Upcoming educational opportunities from CMC state education
Mark your calendars now. Call or e-mail Brenda Porter for more information or to register for the following:
Sense of place discussion
Wednesdays, January 2–February 20
6:30-8:30 p.m. at the American Mountaineering Center, Golden, CO
On Wednesday evenings in January and February, the CMC will host a discussion group on “Discovering A Sense of Place.” The purpose is to gather a group of interested people to understand the meaning of a bioregional perspective, to learn how to develop an intimate relationship with your place, and to explore what it might mean to protect the place we live. Reading selections and topics for discussion include “Responsibility to Place,” “Knowing your Bioregion,” “Living in Place,” “Mapping your Place,” “Community,” and “Empowerment.” The materials are mostly developed by the Northwest Earth Institute, www.nwei.org.
Instructor Training 101:
Tools for the Outdoor Teacher
Saturday April 6; 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
American Mountaineering Center, Golden, CO
Do you instruct in one of the many CMC schools? Would you like to improve your teaching and leadership skills? Then join the CMC education staff and volunteers for an intriguing day of hands-on exercises, real-life scenarios, discussions, and best teaching practices. No charge, lunch included.
Natural History and Environmental Issues School
Wilderness Experiences Course
June 14–16, 2002
From the spectacular setting near Handies, Redcloud, and Sunshine Peaks, join us for a three-day field-based course investigating wilderness and related issues, including wildlife and other natural history topics. Explore what wilderness means to you as you learn about the Wilderness Act and the proposed Colorado Wilderness Bill currently before Congress. The course is coordinated by Mark Schmalz, Western Slope Group, with continuing education credit for teachers from Adams State College.
“There are some who can live without wild things and some who cannot. Like winds and sunsets, wild things were taken for granted unto progress began to do away with them. Now we face the question whether “standard of living” is worth its cost in things natural, wild, and free. For us of the minority, the opportunity to see geese is more important than television.…” Aldo Leopold
Wild plant school 2002
The Wild Plant School is designed for people who want to learn more than just the names of wildflowers. The focus is on plant identification using key plant characteristics and plant family attributes. Field days include information on habitats, ecological relationships including a focus on native plants, pollinators, and wildlife, and human uses of plants, including food, medicinal, fiber uses. Participants will gain a depth of knowledge about native and non-native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.
This is a unique opportunity for CMC members to meet others who share a love of Colorado flora, deepen your understanding and be recognized for your advanced knowledge by the CMC. This school is a special boost for leaders to enhance your CMC trips with scientific knowledge and interpretive skills, especially for A and B hikes.
The school consists of three courses. Each course will focus on the plants in a different lifezone: May (foothills), June (montane), and July (subalpine/alpine). Each course includes two Saturday or Sunday field days in a Front Range location.
Participants may take one course, two courses, or all three courses. However, graduation from the school requires participation in all three courses (nine sessions total) and passing each course’s written exam. Fee: $90/entire school. Or $30/course for materials costs.
The instructors are certified Native Plant Masters, through Jefferson County Cooperative Extension. Call (303) 279-3080 X108 or send e-mail to porteb@cmc.org for more information.