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CREEC Central Environmental Literacy Conference
CREEC Central Environmental Literacy Conference
Join us for for the Spring CREEC Central Environmental Education Conference. Fellow educators and community partners are invited to attend the virtual event aimed to improved environmental literacy across the central CREEC Region and beyond. The conference will provide a space of formal and non-formal educators to learn, network and collaborate around relevant environmental topics, lessons and activities. Workshop sessions recordings and resources are available for educators TK-12 and Community partners. Workshops were presented by CREEC Central Education Leaders and County Office of Education Leads.
QUESTIONS: Contact Tamara Basepayne at tbasepayne@sjcoe.net
TO REGISTER complete the registration form HERE. Registration is FREE.
Funding for this conference is provided by:
Funding for this conference is provided by:
An Environmental Education Grant from the California Department of Education through the California Regional Environmental Education Community (CREEC) Network Program. To Learn more about the CREEC Network Program, visit www.creec.org
Welcome Session: 9:00-9:25 am
Central CREEC Conference 2026
Central CREEC Conference 2026
Zoom Link | https://sjcoe.zoom.us/j/88059277263
Session Feedback Form | Please complete this form for each session you attended or watched the recording.
Conference Feedback Form | Complete this form to provide feedback on the overall conference.
Virtual Calming Room | https://calmingroom.scusd.edu/home
Conference Support | https://sjcoe.zoom.us/j/88059277263
Session 1: 9:30-10:25
Using Children’s Literature to Spark Environmental Awareness
Using Children’s Literature to Spark Environmental Awareness
Grade span | TK-3
Workshop Description | Unleash the power of children's literature to foster deep environmental connections, even in urban settings! Learn engaging and low-prep activities that use beautiful picture books to inspire K-5 students to become keen observers and "backyard environmental scientists" in their schoolyards and local green spaces.
Presenters | Lesley Gates
Session Materials | Slide Deck
Zoom Link | https://fcoe-org.zoom.us/j/95412679500?pwd=RfHbyK8ekbp0SWa6viq3mnqTbGVKj3.1
I Speak for the Bees - Branciforte Middle School's Ecological Identity through Environmental Voices and Greenspace Stewardship Expectations, and Community Connections
I Speak for the Bees - Branciforte Middle School's Ecological Identity through Environmental Voices and Greenspace Stewardship Expectations, and Community Connections
Grade span | 5-8
Workshop Description | Have you ever thought about what nature would say to you? If you could speak for nature, what would you say? If you could write to nature, what would you say? Given a choice of ways to connect with nature, which choice would you select and why? I will also share a set of student developed guidelines for Greenspace stewardship, as well as a teacher designed "Hiking Expectations" document used to ground us in our connections to nature, during our all day hikes through Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park and Twin Gates through UCSC. I will share a bit about designing and teaching place based units. Finally, I will speak a bit about what is on the horizon for our B40 community - new green spaces and Earth Week preparations.
Presenter | Erin Petersen Lindberg
Session Materials | Slide Deck and Agenda
Zoom Link | https://sccs-net.zoom.us/j/83839785481
Meeting ID: 838 3978 5481
Passcode: 652234
Intro to California Water
Intro to California Water
Grade span | 6-12
Workshop Description | This workshop is an introduction of how water moves in California from raindrop to recycled wastewater. We will look at maps and explore the human made structures that capture, move, clean, and collect water.
Presenters | Laura Lutz & Norma Zavala
Session Materials | Slide Deck
Zoom Link | https://mcoe-org.zoom.us/j/7561531523?pwd=BIOnK03AOZVK563JxioeAyzkprHa6H.1
People, Profit and Planet: Using the Triple Bottom Line Framework in Environmental Decision-Making
People, Profit and Planet: Using the Triple Bottom Line Framework in Environmental Decision-Making
Grade span | K-12
Workshop Description | How can we help students move beyond “good for the environment” and toward thoughtful, balanced decision-making? This interactive session introduces the Triple Bottom Line (People, Planet, Profit) as a practical classroom lens for analyzing environmental challenges and evaluating solutions across grade levels. Participants will briefly experience the framework from a “student hat” perspective by examining real-world issues with a simple stakeholder graphic organizer, then shift to a “teacher hat” view to see quick connections to EP&Cs and NGSS. The session concludes with examples and discussions on how to adapt the TBL to fit different grade bands, pacing, and local vs. global environmental challenges.
