The Global, Environmental & Outdoor
Education Council
An Interdisciplinary Specialist Council of the Alberta Teachers Association.
GEOEC is your resource for teaching in the area of global, environmental, and outdoor education.
Become a member, take part in our conference and workshops, receive teaching ideas, and bring global, environmental and outdoor education into your classroom.
Our mission is to provide resources and venues for dialogue and networking, as well as to promote quality professional development for Alberta teachers. Members receive current news items, food for thought through our journal Connections, teaching ideas, and information about our workshop series.
We are also active on Facebook and Twitter, with up-to-date information
on PD opportunities and initiatives in Alberta.
Education Council
An Interdisciplinary Specialist Council of the Alberta Teachers Association.
GEOEC is your resource for teaching in the area of global, environmental, and outdoor education.
Become a member, take part in our conference and workshops, receive teaching ideas, and bring global, environmental and outdoor education into your classroom.
Our mission is to provide resources and venues for dialogue and networking, as well as to promote quality professional development for Alberta teachers. Members receive current news items, food for thought through our journal Connections, teaching ideas, and information about our workshop series.
We are also active on Facebook and Twitter, with up-to-date information
on PD opportunities and initiatives in Alberta.
EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Virtual Campfire with GEOEC!
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May 8-10, 2025
The Outdoor Learning Conference Program Committee invites educators, practitioners, professionals, students and allied organizations immersed in this work to submit workshop proposals relevant to evidence-based best practices, innovative programs, facilitation techniques, management issues, theories/models, research, and other strategies and resources that advance and develop our sector of outdoor learning within the education system. The three main areas of focus for this Conference will be Indigenous Ways of Knowing, Health and Wellbeing, and Environmental and Climate Change Education. |
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We’re excited to share that registration for the 2025 Outdoor Learning Leadership Conference opens this Tuesday, April 15th at 7:00 AM PT / 10:00 AM ET.
Join us October 16 - 18, 2025 in beautiful Banff, Alberta, for three days of inspiring keynotes, hands-on sessions, meaningful networking, and time spent learning outdoors. The conference will bring together 250 school system leaders, administrators, and researchers to discuss Indigenous Knowledge, Health & Wellbeing, Literacy & Numeracy, Systems Change, and Environmental & Climate Change Education. |
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UPDATE FROM OUR PRESIDENT:
A Year of Growth, Connection & Outdoor Inspiration
Members, Educators, and Outdoor Enthusiasts
A Year of Growth, Connection, and Outdoor Inspiration
As the school year begins to wind down, we want to take a moment to reflect on what an incredible year it’s been for the Global, Environmental & Outdoor Education Council (GEOEC).
From inspiring classroom projects to creative outdoor learning adventures, we’ve seen Alberta teachers continue to lead the way in engaging students with the natural world. We are so proud of the passion, innovation, and dedication our members bring to this important work.
It’s been a joy connecting with so many of you at ATA specialist council events, regional conferences, and professional development days across the province. Whether you attended a session, hosted a workshop, or shared your stories with us, thank you. Your energy fuels our community.
We’re especially excited to wrap up the year with one of the most anticipated events on our calendar: the Outdoor Learning Conference in Banff this May! We hope to see many of you there as we gather to celebrate, collaborate, and learn together in one of the most beautiful settings in the world.
Stay curious, stay connected, and stay outside.
—The GEOEC Executive Team
PD EVENTS AND NEWS
If you want to see GEOEC at your Conference, Workshop, or PD Event,
please contact us, and we would love to help support in any way possible!
These are a few of the regular P.D. training and workshops we provide:
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Outdoor Council of Canada Field Leader (Hiking) Training & Certification Program Please contact us if you would like a course set up for you! Successful graduates will be certified as OCC 'Outdoor Field Leaders' Don't miss out on this amazing training certification program! For more information check out the Outdoor Council of Canada website! Link below |
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PROJECT WILD GEOEC is proud to sponsor the training & certification of Project Wild! Please let us know if you are interested in a course or more information! Project WILD is a wildlife-focused conservation education program for K-12 Educators and their students. For more information follow the link below! |
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Nation Wide Virtual Campfire
Monthly! Dates are being finalized as we speak for the 2024-25 School Year! 7 pm to 8 pm (MST) Come join us for this amazing networking opportunity. With our partners at Take Me Outside and the Outdoor Learning Store we proudly look forward to hosting you! For more details register below! |
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The Outdoor Playlist: Presented by GEOEC
These regular series feature a handful of environmental and outdoor education service providers as guest speakers, acting as a one-stop-shop for educators to find out how they've adopted their programs and how teachers can get their classes involved. Not only will you hear from many of the top school service providers in Alberta, but we will be giving out FREE RESOURCES! |
RESOURCE HIGHLIGHT
K-3 Outdoor Explorers Backpack!
In collaboration with the incredible Alberta Organization - Inside Education
Not only will this teacher PD provide you with tips and ideas for bringing your Division I students outside, it will also provide you with your very own K-3 Tool Kit, which includes a Teacher’s Guide and a backpack full of supplies that you can use to get your students outside right away!
This kit will give you the tools and ideas you’ll need to start exploring natural spaces with your students. This kit has the building blocks for outdoor lessons in science, physical education, art, math and language arts for Kindergarten to Grade 3. Along with a full teacher guide, you will receive all the equipment including , and more! (valued at ~$200). Not only will you get it for free, but we will also show you how to use all the equipment and facilitate meaningful curriculum-connected activities.
Themes:
This kit will give you the tools and ideas you’ll need to start exploring natural spaces with your students. This kit has the building blocks for outdoor lessons in science, physical education, art, math and language arts for Kindergarten to Grade 3. Along with a full teacher guide, you will receive all the equipment including , and more! (valued at ~$200). Not only will you get it for free, but we will also show you how to use all the equipment and facilitate meaningful curriculum-connected activities.
Themes:
- Tips & Best Practices for outdoor learning
- Environmental Awareness
- The Forest Floor
- Our Changing World
- Nature Stories
- Nature in Your Community
FIVE MINUTE FIELD TRIPS: VOLUME 2
Exciting NEWS!
Our latest edition of Five Minute Field Trips: Volume 2 is here!
Head on over to our Resource Section to check it out!
AWARD NOMINATIONS FOR 2023-2024
Do you know a Teacher or Educator who is has done some outstanding work in the field of Global, Environmental and Outdoor Education?
If you know someone who deserves recognition in their field please take the time to read through our award applications and submit one today!
If you know someone who deserves recognition in their field please take the time to read through our award applications and submit one today!
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