Most Popular Tools & Resources
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Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
Robin Wall Kimmerer's beloved bestselling book has been adapted for young adults by Monique Gray Smith. Monique is Cree, Lakota and Scottish, and is well known for her storytelling, spirit of generosity and focus on resilience. This new edition reinforces how wider ecological understanding stems from listening to the earth’s oldest teachers: the plants around us. With informative sidebars, reflection questions, and art from illustrator Nicole Neidhardt (Navajo), Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults will help provide educators to bring Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the lessons of plant life to a new generation. "A book to grow up with and grow into." Every high school English, Social Studies, Biology and History Department should have copies of this book available. Not to mention every Library, Youth Group and Family with teenaged children. Drawing from her experiences as an Indigenous scientist, botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer demonstrates how all living things—from strawberries and witch hazel to water lilies and lichen—provide us with gifts and lessons every day in her best-selling book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. This new version will provide the essence of this book in a way that better engages young adults. 304 pages -
Sit pads are a great tool for transitioning your learning outdoors year-round. This one is extra comfy, easy to carry, and the exterior is made from waterproof 600 Denier Polyester with PVC backing and filled with soft, shredded, recycled foam. Due to the larger size, it is recommended for educators and older students (grades 4+). Ethical Elements: The padding for these sit pads is repurposed foam that would otherwise be discarded. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: More durable than our basic sit pad, and more affordable than our enhanced sit pad, this easy-to-carry outdoor seat is also stuffed full of recycled materials! -
Take your class on a tracks and traces wildlife scavenger hunt! This Animal Tracks & Traces Guide provides a beautiful simplified field reference to the tracks, signs, and scat of over 65 familiar North American species. It also features a ruler and and is laminated to provide weather resistance. Ethical Elements: Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: We have used these guides for decades with students of all ages. And a few years ago we worked with our partners in British Columbia to get these out to test them with 200 classes, and had great reviews! -
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Working with syilx apprentice knowledge keeper, Krystal Withakay (spaxwawlm), the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) Parks Services produced this guide Central Okanagan: Guide to Common Plants and Animals (suqinaq̓inxʷ tmxʷulaxʷ : tmíxʷ uł yayat əts p̓lal), in English and nsyilxcən (where possible). Nsyilxcən is the language spoken by syilx Okanagan people. This guide covers the territory of the the traditional, ancestral, and unceded tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the syilx / Okanagan people who have resided here since time immemorial. It is laminated to make it weatherproof and is printed on 100% recycled paper. To help with language pronunciation, you can use the guide on this page. $1 from every guide is directed to the Syilx Language House, and any remaining proceeds go back to supporting non-profit outdoor learning initiatives. We also offer a number of other Indigenous Learning Resources that are made available on the recommendation of Indigenous advisors and partners, and through Indigenous organizations, authors and creators. You are welcome to include other items in your order, and we can ship everything out together when these guides arrive to save you $$ on shipping. Or you can put in two separate orders - one for these guides, and a second for other resources, and we will ship separately. Please note that the image shown here is a draft, and the final version may look slightly different. -
This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species of beetles, bugs, spiders, flies, aquatic insects and everything in-between. It also identifies the differences between different types of invertebrates, the eight major groups of insects and tips on identifying species in the field. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information. Ethical Elements: Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: We have used these guides for decades with students of all ages. And a few years ago we worked with our partners in British Columbia to get these out to test them with 200 classes, and had great reviews! -
The familiar Monarch butterfly is one of over 5,000 species of butterflies found in the diverse ecosystems of North America. This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 70 familiar and unique species and includes information on their life cycle and features illustrations of common caterpillars and pupae. This convenient guide is an ideal, portable source of practical information and ideal for field use by educators and learners alike. Ethical Elements: Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: We have used these guides for decades with students of all ages - teacher tested & approved! 🙂 -
