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
Field Trips & Tours at VanDusen Botanical Garden
Vancouver Botanical Gardens AssocationBasic Details
Join us at VanDusen Botanical Garden or Bloedel Conservatory for an interactive learning experience!
Join us at VanDusen Botanical Garden or Bloedel Conservatory for an interactive learning experience!
Beautiful Bats
Stanley Park EcologyBasic Details
Bats really are beautiful; learn why in this interactive forest adventure.
Bats really are beautiful; learn why in this interactive forest adventure.
Worm Composting in Schools
City Farmer SocietyBasic Details
Wormshops. Learning to compost in a small space with red wriggler worms.
Wormshops. Learning to compost in a small space with red wriggler worms.
FRESH for KIDS
BC Agriculture in the Classroom FoundationBasic Details
FRESH for KIDS (formerly BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program) is a dynamic initiative that connects BC schools with fresh, local produce while supporting our province’s agricultural community. Through our program, students receive regular deliveries of nutritious BC-grown fruits and vegetables, along with dairy and protein options, directly to their schools.
FRESH for KIDS (formerly BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program) is a dynamic initiative that connects BC schools with fresh, local produce while supporting our province’s agricultural community. Through our program, students receive regular deliveries of nutritious BC-grown fruits and vegetables, along with dairy and protein options, directly to their schools.
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!
EcoSchools Canada
EcoSchools CanadaBasic Details
A sustainable future begins at every EcoSchool! A bilingual certification program for elementary through secondary schools. Nurturing student leaders, reducing environmental impacts, and building sustainable school communities.
A sustainable future begins at every EcoSchool! A bilingual certification program for elementary through secondary schools. Nurturing student leaders, reducing environmental impacts, and building sustainable school communities.
Imaginative Ecological Education
imaginEDBasic Details
Learn more about Imaginative Ecological Education on imaginED: education that inspires. Engage emotion, imagination and the body with/in the natural world as part of your teaching.
Learn more about Imaginative Ecological Education on imaginED: education that inspires. Engage emotion, imagination and the body with/in the natural world as part of your teaching.
Diving Into Killer Whales
Sea SmartBasic Details
Discover the incredible world of killer whales and how we can help to protect them!
Discover the incredible world of killer whales and how we can help to protect them!
SPEC School Gardens Program
SPECBasic Details
Providing equitable environmental literacy for all ages and abilities in nature and or a school garden. These living classrooms reconnect us with the natural world through curiosity, exploration and observation while building valuable skills.
Providing equitable environmental literacy for all ages and abilities in nature and or a school garden. These living classrooms reconnect us with the natural world through curiosity, exploration and observation while building valuable skills.
Columbia Basin Environmental Educators Network
Columbia Basin Environmental Education NetworkBasic Details
Our organization supports a community of engaged and effective environmental educators by connecting them to resources, information, professional development, and networking opportunities.
Our organization supports a community of engaged and effective environmental educators by connecting them to resources, information, professional development, and networking opportunities.
Rocks and Minerals
GeoLearnsBasic Details
Hands-on activities for learning rock and mineral names
Hands-on activities for learning rock and mineral names
Waste Warriors
Langley Environmental Partners SocietyBasic Details
Students learn skills to reduce garbage and become Waste Warriors.
Students learn skills to reduce garbage and become Waste Warriors.
The Bodo Archaeological Site & Centre
The Bodo Archaeological SocietyBasic Details
The Bodo Archaeological Site & Centre offers experiential educational programs for students of all ages, both at our centre and site, and in the classroom. We have had thousands of students visit Bodo to take part in our interactive, hands-on activities and learning experience.
The Bodo Archaeological Site & Centre offers experiential educational programs for students of all ages, both at our centre and site, and in the classroom. We have had thousands of students visit Bodo to take part in our interactive, hands-on activities and learning experience.
EcoSchools in Alberta
Alberta Council for Environmental EducationBasic Details
EcoSchools Canada offers a bilingual certification program for elementary through secondary schools, nurturing environmental learning and climate action.
EcoSchools Canada offers a bilingual certification program for elementary through secondary schools, nurturing environmental learning and climate action.
Place-Based Educational Resources
NatureKids BCBasic Details
Discover a collection of curated articles designed to inspire and educate nature enthusiasts of all ages.
Discover a collection of curated articles designed to inspire and educate nature enthusiasts of all ages.
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.
UBC Farm Field Trips
UBC FarmBasic Details
UBC Farm field trips offer hands-on, sensory-rich experiences on a certified organic farm. Students explore food production, ecosystems, and wilderness skills in themed sessions - Food & Farming, Nature & Ecosystems, or Exploration & Skills - tailored to your age group.
UBC Farm field trips offer hands-on, sensory-rich experiences on a certified organic farm. Students explore food production, ecosystems, and wilderness skills in themed sessions - Food & Farming, Nature & Ecosystems, or Exploration & Skills - tailored to your age group.
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!
Group Tours and Team Building Experiences
UBC Botanical GardenBasic Details
Our educational tours and field trips are aligned with B.C.’s current curriculum learning standards. Designed for elementary and secondary schools, these experiences highlight science, sustainability, climate action, and place-based learning.
Our educational tours and field trips are aligned with B.C.’s current curriculum learning standards. Designed for elementary and secondary schools, these experiences highlight science, sustainability, climate action, and place-based learning.
Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo School Programs
Wilder Institute/Calgary ZooBasic Details
Make the zoo your classroom. We’re giving kids unforgettable learning experiences that inspire a lifelong love of wildlife and wild places.
Make the zoo your classroom. We’re giving kids unforgettable learning experiences that inspire a lifelong love of wildlife and wild places.
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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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