Educator Spotlight: Trish Reed

Trish Reed, a former middle school science teacher who has an “encore” post-retirement career as an interpretive park guide with Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Trish develops and presents a variety of informal and formal programs that educate participants about Grandfather Mountain State Park’s ecological value and its unique flora, fauna, weather, geology and geography.

Trish says her favorite part of the certification program was networking with other educators. “I enjoyed meeting face-to-face a variety of fellow environmental educators including rangers, naturalists, educators, and volunteers who are so passionate and dedicated to their role in educating people about their specific forest, park, reserve, or science center. Everyone I met was highly invested in conserving, preserving and promoting their natural workplace in a positive and enthusiastic manner.”

When asked about an experience that stood out to her Trish says her most memorable experience was her visit to Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in eastern North Carolina. “The conservation work being done there by both staff members and volunteers is impressive and demanding. We were given a tour of the refuge by a delightful, knowledgeable, and dedicated volunteer ranger who drove us throughout the reserve. He pointed out the best locations to view the variety of wintering waterfowl. We had the rare opportunity to witness a murmuration, (a new word for me!), where thousands of tundra swans were flying together in a whirling, ever-changing direction and pattern for half an hour. It was an awe-inspiring moment for me. We also had the rare privilege to see a red wolf in the wild and wandering through the preserve. These were amazing first-time experiences for me that I will always remember.”

For her community partnership project, Trish developed two programs for the residential community where she lives in western North Carolina. “The first program, Living Wild and Wise focused on how our community can live safely with the native wildlife including bears, racoons, foxes, snakes, etc. The second program, What's the Buzz? Native Plants and Pollinators educated residents as to the reasons that invasive plants can harm native gardens and how residents can easily add native plants to their gardens that will also support local insects. Program participants learned about the importance of native wildlife and plants, and how they can support them by making small, easy lifestyle changes at home.”

Trish says the program changed the way she approached teaching. “Participating in the certification program has led me to realize that if we want to educate and effect positive environmental change using the tools of environmental education, it will require a patient, persistent, and gentle approach to influence people's ingrained opinions and lifestyles. I continue to calmly and patiently educate visitors about positive behaviors that will best support our conservation efforts at the nature park where I work. For example, I respectfully remind guests not to pick flowers, stay on designated trails, don't squash insects because you fear them, etc. I've come to realize that some visitors view our nature park more as an amusement park, so they treat it with less respect than it deserves. My goal is to continue to help them understand that these beautiful, yet limited resources, are for everyone to enjoy and participate in the stewardship of this beautiful conservation park.  

When asked if the program changed the way she thinks about environmental issues, Trish says it showed her the importance of environmental education. “Participating in the certification program has made me realize the vital importance of environmental education in the U.S., and the need for a professional certification to ensure that the field has talented and highly trained educators to support and promote it. I've come to understand that many people, whether they come from rural, suburban, or urban areas have a superficial understanding of and appreciation of nature, and the urgent need to support it through preservation and conservation as our nation continues to develop and exploit our limited resources. I believe that our role as environmental educators is important now and is crucial for future generations. As Baba Dioum said, ‘In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.’ My role is to teach.”

Learning the Language of Impact - My Mentorship with the Lady Cardinal Program at DEQ

Guest Blogger, Samara Tarek, Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program

This summer, I’m participating in the Lady Cardinal Mentorship Program, a four-week, full-time internship that places high school girls in state government agencies across North Carolina to explore careers in public service and STEM. Currently, I’m working at the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Through this experience, I’ve had the opportunity to explore many different areas of government, education, communication, and science.

Each week, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a different division. I’ve seen how much effort goes into the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the state government running. Whether it’s hiring future leaders, sharing information with the public, or building educational programs, it’s clear everyone I’ve met truly cares about the people and places they serve.

My first week was with the Human Resources division. I worked on a project to help DEQ improve how it connects with students across the state. Right now, DEQ primarily works with select  colleges for outreach and recruiting. Alongside them, my purpose was to help expand that reach.

I created a database of all the colleges and universities in North Carolina and surrounding states. I researched each school’s background, programs, and student communities to help DEQ find connections between those schools and its work. The goal of the project was to make it easier for DEQ to connect with students who may have been out of reach. Especially students at rural or underrepresented campuses who have not heard about state internship or job opportunities before. It felt rewarding  to know this project could help more students access careers in environmental work. 

In the second week, I joined the Public Affairs division. One of my main tasks was reviewing the DEQ website to find broken links, outdated pages, or missing information. I went through a long list of web pages in a database and helped update anything that needed fixing.

Though the task seemed simple at first, beneath the surface, I learned the  importance of communication. A working website helps the public understand what DEQ does and how to access its services. Fixing a link or updating a document may not seem like a big deal, but it makes a real difference for someone trying to get information. This week helped me appreciate how much thought goes into public communication and digital accessibility.