Presenter | Chris Brown
Session Materials | People Profit Planet Homebase Google Doc; Resource Folder
Session 2 | 10:35 - 11:30 am
Co-Creating the Tulare County Climate Literacy Framework
Co-Creating the Tulare County Climate Literacy Framework
Grade Span | K - 12
Workshop Description | Hear how K-12 educators and community based partners have worked together over the past couple of years to create a framework outlining the best outdoor education field trip spots to teach NGSS-aligned climate literacy concepts. Hear how the SEED Network brought folks together through "SEED Gatherings," summer institutes, and partner events such as the Toxic Tour to expand the web of support for environmental learning. Explore co-created place-based lesson resources on our local hot topics like groundwater recharge, oak woodland restoration, and farmland transformation.
Presenters | Amy Frame
Session Materials | Slide Deck
Zoom Link | https://sequoiariverlands.zoom.us/j/99726952873
Rooted in Learning: Building and Sustaining a School Garden
Rooted in Learning: Building and Sustaining a School Garden
Grade Span | K-8
Workshop Description | Take a journey through the evolution of a school garden program over multiple decades. This session will explore the lessons learned from starting, rebuilding, and sustaining a thriving school garden through changing staff, funding cycles, and school priorities. Participants will gain practical strategies for launching a new garden, revitalizing an existing one, and building systems that support long-term growth and sustainability. From cultivating community partnerships to embedding the garden into academics and school culture, this presentation will offer real-world insights, challenges, and successes to help your garden program not only survive—but flourish.
Presenters | Heather Bridger
Session Materials | Slide Deck
Zoom Link | https://sangerusd-net.zoom.us/j/83732428327?pwd=7rVceiPI1KuYrLQab08YsxI7v82ypb.1
Impactful Field Trips
Impactful Field Trips
Grade Span | 4 - 12
Workshop Description | Learn how to get more out of a field trip for your students by preparing before, during, and after the outing. We will provide lots of resources and practical tips.
Presenters | Sally Finch, Corie Ross, Jack Podell
Session Materials | Slide Deck
Zoom Link | https://sjcoe.zoom.us/j/83668564356
Stewardships to Environmental Literacy: Personal Commitment Leading to Community Climate Action
Stewardships to Environmental Literacy: Personal Commitment Leading to Community Climate Action
Grade Span | 5-8
Workshop Description | This workshop was inspired by a personal joy ice breaker, which asked teachers to integrate their personal joys into climate actions. The workshop will model student assessments, vocabulary terms for a three part unit, and allow student voice and choice of their phenomena or work product. Students have narrowed the broader climate action perspective of "I cannot do anything as an individual to combat climate change" to "I can take climate actions based on what interests me", then find a way to create larger local community climate actions based on personal social networks.
Presenters | Chris Moreno
Session Materials | Slide Deck
Outdoor Learning in the Secondary Classroom: Integrating the Environmental Principles & Concepts into the Next Generation Science Standards
Outdoor Learning in the Secondary Classroom: Integrating the Environmental Principles & Concepts into the Next Generation Science Standards
Grade Span | 6-12
Workshop Description | Participants will learn about two successful outdoor learning experiences in the secondary classroom that incorporate the Environmental Principles and Concepts and Next Generation Science Standards. Presenters will share strategies and resources for taking students outdoors to implement science lessons.
Presenters | Shandi Noble, Yesenia Munoz, Danielle Narzisi & Nathan Inouye
Session Materials | Slide Deck
Zoom Link | REJOIN ZOOM to finish the session. https://sbunified.zoom.us/j/81310757744?pwd=aUHcDbGJbxaSLt3HBTsfLw4QmE4C8O.1
Session 3 | 11:40 - 12:35
Beyond Doom and Gloom: A Student Panel on Hope and Action in Environmental Science
Beyond Doom and Gloom: A Student Panel on Hope and Action in Environmental Science
Grade Span | TK-12
Workshop Description | This session features a panel of AP Environmental Science students sharing honest, reflective perspectives on what it feels like to be a young adult in today’s world through the lens of the CA Environmental Principles and Concepts (EP&Cs). Students will discuss their thoughts, emotions, and sources of hope as they navigate environmental challenges, personal responsibility, and future decision-making. The session is designed to be grounded and hopeful, highlighting student voice, agency, and meaningful ways schools can support environmental literacy without drifting into despair. Time will be included for facilitated discussion and audience Q&A with the panel.
Presenters | Chris Brown & Student Panel
No Recording for Student Privacy
Elevating Student Voice: Transforming Leadership Programs into Actionable Environmental Projects
Elevating Student Voice: Transforming Leadership Programs into Actionable Environmental Projects
Grade Span | K-10
Workshop Description | Don't reinvent the wheel—leverage it! Join us for an interactive workshop where we demonstrate how teachers have leveraged curriculum, Student Council, Leader in Me, and STEM electives into engines for environmental change. Adria and Tom will demonstrate successful strategies for kicking off environmental literacy projects. Participants will walk away with ideas on how to take school and community problems into student-led projects that build environmental literacy and agency.
