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
Forest Tails
Fresh RootsBasic Details
Salmon, squirrels, ravens, and raccoons are just some of the tails you might find in the forest. And people have been telling tales to teach about those tails for thousands of years. What tales will you discover?
Salmon, squirrels, ravens, and raccoons are just some of the tails you might find in the forest. And people have been telling tales to teach about those tails for thousands of years. What tales will you discover?
Outdoor Conservation Experiences
CPAWS Southern AlbertaBasic Details
Our interactive outdoor experiences include fun, educational hiking, science-based activities, gamified learning, and reconciliation teachings — all of which foster a strong understanding of Alberta's environment and build a lifelong connection to nature.
Our interactive outdoor experiences include fun, educational hiking, science-based activities, gamified learning, and reconciliation teachings — all of which foster a strong understanding of Alberta's environment and build a lifelong connection to nature.
A Year on the Farm
Fresh RootsBasic Details
A Year on the Farm helps your students develop deep connections with the land through the cycles of the seasons as they explore how plants grow and how weather and seasonal changes affect life on the farm. Classes in the program will have the opportunity to plant in their own plot on the farm and visit the farm nearly monthly through the school year. Please see our website for more details.
A Year on the Farm helps your students develop deep connections with the land through the cycles of the seasons as they explore how plants grow and how weather and seasonal changes affect life on the farm. Classes in the program will have the opportunity to plant in their own plot on the farm and visit the farm nearly monthly through the school year. Please see our website for more details.
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.
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.
Unexpected Eats
Fresh RootsBasic Details
“You can eat that???” Yes, you can! Explore often overlooked foods on our farms and in our indigenous plant garden as you learn about ethical foraging and some of the traditional food and medicine uses of common plants.
“You can eat that???” Yes, you can! Explore often overlooked foods on our farms and in our indigenous plant garden as you learn about ethical foraging and some of the traditional food and medicine uses of common plants.
EcoCooks Club
Unbounded Canada FoundationBasic Details
EcoCooks is a science-based environmental cooking program that creates a strong foundation for youth to develop lifelong healthy and planet-positive eating habits.
EcoCooks is a science-based environmental cooking program that creates a strong foundation for youth to develop lifelong healthy and planet-positive eating habits.
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.
Farming Then and Now
Fresh RootsBasic Details
From the invention of crop rotation to the industrial revolution to the creation of Genetically Modified Organisms, agricultural technology is always changing. See what technologies, modern and ancient, we use on our farms to grow delicious food, and even give some of them a try!
From the invention of crop rotation to the industrial revolution to the creation of Genetically Modified Organisms, agricultural technology is always changing. See what technologies, modern and ancient, we use on our farms to grow delicious food, and even give some of them a try!
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.
Paint a Watershed (PAW!)
Elbow River Watershed PartnershipBasic Details
When it's cold outside and the water is frozen, the ERWP will join you in your classroom to explore how bodies of water are an expression of the landscape with the EnviroScape Watershed Model.
Following a curriculum-focused discussion, students will create their own simulations, with art supplies!
Discover how water, the greatest solvent, reaches all areas of a landscape and drains to the lowest point, while carrying materials like sediment, nutrients, and contaminants..
When it's cold outside and the water is frozen, the ERWP will join you in your classroom to explore how bodies of water are an expression of the landscape with the EnviroScape Watershed Model.
Following a curriculum-focused discussion, students will create their own simulations, with art supplies!
Discover how water, the greatest solvent, reaches all areas of a landscape and drains to the lowest point, while carrying materials like sediment, nutrients, and contaminants..
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.
Get Creative
Fresh RootsBasic Details
Art is all around us, including on the farm! Try your hand at making root veggie stamps, painting with leaves, making veggie collages, or other plant-based art projects. Exact projects will vary depending on plant availability.
Art is all around us, including on the farm! Try your hand at making root veggie stamps, painting with leaves, making veggie collages, or other plant-based art projects. Exact projects will vary depending on plant availability.
Seedlings Forest School
Seedlings Forest SchoolBasic Details
We believe kids belong in nature, and we’ve developed various programs to get them there.
We believe kids belong in nature, and we’ve developed various programs to get them there.
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.
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.
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.
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.
21st Century Farming
Fresh RootsBasic Details
Climate change and biodiversity loss are major threats to our food system, and unjust labour practices in the food sector contribute to poverty and oppression in our communities, but there is a way forward! See how regenerative agriculture and projects like Fresh Roots can improve the food system by supporting both the ecosystem we are part of and the people who grow our food, and help build a truly sustainable food system!
When you book this program, please let us know in the Notes if you would prefer an ecosystems or human/food systems focus!
Climate change and biodiversity loss are major threats to our food system, and unjust labour practices in the food sector contribute to poverty and oppression in our communities, but there is a way forward! See how regenerative agriculture and projects like Fresh Roots can improve the food system by supporting both the ecosystem we are part of and the people who grow our food, and help build a truly sustainable food system!
When you book this program, please let us know in the Notes if you would prefer an ecosystems or human/food systems focus!
Fall in the Forest
Fresh RootsBasic Details
Leaves, fruits, and rain all fall in the fall! What changes are happening with the plants, animals, and people in the forest as the season of growth turns to the season of rest?
Leaves, fruits, and rain all fall in the fall! What changes are happening with the plants, animals, and people in the forest as the season of growth turns to the season of rest?
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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