In my third week, I joined the Environmental Education team within Public Affairs. They may be a small group, but the work they do reaches students, teachers, and communities all over North Carolina. What stood out to me most was how personal they made the experience. They took time to ask about what I care about and where I see myself in the future.

I shared my interest in pediatrics and helping underserved communities. They supported me in reaching out to nonprofits and pediatricians at UNC Health and Duke Health, which opened doors I didn’t expect from an internship in environmental work. Those moments showed me how outreach, education, and public service can connect across so many fields, even ones like healthcare.It also made me think more deeply about my own student organization, Akash Choya Shopno, which means Dreams That Touch the Sky in Bengali. I started it to support students in Bangladesh who want to pursue science or medicine but face barriers like limited resources or guidance. We offer free tutoring, study materials, and guest speaker sessions, all led by volunteers.

Working with the Environmental Education team helped me see how much work goes into making programs that actually support learning. It inspired me to find better ways to help students through Akash Choya Shopno.

Throughout the Lady Cardinal program, I took part in several enrichment activities that deepened my understanding of science, leadership, and global connections. At Biogen, I explored genetics through hands-on activities, learning about traits, pedigrees, and how genetic manipulation is used in pharmaceuticals. I also had the opportunity to attend the Governor's Reception at the Executive Mansion, where I met Governor Josh Stein and gained insight into state leadership. Another memorable experience was meeting with students from Algeria, which allowed me to learn about different cultures and exchange perspectives on education and public service.

This internship taught me a lot about how the government works and how many different paths there are to making a difference. I learned new skills, met inspiring people, and found connections between my own interests and public service. It was a meaningful experience that I’ll carry with me moving forward.

If you want to learn more about Akash Choya Shopno or get involved, you can email akashcshopno@gmail.com or follow us on Instagram at @akashcshopno.

Educator Spotlight: Heather Bariso

Heather Bariso, coastal educator for the Bald Head Island Conservancy recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Heather co-manages the education department with the director of education and helps with program and exhibit design. She provides a wide diversity of programs. “I facilitate programs and tours such as fishing and kayaking experiences, hands-on reptile encounters, and I lead nighttime turtle walks to show the public nesting sea turtles! I am also the caretaker for our ambassador animals. In my free time, I enjoy running, reading and looking at my fish tanks.”

Heather says her favorite part of the certification program was the opportunity to learn and explore. “My certification has taken me to many different education facilities and nature trails around the state. As someone who comes from out of state, it was such a joy to experience all the different natural wonders NC has to offer! My favorite place I was able to visit was the PocosinLakes National Wildlife Refuge where we got to see thousands of tundra swans! On the same journey, we got to visit the Red Wolf Center, and I saw a wolf for the first time! I really enjoyed getting to meet all the wonderful educators who are also working to obtain their certifications. I have made many new friends along the way, and I am so thankful for the connections I was able to make across the state. We were able to bounce ideas off one another based on how we each run our facilities and left each workshop with new programs and skills.”

When asked about an experience in the program that stood out for her, Heather says it was the week-long Environmental Education Workshop at the Eastern 4-H Center in Columbia. “I had just started full-time at my job and was so nervous, yet excited, to get my foot in the door of environmental education. This conference was a fully immersive experience and all my fellow participants were so friendly and wanted to make it a safe space for everyone to learn. Even after the learning ended, our cohort would hike, bird, and explore the surrounding area together which created a very fun learning environment. Seeing firsthand how different everyone's journey and experience has been, really taught me that there is no set way to be an environmental educator and took a lot of the pressure away!

Heather says the experience was even more meaningful because her supervisor, Jennifer Wiggen, the director of education and engagement was also in the process of obtaining her certification encouraged her to join. “We were able to enjoy lots of nature adventures together and fully explore Columbia while visiting every single outdoor park, waterway, and trail it had to offer!”

For her community partnership project, Heather hosted an Earth Day Festival on Bald Head Island. “I partnered with local community organizations and state entities to promote native pollinators and resources that people could implement in their gardens. This included Bald Head Island organizations and visiting organizations like Bee City USA, Sandbar Oyster Company, the Museum of Coastal Carolina, and many more! The event affected the community positively because it allowed everyone to come together and learn in a celebration of pollinators with free resources and activities! We are already discussing how to expand the event for next year to allow for an even bigger celebration.”

Heather says the program also led to changes in her approach to teaching. “When I first started my certification, I was brand-new to environmental education and only had a few internships under my belt. This certification has given me the tools and resources that allowed me to gain confidence in my own teaching. Throughout the classes and workshops, I was given tools to better engage my audience and use language that encapsulates various audiences.”

