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
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.
Dirt Made My Lunch
Fresh RootsBasic Details
Learn about the nutrient cycle, soil composition, and compost food webs, and see how they all come together to make delicious, nutritious food!
Learn about the nutrient cycle, soil composition, and compost food webs, and see how they all come together to make delicious, nutritious food!
Shepard Landfill Tour with Composting Facility visit
The City of Calgary Waste & Recycling ServicesBasic Details
The City of Calgary offers school tours at the Composting Facility and Shepard Landfill, providing students the unique opportunity to observe Calgary’s waste management operations in action.
The City of Calgary offers school tours at the Composting Facility and Shepard Landfill, providing students the unique opportunity to observe Calgary’s waste management operations in action.
It Isn’t Easy Being Green
Langley Environmental Partners SocietyBasic Details
Did you know that many amphibians call Langley home?
Did you know that many amphibians call Langley home?
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.
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.
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.
Evergreen Theatre - Theatrical Programming Supporting Environmental Science Education
Evergreen Theatre SocietyBasic Details
Evergreen Theatre proudly offers curriculum-based, eco-science inspired, musical theatre touring shows, artist-in-residency programs and puppet presentations within Alberta schools and the wider community.
Evergreen Theatre proudly offers curriculum-based, eco-science inspired, musical theatre touring shows, artist-in-residency programs and puppet presentations within Alberta schools and the wider community.
All About Cycles
Fresh RootsBasic Details
Winter to spring to summer to fall, seed to fruit to seed, experience how the cycle of the seasons affects the life cycle of the plants we eat.
Winter to spring to summer to fall, seed to fruit to seed, experience how the cycle of the seasons affects the life cycle of the plants we eat.
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.
Outdoor Education
Evans LakeBasic Details
Evans Lake has been operating as a camp and outdoor education facility since 1960. The Centre is located 15 kilometres North of Squamish, BC on a picturesque mountain lake.
Evans Lake has been operating as a camp and outdoor education facility since 1960. The Centre is located 15 kilometres North of Squamish, BC on a picturesque mountain lake.
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.
Student Team Build
Fresh RootsBasic Details
Team Builds are a chance for students (and teachers and chaperones!) to get their hands really dirty helping our farmers grow Good Food for All. This program includes an introduction to Fresh Roots and the many things we do, and plenty of time to work on projects around the farm, from weeding to building. Exact projects will vary depending on the group and the needs of the site.
Team Builds are a chance for students (and teachers and chaperones!) to get their hands really dirty helping our farmers grow Good Food for All. This program includes an introduction to Fresh Roots and the many things we do, and plenty of time to work on projects around the farm, from weeding to building. Exact projects will vary depending on the group and the needs of the site.
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.
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
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.
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!
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!
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.
Sign up for the Elements Society Newsletter
Hear about our latest program offerings and recommendations.
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