ON TOP CBEEN Executive Director Duncan Whittick (right, holding award) and CBEEN volunteer Monica Nissen (left, holding award) accept the award from directors of the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication (EECOM). Photo submitted
By Joshua Estabrooks
Special to The Pioneer
The Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN) was awarded the highest prize for an organization of its type at the national environmental education awards ceremony last weekend in Victoria. CBEEN was named Outstanding Environmental Education Membership Organization by the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication (EECOM) at its national conference.
Celebrating 10 years of service, CBEEN was established with the aim of building a community of engaged and effective educators by connecting them with the best resources, information, delivery and networking opportunities available.
I believe this award is a testament to the incredible efforts put forward by countless volunteers, staff, partners, funders and members over the past decade, said CBEEN Executive Director Duncan Whittick, who accepted the award on the organizations behalf. I also think it is a wonderful launching pad for CBEEN to become an even stronger umbrella network that plays a role in strengthening environmental education for all residents of the Columbia Basin.
Incorporated as a non-profit in 2003, CBEEN has since grown from handful of passionate educators to a vibrant network of more than 400 educators from across the Columbia Basin and beyond. Currently, CBEEN is the only organization acting as an umbrella network for environmental education across the Canadian Columbia Basin a region internationally recognized for its biodiversity values.
In 2009, the organization spread its wings and took on the Wild Voices for Kids program which originated as part of the Wings over the Rockies Bird Festival in Invermere, said Mr. Whittick.
