Will Steger, the 2007 recipient of the National Geographic Lifetime Achievement Award, has led some of the most infamous polar expeditions in recent history. Now the School of Environmental Studies Education Foundation (SESEF) has led Steger to their annual fundraiser on Saturday, September 29, 2012 as the keynote speaker. The fundraiser, called S.E.S. Fest, is a charitable event supporting the School of Environmental Studies (SES) in Apple Valley, a top rated high school in the southern metropolitan area of Minneapolis and St. Paul in regards to test scores, academic achievement and graduation rates. This optional public high school’s overarching theme and focus is on the environment and sustainability, providing students with real-world opportunities for field trips and projects across the globe. Valley Natural Foods is a sponsor of the event.

President of SESEF, Sarah Berger, said the foundation is excited to have Will Steger represent S.E.S. Fest this year because he encapsulates how an environmental education empowers and inspires students to take action, explore and come up with solutions to environmental issues. Berger adds that beyond Will Steger’s keynote speech, this year’s fundraiser really gives the community a chance to learn directly from alumni, current students and faculty how SES’s innovative teaching methods and sustainable opportunities have positively impacted their lives. The community will also get the chance to understand how SESEF helps stimulate this innovation through ongoing support of SES projects.

S.E.S. Fest will start at 2:00 p.m. with a local vendor food fair outside the school located at 12155 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley. The vendor fair celebrates local fare and environmentally friendly food options. SES informational booths will also provide information about the school and its innovative projects. Bonnie Matthews, who appeared on the nationally recognized Dr. Oz show for her weight loss, will sample her locally produced vegetarian Freekeh Foods burritos. Student, staff and alumni presentations will take place at 4:00 p.m. inside the school, followed by Steger’s keynote speech at 4:30 p.m. The event will end with a silent auction and live entertainment provided by Dave Hudson starting at 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided by Valley Natural Foods in Burnsville.

S.E.S. Fest tickets are available through current SES students, SESEF board members and online at: http://sesef.org/. Cost is $10 in advance and $15 on the day of the event. All funds raised support SESEF in its efforts to provide scholarships, grants and support for new and innovative SES student projects and activities.

April is Earth Month so we thought it would be fitting to promote the 2011 Summer Institute!

All grades 3-12 educators are invited to join the Will Steger Foundation on an Exploration of Minnesota’s Changing Climate at the Summer Institute August 11- 12, 2011.

The Summer Institute will be held at the School of Environmental Studies in Apple Valley, MN. This year’s Institute will focus on the Will Steger Foundation’s new Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund project: Minnesota’s Changing Climate; Engaging Students in Environmental Stewardship Through Adventure Learning.

Participating grades 6-8 classrooms from the metro area are eligible for $500 grants due to a unique partnership with the National Park Foundation, Mississippi National River and Recreational Area (National Park Service) and Mississippi River Fund. For more information about the institute, please visit Will Steger Foundation Summer Institute

You can see what happened at last years institute by visiting: 2010 Summer Institute Recap

Will Steger with Northland Students

One of our key relationships directly connected to sustainability has been our on-going relationship with the Will Steger Foundation. The WSF understands the vital role food production plays in the bigger picture of sustainability. They provide to-notch, science-based education for educators to help instruct the upcoming generations on climate change. Each year the WSF sponsors an education outreach called the Summer Institute.

This year, the 4th annual Summer Institute for Climate Change Education is on Wednesday August 19th, 8:30-4:30 pm at the University of Minnesota. Applications available for download: www.globalwarming101.com

The Summer Institute will focus on the international climate negotiations in Copenhagen and unveil a brand new curriculum on international climate solutions for grades 9-12. Keynote speakers include renowned author and climate activist, Bill McKibben, along with Will Steger.

Registration opens in May for 100 onsite participants ($75/teacher or $100/pair) and an unlimited number of participants for our online webinar ($25/teacher). Onsite participants will receive the Citizen Climate Curriculum and online participants will be able to download the curriculum free of charge from the Global Warming 101 website.

The institute will highlight the critical need for international cooperation on climate change solutions, and equip educators with the tools necessary to empower student learning and leadership on the topic. Educators will also learn about the Midwest youth delegation to Copenhagen, led by the Will Steger Foundation, and ways that they can follow the youth experience online through multi-media dispatches including text, images, and video. The Summer Institute will include break-out sessions on topics addressed in the curriculum, including cap and trade vs. carbon tax; equity in negotiation; climate technologies; carbon cycle and more. Visit www.globalwarming101.com to watch the Summer Institute video, download the application and learn more.