N.C. Botanical Garden Program Featured in National STEM Magazine

No, it's not a magazine about woody plants--the N.C. Botanical Garden's Earth Partnership for Schools Institute is featured in STEMwire, a nationally distributed digital news service for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. The Institute trains teachers to restore their own schools' natural landscapes, while providing them with training on native flora and ecosystems. The institute also trains them on how to use the outdoors as a place of learning.

Article: Earth Partnership for Schools puts land restoration in the hands of teachers

The Earth Partnership for Schools Institute is also a Criteria I Workshop in the North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Program. For more about the institute, contact Grant Parkins, NCBG Natural Science Educator parkins@unc.edu or visit http://ncbg.unc.edu/education-for-schools-and-teachers/

Environmental Educator in the Field

The story below is the first in what may be an ongoing feature on N.C. Certified Environmental Educators. Below, Joy Fields, an environmental educator with the Piedmont Triad Regional Council tells how a recent conference enhanced her skills and broadened her knowledge of the environment. Environmental educators never stop learning!

Environmental Educator in the Field: Cullowhee Native Plant Conference

By Joy Fields

As an environmental educator, I am constantly looking for ways to learn novel approaches to reach new audiences and help them relate the environment to how they work and play. With so many concerns pulling at our audiences, this can be difficult.  Fortunately, the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C., which I recently attended, provided me with a wealth of new information to include in programs I provide on riparian buffers and native plants. 

The conference, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year,  offers network and education opportunities  about native plants for the nursery trade, educators, landscape architects, master gardeners and others concerned about preserving America’s natural heritage.  Educational opportunities from this year’s conference included, presentations, workshops and field trips that focused on mushrooms, native pollinators, maintaining curb appeal with native plants, edible natives and much more.  


One highlight of the conference that was especially exciting to me as a gardener and an environmental educator was a presentation by Nancy Adamson with the Xerces Society, who spoke about how one in every three bites of food that we take requires pollinators.  To produce vegetables and fruits, many plants require the help of pollinators to move pollen from one flower to another.  With the non-native honey bee populations plummeting, it is very important to encourage native pollinators so commercial crops, and our backyard gardens, continue to produce vegetables and fruit.  Many native pollinators rely on native plant species for habitat or food during times when agricultural crops may not be in bloom.  By encouraging native plants in riparian buffers and hedgerows, we can ensure habitat for pollinators and foster their presence around our farms and gardens.  This knowledge makes it much easier to address the economic benefits farmers and homeowners obtain by planting native plants along streams and hedgerows. 

The Cullowhee Native Plant Conference Steering Committee values education and annually makes scholarships available to educators who may not otherwise be able to attend this informative meeting.  I was the lucky recipient of one of those scholarships this year, and for that I am deeply grateful.  As an educator for Stormwater SMART, I speak to diverse groups about the importance of using native plants in rain gardens and riparian buffers. I focus on native plants because they tend to have longer roots than European or Asian introductions, and they are able to survive without the application of fertilizers and pesticides, which protects our rivers and streams from pollution caused by excess application and runoff of chemicals or manures.  The Cullowhee Native Plant Conference gave me additional tools to add to my communications to help landscapers, gardeners and farmers understand the importance of native plants and the economic benefits received by supporting our native pollinators.  

Update: "STEM Consolidation" Would End Funding for NOAA Environmental Literacy Grants, other EE Grant Programs

There is a current effort on the federal level to consolidate a number of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs by removing their funding and starting new programs at the U.S. Department of Education, the National Science Foundation and the Smithsonian. Many in the environmental education community are concerned, as this consolidation of programs would end funding for NOAA's Environmental Literacy Grants program and Bay-Watershed Education and Training program. The EPA Environmental Education Program is not mentioned in this consolidation, but the President's current budget proposal does not provide any funding for it. An overview of the Administration proposal can be found at www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/2014_R&Dbudget_STEM.pdf

Many organizations that promote and support both STEM and environmental education, such as the North American Association for Environmental Education, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the National Wildlife Federation and the American Meteorological Society signed on to a letter that addressed their concerns with eliminating the NOAA and EPA programs, which are the only three federal grant programs that are dedicated to environmental education. The  letter notes:

 "Consolidating the funds from these three programs into a much broader STEM education pool of funds ignores the specific need of the federal government to foster environmental literacy. Eliminating the NOAA and EPA programs would also leave the environmental education community without any federal funding program that understands the particular needs and opportunities in our field."