Presenters | Adria Bray and Tom Arnold
Session Materials | Slide Deck
Zoom Link | https://stancoe-org.zoom.us/j/82341200906?from=addon
Supporting Climate Emotions in any Learning Space
Supporting Climate Emotions in any Learning Space
Grade span | K-12
Workshop Description | Participants will explore how climate-related emotions show up in young people across learning settings and use the climate emotions wheel highlighted within Seeds to Solutions™ to design developmentally appropriate, context-flexible learning experiences that support emotional processing, agency, and connection.
Presenter | Holly Steele
Session Materials | Session Folder
Zoom Link | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85869253896?pwd=Zt3tE4aCW9zj5XW1CoBzeXytusbDCa.1
Meeting ID: 858 6925 3896
Passcode: 640080
Teaching for Change: Sustainability, Energy, and Career Pathways for Students
Teaching for Change: Sustainability, Energy, and Career Pathways for Students
Grade Span | 9-12
Workshop Description | Promote environmental literacy in your students with the Energy is Everything Internship! Students will gain skills in data analysis, energy auditing, ArcGIS, equity reporting, and professional development. Hear directly from internship alums, learn how to share this opportunity with your students, and walk away with ideas and strategies to incorporate sustainability topics in your classroom.
Presenters | Bahar Pahlevani & Jessica Almos
Session Materials | Slide Deck
Zoom Link | https://energycoalition.zoom.us/j/82813711556
Meeting ID: 828 1371 1556
Networking Session | 12:35 - 1:00
Zoom Link | https://sjcoe.zoom.us/j/88059277263
Region 5
Region 5
Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, San Benito
Region 6
Region 6
San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Amador
Region 7
Region 7
Fresno, Merced, Mariposa, Madera, Kings, Tulare
Region 8
Region 8
Kern, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura
Funding for this conference is provided by:
An Environmental Education Grant from the California Department of Education through the California Regional Environmental Education Community (CREEC) Network Program. To Learn more about the CREEC Network Program, visit www.creec.org
CREEC Central Educator Leads & Presenters
Andrea Ames
K- 3 Grade Teacher
Reading Specialist
Lodi Unified School District
Tom Arnold
6th Grade Teacher
Kirschen Elementary
Modesto City Schools
Stanislaus County
As the MCS Sustainability Chairperson, he leads monthly meeting to address district-wide sustainability indicatives. Whether it is initiating a schoolwide recycling program, inviting local chefs to cook healthy meals, freshwater biologists, or presenting air quality data to school administration, he is all about student-led initiatives. He is passionate about preparing students for college, career, and life all the while ensuring that they are stewards of their environment.
Adria Bray
6th Grade Teacher
Chrysler Elementary
Stanislaus County
Adria has more than 10 years experience as an elementary school teacher. She is passionate about integrating environmental literacy with science, ELA, and math. At her previous site, she was able to lead watershed professional development that culminated in a watershed day that included ALL students, including those in the mod/severe SDC. Lasty year, she incorporated a recycling unit that ended in a classroom-wide recycling art project that was submitted to the district art showcase. She is looking forward to continuing this work and elevating student voice through environmental literacy.
Heather Bridger
Instructional Support Provider
Quali Lake Environmental Charter School
Sanger Unified
Heather has taught for over 20 years. She leads the school garden program, teaching K–5 garden lessons and a middle school garden elective, and is expanding the curriculum to include nutrition and cooking. Heather also supports teachers with STEM and environmental education. She is passionate about helping students experience the wonder of growing their own food and inspiring them to try new, healthy foods they’ve cultivated themselves.
Chris Brown
Chemistry, Biology and AP Environmental Science
Ripon High School
He supports students through Academic Decathlon, Science Olympiad, and a new makerspace. He enjoys building classroom experiences that are rigorous, practical, and human, with a focus on inquiry, student voice, and thoughtful assessment. His current interests include AI literacy in education, phenomenon-based learning, and expanding long-term STEM opportunities for students.
Erin Petersen Lindberg
6th Grade Science Branciforte MS
Santa Cruz County
Erin has been teaching for 26 years in Santa Cruz. As a 6th grade science teacher and the Environmental Club advisor at Branciforte Middle School. She strives to give students opportunities to connect with nature, to observe human impact on our environment, and to provide opportunities for stewardship.
