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
Salmon Forest
Langley Environmental Partners SocietyBasic Details
Students learn about the unique life cycle of Pacific Salmon.
Students learn about the unique life cycle of Pacific Salmon.
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.
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!
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.
River of Stories
Fraser River Discovery CentreBasic Details
Journey down the river of stories to learn all about the Fraser River Basin.
Journey down the river of stories to learn all about the Fraser River Basin.
NatureKids BC Nature Clubs
NatureKids BCBasic Details
NatureKids BC runs approximately 25+ nature clubs across British Columbia. Our nature club leaders provide kids ages 5-12 and their families with opportunities to connect with and learn about their local environment through regular outdoor adventures known as Explorer Days.
NatureKids BC runs approximately 25+ nature clubs across British Columbia. Our nature club leaders provide kids ages 5-12 and their families with opportunities to connect with and learn about their local environment through regular outdoor adventures known as Explorer Days.
The Classroom Gardener
Room to PlayBasic Details
The Classroom Gardener supports schools no matter where they are in their school garden process. Dreaming of a school garden? We support with practical expertise that will ensure your garden is not neglected after one season. Wanting to refresh a well loved school garden or pivot to a water-wise garden? We'll help you ensure your school garden becomes a thriving and sustainable shared space of cross-curricular learning.
The Classroom Gardener supports schools no matter where they are in their school garden process. Dreaming of a school garden? We support with practical expertise that will ensure your garden is not neglected after one season. Wanting to refresh a well loved school garden or pivot to a water-wise garden? We'll help you ensure your school garden becomes a thriving and sustainable shared space of cross-curricular learning.
Clean Water Champions
Sea SmartBasic Details
An inquiry-based program where students will learn how their habits impact waterways and will feel empowered to take action against water pollution.
An inquiry-based program where students will learn how their habits impact waterways and will feel empowered to take action against water pollution.
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.
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.
Taking the Pulse of the Fraser
Fraser River Discovery CentreBasic Details
Follow each step of the scientific method to conduct a water quality investigation.
Follow each step of the scientific method to conduct a water quality investigation.
The Trading Trail
Fraser River Discovery CentreBasic Details
Explore how people have used and shared the resources of the Fraser River, with a focus on when First Nations and Fur traders first shared the river.
Explore how people have used and shared the resources of the Fraser River, with a focus on when First Nations and Fur traders first shared the river.
Zero Waste Place
Elements SocietyBasic Details
An interactive program where students learn where waste comes from, where it goes and how they can action solutions.
An interactive program where students learn where waste comes from, where it goes and how they can action solutions.
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.
Wild Mind Field Trips
Environmental Youth AllianceBasic Details
Through our curriculum-aligned field trips, your students will engage in 90-120 minutes of land-based learning at EYA’s programming site in Strathcona Community Gardens, East Vancouver.
Through our curriculum-aligned field trips, your students will engage in 90-120 minutes of land-based learning at EYA’s programming site in Strathcona Community Gardens, East Vancouver.
LunchLAB
Growing ChefsBasic Details
LunchLAB - Learning, Accessing and Bridging to Community - is a barrier-free, educational, hands-on program, where kids’ connection to food takes root. At LunchLAB schools' kids prepare, cook and serve food for themselves and their peers.
LunchLAB - Learning, Accessing and Bridging to Community - is a barrier-free, educational, hands-on program, where kids’ connection to food takes root. At LunchLAB schools' kids prepare, cook and serve food for themselves and their peers.
Cheakamus Centre
Cheakamus CentreBasic Details
Outdoor, Environmental, and Indigenous Cultural Education
Outdoor, Environmental, and Indigenous Cultural Education
Professional Learning Experiences
CPAWS Southern AlbertaBasic Details
Our interactive experiences provide indoor and outdoor learning for professionals, including fun, educational hiking, science-based activities, gamified learning, workshops, and reconciliation teachings — all of which foster a strong understanding of Alberta's environment and build a lifelong connection to nature.
Our interactive experiences provide indoor and outdoor learning for professionals, including fun, educational hiking, science-based activities, gamified learning, workshops, and reconciliation teachings — all of which foster a strong understanding of Alberta's environment and build a lifelong connection to nature.
Nature Detectives
Stanley Park EcologyBasic Details
Engage your senses in the forest of Stanley Park, where your students can become Nature Detectives.
Engage your senses in the forest of Stanley Park, where your students can become Nature Detectives.
It’s a Bug’s Life
Langley Environmental Partners SocietyBasic Details
Discover the world of arthropods and the important role these crawly creatures play in our world.
Discover the world of arthropods and the important role these crawly creatures play in our world.
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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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