From April 14-16, seven teams comprised of 40 educator leaders from across the Columbia Basin and beyond gathered to develop plans to support their schools and communities. Teachers Brooke Jones, Hannah Boomer and Carly Christy (and I quote Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network's Executive Director Duncan Whittick) "brought a wonderful level of energy, engagement and enthusiasm to help support outdoor and environmental learning in SD8."

Below is a first-Person account by SD8 teacher Brooke Jones of her experience at the EEPSA Environmental Education Event at Nipika Mountain Resort north of Radium, B.C.: 

This was my first experience attending an Environmental Education Professional Specialist Association (EEPSA) event and I am really grateful for the opportunity to have attended the leadership clinic.

The setting and structure of the event allowed attendees to naturally network with attendees from both our local community and the Columbia Basin at-large.

I was very inspired by all of the amazing work that some of the attendees were doing and now feel even more motivated to do the same in my community/school.

Many of these individuals I plan on staying in touch with, both in a professional and personal manner, so that we can collaborate on projects that we brainstormed at the clinic. Already, our local (Nelson) chapter has plans for an EEPSA spring social and future, district pro-d opportunities.

I look forward to continuing be involved with EEPSA and hopefully attending the leadership clinic again in the future!