These journals feature all-weather & recyclable writing paper that sheds water and enables you to write with a pencil anywhere, in any weather conditions. A versatile option for any conditions that Mother Nature throws at you! Colours: We have access to both yellow and green, but access to colours varies considerably from our supplier and so we will provide you with the colour available at the time of order. Ethical Elements: Recyclable paper. Offered in partnership with Take Me Outside, a Canadian non-profit organization committed to raising awareness and facilitating action on nature connection and outdoor learning in schools across Canada. 50% of the proceeds of this go to Take Me Outside Canada. The Inside Scoop: We know that writing outside can be a limiting factor for outdoor learning, especially in the rainy season! So we were thrilled when our friends at Take Me Outside got in touch with a solution. We know that this will help many to take their learning outside, despite the varied weather our country offers us! -
This beautifully illustrated guide highlights over 140 familiar and unique species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, insects and other invertebrates, trees, shrubs and wildflowers. Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by naturalists of all ages. Ethical Elements: Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: We have used these guides for decades with students of all ages. And a few years ago we worked with our partners in British Columbia to get these out to test them with 200 classes, and had great reviews! -
This small pocket sized field guide titled '?a-kxam̓is q̓api qapsin' (All Living Things) features 23 common BC plants, including beautiful colour images, their description, habitat, and traditional uses by the Ktunaxa people (British Columbia, Montana, Idaho, Washington). Ethical Elements: This resource is offered in partnership with the Ktunaxa Nation Council which has the vision of having strong, healthy citizens and communities, speaking their languages and celebrating who they are and their history in our ancestral homelands, working together, managing their lands and resources, within a self-sufficient, self-governing Nation. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. Pages 51 -
This fascinating guide reviews the status of the world’s top pollinators, how they are built, behave and reproduce in the wild and in managed colonies. It also highlights some of the most familiar and unique species and what you can do to help conserve and protect these important creatures. This convenient guide is an ideal, portable reference for educators and learners of all ages. Ethical Elements: Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. The Inside Scoop: We have used these guides for decades with students of all ages – teacher tested & approved!
Most Recently Added Tools & Resources
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Working with syilx apprentice knowledge keeper, Krystal Withakay (spaxwawlm), the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) Parks Services produced this guide Central Okanagan: Guide to Common Plants and Animals (suqinaq̓inxʷ tmxʷulaxʷ : tmíxʷ uł yayat əts p̓lal), in English and nsyilxcən (where possible). Nsyilxcən is the language spoken by syilx Okanagan people. This guide covers the territory of the the traditional, ancestral, and unceded tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the syilx / Okanagan people who have resided here since time immemorial. It is laminated to make it weatherproof and is printed on 100% recycled paper. To help with language pronunciation, you can use the guide on this page. $1 from every guide is directed to the Syilx Language House, and any remaining proceeds go back to supporting non-profit outdoor learning initiatives. We also offer a number of other Indigenous Learning Resources that are made available on the recommendation of Indigenous advisors and partners, and through Indigenous organizations, authors and creators. You are welcome to include other items in your order, and we can ship everything out together when these guides arrive to save you $$ on shipping. Or you can put in two separate orders - one for these guides, and a second for other resources, and we will ship separately. Please note that the image shown here is a draft, and the final version may look slightly different.
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Chaparral – the shrub-dominated landscape found in-between the coast and the mountains – is California’s most extensive ecosystem and can be found in every single county in the state. This beautifully illustrated guide – produced with the assistance of the San Diego Audubon Society and other partners – highlights over 140 familiar species of trees and wildflowers, cacti, insects, reptiles and amphibians, birds, mammals (and their tracks). Laminated for durability, this lightweight, pocket-sized folding guide is an excellent source of portable information and ideal for field use by naturalists of all ages. Ethical Elements: Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper. Read more about our ethical policies & practices. -
Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants
