We offer a number of opportunities for educators to learn ecology, gain ecology research experience they can apply to their teaching, and develop new ways to teach ecology.

In February and March of 2008, the Cary Institute will be offering ecology workshops for middle and high school teachers. Topics include: the Hudson River, invasive species, and environmental change.

In 2009, the Cary Institute Ecosystem Literacy Initiative is offering three Summer Institutes for Teachers. Each week-long session (one for elementary and two for middle/high school teachers) will immerse teachers in cutting edge ecology and build a community of practitioners interested in fostering ecology learning. Selected course resources are available online.

The Changing Hudson Project works with high school and community college teachers to introduce the Hudson River ecosystem to their students, in particular the forces that cause changes, and the types of responses of this ecosystem.

Research Experience for Teachers (RET) Fellowships are available for 1-2 teachers each year either at the Cary Institute in New York, or through the Baltimore Ecosystem Study in Maryland. Teachers spend 4-6 weeks joining an ecology research team, carrying out their own research, and developing applications and lessons for their use with students. Fellows receive a stipend, a fund for travel and supplies, and research support from scientists and educators. For more information, contact: Dr. Alan R. Berkowitz, Head of Education, at (845) 677-7600 ext. 311 or via email.

Investigating Urban Ecosystems Workshops are offered for educators in the Baltimore region through the Baltimore Ecosystem Study. See: www.beslter.org, or contact Dr. Alan R. Berkowitz, Education Team Leader for BES, at (845) 677-7600 ext. 311 or via email.

Our City's an Ecosystem! - After School Ecology Program Leaders' Workshops are available upon request. Learn to use the fun, hands-on, inquiry based units in an after school or summer program setting with elementary school students. Contact: Janie Gordon at (410) 448-5663 ext.125 or via email

Human Settlements as Ecosystems Workshops are offered to faculty from colleges and universities that are interested in engaging their students in field explorations of urban-to-rural gradients. Half- to full-day workshops are available upon request. Contact: Dr. Alan R. Berkowitz, Head of Education, at (845) 677-7600 ext. 311 or via email.

Schoolyard Ecology Programs for Teachers have been a hallmark of our programs for educators since the 1990's. Schools or school districts interested in arranging professional development workshops for teachers, or for teacher trainers, should contact Dr. Alan R. Berkowitz, Head of Education, at (845) 677-7600 ext. 311 or via email.

Eco-Inquiry Workshops are offered upon request for upper elementary or middle school teachers interested in learning how to make the best use of the Eco-Inquiry Curriculum. Contact: Kim Notin at (845) 677-7600 ext. 303 or via email