Registration Now Open for 2026–27 Programs

VEEN organizational member Shelburne Farms is now accepting registrations and applications for a rich lineup of summer and yearlong professional learning opportunities rooted in education for sustainability, place-based learning, and climate resilience.

Whether you’re an early childhood educator, classroom teacher, school leader, or non-formal educator, these programs offer meaningful ways to deepen your practice, connect with peers, and bring sustainability-centered learning back to your community.

Summer 2026 Programs

• Foundations in Education for Sustainability
  July 6–10
  Explore core principles and practices that support sustainability-focused teaching and learning.

• Project Seasons for Young Learners: Cultivating Joy and Wonder
  July 13–17
  Designed for early childhood educators, this immersive week centers joy, curiosity, and nature-based learning for young children.

• Immersion in Education for Sustainability
  July 21–23
  A shorter, intensive experience for educators looking to integrate sustainability into their work.

Yearlong Institutes & Fellowships (2026–27)

These cohort-based programs begin with summer kickoffs and continue throughout the school year:

• Northeast Farm to School Institute
  Kickoff: June 23–25
  Applications due February 9
  Support whole-school approaches to farm-to-school integration.

• Education for Sustainability Leadership Academy
  Kickoff: July 27–29
  For educators and leaders seeking to grow their impact and lead systems-level change.

• A Watershed for Every Classroom
  Kickoff: August 3–6
  Applications due March 23
  Engage students in watershed-based learning and local environmental stewardship.

• Climate Resiliency Fellowship
  Kickoff: August 11–13
  Build capacity to support climate education and resilience-focused action in schools and communities.

Explore the Full Calendar

Each program offers a unique entry point into sustainability education, grounded in Shelburne Farms’ inspiring landscape and collaborative learning model.

View the full calendar and learn more about  all the upcoming programs and events at Shelburne Farms.

VEEN is proud to highlight the work of our organizational members and share opportunities that support educators across Vermont and beyond. We encourage you to check out these offerings and consider applying or registering soon—many programs have limited space and early deadlines!

EPA Seeks Applicants for Environmental Education Grants  

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of $3.2 million in funding for locally and regionally focused environmental education grants is now available under the Environmental Education (EE) Grant Program. EPA will award grants between $200,000-$250,000 each, up to 16 grants nationwide.  

These grants support hands-on projects that help people better understand environmental challenges in their own communities and take practical steps to address them. Funded projects will focus on environmental education efforts that use modern tools, including artificial intelligence, to help identify problems early, monitor water quality, and prevent future water contamination before it affects families and neighborhoods. Funded projects will also provide participants the skills necessary to make informed decisions to take responsible actions toward environment stewardship.  

Applications are due on March 3, 2026.    

Interested in learning more?  

• Review EE Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)  
• Visit the Environmental Education Grant homepage  

EPA Region 1 is offering community-based organizations the opportunity to borrow PurpleAir sensors as part of an air sensor loan program. These units are user-friendly, Wi-Fi-enabled, stationary sensors that collect particulate matter (PM) data, specifically PM_2.5, and can transmit the data wirelessly to an online map, where you can observe the amount of PM in the air in real-time. Take a look at this map to see all of the registered PurpleAir units in action! 

The loan program can be a useful community education tool since it provides a uniform framework for investigating outdoor air quality, which can empower community members to reduce emissions of and exposure to harmful PM pollution where they live, work, and play.  

For more information about the loan program and how to apply, please refer to the Program Plan. Additionally, EPA Region 1 hosted an information session in January 2025 about participating in the loan program. The information session covered information included in the Program Plan. If you would like to view the recorded information session, please email Michelle Coombs.   

Applications are required in order to be considered for a loan. EPA offers two (2) rounds of open application periods. The first deadline for submitting applications was October 1, 2025. The next deadline for submitting applications is April 1, 2026.

To request an application, email coombs.michelle@epa.gov 

Let’s Go Compost, a national nonprofit focused on hands-on soil science and STEM education, is offering free indoor worm composting farm kits to 100 public schools nationwide in celebration of Earth Month 2026.