Robin Wall Kimmerer's beloved bestselling book has been adapted for young adults by Monique Gray Smith. Monique is Cree, Lakota and Scottish, and is well known for her storytelling, spirit of generosity and focus on resilience. This new edition reinforces how wider ecological understanding stems from listening to the earth’s oldest teachers: the plants around us. With informative sidebars, reflection questions, and art from illustrator Nicole Neidhardt (Navajo), Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults will help provide educators to bring Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the lessons of plant life to a new generation. "A book to grow up with and grow into." Every high school English, Social Studies, Biology and History Department should have copies of this book available. Not to mention every Library, Youth Group and Family with teenaged children. Drawing from her experiences as an Indigenous scientist, botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer demonstrates how all living things—from strawberries and witch hazel to water lilies and lichen—provide us with gifts and lessons every day in her best-selling book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants. This new version will provide the essence of this book in a way that better engages young adults. 304 pages -
This beautiful resource book is back, and this time we are the publishers! This large-format paperback contains over 50 of the best teaching strategies and activities contributed to Green Teacher during the past decade! This provides a wealth of kid-tested ideas contributed by educators from across North America, covering a wide spectrum of environmental topics and presenting a large diversity of practical projects and learning strategies. While the book focuses on helping kids develop a strong connection with the natural world, there are many articles that focus on the social and global aspects of our environment. The book is attractively designed and organized, and, for each article and activity, the editors have identified appropriate grade levels, subject areas, key concepts, skills, and materials. The hands-on projects and learning strategies are sure to inspire all educators who are seeking innovative ideas for incorporating green themes into their programs. 240 pages -
This resource for educators was designed to serve as a complete “green” teaching resource for those working with middle school-aged youth. Readers will find a wealth of kid-tested ideas contributed by educators from across North America and covering a wide spectrum of environmental topics, from biodiversity to resource consumption to green technology. They include practical projects and new learning strategies that will inspire educators seeking innovative ideas for incorporating green themes into their programs. Pages: 240 -
This is an ideal resource for anyone working with young people in Grades 9-12. Richly illustrated, it offers teaching strategies that promote learning about natural systems and foster critical thinking about environmental issues, both local and global. It contains new approaches to learning, strategies for living sustainably, and numerous activities that promote interdisciplinary learning. In addition, the book provides suggestions for greening individual subject areas, developing integrated learning programs, and replicating exemplary programs already created by innovative schools and communities. Pages: 226 -
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The FoodCycler is an indoor compost alternative which transforms food waste into nutrient-rich fertilizer (we call 'foodilizer') for the garden. In 4-6 hours, this compost food recycler will reduce food waste volume and weight by up to 90%, leaving a dry, odourless and sterile by-product which can be safely handled by students and teachers. The FoodCycler provides authentic, hands-on learning opportunities for students of all ages, which can be easily connected to curriculum. It can be used to complement units of study on solid waste (i.e., food waste, waste reduction). It can activate research into the science of decomposition or an inquiry into the benefits of compost. Use the fertilizer from the FoodCycler to amend soil for your indoor plants or school gardens and watch them flourish! By using a FoodCycler, you are keeping food waste out of landfills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95% vs. sending it to the landfill. You also reduce wildlife attractants, and create a useable material to put into your school garden. The FoodCycler is:- quiet
- compact
- odourless
- easy to use
- energy efficient
- 1 x FoodCycler FC-30
- 1 x Removable Grinding Bucket
- 1 x Deodorizing Bucket Lid
- 1 x Instructional Guide
- Educational Support Materials for Schools
- Designed to eliminate odours during food cycling
- Threaded filter tops for easy twist-open, twist-closed functionality
- Includes enough carbon for 5 refills (at least 1 year of food cycling)
- Replace both filters’ carbon at the same time for maximum filtration
- After use, carbon can be applied directly to your garden!
- FoodCycler Overview
- Congratulations on your new FoodCycler!
- Félicitations pour votre nouveau FoodCycler!
- FoodCycler Learning & Action Kit
- Le kit d'apprentissage et d'action FoodCycler
- Vermicomposting & School-Based Composting: Learn about decomposition and how your FoodCycler turns food scraps into fertilizer!
- Reduce Your Food Waste: Use the FoodCycler to audit and significantly reduce your school’s food waste.
- Pollinator Garden & Grow a Food Garden: Use your FoodCycler by-product to nourish bee-friendly plants or grow vegetables in a food garden!
- Indoor Gardening & Greenhouses: Nourish your indoor plants by incorporating your by-product into their soil – or start new seeds with by-product and fresh soil!
