Cody Orman, Education Coordinator and Assistant Lake Manager at Salem Lake Park in Winston-Salem recently completed his NC Environmental Education Certification.
Cody says when he started at the lake, they didn’t offer any
environmental education programs. “I am proud to say we now offer around 15
programs a year and have had 600 participants just in 2025.” When Cody isn’t
working he enjoys spending time with his wife and three dogs, playing soccer
and going to the gym.
Cody says his favorite part of the program was meeting other
educators. “While attending the class I found talking with people that were in
similar roles and exchanging knowledge was very beneficial. In the last few
years, I have learned so much about environmental education from the
instructors and the other educators participating in in the classes.”
When asked what experience in the program stood out for him, Cody says it was the community partnership project. Cody enhanced an area of the park by partnering with a group called FORBA, Forsyth Off Road Bicycle Association to create a mountain biking trail and a tree identification trail for kids. “This has affected the community tremendously. An area of the park that was unused space was turned into a nice place to learn to ride a mountain bike or take a short walk and learn about native trees.
In terms of environmental issues Cody said it changed the
way he viewed environmental education. “I learned how important environmental
education is and how it will help the next generation by giving them the tools
to face problems in our world.”
