Community Partners
SCCOE recognizes environmental education organizations as key partners for our schools. The following resources support the valuable programs they provide in our community.
Monterey Bay Environmental Educators Network (MBEE)
Monterey Bay Environmental Educators (MBEE) is a regional network of organizations providing educational resources for the Monterey Bay Region's communities and schools. MBEE members collaborate and leverage resources in order to inspire students, teachers and families to actively explore and care for the environment. For more information, see the program guide below. For questions or to join, contact Amity Sandage at asandage@santacruzcoe.org
Partner Portal
The Portal promotes environmental literacy by building educator awareness of community-based outdoor learning programs and partners. The goals of the Portal are to increase the visibility and access to environmental education community-based partners and be a reliable central repository for districts, schools, and teachers to identify programs that align with their local needs and meet educational standards.
Bay of Life Project
Bay of Life: From Wind to Whales is a unique work of art, science, and natural history that explores the Monterey Bay region, the most significant biodiversity hotspot in North America. Santa Cruz County Office of Education developed Bay of Life Curriculum Resources for TK-12 to provide access to Frans Lantings' iconic images from the book along with TK-12 education resources and local field trip programs curated to bring the themes from Bay of Life into every classroom.
For a comprehensive list of environmental volunteer opportuntities and organizations in Santa Cruz County, visit Environteers
The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) offers this online platform for environmental education professional development and resources. Anyone can join eePRO to access research, calendars, networking groups and more.
The BEETLES Project from Lawrence Hall of Science offers resources for outdoor programs that are student and nature centered. Access high quality training modules for field instructors and many other ready-to-use resources that help put students at the center of learning.
Youth Outside provides grantmaking, capacity-building and training to promote healthy lives and inspire future champions of the planet. Their programs include special focus on workforce development and social and environmental justice.
Environteers provides easy access to the many rewarding environmental volunteer opportunities in our community. Organizations submit their volunteer opportunities to be listed on the site. Environteers also maintains a comprehensive list of environmental organizations in the county.
The UC California Naturalist Program is designed to introduce Californians to the wonders of our unique ecology and engage the public in study and stewardship of California’s natural communities.
The California Naturalist program uses a science curriculum, hands-on learning, problem-solving, citizen science, and community service to instill a deep appreciation for the natural communities of the state and to inspire individuals to become stewards of their local resources.
The California Naturalist Program promotes environmental literacy and stewardship through discovery and action. Many other states have similar naturalist programs, but this is the first statewide program in California. To become a certified California Naturalist, participants need to enroll in a 40+ hour course with one of our partner organizations.