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
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.
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.
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.
Freshwater Field Study Program
Elbow River Watershed PartnershipBasic Details
Field trip along the Elbow River in the spring and along the Bow or Elbow River in the fall. Partnership Program with Alberta Parks. This program aligns with the science curriculum for Grade 8 – Freshwater Systems and Grade 9 – Biological Diversity & Environmental Chemistry.
Field trip along the Elbow River in the spring and along the Bow or Elbow River in the fall. Partnership Program with Alberta Parks. This program aligns with the science curriculum for Grade 8 – Freshwater Systems and Grade 9 – Biological Diversity & Environmental Chemistry.
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.
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.
PLT Canada Educator Training Workshop
Project Learning Tree CanadaBasic Details
Join a workshop to explore how PLT Canada materials can enhance environmental education. Learn to engage students in hands-on, place-based learning, fostering environmental stewardship and critical thinking through activities focused on sustainability and conservation.
Join a workshop to explore how PLT Canada materials can enhance environmental education. Learn to engage students in hands-on, place-based learning, fostering environmental stewardship and critical thinking through activities focused on sustainability and conservation.
Our Bones are Made of Salmon
Fraser River Discovery CentreBasic Details
Explore the connection between Indigenous people and salmon on the Fraser River.
Explore the connection between Indigenous people and salmon on the Fraser River.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Street to Sea
Stream of Dreams Murals SocietyBasic Details
Street to Sea is a hands-on workshop where students learn about the impact of garbage on ecosystems through in-class lessons and are inspired to become environmental stewards on a walking field trip.
Street to Sea is a hands-on workshop where students learn about the impact of garbage on ecosystems through in-class lessons and are inspired to become environmental stewards on a walking field trip.
Evolution on the Farm
Fresh RootsBasic Details
How many plants are related to broccoli? Why can’t we grow coconuts in Vancouver? Explore these questions and more as we dive deep into the evolution of food crops through natural and human selection, and the effects of climate on our food.
How many plants are related to broccoli? Why can’t we grow coconuts in Vancouver? Explore these questions and more as we dive deep into the evolution of food crops through natural and human selection, and the effects of climate on our food.
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.
Outdoor Environmental Education Programs
Weaselhead/Glenmore Park Preservation SocietyBasic Details
Explore and learn about one of Calgary's most biodiverse spots with seasoned Naturalists!
Explore and learn about one of Calgary's most biodiverse spots with seasoned Naturalists!
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.
Farm Observers
Fresh RootsBasic Details
Farm Observers helps your students develop long-lasting connections with the land and its cycles, and to slow down and really observe and enjoy the world around them. Classes will practice a variety of naturalist and observation skills on their farm visit throughout the school year. The program is perfect for classes within walking distance of our farms at Vancouver Technical and David Thompson Secondary Schools.
Farm Observers helps your students develop long-lasting connections with the land and its cycles, and to slow down and really observe and enjoy the world around them. Classes will practice a variety of naturalist and observation skills on their farm visit throughout the school year. The program is perfect for classes within walking distance of our farms at Vancouver Technical and David Thompson Secondary Schools.
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.
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.
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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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