For more information, visit http://www.cbf.org/ncli/landing

Update 7/24/2013

U.S. House and Senate subcommittees are not looking favorably on the proposed STEM consolidation (see:  Congressional Panels Dump on STEM Reshuffling Plan in AAAS Science Insider). While it is too early to confirm, this may mean that the federal environmental education funding may continue to operate at current levels. We'll continue to keep you updated as the process unfolds. 

New Community EE Website and Guidelines Ready for Review and Feedback

The EE Capacity Project is seeking feedback on the Community Environmental Education Guidelines it is developing for the North American Association for Environmental Education. 

This document will join the other NAAEE  EE Guidelines as part of the organization's efforts to encourage best practices in the field. Last September, the N.C. Office of Environmental Education and the Environmental Educators of North Carolina teamed together to host one of the Community EE Roundtables that provided input and guidance for the new guidelines. 

From NAAEE:

Community EE Website

Community EE is an evolving practice that considers the value of intentional, authentic relationships with communities and environmental outcomes that consider community health and neighborhood wellness. This site was set up to collect your thoughts and feedback on Community EE to ensure the practice is inclusive and reflective of a broad range of perspective. Your constructive feedback is welcome. Please share this site with others you feel would have a stake in Community EE.

www.communityee.net

Community EE Guidelines Ready for Review
EECapacity encourages you to review the third draft of the Community EE Guidelines. As we continue to work through the development of the Guidelines we need your constructive feedback. Please follow the link below to take a look at current draft. You will notice a red link after each "effort". That link will take you to a survey where you can read the key character in more detail and contribute your thoughts. There are seven efforts (previously known as key characteristics) we believe lead to authentic relationships with communities, and ultimately to authentic learning and practice of EE with communities. Feel free to invite others in your circle to participate. 


Community EE Guidelines Review Feedback

No Child Left Inside Act Reintroduced: Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Strengthen Environmental Education

The following press release was issued today (7/17/2013) by Senators Jack Reed and Mark Kirk, and by Congressmen John Sarbanes and Mike Fitzpatrick:

Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Strengthen Environmental Education:
Reed, Kirk, Sarbanes, Fitzpatrick Reintroduce The No Child Left Inside Act

WASHINGTON, DC - In an effort to reconnect more kids with nature and address critical environmental challenges, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) and U.S. Representatives John Sarbanes (D-MD) and Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA)  are introducing legislation to strengthen and expand environmental education in America’s classrooms.  The No Child Left Inside Act of 2013 will help expand environmental education in schools across the country by bringing locally developed, high-quality environmental education programs to more schools and providing federal assistance to states to develop and implement environmental literacy plans.  

Studies show getting kids outside and teaching them about nature helps them raise achievement in other subjects and has important health benefits too.  Yet studies also show the amount of time children now spend outdoors has declined significantly in the past 20 years.  Today, many schools are being forced to scale back environmental programs and curtail outdoor activities.

“Teaching children about the environment and giving them a hands-on opportunity to experience nature makes them smarter and healthier.  Environmental education should be an important part of the curriculum in our schools.  This legislation will help reconnect more kids with nature and raise student achievement in core subjects like math, science, and reading,” said Senator Reed.  “Environmental awareness should be second nature for our young people and protecting the environment is crucial to future economic growth.”

“To prepare American students to compete in the 21st century global economy, this bill uses an innovative approach to teaching science and bringing the benefits of outdoor activity to more children,” Senator Kirk said.  “Our bill promotes hands-on learning and an integrated curriculum, while bolstering important science, technology, engineering and math education programs."

“Environmental education must be a national priority,” said Congressman Sarbanes. “Hands-on, outdoor interaction with the environment enhances student achievement – not only in science, but also in reading, math, and social studies.  By investing in education that will grow the next generation of innovators, scientists and environmental stewards, we will prepare our workforce of the future to meet the many economic, environmental, and energy-related challenges our country is facing.”

