International Environmental Education Day Weekend
Presented by Alabama State Parks in partnership with the Environmental Education Association of Alabama (EEAA)
This celebration promotes our planet’s environment, reconnects all people with nature, and motivates others to learn more about our beautiful earth home while striving to make sure it is a livable and safe space for all creatures great and small. The IEED began in June 1972 with the adoption of the Stockholm Declaration which included 26 principles (aka the Magna Carta on the human environment) regarding the environment and sustainable development.
Learn more: Everything you need to know about the Stockholm Declaration - iPleaders
View PDF: ELGP1StockD.pdf (unep.org)
International EE Day: Environmental Journaling
Wind Creek State Park
How do environmental scientists know so much about timing in the natural world? How do dendrologists know when a population of flowering trees will bloom in the spring, or when they will drop their leaves in the fall? How do ornithologists and dedicated birdwatchers know where avian species will be at a certain time of year? The short answer is journaling! Much of the knowledge of phenology (seasonal change observed in the environment such as life cycles and migration patterns) is owed to consistent record keeping over the course of many years. You can keep a journal of your own environmental observations. You can do it once a week or every day, while walking a wooded trail or sitting on your back porch! Join Park Naturalist, Dylan Ogle, to learn the basics of environmental journaling and soon you will be keeping time with the natural world on your very own.
Date: January 27, 2024
Time: 11:00 am- 3:00 pm CST
Location: Wind Creek Club House/Nature Center
Fee: State Park Admission (or free with overnight stay)
For more information or to sign up for the program: Dylan.Ogle@dcnr.alabama.gov
International EE Day: Footprints in the Sand- Past, Present, and Future
Gulf State Park (Wheelchair Accessible)
Take a step back in time to see a world in a grain of sand and learn how the forces of nature have influenced the natural and human communities of the Gulf State Park. Join our Park Naturalist, Hannah Russell, to learn why our dunes are important, what creatures can be found in and around these diverse coastal ecosystems, and how different cultures and natural disasters have changed our Park. Activities include Naturalist-led presentations, shell collection, nature journaling, and a dune-building contest. By the end of this program, we hope you leave with seashell treasures, precious memories, and an understanding of why it is important to protect your Park for future generations.
Date: January 27, 2024
Time: 11:00 am- 2:00 pm CST
Location: Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion
Parking fee per vehicle: $3/2hr, $5/4hr, $10/all day
For more information or to sign up for the program: Hannah.Russell@dcnr.alabama.gov
International EE Day: Wild Bird Photography Workshop
Lake Guntersville State Park
Join Beth Cowan Drake from Alabama The Beautiful for a photography workshop designed to teach the field techniques of bird photography. From numerous approaches to photographing different species of bird, she will explain how to control the variables to capture the image of a bird, discuss her personal settings for various images she has captured, and review her Lightroom editing technique. Beth’s many years of photography experience helps in understanding composition, balance, and form as she teaches all levels of photographers how to create artistic and beautifully pleasing images. The time in the workshop belongs to you: Beth’s guidance will make your experience exceed your expectations. Sponsored by Sweet Home Alabama: Alabama Tourism Department.
Date: January 27, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm CST
Location: Lake Guntersville State Park, Dogwood Room and Outdoors
Fee: $35 per participant
For more information contact Renee.Raney@dcnr.alabama.gov
International EE Weekend: Alabama’s Amazing Biodiversity
Cheaha State Park
Join Cheaha State Park’s interpretive team to learn about Alabama’s amazing biodiversity in the oldest park in Alabama. Explore the watershed at Lake Cheaha, discover unique creatures from the mountaintop to the valley, and engage in environmental arts activities:
Journey Through the Water Cycle
11am-noon at Interpretive Center
From oceans, to plants, to clouds, to aquifers – water particles end up in so many different places. Join us as we learn about what happens to water as it moves around our planet, and play a game to see where you, a water droplet, find yourself! We’ll make bracelets that tell our water droplet’s stories to take home!
Alabama’s Biodiversity
1-2pm at Interpretive Center
Alabama ranks fourth in terms of species diversity and is first among the states east of the Mississippi River. We have more the 6,350 different species in just our one state! Come learn about biodiversity with our Interpretive Team and take a hike with us to see how many species we can find!
Date: January 27, 2024
Location: Cheaha’s Interpretive Center at Lake Cheaha
For more information contact Park Naturalist Kathryn.Gray@dcnr.alabama.gov
International EE Weekend: Backyard Birds
Cheaha State Park
Birdwatching is an easy and fun hobby! Come learn how to create a great bird watching site in your own backyard. Our Interpretive Team will teach you observational skills, the natural history of birds, and how to attract birds to your backyard. Make your own bird feeder to take home or to your campsite! All supplies are provided.
Date: January 28, 2024
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Cheaha’s Interpretive Center at Lake Cheaha
For more information contact Park Naturalist Kathryn.Gray@dcnr.alabama.gov
International EE Day: CAVES of Alabama
Cathedral Caverns State Park
Join Park Naturalist, Randall Blackwood, for a presentation and guided tour focusing on geology, cave life, and biodiversity within a limestone environment.
Tour is limited to 25 pre-registered participants.
