Educator Workshop Series: Coastal Ocean Literacy 2025

The Morro Bay National Estuary Program, in partnership with Cal Poly SLO, Creek Lands Conservation, California State Parks, and Project WET, is hosting another series of three educator workshops this coming January-March 2025! These workshops will prepare you to effectively teach about coastal ocean literacy, climate change, environmental stewardship, and restoration with NGSS applications. How to Teach Nature Journaling and Project WET will be included throughout the series. These workshops are an excellent way to network with other educators and local environmental education partners! Our facilitators will include Kurt Holland with Cal Poly, Catherine Halverson, Danielle Narzisi with Creek Lands Conservation, staff from the Estuary Program, and teacher leaders from past trainings.

Please note that this is a series of three workshops. We ask that you only RSVP if you can commit to attending ALL THREE workshops. You will need to register once for each date (see above section "select date and time" for selections). Topics will include an introduction to Coastal Ocean Literacy, NGSS applications, coastal resiliency and a changing climate, environmental stewardship, Project WET sessions, and environmental restoration applications.

Training 1: January 25th, 2025

Training 2: February 22th, 2025

Training 3: March 8th, 2025

All workshops will take place in the Morro Bay watershed area including Cal Poly, the Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History, and MBNEP restoration site areas.

In addition to the three in-person trainings, this year we are offering three additional book club meetings to dive further into the topics and materials. These are not all mandatory, but we highly suggest you take part! They may be a mix of virtual and/or in-person, after work/school hours.

Book Club #1: Wednesday, January 29

Book Club #2: Wednesday, February 26

Book Club #3: Wednesday, March 12

These workshops are open to classroom teachers, as well as outdoor/environmental educators. 20 spaces will be reserved for classroom teachers. If you are uncertain whether this training is a good fit for you, please reach out to us at the contact information below.

• The total cost to attend this workshop series is $30 ($10 per training). This covers some of the costs of materials you'll be receiving including multiple textbooks, nature journaling kits, coffee, and snacks.
• Each participant will receive a $350 stipend upon completion of all three trainings! We are working on providing CEU's as an option as well! We will reach out to you closer to the training dates with more information.
• Each participant will receive curriculum, activity guides, and other teaching materials to set you up for success in bringing these topics to your classroom.
• Coffee and light snacks will be provided. Lunch will not be provided and you must pack a lunch to bring with you (there will not be time to go into town to pick up lunch).

Part of each training will take place outdoors and may involve walking on steep, unpaved trails. We ask that you wear comfortable, layered clothes and sturdy shoes; bring sunscreen, a hat, a water bottle, and whatever else you might need to be safe and comfortable throughout the day. If you have any accessibility needs, please contact MBNEP at [email protected] as soon as possible. Our goal is to create a welcoming and comfortable space for everyone to be engaged in!

For any other questions or concerns, contact us at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Please only register if you are committed to attending all three trainings. We have limited capacity and are hoping all individuals registered will attend. If you register and need to cancel later, please do so in advance so we can open up your spot for another educator to attend!

Host or Publisher The Morro Bay National Estuary Program