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
Bow Habitat Station Field Trips
Bow Habitat StationBasic Details
Bow Habitat Station's school programs use specialized teaching tools and place-based resources to inspire curiosity and build students' connections with Alberta's environment.
Bow Habitat Station's school programs use specialized teaching tools and place-based resources to inspire curiosity and build students' connections with Alberta's environment.
Living Dinosaurs
Fraser River Discovery CentreBasic Details
Learn about the sturgeon lifecycle, survival needs, and what we can do to protect this remarkable species.
Learn about the sturgeon lifecycle, survival needs, and what we can do to protect this remarkable species.
Environmental Outdoor Education
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? Future Leaders is our environmental education program for students, teachers and youth of the Bow Valley. Lesson deliveries from Future Leaders tie the Alberta K-12 curriculum to environmental topics such as wildlife, climate change and ecology that are relevant in the community of the Bow Valley.
Are you looking to connect your classroom to the environment? Ever wondered how learning can be applied to the community? Future Leaders is our environmental education program for students, teachers and youth of the Bow Valley. Lesson deliveries from Future Leaders tie the Alberta K-12 curriculum to environmental topics such as wildlife, climate change and ecology that are relevant in the community of the Bow Valley.
Alberta Tomorrow Simulator
Alberta TomorrowBasic Details
Explore the impact of landuse changes in Alberta on the economy and environment through a western science or Indigenous lens!
Explore the impact of landuse changes in Alberta on the economy and environment through a western science or Indigenous lens!
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.
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.
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.
Camp Fireside and Youth Leadership
Fireside AdventuresBasic Details
Fireside Adventures and Vancouver Outdoor School provide impactful camps and international climate-culture programs that empower youth, educators, and families through immersive outdoor learning.
Fireside Adventures and Vancouver Outdoor School provide impactful camps and international climate-culture programs that empower youth, educators, and families through immersive outdoor learning.
Welcomed by the Water
Fraser River Discovery CentreBasic Details
Explore the connection between Indigenous people and life in and around the Fraser River
Explore the connection between Indigenous people and life in and around the Fraser River
Nature Stewards Programs
Environmental Youth AllianceBasic Details
These free multi-week programs will support youth to develop skills to care for nature in your community, including growing native plants, restoring wildlife habitat, and working with plant medicines. These are open registration programs for students to sign up independently, outside of school hours.
These free multi-week programs will support youth to develop skills to care for nature in your community, including growing native plants, restoring wildlife habitat, and working with plant medicines. These are open registration programs for students to sign up independently, outside of school hours.
EduKits
The Biosphere Institute of the Bow ValleyBasic Details
The Biosphere Institute’s Bear, Bison, Cougar, Elk and Wolf EduKits increase the ecological literacy of students and citizens in the Bow Valley.
These travelling trunks contain pelts, fur swatches, skulls, scat replicas, and books relevant to animals and their place in the ecosystem and Indigenous and settler cultures. They also include digital media and a PowerPoint presentation that can be used in classroom delivery.
The Biosphere Institute’s Bear, Bison, Cougar, Elk and Wolf EduKits increase the ecological literacy of students and citizens in the Bow Valley.
These travelling trunks contain pelts, fur swatches, skulls, scat replicas, and books relevant to animals and their place in the ecosystem and Indigenous and settler cultures. They also include digital media and a PowerPoint presentation that can be used in classroom delivery.
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!
From Pollution to Solution
Fraser River Discovery CentreBasic Details
Examine different types of pollutants and where they come from, and evaluate how individual actions contribute to the health of the river.
Examine different types of pollutants and where they come from, and evaluate how individual actions contribute to the health of the river.
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.
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.
BirdSmart
Beaverhill Bird ObservatoryBasic Details
In the winter months, BBO runs our BirdSmart Education Program where staff bring a live educational bird of prey to give presentations about birds, conservation, and climate change.
In the winter months, BBO runs our BirdSmart Education Program where staff bring a live educational bird of prey to give presentations about birds, conservation, and climate change.
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.
Cool It! Climate Leadership Training program
BCSEABasic Details
An interactive workshop and a four-week climate challenge for grades 4-12. Students will explore climate science, justice, solutions, and actions to reduce emissions, fostering family involvement, community engagement, and systemic understanding.
An interactive workshop and a four-week climate challenge for grades 4-12. Students will explore climate science, justice, solutions, and actions to reduce emissions, fostering family involvement, community engagement, and systemic understanding.
Galiano Conservancy Environmental Education
Galiano Conservancy AssociationBasic Details
Spark curiosity and build lifelong memories with immersive, nature-based field trips on Galiano Island. We offer flexible single day and overnight options available with diverse BC curriculum-linked content that we have proudly developed over the past 20+ years.
Spark curiosity and build lifelong memories with immersive, nature-based field trips on Galiano Island. We offer flexible single day and overnight options available with diverse BC curriculum-linked content that we have proudly developed over the past 20+ years.
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.
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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.
👉 Watch the Organization Webinar