Reduce Your Food Waste resources:EcoSchools Resource: Other Helpful Tools and Resources:For Schools: Teacher FAQ's:- Food Matters Action Kit (Commission for Environmental Cooperation) - English / French
- Taking stock: Reducing food loss and waste in Canada (Environment and Climate Change Canada) - English
- The avoidable crisis of food waste - Road Map (Second Harvest) - English
- Food waste resources (Waste Reduction Week in Canada) - English / French
- Love Food Hate Waste (National Zero Waste Council) - English / French
- Ontario: Food Waste resources (Sustain Ontario) - English / French (option at the top right of the English page)
- Ontario: Food Waste Audit Guide (Ontario Food Collaborative) - English
- How long is the warrantee? The FoodCycler comes with a standard 1-year manufacturer warrantee.
- How much power does it use per cycle? The processing time is about 4-8 hours and uses less than >0.8kWh
- Have you verified that this would accommodate the amount of organic waste that a classroom would produce in a day? We recommend running the cycle after snack time and then after lunch to accommodate the food waste.
- In the winter months in cold climates do teachers just collect this into a larger bin, say a garbage bin with a lid, and then do you dig it in garden beds in the spring when the ground has thawed? You can bin the by-product during the winter months and use it for your garden in the spring.
- Has this been found to be a wildlife attractant, or is the smell reduced enough? Can you leave it in a bin outside without risk of wildlife being attracted? Many of our pilot partners are from small rural areas where they do not have a green bin collection service and cannot compost due to the fear of attracting bears and other animals. They have not had an issue with attracting animals with the by-product of the FoodCycler!
- What is the recommended amount that this be added to the soil? We recommend adding 1-part foodilizer (the by-product generated by the FoodCycler) to a minimum of 10 parts soil. You can add more foodilizer over time.
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Get up close with nature with our 2-Way Nature Viewer! Place an object into the viewer and see the magnified image top & bottom (bottom view from the side). Learning about nature, including aquatic invertebrates, is fun, easy, and clear. “The two-way nature viewer is the ideal tool for making close observations of living and non-living things both in the classroom and out in nature! My students come alive with wonder and curiosity when they use these magnifiers to observe rocks, sticks, flowers, insects and even aquatic invertebrates using this magnifier (it has a shallow lip that can contain water). It is durable, easy to pack up and bring along on our learning adventures!” – Teacher, Rocky Mountain School District -
Lightweight and rubber-coated, 10x32 National Geographic binoculars are a perfect observation tool for young nature explorers.- Lightweight and compact
- 10x magnification
- 32mm lens diameter
- 315ft field of view at 1000 yards
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This kit includes 8 curated books accompanied by resources & equipment to support a K-7 soil inquiry outdoors!
This kit includes book specific lesson sparks, guiding questions, and curricular connections for playful explorations of soil in your school garden or school yard. It supports student learning across the curriculum, with a specific focus on how soil is different from dirt, and the importance of soil in our daily lives. This kit was curated and created by teachers Megan Zeni and Sarah Regan. Megan and Sarah are job share partners teaching entirely outdoors in a K-7 garden classroom. Megan shares their experiences of outdoor play and learning on Instagram and Twitter at @roomtoplay. Reduced Shipping Prices: Shipping prices have been lowered significantly since launching this kit - if you abandoned your order because of the high price, please try again! 🙂 This kit includes:- 8 curated picture books that support playful exploration of soil (see list below)
- 10-page PDF that includes a conceptual overview with lesson sparks and guiding questions for each book on a recycled & waterproof clipboard
- 1 Soil Thermometer
- 1 Waterproof Seed Starting Tray
- 1 Paper Seed Pot Maker
- 3 Magnifying Boxes
- 1 Compost Viewer
- 3 Sets of Hand Tools (3 x Trowel, Cultivator, Transplanter)
- 3 Soil Collection Jars
- 2 Handheld Field Magnifiers with 'Explore Your World' Lanyards
- 3 Recycled Drawstring Backpacks (made from recycled pop bottles!) to hold it all
- What’s Sprouting in my Trash by Ester Porter
- The Street Beneath My Feet by Charlotte Guillain and Yuval Zommer
- Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
- My Mud Kitchen is Rad by Allison Bakkum
- Compost Stew: An A-Z Recipe for Earth by Mary McKenna Siddals
- Carl and the Meaning of Life by Deborah Freedman
- Exploring Soils: A Hidden World Underground by Samantha Grover
- Dirt: The Scoop on Soil by Natalie Rosinsky