This opportunity is open to public schools (including charters) in all 50 states, as well as summer school programs. Homeschool groups may apply by partnering with their local public library, which must complete the public library form on their behalf.

Each selected school will receive:

• A small indoor worm compost bin (designed for classroom use)

• 500 composting worms

• 3 hours of virtual support

• Access to K–12 NGSS/STEAM-aligned classroom composting curriculum

• A digital Worm Care Guide and optional follow-up support

Let’s Go Compost provides all initial materials and educational support for setup and curriculum integration. Participating schools are responsible for ongoing care and maintenance of the worm farm. After the program concludes, schools are encouraged to continue using the system for ongoing STEM learning and food-waste education.

Who Should Apply?

This mini grant is a great fit for:

• Elementary, middle, or high school classrooms looking to add hands-on STEM and soil science learning

• Educators interested in introductory composting and food-waste reduction

• Schools exploring environmental or sustainability initiatives for the first time

• Classrooms planning Earth Month, science, or environmental education projects

• Summer school programs seeking engaging, inquiry-based learning experiences

• Homeschool groups working in partnership with a public library

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and awarded in the order received.

Learn more and apply:
https://www.letsgocompost.org/schools

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVT-U4vndvKaZ7gzTjcLKNkcG-VCHIxCiNRW6BxYaPBViUQA/viewform

Inspire the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders: Join the 2026 Vermont Envirothon!

If you’re looking for a powerful way to bring hands-on STEM learning to life for your students, the 2026 Vermont Envirothon Competition is the perfect opportunity. For nearly 30 years, Envirothon has connected Vermont high schoolers with real-world environmental science—engaging more than 2,000 students in meaningful, field-based learning since 1996.

This year, we invite you and your students to be part of this unforgettable experience.

Save the Date: May 20, 2026

Location: Buck Lake, Woodbury, VT

The winning team will earn the honor of representing Vermont at the North American Envirothon, hosted at Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS, from July 19–25, 2026.

What is the Vermont Envirothon?

The Vermont Envirothon is a statewide competition where high school teams dive deep into environmental science and natural resource issues. Students apply their knowledge of forestry, wildlife, soils, and water resources through hands-on challenges, teamwork, and problem-solving.

Teams consist of five students (grades 9–12) and a coach—any teacher, volunteer, or adult mentor can serve in that role. Schools may register up to two teams.
Registration cost: $75 for the first team, $50 for the second.

What Students Will Explore

Envirothon’s five core topics help students develop a strong foundation in environmental science and real-world conservation:

Aquatic Ecology

Students evaluate freshwater and marine ecosystems, identify aquatic organisms, and learn about watershed health and non-point source pollution.

Forestry

Guided by professional foresters, students practice tree ID, explore forest dynamics, and study sustainable forest management techniques.

Soils & Land Use

Working with soil scientists, students investigate soil characteristics, conservation practices, and how soils shape agricultural, urban, and rural systems.

Wildlife Ecology

Students examine species adaptations, habitats, human-wildlife interactions, and how to maintain ecological balance.

Current Environmental Issue: Non-Point Source Pollution—It Begins at Home!

Teams research a real-world scenario and present their solutions to a panel of judges during the oral presentation component.

Resources to Support You

We’re committed to helping educators feel confident and prepared:

• February Virtual Training Series
  Online sessions led by station leaders
  Thursdays, 3:15–4:30 PM (Zoom)
  More details coming soon.

• Free Training Kits
  Borrow Forestry Kits, Soil Analysis Kits, and Water Quality Monitoring Kits to help your team practice.

• Lesson Plans & Activities
  Access topic guides, key study points, and classroom-ready activities on the Vermont Envirothon Educational Resources page.

• Participant Perks
  All students receive an Envirothon t-shirt—and yes, there will be exciting prizes!

Why Bring a Team?

Envirothon is so much more than a competition. It’s:

• A chance for students to apply classroom learning in the field

• An opportunity to build teamwork, leadership, and public speaking skills

• A powerful way to deepen environmental literacy

• A hands-on experience that often becomes a highlight of the school year

Many educators even incorporate Envirothon topics into their curriculum to extend student learning and engagement.

