In case you haven't heard, Environmental Educators of North Carolina is hosting the 40th Annual North American Association for Environmental Education Conference this October in Raleigh, NC. We are so excited to welcome 1500+ environmental educators to our fabulous state - - and we want as many North Carolinians as possible to be involved!
There is a great team working on putting together field experiences, and these experiences are open to anyone.... even if you cannot attend the entire conference! As a previous attendee at NAAEE conferences across the nation, I am proud to say that the team has put together a great list of very affordable day and overnight experiences.Participating in these events will allow you to mix and mingle with educators from across North American and around the world. Additionally, you will also be able to earn credit for Criteria II or III for the NC EE Certification Program.
Registration is currently open and the early bird deadline is August 11th. Online registration can be found at http://www.naaee.net/conference/registration. You must use this system to sign-up/register for any of the field trips as well as Wednesday workshops (http://www.naaee.net/conference/program/workshops)
While you are poking around the web site, take a look at all the conference has to offer by looking at the conference brochure(http://www.naaee.net/sites/default/files/conference/NAAEE2011-ConfBrochure-L.pdf).
On behalf of the 2011 NAAEE NC Conference Committee:
Renee Strnad
President-elect, EENC
Volunteer Co-chair
volunteer2011@eenc.org
October 10 – 12 (Monday 4pm – Wednesday 4pm)
Mountain Geology and Alpine Ecosystems: Fee $190.00 per person
Head west through the fall foliage of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You will learn to interpret geologic features as you hike Linville Falls and Gorge, and Wiseman’s View at sunset. Summit Mt. Mitchell to study the combined effects of invasive alien species and acid precipitation.
Includes: 2 overnight accommodations, transportation, 5 meals (2-B, 2-L, and 1-D), entrance and activity fees, professional guides and hosts. Registration Cut-off is July 15, 2011 for this Field Experience!
Water Quality Monitoring and Marine Ecosystems: Fee $190.00 per person
Head east through traditional southeastern farmland to the crystalline sands of the Atlantic Coast. Learn about the FerryMon Project while crossing the Neuse River on your way to the UNC-CH water quality monitoring lab. Wednesday takes you to Carrot Island to share marine ecosystem research and spend personal time on a barrier island with wild mustangs within the Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Includes: 2 overnight accommodations, transportation, 5 meals (2-B, 2-L, and 1-D), entrance and activity fees, professional guides and hosts. Registration Cut-off is July 15, 2011 for this Field Experience!
October 12 (Wednesday 9am – 4pm)
Sandhills Fire Ecology: Fee: $50.00 per person
North Carolina is the land of the Longleaf Pine and learn why at Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve with the “Rooted in Time” EELE. Activities from the EELE relate the functions of fire and a vigorous Longleaf Pine ecosystem. Weather conditions permitting, you will take part in a controlled burn of a small plot on ahistoric private farm.
Includes: Transportation, lunch, entrance and activity fees, professional guides and hosts.
Something Old, New, Borrowed and Blue: Fee $25.00 per person
“Let’s build a boat” at William B. Umstead State Park from repurposed materials and learn how a landfill was transformed into the new North Wake Landfill District Park. Afternoon brings watershed education activities at Blue Jay Point County Park, and the day concludes with demonstration of wildlife habitat helpers made from repurposed materials.
Includes: Transportation, lunch, entrance and activity fees, professional guides and hosts.
Prairie Ridge Ecostation - Educating with Research: Fee $35.00 per person
At Prairie Ridge Ecostation you will learn how they use bird banding, citizen science projects, and other scientific research as the core for their educational programs. Begin with a hands-on bird banding session and then test a new program on sustainability while exploring a variety of features such as wind turbines, solar panels, water harvesting strategies, a green roof of native plants, and the award winning Outdoor Classroom.
Includes: Transportation, lunch, entrance and activity fees, professional guides and hosts.
Building Healthy Communities through Educated Choices: Fee $25.00 per person
Visit the EPA campus and tour one of the largest engineered for efficiency buildings in the world. EE activities in organic gardening are practiced at the solar-powered daycare. See cost-effective construction practices at New Hope Crossing, North Carolina’s first affordable green community and a project of Habitat for Humanity. Last stop is among the sheep, at the SAS Institute Solar Farm.
Includes: Transportation, lunch, entrance and activity fees, professional guides and hosts.
Conserving Native Species and Natural Communities: Fee $25.00 per person
See one of the Southeast’s premier carnivorous plant collections with an introduction to Horticultural Therapy Program at the North Carolina Botanical Gardens. Visit Mason Farm Biological Reserve to hike through one of the most biologically diverse natural areas of the Piedmont region of North Carolina.
Includes: Transportation, lunch, entrance and activity fees, professional guides and hosts.
Community Projects & Partnerships for Conservation Education & Sustainable Agriculture: Fee $20.00 per person
Begin at Historic Yates Mill County Park, the last operating grist mill in the Raleigh area, and trace agricultural practices from the 1700’s. Move to the future with the application of new technologies and practices at North Carolina State University’s Center for Environmental Farming Systems and the Agro-Ecology Farm. Successful growing and charitable distribution of local produce is highlighted at the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s Community Farm.
Includes: Transportation, entrance and activity fees, professional guides and hosts.
Lunch is on your own at NC Farmers Market
October 16 (Sunday)
From Flow to Faucet, the Neuse River: Fee $40.00 per person (9:00am – 12:30pm)
Professional guides lead you on a two and a half hour paddle trip down the source of the water that feeds the thirst of the 2011 NAAEE conference, the Neuse River. While keeping watch for wildlife, you will identify the components of an “ecological address” and measure your own ecological footprint. Or just drift down the river not listening to anything but the birds.
Includes: Transportation, lunch, canoe and all safety equipment, professional guides and hosts.
Farm to Fork: Fee $20.00 per person (11am – 4:30pm)
See where your brunch came from with a trip to Coon Rock Farm where it was growing in the field or barn earlier in the week. The farm ensures that they not only supplies their restaurants, but hosts interns, and K-12 and college agriculture education classes and programs to see and experience the true meaning of a local, sustainable food economy.
Includes: Transportation, professional guides and hosts.
Brunch is on your own at the Piedmont Restaurant. Menu items from $7 to $15.
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