top of page



Sneak Peek: 2025–26 ECAP Projects in Action 🌱
We’re excited to share a sneak peek of the incredible student projects that will be showcased at the upcoming Equitable Climate Action Partnership (ECAP) Symposium on Friday, May 8, 2026 at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science. This inspiring day (9:00 AM – 1:30 PM) will highlight student-driven climate action from across the Upper Valley , with projects that tackle local environmental challenges, strengthen community resilience, and imagine bold, creative solutions for
UVTPC Blog Writer
5 days ago3 min read


Framing Inquiry and Wonder in Place and Time: A Summer PD Opportunity for Early Childhood Educators
We’re excited to share an upcoming professional development opportunity from our partners at the Four Winds Nature Institute —designed specifically for educators working with PreK through Grade 3 students in the Upper Valley. This three-day, hands-on learning experience invites educators to explore how place-based practices can spark curiosity, deepen observation, and support meaningful science learning across the year. Program Overview Framing Inquiry and Wonder in Place and
UVTPC Blog Writer
Apr 32 min read


Upcoming PBS Documentary: Schools That Change Communities
Across New Hampshire and Vermont, educators are continually exploring ways to make learning more meaningful, relevant, and connected to place. An upcoming PBS documentary, Schools That Change Communities , shines a light on schools across the country that are doing just that. 🎬 Airing on NH PBS (WORLD Channel): April 6 at 7:00 PM April 7 at 12:00 AM (midnight) April 7 at 8:00 AM 👉 View the NH PBS schedule Reimagining Where Learning Happens While traditional classroom instru
UVTPC Blog Writer
Mar 262 min read


How to Reduce CO2 Emissions and Improve Air Quality at Schools
Funded effort for one Upper Valley middle or high school, fall 2026 semester Problem: Harm and Waste of Unnecessary Idling Many vehicles idle while waiting through the dismissal period Solution: Student-Led Effort to Mitigate the Issue Schools Are Not Drive-Thrus project: a four-step idle-free study/campaign over six to 10 weeks in a school semester Step 1: Presentation/Training Session in the Classroom Step 2: Measure Amount of Idling Occurring at Dismissal For three afte
UVTPC Blog Writer
Mar 201 min read


Seeds of Change: Upper Valley Schools Leading Climate Action
Across the Upper Valley, a subtle yet powerful shift is underway. In classrooms, gardens, school trails, and student clubs, there’s a growing wave of educators and young people engaging in place-based climate stewardship. This year, thanks to the generous support of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s Wellborn Ecology Fund , the Equitable Climate Action Partnership (ECAP) is proud to support that work through a new round of school-based grants. These grants, awarded to
Joan Haley
Mar 55 min read


VT Climate Education Bill in the News!
A recent article by Kate Kampner ( Community News Service ), published February 19, 2026 in The Charlotte News , highlights S.175 —a bill that would support climate change education across Vermont public schools. Introduced by Anne Watson , the bill would direct the Vermont Secretary of Education to develop climate change curriculum for elementary and secondary schools. The proposal is intended to serve as a resource and roadmap for educators , rather than a mandate, helping
UVTPC Blog Writer
Feb 251 min read


Don’t Miss the Feb. 9 Deadline: Summer Institutes at Shelburne Farms 🌿
UVTPC Place-Based Ecology Education (PBEE) Provider Shelburne Farms is now accepting registrations and applications for its highly regarded summer and yearlong professional learning programs—and one important deadline is coming up fast. 📌 Applications for the Northeast Farm to School Institute (2026–27) are due February 9. Shelburne Farms’ summer institutes draw educators from across the Northeast and beyond, and for good reason. Set on a stunning working farm along Lake Ch
UVTPC Blog Writer
Jan 302 min read


