Professional Development Workshops & Environmental Education Training for Educators
Research has shown that well-integrated, nature-based educational activities can improve children’s academic achievement, behavior, well-being, and physical development. In light of this and to help teachers effectively educate and inspire their students to be knowledgeable and committed stewards of the environment, we offer professional development workshops that train and certify educators in three of the most well-respected environmental education curricula: Project Learning Tree, Project WET, & Project WILD.
Upcoming Course Offerings
Discover the Power of Outdoor Play | Descubre el Poder de los Juegos al Aire Libre
Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025
Time: 6:30-8:30 pm
Location: Kids Can Community Center - 4768 Q St, Omaha 68117
Register at this link: https://registrations.elcomaharegion.org/workshops/SectionDetails.aspx?SectionID=2834
Description:
This hands-on workshop for early childhood educators will focus on winter activities from the nationally recognized Growing Up WILD environmental science curriculum. You'll learn how to incorporate seasonal nature play into your daily and weekly routines plus receive practical tips for bringing nature into everyday learning, even in winter. Participants will also receive a curriculum guide with additional lessons and activities. This session is being held IN PERSON with live Spanish interpretation.
Este taller práctico se centrará específicamente en las actividades invernales del currículo de ciencias ambientales Creciendo WILD, reconocido a nivel nacional. Aprenderás a incorporar los juegos de temporada en la naturaleza en tus rutinas diarias y semanales, además recibirás consejos prácticos para llevar la naturaleza al aprendizaje diario, incluso en invierno, y una guía curricular con lecciones y actividades adicionales. Esta sesión será EN PERSONA. Habrá interpretación en vivo en Español.
For questions about educator workshops or KOB environmental education programs, please email Hannah.Rennard-Ganley@keepomahabeautiful.org.
About Our Certification Courses:
Project Learning Tree advances environmental literacy and promotes stewardship through excellence in environmental education, professional development, and curriculum resources that use trees and forests as windows into the world.
Project WET’s mission is to promote awareness of water and empower community action to solve complex water issues by providing training workshops on diverse water topics so that educators can reach children with objective, experiential, science-based water education.
The goal of Project WILD is to develop awareness, knowledge, skills, and commitment resulting in informed decisions, responsible behavior, and constructive actions concerning wildlife and the environment.
The following applies to all educator certification courses offered by Keep Omaha Beautiful:
- Workshop participants include early childhood educators and K-12 teachers.
- Courses are offered at little to no cost to participants.
- Through these workshops, participants become certified in the respective environmental education curriculum and gain the knowledge and hands-on experiences to help them engage their young learners in environmental education activities.
- Participants will receive a curriculum guide full of lesson plans and activities (that align with academic standards) that can be used in outdoor and indoor settings throughout the entire year.
- As certified environmental educators, participants are also granted online access to additional resources.
- KOB provides ongoing support to help educators fully integrate environmental education into their teaching.
