Colorado Environmental Education Leaders to attend NASA’s Earth to Sky Climate Change Communication Academy
Bridget O'Rourke
DENVER — Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Wild Rose Education, Mountain Studies Institute, Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, and OrbWeaver Consulting, LLC are excited to announce their selection to the 2024 NASA Earth to Sky Academy cohort as Climate Resilient Colorado. The multi-organization team demonstrates a statewide commitment to advancing climate education and communications while supporting non-formal and community educators and naturalist interpreters across Colorado."We are honored that Colorado Parks and Wildlife, along with our amazing partners, has been selected to join the Earth to Sky Academy cohort,” said Mary McCormac, CPW Statewide Interpretation and Wildlife Viewing Coordinator. “This opportunity will provide the tools we need to develop trainings for our staff, volunteers and community partners on best practices in climate communication and messaging. By providing relevant and meaningful educational experiences that promote climate resilience, we hope to inspire positive change throughout Colorado.”
The new cohort comprises five other regional teams: Channel Islands, Team Adirondack, Team Colorado River & Uplands Corridor, Team Northeast Ohio Climate Heroes and New York City. They were chosen through a competitive selection, and the new teams represent various federal and state agencies, state and metropolitan parks, colleges, and nature centers. The more than 30 incoming regional leaders have extensive experience in place-based interpretation and education, Earth science, training development, and community building.
“We are thrilled to invite Climate Resilient Colorado to our upcoming Academy and include them in our growing community of practice. The most effective conversations about climate change are happening at regional scales, and the impressive coalition that Team Climate Resilient Colorado has assembled is well-positioned to lead that work across the state,” said John Ceballos, Earth to Sky Interagency Partnership Course Coordinator.
The Academy is a tuition-free five-day course held at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. The content is based on more than 20 years of experience and extensive evaluation of the Earth to Sky model. Participants are supported every step of the way: before, during and after the Academy.
"I’m thrilled to have convened this statewide team representing our diverse landscapes and peoples of Colorado. Being invited into the Earth to Sky community is already creating opportunities to engage with cutting-edge climate science and communication techniques to utilize and integrate into climate communicator training and programs with students," said Sarah Johnson, Colorado Youth Climate Summit Director and Climate Education Specialist at Wild Rose Education. "This academy will empower us to work together to lead and better support Colorado educators and students in facilitating impactful climate messages that resonate in local communities."
Each of the five teams will travel to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center this month to attend the Earth to Sky Academy. The week-long training will focus on NASA climate science, communication techniques, and Earth to Sky methodology. After completing the Academy, each team will develop and offer climate communication courses tailored to their region's needs. These courses will serve as ongoing resources for their communities, fostering a network of skilled interpreters and educators.
“Mountain Studies Institute sees this as an incredible opportunity for climate change education to reach more students across the country. Enabling these cohorts to spread the knowledge gained in the Earth to Sky Academy will have an exponential impact on thousands of students across our region and help build a better tomorrow,” noted Jewell Coleman, the Community Science Program Manager at Mountain Studies Institute. “Each day, I am amazed by the educators here in Southwest Colorado and can’t think of a better way to help my community than to bring more educational opportunities to them through this project.”
"Joining the Earth to Sky Academy is an incredible opportunity to build a network of passionate educators committed to advancing climate learning and climate justice across the state,” said Katie Navin, Executive Director of the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education. “Together, we can share expertise, effective communication strategies, and support the many types of climate educators across the state.”
“OrbWeaver Consulting is honored to be a part of Climate Resilient Colorado and the Earth to Sky Academy community,” said Dr. Cheryl Manning, principal researcher and consultant. “This team has such a rich diversity of experiences, deep understanding of climate science, and is invested in social and environmental justice. By attending the Earth to Sky Academy, Climate Resilient Colorado will be well prepared to cultivate communities of educators who understand and can communicate climate science in ways that inspire action in Colorado.” About Wild Rose Education
Wild Rose Education, established in 2015, is a lean and nimble business practice based in Carbondale, Colorado. We teach people 'how to see', to become better observers, and how to take action in the world through our participant-centered learning experiences. We go beyond what has been and facilitate becoming what can be with education program design, climate change empowerment, broader impacts, and experiential education trainings and workshops. Our work is done collaboratively with institutions across North America including the Arctic. WRE is directing the first rural Colorado Youth Climate Summit to be held in May 2025. Learn more at wildroseeducation.com
About Mountain Studies Institute
Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is an independent not-for-profit mountain research and education center established in 2002 in Silverton, Colorado. MSI develops science that people can use to address environmental issues facing the San Juan Mountains. We conduct and facilitate research, provide educational opportunities and internships, and conduct environmental monitoring. We connect scientists and stakeholders across the San Juan Mountain region to go beyond scientific inquiry to the meaningful application of knowledge that makes a difference for the quality of the environment and our communities. Learn more at mountainstudies.org
About Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is a nationally recognized leader in conservation, outdoor recreation and wildlife management. The agency manages more than 40 state parks, all of Colorado's wildlife, more than 350 state wildlife areas and a host of recreational programs. Involvement in the Earth to Sky program supports the CPW mission to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state, provide a quality state parks system, and to provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado's natural resources. Learn more at cpw.state.co.us
About Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education
Environmental and outdoor education experiences are like charging stations, powering up learning and enhancing skills that help Coloradans care for our world and sustain it for future generations. For over 30 years, the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education has supported a network of over 850 educators in classrooms, nonprofits, nature centers, government agencies, higher education, businesses, and more. Through opportunities for professional development, idea sharing, and community support, CAEE is building a vibrant network of collaborators in environmental and outdoor learning that benefits all schools, families, and communities across Colorado. Learn more at www.caee.org.
About OrbWeaver Consulting, LLC
OrbWeaver Consulting is a small independent research and consulting firm that works to bridge the gap between scientific research and public comprehension by supporting research and education efforts that generate Earth systems science experiences. OrbWeaver seeks to enable individuals to make well-informed decisions regarding the environment, natural resources, and natural hazards. Learn more at orbweaverconsulting.com
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.