, it’s your responsibility to solicit recommendations by sending the link. Recommendations include a teacher’s school district in order to provide local context, but are kept anonymous for privacy reasons.
How do I update the payment information for my listing?
If your payment method on file is expired or was declined, email us and we can help you update your payment info.
I need a full run through of FERN and making a listing, where can I find this?
Here is a full FERN run through for organisations. Discover how to share your programs and resources on FERN and connect meaningfully with classrooms across Alberta and BC.
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