“This bill reflects a larger, overall responsibility to promote environmental stewardship across generations,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Incorporating environmental learning is a down payment on our future. Research shows that promoting a hands-on approach to teaching kids about the environment improves student achievement in science as well as reading, math and social studies – all which directly strengthens our global competitiveness.”

The No Child Left Inside Act would provide funds to encourage partnerships between school districts, colleges, parks, and non-profits and other community-based organizations to implement the improved curricula and provide professional development for teachers on the use of field-based, service, and experiential learning.

Additionally, the bill will add environmental education as an authorized activity under other traditional federal grant programs and require cooperation, joint planning, and reporting by federal agencies involved in environmental education. 

NCLI is supported by over 50 million citizens from 2,200 local, regional, and national organizations in the No Child Left Inside Coalition, including the League of Conservation Voters, National Education Association, National Science Teachers Association, National Wildlife Federation, and the Outdoor Industry Association, as well as hundreds of colleges, universities, businesses, and health care organizations.

The bill numbers for the No Child Left Inside Act are S. 1306 in the U.S. Senate and H.R. 2702 in the U.S. House of Representatives.

N. American Association for Environmental Education Conference Registration and Awards Nominations Now Open

A message from the North American Association for Environmental Education EE-NEWS:

Register Now!
It’s time to register for the 2013 NAAEE conference in Baltimore (October 9-12). With prices lower than last year’s, you’ll want to make sure to join us for a diverse slate of thought-provoking keynoters, exciting concurrent sessions, outstanding workshops and field trips, and endless opportunities for networking and professional development.

Register at www.naaee.net/conference/registration

Conference information: www.naaee.net/conference

Exhibits and Ads
Promote your programs and resources, reach more than 1,000 environmental educators, and support NAAEE by purchasing your exhibit booths and program advertisements soon. Exhibit booth purchases include one free conference registration, so it’s a great deal and a wonderful way to interact directly with your primary target audience. And surely you want your ad noticed as every conference participant receives and reads the program!
Sign up online at www.naaee.net/conference/exhibits-ads

Session Notification Update
Review results have been sent to all conference proposal submitters; research symposium results will be sent soon. The online conference management system will reopen to all later this week. Session scheduling is underway and specific session dates and times will be announced and posted online within about a week.

2013 Call for Nominations: NAAEE Excellence in EE Awards

Nominations Deadline: August 16, 2013
Help NAAEE recognize individuals and organizations that excel in EE by nominating them for one of our annual awards, including our highest honor: the Walter E. Jeske Award.

The Call for Nominations is now open; the awards will be presented on October 12 at the Annual Awards Luncheon at the 2013 NAAEE Annual Conference. Online nomination forms are linked here: 

http://www.naaee.net/programs/awards  

Environmental Education Quotable...

This was a response to a Basics of Environmental Education online workshop question we recently received from a N.C. Environmental Education Certification Program enrollee:

[E]nvironmental education strives to further the understanding of the interconnectedness of the whole environment, both natural and artificial, through age appropriate knowledge sharing and exploration of nature.

Well said!

N.C. Sea Grant Highlights North Carolina's Amazing Coast

North Carolina Sea Grant proudly announces the release of a new book that highlights our state's coastal ecosystems. North Carolina’s Amazing Coast: Natural Wonders from Alligators to Zoeas is now available in bookstores and from the University of Georgia Press. 

This beautifully illustrated book is a partnership between the North Carolina and Georgia Sea Grant programs. Terri Kirby Hathaway, N.C. Sea Grant marine education specialist (and a longtime N.C. Certified Environmental Educator!) and Kathleen Angione, a writer and former N.C. Sea Grant Coastwatch senior editor, teamed with Georgia Sea Grant writers David Bryant and George Davidson and illustrator Charlotte Ingram on the project.

Terri will  be working with classroom teachers to develop lesson plans based on the book and she and other authors will be touring the state at various book signings this summer. For more information, visit www.ncseagrant.org/s/AmazingCoast 

Environmental Educators of NC Awards Nominations Open Until August 1st

The Environmental Educators of North Carolina's annual awards nominations are open until August 1, 2013. Please make your nominations soon! Winners will be announced at the 2013 annual conference, which will be held at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville September 12-15.