STEM Worm Farm Kit Mini Grant
Let’s Go Compost , a national nonprofit focused on hands-on soil science and STEM education, is offering free indoor worm composting farm kits to 100 public schools nationwide in celebration of Earth Month 2026 . This opportunity is open to public schools (including charters) in all 50 states , as well as summer school programs . Homeschool groups may apply by partnering with their local public library , which must complete the public library form on their behalf. Each sel
UVTPC Blog Writer
Dec 16, 20251 min read


Teach for Tomorrow: Winter Webinar Series ❄️
We are excited to team up again with New Hampshire Environmental Educators (NHEE) and Vermont Education & Environment Network (VEEN) , for the Teach for Tomorrow: Winter Webinar Series, offering educators a diverse range of professional development opportunities, covering topics from environmental science and sustainable education to curriculum connections, all aimed at empowering teachers to engage students and create impactful learning experiences both indoors and outdoor
UVTPC Blog Writer
Nov 19, 20251 min read


Partner Spotlight: Four Winds Nature Institute 🌿
Helping educators and families connect with the natural world—one wonder-filled moment at a time. If you’re an early childhood educator—or any educator who wants to weave more nature into your curriculum—our friends at Four Winds Nature Institute are a must-follow. Their blog posts often follow the seasons and are full of hands-on, joy-filled ideas you could implement tomorrow. Recent favorites include “Orb Weave Artistry,” “Acorns as Loose Parts,” and “Nature Journaling.”
Leigh Reynolds
Oct 28, 20252 min read


UVTPC Community of Practice at Billings Farm & Museum
On Wednesday, September 18th , 16 members of the Upper Valley Teaching Place Collaborative’s Community of Practice (CoP) gathered at...
Joan Haley
Sep 24, 20254 min read


✨ Empowering Students, Inspiring Change: Meet UVTPC’s 2025 Keynote, Jeannie Kornfeld
We’re thrilled to share some exciting news with our UVTPC community—our 2025 Fall Conference keynote speaker, Jeannie Kornfeld , was...
Joan Haley
Sep 16, 20251 min read


Announcing the UVTPC 2025 Conference Workshop Lineup!
2024 workshop attendees got their hands dirty planting trees with Michael Gamache—learning how to green their schools and communities for...
Joan Haley
Aug 21, 20252 min read


NOW Accepting Proposals for UVTPC Fall Conference Presentations!
The Upper Valley Teaching Place Collaborative (UVTPC) is excited to host our fall conference on November 13, 2025 that is aligned to our...
Leigh Reynolds
Jun 30, 20251 min read


Putting Down Roots: How My Students Turned Flood Damage into Climate Action
By Janis Boulbol, Food & Forest Systems Teacher, Woodstock Union Middle High School Two years ago, I watched our school fields flood way...
Leigh Reynolds
Jun 27, 20252 min read


When Forest Magic Meets Environmental Science
Four kindergarten teachers at Ray School discovered something powerful last year: you can teach rigorous environmental science through...
Leigh Reynolds
Jun 27, 20253 min read


The Compost Revolution: How One Vermont School Turned Food Waste Into Student Power
At 7:50 AM on a typical Tuesday morning at Marion Cross School in Norwich, Vermont, you'll find sixth graders banging on classroom...
Leigh Reynolds
Jun 23, 20252 min read


Teaching Climate Science Through Student Questions
By Alyssa Castellini, Bethel Elementary School, Science Teacher, Grades 3-5 My fifth graders in Bethel, Vermont, live with flooding. They...
Leigh Reynolds
Jun 18, 20252 min read


Vermont Students Transform Climate Anxiety into Community Action Through Collaborative River Art
When floods reached the doorstep of Woodstock Union High School for the second time in recent years, art teacher Brooke Piana noticed her...
Leigh Reynolds
Jun 18, 20252 min read


When Students Get Hungry for Change: Three Paths Through Our Food System
By Mike Loots, Wellness Teacher, Woodstock Union Middle High School This past semester, my middle school wellness students proved...
Leigh Reynolds
Jun 18, 20253 min read
bottom of page