YA Eco Mysteries, Memoirs, Novels & Travel
Environmental Fiction in the Classroom
Piping Plover Conservation
17/05/17 11:27 Filed in: Environment
Search for the Piping Plovers (Charadrius melodus)
The inspiration for the eighth Eco mystery in the series, The Adventures of the Sizzling Six:The Case of the Missing Piping Plovers began with Walker Golder’s presentation to the Birmingham Audubon Society. Golder is the National Audubon Society’s director of Audubon’s Atlantic Flyway Coast Initiative. His compelling account of the search for the Piping plover’s wintering hot spot on the remote Joulter Cays launched my own journey to write The Case of the Missing Piping Plovers.
EEAA Conference Inspires Educators
06/03/16 11:17 Filed in: Environment
Environmental Education in the Classroom
You can call me a nature lover, an environmentalists, an environmental educator, or the author of the eco mystery series for kids. One thing's for sure, the scientists and teachers who participated in the 2016 Environmental Education Association of Alabama Conference at Camp McDowell, were an inspiration. Like me, they are dedicated to passing on our scientific knowledge, love, and appreciation for nature to the next generation.
Looking for a Green Salamander
Read More...
You can call me a nature lover, an environmentalists, an environmental educator, or the author of the eco mystery series for kids. One thing's for sure, the scientists and teachers who participated in the 2016 Environmental Education Association of Alabama Conference at Camp McDowell, were an inspiration. Like me, they are dedicated to passing on our scientific knowledge, love, and appreciation for nature to the next generation.
Looking for a Green Salamander
Read More...
Environmental Fiction 3-8th grade
04/02/15 11:21 Filed in: Environment
Environmental Education Inspires Wonder and Curiosity
Through The Adventures of The Sizzling Six, Eco Mystery series, I hope to inspire readers around 3rd-8th grade to experience wonder and curiosity about the natural world. In each mystery kids must solve an eco mystery in order to take action to help save a species. The eco mysteries challenge and empower them to help resolve environmental problems that threaten living things in their own communities—yes, students can and have helped make a difference.
Read More...
Through The Adventures of The Sizzling Six, Eco Mystery series, I hope to inspire readers around 3rd-8th grade to experience wonder and curiosity about the natural world. In each mystery kids must solve an eco mystery in order to take action to help save a species. The eco mysteries challenge and empower them to help resolve environmental problems that threaten living things in their own communities—yes, students can and have helped make a difference.
Read More...Teachers for Earth Day
23/04/14 08:40 Filed in: Environment
Amazing Science Stories and Books with Environmental Themes:
Throughout Alabama inspired and determined environmentalists are finding ways to conserve our precious natural resources. When I began my eco mystery series, The Adventures of The Sizzling Six, I did not fully anticipate the number of dedicated environmentalist I would meet along the way. What an inspiration it has been to see environmental educators like Traci Ingleright, Kay Stone and Kimberely Murray teaching students to appreciate and understand nature. And what a privilege and an education to see biologist and conservationists like Ken Marion, Thane Wibbles, Mark Bailey, John Trent, Eric Soehren, and Eric Spadgenske, Michele Reynolds, Arnold Rutkis and April Waltz Lapidus actively working to save species. Read More...
Throughout Alabama inspired and determined environmentalists are finding ways to conserve our precious natural resources. When I began my eco mystery series, The Adventures of The Sizzling Six, I did not fully anticipate the number of dedicated environmentalist I would meet along the way. What an inspiration it has been to see environmental educators like Traci Ingleright, Kay Stone and Kimberely Murray teaching students to appreciate and understand nature. And what a privilege and an education to see biologist and conservationists like Ken Marion, Thane Wibbles, Mark Bailey, John Trent, Eric Soehren, and Eric Spadgenske, Michele Reynolds, Arnold Rutkis and April Waltz Lapidus actively working to save species. Read More...
Conservationists Saving Nature
21/11/13 11:22 Filed in: Environment
Salute to Alabama’s Nature Conservationists
We are bombarded daily by dire news of global warming, the extinction of species, the destruction of the natural environment, and the urgent need for alternative energies. Too often this leaves us feeling discouraged and powerless. Rather than pay lip service to these problems, I feel the need to do something that will make a difference—even in a small way. Read More...
We are bombarded daily by dire news of global warming, the extinction of species, the destruction of the natural environment, and the urgent need for alternative energies. Too often this leaves us feeling discouraged and powerless. Rather than pay lip service to these problems, I feel the need to do something that will make a difference—even in a small way. Read More...
Why Authors Visit Schools
26/10/13 10:31 Filed in: Environment
How to Prepare for Authors Visits to Schools
My favorite part of being an author besides the actual writing of the books is connecting with teachers and students at schools. It was my great pleasure to visit South Shades Crest Elementary School to read to the children on Literature Night. Read More...
My favorite part of being an author besides the actual writing of the books is connecting with teachers and students at schools. It was my great pleasure to visit South Shades Crest Elementary School to read to the children on Literature Night. Read More...
