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
Cheakamus Centre
Cheakamus CentreBasic Details
Outdoor, Environmental, and Indigenous Cultural Education
Outdoor, Environmental, and Indigenous Cultural Education
SPEC School Gardens Program
SPECBasic Details
Providing equitable environmental literacy for all ages and abilities in nature and or a school garden. These living classrooms reconnect us with the natural world through curiosity, exploration and observation while building valuable skills.
Providing equitable environmental literacy for all ages and abilities in nature and or a school garden. These living classrooms reconnect us with the natural world through curiosity, exploration and observation while building valuable skills.
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.
The Bodo Archaeological Site & Centre
The Bodo Archaeological SocietyBasic Details
The Bodo Archaeological Site & Centre offers experiential educational programs for students of all ages, both at our centre and site, and in the classroom. We have had thousands of students visit Bodo to take part in our interactive, hands-on activities and learning experience.
The Bodo Archaeological Site & Centre offers experiential educational programs for students of all ages, both at our centre and site, and in the classroom. We have had thousands of students visit Bodo to take part in our interactive, hands-on activities and learning experience.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Company of Adventurers
Company of AdventurersBasic Details
Learning should be full of adventure! Company of Adventurers is committed to creating Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Education programs that are safe, rewarding and have a lasting impact on those who participate.
Learning should be full of adventure! Company of Adventurers is committed to creating Outdoor Adventure and Environmental Education programs that are safe, rewarding and have a lasting impact on those who participate.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
BC AdventureSmart
BC AdventureSmartBasic Details
BC AdventureSmart enhances awareness among enthusiasts to reduce the impact on search and rescue while contributing to the safety culture in British Columbia. Do you want to BE AdventureSmart? Start with us at BC AdventureSmart!
BC AdventureSmart enhances awareness among enthusiasts to reduce the impact on search and rescue while contributing to the safety culture in British Columbia. Do you want to BE AdventureSmart? Start with us at BC AdventureSmart!
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!
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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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