Register Your Team

Ready to inspire your students?
Register here: VT Envirothon 2026 Team Registration Link

Have questions? Reach out to our Envirothon Coordinator:
Lucas Goldfluss
lucas@winooskinrcd.org
(802) 497-5513

Learn more at www.envirothon.org or www.vacd.org/programs/envirothon/.

We can’t wait to see Vermont’s next generation of conservation leaders out in the field this spring!

Grand Isle, VT – The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP), in partnership with NEIWPCC, seeks to fund projects that increase organizational capacity and long-term effectiveness of watershed organizations working in the Lake Champlain Basin. 

The intent of this funding opportunity is to assist watershed organizations with the early stages of their development or to assist established watershed organizations in strengthening their capacity. The goal is to increase an organization’s capacity to achieve their mission, rather than develop new programming or education and outreach efforts (this work can be requested via other LCBP grant competitions). 

All organizations seeking funding through this category must have a specific focus on achieving water quality improvements in the Lake Champlain watershed. 

Grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded, with a total of approximately $250,000 in available funding. One proposal may be submitted per eligible organization. 

“Watershed organizations across the Basin play a critical role in implementing water quality and habitat restoration projects, as well as educating and involving our communities,” said Dr. Eric Howe, NEIWPCC Program Director of the Lake Champlain Basin Program. “We are proud to offer organizational support funding to boost our partners’ capacity for undertaking this work.” 

The awarded projects will advance the goals of the long-term Lake Champlain management plan Opportunities for Action (plan.lcbp.org). This grant opportunity is supported by funds awarded to Lake Champlain by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and in partnership with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. 

Proposals are due at 5:00 PM EST on January 5, 2026, and projects are targeted to begin work in August 2026. An informational webinar will be offered on December 2, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (register for the Zoom meeting here). 

For further information, contact the Lake Champlain Basin Program, 54 West Shore Road, Grand Isle, VT at (802) 372-3213 / (800) 468-5227 or visit www.lcbp.org. 

-end-

The Lake Champlain Basin Program coordinates and funds efforts that benefit the Lake Champlain Basin’s water quality, fisheries, wetlands, wildlife, recreation, and cultural resources. The program works in partnership with federal agencies, state and provincial agencies from New York, Vermont, and Québec, local communities, businesses, and citizen groups. NEIWPCC—a regional commission that helps the states of the Northeast preserve and advance water quality—serves as the primary program administrator of LCBP at the request of the Lake Champlain Steering Committee and administers the program’s personnel, finances, and contracts. NEIWPCC is a program partner of LCBP. For further information, contact the Lake Champlain Basin Program, 54 West Shore Road, Grand Isle, VT at (802) 372-3213 / (800) 468-5227 or visit https://www.lcbp.org/.

Grand Isle, VT – The Patrick Leahy Lake Champlain Basin Program (LCBP), in partnership with NEIWPCC, seeks to fund projects that improve public understanding of and engagement with watershed issues in the Lake Champlain Basin.

This opportunity is intended to support efforts that increase awareness of challenges facing the Basin’s water quality and ecosystems, and that foster informed decision-making and stewardship.

Grants are available in two categories: 

• Small Education and Outreach Projects: Grants of up to $15,000 will be awarded, with a total of approximately $180,000 in available funding. One proposal may be submitted per eligible organization.
• Large Education and Outreach Projects: Grants between $15,000 - $50,000 will be awarded, with a total of approximately $400,000 in available funding. Up to two proposals may be submitted per eligible organization.

“Public understanding and engagement are critical to the work of managing and restoring our watershed” said Dr. Eric Howe, NEIWPCC Program Director of the Lake Champlain Basin Program. “Awarded projects will build on past and current projects and programs that collectively help to build an informed and involved public.”

