The 2014 Newsletter has been posted to the Newsletters page.

The 2013 Newsletter has been posted to the Newsletters page.

The 2013 Summer Earth Education Program (SEEP) schedule has been posted on the Programs page.

GICEL’s latest newsletter is available for download on the Newsletters page.

An innovative stewardship project at Salt Spring Elementary School has been recognized with a BC Green Games award.  An article in the Gulf Islands Driftwood newspaper provides the background:  “The multi-faceted project called Water Guardians of Ganges Creek involved in-depth learning about the creek, informing the community about it through interpretive creekside signs designed by students, creating a watershed model, celebrating Earth Day and making a presentation to local government. Art, writing, music, play, science and math were all wrapped around the creek learning.”  For the full Driftwood article click HERE.

For more information about the Water Guardians of Ganges Creek project, and to view a three minute video about the project, visit the BC Green Games website.

What can be done to combat Nature Deficit Disorder in children?  Read this article in the February 18th issue of the Gulf Islands Driftwood for some suggestions.

The Salt Spring Island Conservancy has announced that it will be receiving new funding support for its school programs from Ducks Unlimited, the Hamber Foundation, and the Salt Spring Island Foundation.

The Conservancy’s field based programs for school students will get underway again in March.

For details about the new funding support and opportunities to volunteer, download Salt Spring Island Conservancy – New Funders.

“This technologically obsessed environment for young people is a juggernaut rolling over an entire generation….We seem to be increasingly producing a species of young people that requires sizzle and instant gratification, which is quite literally the antithesis of nature.”  Robert Bateman interview in The Oxonian Review, January 31, 2011.

GICEL is pleased to announce the dates for the 2011 Summer Earth Education Programs (SEEP).  Further information about the 2011 programs will be available later in the spring.  For a description of the 2010 SEEP, please see the Programs page.

Summer Earth Education Programs 2011 Schedule

Time:  10 am to 4 pm daily

Children ages 6 to 12

Fees:  $175.00/week/child

For more details please contact the island coordinators below.  GICEL has limited funds for financial assistance.

Join our dynamic leaders and amazing youth mentors to explore the gifts of nature on the southern Gulf Islands.

Salt Spring Island  (Contact: Michelle Spencer – mspencer@sd64.bc.ca)

• July 11 – 15
• July 18 – 22
• July 25 – 29

Pender Island (Contact: Julie Johnston – jjohnston@sd64.bc.ca)

• July 11 – 15

Mayne Island (Contact: Jessica Willows – jwillows@sd64.bc.ca or Michael Dunn – mjechael.dunn@gmail.com)

• August 1 – 5
• August 8 – 12

Saturna Island (Contact: Jessica Willows – jwillows@sd64.bc.ca or Michael Dunn – mjechael.dunn@gmail.com)

• August 15 – 19

On February 18, 2011 GICEL will be present at the Tapestries 2011 conference in Victoria (tapestryconference.weebly.com).  This is a joint professional development session of the Greater Victoria, Sooke, and Gulf Islands teachers’ association.  Part of the program for this professional development day will be a presentation by GICEL board member Steve Dunsmuir on the Gulf Island School District’s ecological education program.