Erin wants her students to have a sense of agency in their environment. Whenever possible Erin takes her students outside the classroom to engage in scientific observations via sit spot activities, and letter writing to our Dawn Redwood tree. Erin believes in the power of place-based science lessons to deepen students' environmental identities. Erin hopes that students build a strong understanding of ecological concepts and use this knowledge to make positive change in the world.
Sally Finch
High School Math Teacher & Docent for Big Trees State Park
Calaveras
Nathan Inouye
Assistant Director of Instructional Services
Moorpark Unified School District
Ventura County
Laura Lutz
Outdoor Educator
Burris Park
Kings County Office of Education
Laura has worked for the Burris Park Outdoor Education program for 6 years, providing standards-aligned instruction for students in the Central Valley. She loves seeing learners get outside and get their hands dirty by exploring the world around them.
Chris Moreno
7th /8th Grade Science Teacher
Ace Esperanza Middle
Ace Charter Schools
Santa Clara County Office of Education
Yesenia Munoz
High School Science Teacher
Santa Barbara Unified School District
Danielle Narzisi
Education Director for Creek Lands Conservation and former Middle School Science Teacher
San Luis Obispo County
Shandi Noble
Mesa Verde Middle School Science Teacher and Naturalist at Moorpark Unified School District
Ventura County
Jan Quilatang
Region 8
Corie Ross
Calaveras Big Trees State Park Aide and Homeschool Teacher
Calaveras County
Tamara Wallace
Teacher/TOSA
Ellen Fletcher Middle School in Palo Alto Unified School District
Santa Clara County
Norma Zavala
6th Grade Math & Science Teacher
Bryant Middle School
Dos Palos Oro Loma JUSD
Merced County
Norma has work for Dos Palos for 20 years, is currently working with 6th grade teaching Math and Science. She loves to provide students with new data, information, and daily life connections to motivate them to learn about the beauty of nature and science.
Jessica Almos
Energy is Everything: The Energy Coalition
Jessica Almos is an Education and Engagement Fellow with The Energy Coalition (TEC) and supports Education and Workforce Development through curriculum development, educator engagement, mentoring interns, and classroom instruction. Jessica received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Policy and Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies from Chapman University in 2022, and most recently graduated from Claremont Graduate University in the fall of 2025 with a Master of Arts in Community Engaged Education and Social Change. Jessica has a passion for sustainable fashion, and spends her free time upcycling and reworking secondhand clothing to give it a second life.
Dr. Amy Frame
SEED Network Coordinator
She manages the middle school Career Technical Education program at Visalia Unified. Previously, she served as Ten Strand's Director of Strategic Partnerships, an instructor in the M.Ed. Environmental Literacy concentration at Teachers College San Joaquin, and as a teacher and administrator in public and public charter schools.
Tulare County
Bahar Pahlevani
Senior Project Coordinator
The Energy Coalition (TEC)
Bahar supports Education & Workforce Development and Community Engagement through community partner outreach, educator engagement, data analysis, and intern supervision. Bahar received her Master of Science in Conservation Medicine from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. In her free time, she enjoys working on art projects, rock climbing, and road trips to new places.
Jack Podell
Big Trees State Park Aid
Holly Steele
Director of Professional Learning and Community Building at Ten Strands.
She joined Ten Strands in October 2025 after a 20-year career in public education, where she served as a county office administrator, a teacher on special assignment, and a middle school science teacher.
CREEC Central Lead Mentors
Jenn Mutch
Santa Clara COE
Region 5
Marie Bacher
Santa Clara COE
Region 5
Amity Sandage
Santa Cruz COE
Region 5
Heather Molloy
Santa Cruz COE
Region 5
Maria Parker
Monterey COE
Region 5
Tony Balbas
San Benito COE
Region 5
Tamara Basepayne
San Joaquin COE
Region 6
Bret States
San Joaquin COE
Region 6
Jose Marquez
Stanislaus COE
Region 6
Nikki Luckin
Fresno COE
Region 7
Lesley Gates
Science Content Specialist
Fresno County Superintendent of Schools
Region 7
A passionate advocate for elementary science instruction for all students, she believes it is key to building solid foundations that sustain the natural wonder and curiosity students have about the world around them. Her current role includes working with TK-6 teachers to identify challenges and design solutions for the implementation of NGSS focusing on the integration of English Language Arts and Math standards into elementary science lessons. Lesley leads science professional learning opportunities for teachers and administrators within Fresno County, across the state, and internationally. Lesley is also the CREEC Region 7 coordinator to help support environmental literacy in the central San Joaquin Valley.
Camille Fagundes
Merced COE
Region 7
Chelsy Lancaster
Kern COE
Region 8
Tammy Herzog
San Luis Obispo COE
Region 8
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