Any individual can nominate a person, agency or organization for an EENC award. The award categories include:

Awards open to all:
Environmental Educator of the Year
Exceptional Environmental Education Program
Outstanding Partnership

Awards open to EENC members:
Melva Fager Okun Lifetime Achievement Award
Outstanding Service Award
Outstanding Practitioner Award
Outstanding Newcomer Award

Nominations can be made online at https://iyha.wufoo.com/forms/q7p9x3/

Check out the snazzy EENC award plaque, made in NC from reclaimed wood!

N.C. Certified Environmental Educator Featured as Project Scientist STEM Superstar

Karan Barber, the Special Programs and Outreach Coordinator at the Carolina Raptor Center in Huntersville, is featured as this week's Project Scientist's "STEM Superstars."

Project Scientist is a Charlotte-based nonprofit that provides science camps for girls and celebrates the contributions of female scientists in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.

We are not surprised that Karan was nominated for this honor, as we have seen the great things she is doing at Carolina Raptor Center and through her work with Barney's Almanac. Thanks to Project Scientist for recognizing that environmental education supports all aspects of STEM! Visit www.projectscientist.org  for more information.



 From Project Scientist: Karan is a Project Scientist STEM Superstar because she is living proof that it is never too late to unearth and explore your passion for the sciences. After discovering a love of the outdoors and nature, she decided to make a career change by pursuing her environmental science degree at Queens University of Charlotte.

"STEM Consolidation" Would End Funding for NOAA Environmental Literacy Grants, other EE Grant Programs

Updated 7/2/2013

There is a current effort on the federal level to consolidate a number of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs by removing their funding and starting new programs at the U.S. Department of Education, the National Science Foundation and the Smithsonian. Many in the environmental education community are concerned, as this consolidation of programs would end funding for NOAA's Environmental Literacy Grants program and Bay-Watershed Education and Training program. The EPA Environmental Education Program is not mentioned in this consolidation, but the President's current budget proposal does not provide any funding for it. An overview of the Administration proposal can be found at www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/2014_R&Dbudget_STEM.pdf

Many organizations that promote and support both STEM and environmental education, such as the North American Association for Environmental Education, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the National Wildlife Federation and the American Meteorological Society are signing on to a letter that addresses their concerns with eliminating the NOAA and EPA programs, which are the only three federal grant programs that are dedicated to environmental education. The  letter notes:

 "Consolidating the funds from these three programs into a much broader STEM education pool of funds ignores the specific need of the federal government to foster environmental literacy. Eliminating the NOAA and EPA programs would also leave the environmental education community without any federal funding program that understands the particular needs and opportunities in our field."

For more information, visit http://www.cbf.org/ncli/landing

Congratulations New Certified Environmental Educators!

Derek Dunn, one of North Carolina's newest certified environmental  educators.

Congratulations to the following individuals for earning their North Carolina Environmental Educator Certification:


Jennifer Fuller
North Carolina Baptist Assembly, Fort Caswell 

Lisa Marochak
Durham Soil and Water Conservation District 

Maria Hitt
Orange County Partnership for Young Children 

Wendy Patoprsty 
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Watauga County

Lauren Pyle
Western North Carolina Nature Center, Asheville

Jenni Heartway 
Learning Outside, Pittsboro

Cynthia Stephenson
Forsyth Country Day School

Cliff Hudson
Riverside High School, Williamston

Kristy Burja,
Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, Tryon

Derek Dunn
Greensboro Parks and Recreation

Joy Fields
Piedmont Triad Regional Council

Jill Goodwin
Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation

Katie Gray
Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation

To learn more about these and other recently certified individuals visit http://certifiedenvironmentaleducators.blogspot.com/ 

In other news, the online certification management system just completed  a major upgrade. Now enrollees and certified individuals will find  more options and increased usability in tracking their credits. Certified individuals will also now receive a digital badge image they can use to indicate their certified status in email signatures, resumes and other online documents.

The North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Program, managed by the N.C. Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs, has certified more than 1,000 individuals. This 200-hour program recognizes professional development in environmental education and establishes standards for professional excellence in the field for formal and non-formal educators. It consists of workshops, field experiences, teaching experiences and an environmental education community partnership project.

To more about the program, including the enrollment process, are available at http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/certification--about-the-program.html