Outdoor Classroom Expo
15/10/13 09:52 Filed in: Environment
Outdoor Classrooms Inspire Students to Apply Common Core Skills
Back in the 1990s, with only a vague idea of how to go about it, I decided that my students and I would create a nature trail on the grounds of the middle school where I taught. It was easy to do—if I discount the time I nearly got run over by a truck hauling gravel, the backbreaking work of dragging wheelbarrows filled with gravel onto the trail, the misery of being attacked by poison ivy, and the difficulty of finding funds for the project. After battling on our own for months, the neighborhood association generously provided funds for the completion of the trail, and the Extension Service built a small amphitheater that students could use as an outdoor classroom. Read More...
Back in the 1990s, with only a vague idea of how to go about it, I decided that my students and I would create a nature trail on the grounds of the middle school where I taught. It was easy to do—if I discount the time I nearly got run over by a truck hauling gravel, the backbreaking work of dragging wheelbarrows filled with gravel onto the trail, the misery of being attacked by poison ivy, and the difficulty of finding funds for the project. After battling on our own for months, the neighborhood association generously provided funds for the completion of the trail, and the Extension Service built a small amphitheater that students could use as an outdoor classroom. Read More...
Writing Eco Mystery Adventures 12
09/07/13 10:04 Filed in: Environment
Audubon Mountain Workshop
14/05/13 08:59 Filed in: Environment
36th Annual Audubon Mountain Workshop
As we speed north from Birmingham how delightful it was to watch the spring flowing, like a sparkling green wave, into the mountains and up to Camp Alpine where we would be joining fellow nature conservationist for the Audubon Mountain Workshop. Read More...
As we speed north from Birmingham how delightful it was to watch the spring flowing, like a sparkling green wave, into the mountains and up to Camp Alpine where we would be joining fellow nature conservationist for the Audubon Mountain Workshop. Read More...
Earth Day Picnic
22/04/13 11:18 Filed in: Environment
Picnic for the Planet Alabama Nature Conservancy
What a pleasure to be a part of Picnic for the Planet, 2013! On a perfect spring day, we gathered together with kids of all ages for a picnic celebrating Earth Day. Sponsored by The Alabama Nature Conservancy at Railroad Park in downtown Birmingham, picnickers basked in the sunshine, played on the lawns, danced to live music, and enjoyed presentations about the excellent projects of the Nature Conservancy. Read More...
What a pleasure to be a part of Picnic for the Planet, 2013! On a perfect spring day, we gathered together with kids of all ages for a picnic celebrating Earth Day. Sponsored by The Alabama Nature Conservancy at Railroad Park in downtown Birmingham, picnickers basked in the sunshine, played on the lawns, danced to live music, and enjoyed presentations about the excellent projects of the Nature Conservancy. Read More...
Enviornmental Fiction Encourage Teens To Read More
27/09/11 11:02 Filed in: Environment
QR CODE ENHANCED BOOKS/QR RAVE BOOKS (QR Reading And Video Enterainment-trademark pending)
If statistics are to be believed, Mobile phones are becoming so ubiquitous that only 9% of American teens would be willing to go without their cell phones for 24 hours and the average child spends an hour and a half texting each day. So can we boost teen reading with mobile devices? We certainly think they can!
We’ve harnessed the power of mobile devices to integrate our printed books with video clips to “magically” transport the readers from the words on the printed page to let readers see and hear what the characters in the story are seeing and hearing. HOW?? Just watch the two-minute video on HOME page.
And please help to distribute these books FREE to schools, libraries and organizations of your choice. In addition you will receive great rewards. HOW?
If statistics are to be believed, Mobile phones are becoming so ubiquitous that only 9% of American teens would be willing to go without their cell phones for 24 hours and the average child spends an hour and a half texting each day. So can we boost teen reading with mobile devices? We certainly think they can!
We’ve harnessed the power of mobile devices to integrate our printed books with video clips to “magically” transport the readers from the words on the printed page to let readers see and hear what the characters in the story are seeing and hearing. HOW?? Just watch the two-minute video on HOME page.
And please help to distribute these books FREE to schools, libraries and organizations of your choice. In addition you will receive great rewards. HOW?
Cahaba Lily Mystery
05/06/11 13:34 Filed in: Environment
Cahaba Lily Mystery
The Cahaba Lily Festival, hosted by the town of West Blocton for the past 22 years, celebrates the rare lily protected by federal law within the Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge. Read More...
The Cahaba Lily Festival, hosted by the town of West Blocton for the past 22 years, celebrates the rare lily protected by federal law within the Cahaba National Wildlife Refuge. Read More...
Top 5 Eco Mysteries
14/01/11 12:08 Filed in: Environment
The environmental movement may not yet have changed the world, but it has created a niche for kids, tweens and young adult Eco Mysteries. Here are my favorite eco mystery writers: Read More...