The awarded projects will advance the goals of the long-term Lake Champlain management plan Opportunities for Action (plan.lcbp.org). This grant opportunity is supported by funds awarded to Lake Champlain by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and in partnership with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

Proposals for small projects are due at 5:00 PM EST on December 15, 2025, and projects are targeted to begin work in June 2026. Proposals for large projects are due at 5:00 PM EST on January 5, 2026 and are targeted to begin work in January 2027. An informational webinar will be offered on November 19, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. (register for the Zoom meeting here).

For further information, contact the Lake Champlain Basin Program, 54 West Shore Road, Grand Isle, VT at (802) 372-3213 / (800) 468-5227 or visit www.lcbp.org.

Bow Seat's 2026 Ocean Awareness Contest – Your Story, Our Ocean – encourages you to explore the many ways our ocean sustains, protects, and inspires us. Bow Seat invites you to think about your personal connection to the ocean – whether you’re coastal or landlocked – through the value it brings to your life. The benefits of the ocean are widespread and multifaceted, from food production to climate regulation to artistic inspiration. Go through the sub-themes and explore the topics that resonate with you. Share how the ocean has shaped your story through art, writing, performance, film, or multimedia. How does the ocean sustain, protect, and inspire you?

Be sure to check out Bow Seat's past winners and explore the broader Resource Studio for ideas and guidance.

Quick Contest Details:

• Free to enter
• Open to students worldwide between the ages of 11 - 18
• Cash awards up to $1,000
• Submit by June 8, 2026
• Submissions accepted in:
• • Visual Art: Handcrafted
  • Visual Art: Digital
  • Creative Writing
  • Film
  • Poetry & Spoken Word
  • Performing Arts
  • Interactive & Multimedia 
• Explore the Submission Requirements to learn more about the Categories.

On October 9, 2025, the Vermont Education & Environment Network (VEEN) gathered for a delightfully spooky evening of networking and learning at the Green Mountain Audubon Center’s Education Barn. The Fall Gathering, aptly themed “Spooky Species,” brought together environmental educators, scientists, and community members for a night celebrating some of nature’s most misunderstood creatures.

Breaking the Ice — With a Spooky Twist

To kick off the evening, VEEN Board member Mandy led a lively icebreaker game of “Who Am I?”—but with a “spooky species” spin. Guests arrived to find nametags featuring a mysterious animal (eel, hyena, spider, and more!) and had to mingle and ask one question of each new person to guess their identity. Laughter filled the barn as conversations sparked, connections formed, and everyone got into the Halloween spirit.

Learning from the Experts

The heart of the night featured three engaging presentations from local experts who shed light on creatures that often get an undeserved bad rap:

Diana Butler, wildlife rehabilitator with the Vermont Bat Center, kicked things off by sharing fascinating bat facts and debunking myths that make bats seem scary. She explained that in many Eastern cultures, bats symbolize good luck and fortune. Diana also introduced the species found here in Vermont, outlined threats they face—like habitat loss and white-nose syndrome—and offered practical tips on what to do if you encounter a bat in the wild or at home.

️ ️Dr. Ruth Fabian-Fine, neurobiologist and professor at St. Michael’s College, followed with an enthralling talk about spider brains. She shared her journey into researching the surprising similarities between spiders and humans—particularly how studying their brains can help us understand neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s. Ruth’s ability to translate complex science into accessible, relatable ideas had the audience hanging on every word.

Craig Newman, from Outreach for Earth Stewardship, closed the evening by introducing everyone to Muir, a magnificent Great-Horned Owl. As the group stepped outside under the glow of the rising moon, Muir’s presence was both humbling and awe-inspiring—the perfect “spooky” finale to a night full of wonder.

The Rural Schools Collaborative, backed by a three-year grant from the Bezos Family Foundation, is expanding its Grants in Place program to support 100 rural classroom projects over the next three years. Rural Schools Collaborative

• The application deadline is October 24, 2025. Rural Schools Collaborative

• Grant awards up to $2,500 each 

• The goal is to help rural teachers design projects that deepen connections between classrooms, students, and their local communities (i.e. place-based education)

Learn more here: https://ruralschoolscollaborative.org/news/rural-schools-collaborative-receives-grant-to-expand-place-based-education-in-rural-communities