Last chance to register for weeklong fire ecology workshop for educators

Colorado educators have until May 20 to apply for the Fire Ecology Institute for Educators, offered for the 13th year by the Colorado State Forest Service. All Colorado educators for grades three through 12 are invited to attend the workshop, scheduled for June 16-20 in Florissant, Colo.

At the weeklong workshop, Colorado teachers will have the opportunity to visit forests burned in recent wildfires, learn about wildland fire as it relates to forest health and obtain materials about forest fire ecology they can share with their students this fall. Instructors include natural resource professionals from the CSFS, U.S. Forest Service, The Nature Place and the Coalition for the Upper South Platte.

The Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, Springer, Hayman and Buffalo Creek fire sites provide the setting for learning sessions, in which foresters, firefighters, biologists, ecologists and hydrologists offer field demonstrations, experiments and example lesson plans to attending educators. Attendees are sent home with a collection of materials and resources including Project Learning Tree activity guides, fire demonstration experiments for their students and information from multiple organizations and agencies in the form of posters, DVDs and other materials.

"This workshop offers teachers the knowledge, experience and materials they need to provide their students with interesting, hands-on information about Colorado forests, fire ecology and wildfire behavior," said Shawna Crocker, Project Learning Tree coordinator for the CSFS.

The workshop cost is $250, which includes lodging, meals, materials, instruction and field trips for the entire week. To help keep costs to a minimum, Colorado educators may apply to receive a $100 stipend and three continuing education credits upon satisfactory completion of the course.

For more information, contact Shawna Crocker at 303- 202-4662 or visit www.coloradoplt.org to register online.

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