Date: January 27, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: Cathedral Caverns Gift Shop and Ticket Counter
Fee: $15 per person (pre-registration required)
Please pre-register by contacting Randall.blackwood@dcnr.alabama.gov
International EE Day: Creative Spirit Nature Art Workshop
DeSoto State Park
Explore your wild creativity and discover the ancient art of crafting with nature as your muse! For thousands of years, humans have been creating art through nature. Our ancestors’ sacred relationship with the natural world prompted them to express themselves thru the materials around them, in all seasons. In this workshop, participants will create works of art using a variety of natural materials, using materials like clay, leaves, acorns, pinecones, etc. Nature Journaling supplies will also be available to create your own unique memory of your day in DeSoto State Park. (Bring your favorite journal if you wish) If weather permits, will go on a short jaunt into the park near the Nature Center as well.
Ages 8 to adult
Date: January 27, 2024
Time: 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Where: DeSoto State Park-Fort Payne, Alabama. Location disclosed at time of registration.
Fee: $20.00. Ages 8 to adult. Pre-registration required by January 25th. Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/g/w35u9DaHcV
International EE Day: Exploring Nature with Your Senses
Meaher State Park
There is so much more to our world than “what meets the eye”. This program is designed to encourage people of all backgrounds and accessibility needs to use but all their senses to experience things in nature. Our eyes are used for seeing things like clouds on a cool day, critters grazing on grass, or the trees blowing in the breeze. But have you ever stopped to feel the breeze on your skin? It's something we’ve all felt, but I find that sometimes I forget it’s there. Using all our senses gives us the ability to connect people to nature in a more intimate way. But how can we get people to connect to nature on a deeper level by appealing to the different ways they can experience the natural world? Those attending this program will get to experience the world around them by utilizing all their senses, and understanding they can use all their senses to have a deeper connection to their environment no matter where they are. Join Park Naturalist, Chloe Drexel, on this sensational experience in a State Park!
Date: January 27, 2024
Time: 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Location: Pavilion 3
Fee: Free with $3 park entry fee for anyone 12+
Contact Chloe.Drexel@dcnr.alabama.gov for more information
EEAA Partner Programs
International EE Day: Alabama’s Night Skies
James Wylie Shepherd Observatory
When the sun goes down, the sky lights up with millions of stars, galaxies, planets, and more. At James Wylie Shepherd Observatory, we will use our CDK20 PlaneWave Telescope to explore deep space objects in our night sky. If there are clouds obscuring our skies, we will still host participants in a night hike to demonstrate adaptations of many nocturnal and crepuscular creatures. Once you learn about the night skies and creatures, you will never have to be afraid of the dark again! The JWSO is one of the few ADA-accessible observatories in the nation, and this event is for learners of all ages.
Date: January 27, 2024
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Fee: Free
Contact Program Director, Jecca Thomason, at jshumate@montevallo.edu for more information.
International EE Day: Hikes at Ruffner
Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve
Participants will be divided into two groups, based on physical ability, for a guided hike on Ruffner Mountain. One group will explore the quarry and the city overlook, while the second group will visit a historic crusher and the wetlands. Along the way, participants will gain insights into the mountain's history and learn more about the native plants, animals, fungi, and lichen that can be found within the preserve. Following the hike, everyone will gather at the Nature Center for lunch and discover more about Ruffner Mountain's program offerings for 2024.
What to Bring: sturdy hiking shoes, sunscreen, bug spray, hiking stick, snacks, sack lunch, water, camera, and binoculars.
Date: Saturday, January 27th, 2024
Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, 1214 81st St. South, Birmingham, Alabama 35206
Attendance Limit: We can accommodate up to 30 participants (pre-registration is required)
Cost: FREE
For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact EEAA Region 5 Coordinator Scottie Jackson via telephone (205-515-0088) or email (scottie.jackson@dcnr.alabama.gov ).
Natural Trivia Competition: Anniston Museum of Natural History
Calling all nature enthusiasts, trivia buffs, and curious minds! Get ready for an afternoon of fun, facts, and fascination as the Anniston Museum of Natural History presents Natural Trivia in honor of International Environmental Education Day! Bring a group of friends and your knowledge to compete in a trivia event all about the natural world. Teams consist of two to six people. Prizes will be awarded to the winners. After trivia, join us for an informative Saturday Alive! live animal program with our educators.
Saturday, January 27,2024
Time: 12:30 pm
Location: Anniston Museum of Natural History Auditorium
This program is included with daily admission and is free for members. Pre-registration is recommended, but walk-up groups are welcome. For more information: agrey@annistonal.gov
International EE Day: Dauphin Island and Mobile Bay
Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Join us for a morning of exploring the beach, dune, and maritime forest habitats of Dauphin Island! We will look for our resident nesting bald eagles and other winter bird visitors. In the afternoon we will explore the surrounding waters via the Research Vessel Alabama Discovery! To end the day, we will tour the Sea Lab’s newly renovated Alabama Aquarium!
Tour is limited to 25 pre-registered participants.
Date: January 27, 2024
Time: 10:00 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Fee: $40 per person (includes all activities and lunch), Ages 8 to adult
Please pre-register by January 15th with JoAnn Moody jmoody@disl.edu
Learn more about Environmental Education Association of Alabama (EEAA) at Home - EEAA.
