Cumberland Community Forest Educator Resource
The Cumberland Forest has developed an educational resource to support K-9 teachers and students at Cumberland Community School and all our educational partners who inspire learning and discovery in the forests, creeks, wetlands surrounding our community. This resource aims to encourage curiosity and wonder, to connect kids more deeply to the land, and to learn about how to be strong stewards.
Getting students into the forest activates both their creative spark and interest in science. Time in nature is an essential investment in our children’s health, our own health, and the health of our planet. The resource includes orientation to the landscape, ecosystems, species at risk, water and watersheds, wetlands, Leave No Trace principles, and citizen science. The materials were developed by Christina (Tina) Willard-Stepan, Educator and Facilitator, and Meaghan Cursons, Executive Director of the CCFS.
Find the Resource HERE: INTERACTION VERSION CCFS Teacher Resource for Web
- Activities are labelled by age group (primary, intermediate and middle school students). Many are
appropriate for all ages with modifications. - Activities are also organized to include: Being prepared: health and safety; Before you go: launching an inquiry; In the forest; and Tools for reflection and continued learning.
- A tree kit, containing field guides, plant identification books and more, is available from the Cumberland Community School Library to support students during their explorations.
- BC Government curriculum connections are included, and there are links to maps and other supplementary
resources in the appendices. - Teachers – be sure to visit the following link for outdoor risk assessment templates prior to organizing your time outside: http://learn71.ca/environmental-outdoor-learning-eol/forms-policy
Cumberland Community Forest Field Guide
The purpose of this field guide is to familiarize Cumberland community members of all ages and all those who are interested, with the diverse organisms that inhabit the Cumberland Community Forest. The guide was created by Renee Baron of DV8 Education, in collaboration with the Cumberland Community Forest Society (CCFS) as part of her Master’s program.
We hope to continue to develop this guide over time to help to enrich the community’s nature connection journey. A PDF of the Cumberland Community Forest Field Guide is available for download HERE: CCFS Field Guide 2021 – DV8
CCFS Educational Partners
Cumberland Lake Park Wilderness Society – Voyager Canoe Program, School Programs, Watershed Education, Forest Ecology, Rock Climbing, Camping / Retreats. This non profit manages the Cumberland Lake Park Campground and re-invests profits into community programs and facility updates.
DV8 Education – Beyond the Ordinary – Led by outdoor educator Renne Baron, DV8 aims to provide creative educational opportunities for our community to deepen their relationship with the natural environment. Their programs provide: outdoor learning in schoolyards, local green spaces and wilderness / curriculum-linked place-based and experiential education / student engagement and empowerment / team-building for all ages.
Connected by Water – Comox Valley Regional District led community and school education program focused on the protection and sustainability of the Comox Lake Watershed. Drinking water, human impacts, ecology, land use, history, climate change and more.
Cumberland Community School Society (CCSS) – Community School organization based out of Cumberland Community School offers lunch programs, community food box program, community education and after school programs. The CCFS also partners with the CCSS to deliver after school programs.