When asked how the program changed the way she thinks about environmental issues, Heather says it made her more aware of some of the challenges and barriers to environmental education. “One of the challenges that stood out the most to me was accessibility. We try to make our programs as accessible as possible, but the Island itself is not that accessible of a place, especially for those with mobility limitations. Because of the resources I had access to through the course, I decided to modify our birding program so anyone can do it. I even gave a presentation about accessible birding that highlighted the program Birdability, the Cornell Lab’s Merlin birding App, and programs that people can use to bird at home! The certification program really helps offer ways to tackle these issues one step at a time which can then lead into larger scale change.” 

Educator Spotlight: Elizabeth Trott

Elizabeth Trott, the botanical garden and exhibit content curator at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification.

Elizabeth says her goal is to present inspiring, research-based and compelling programs that connect park visitors to the amazing natural resources on the mountain. “We develop and present a variety of daily programs, guided hikes, interpretive tables, and special events. I am constantly striving to enrich our gardens and enhance our overall biodiversity. I always want to increase the educational opportunities in our gardens and make all our educational opportunities accessible to everyone.”

When asked about her favorite part of the program, Elizabeth said it was the variety of programming throughout the state. “I was stunned to find out how many incredible learning opportunities are constantly happening all over our state. I tend to stay up here in the mountains, and this program motivated me to attend fascinating programs in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions. Even though I have finished my hours, I'm still constantly taking more classes just for the enrichment.”

Elizabeth says the experience that stood out to her was a workshop with Brian Bockhahn, regional education specialist for North Carolina State Parks. “When I took the Storytelling in Environmental Education class with Brian Bockhahn from NC State Parks, I was somewhat out of my comfort zone, and I was so glad I took it. Storytelling and that more fun, casual method of engaging with kids is certainly not a strong suit for me, but he gave us so many tools and strategies. It made me branch out and become more comfortable with songs, art and storybooks.”

For her community partnership project, Elizabeth developed a new class called Introduction to Conservation Education in the High Country. “I created the program for folks who are hired seasonally to work in the area – ideally counselors leading summer camps who don’t have previous training in outdoor education and/or the ecology of the area. In this program, we offer a variety of activities to help folks appreciate nature with the kids they’ll be supervising this summer. We introduce them to some of the key plants and ecological concepts of this area, as well as discussing safety in outdoor education, responsible exploration of the natural world, and methods of engaging with students. They’ll run through some of nature journaling and scavenger hunts we find to be engaging, and they’ll be sent off with a list of resources to help them continue to learn and explore nature during their time in the area. I'm hopeful this can lead to an appreciation of the nature and a love of exploration in our mountains taking root in these summer camps and country clubs. If we can give the counselors tools and resources, they'll become environmental educators whether they planned to or not!”

When asked if the program led to changes in the way she approaches teaching, Elizabeth specifically notes the Methods of Teaching Environmental Education workshop. “I took methods workshop just before I started my first environmental education job, and it gave me so many skills and perspectives that were a huge advantage. I know I want to be accessible and equitable in my teaching, but I didn't have the ability to organize my activities in a way that would make it happen. I'm so glad to have been taught to always try to appreciate diversity in learners. I'm also glad for the reminders to constantly strive to make the learning environment productive and safe. It's a constant learning process, not just for the students but for us educators as well.”

She says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues. “I've learned so much nuance about so many issues - recycling, air quality, water cycles, etc. while taking the classes. I've also learned a lot about how important it is to foster a connection - many times even more important than teaching the information.”

📸Photos by Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation 

Educator Spotlight: Paige Rans

Paige Rans, an educator for an afterschool program at Piedmont Wildlife Center and a horticulture teacher at Alamance Community College, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification.

When asked about her favorite part of the program, she says it was the workshops. “This was such a fantastic experience all around! I think the best part was going to all the different workshops at different places across the state and even out of the country!”

Paige says the certification experience that stood out to her was the Project Learning Tree Explore Your Environment K-8 Workshop at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham. “It's what really drew me in and made me want to learn more and complete this program.”

For her community partnership project, Paige created a reference book for Piedmont Wildlife Center’s counselors. “The resource contains around 26 different environmental education lessons to help teach the campers. The lessons are divided by age and contain all the materials that one would need to complete the lesson. This affects the community by providing a "go-to" for teaching environmental education to young minds with the hopes of instilling the importance of environmental education to adulthood.”

Paige says the program helped her find new resources. “I put a lot of tools in my toolbox! It created the need for hands-on projects when teaching and showed how those types of lessons are the ones that students remember.”

She also says that education is the key to solving many environmental issues. “We need to make people aware of environmental issues, so they understand the need for change.”

Educator Spotlight: Brittany Smith

Brittany Smith, a nonformal educator in Richmond County, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certificate. Brittany owns and operates Flora and Fauna Festivities, a nature-based education and entertainment company. “My company brings environmental and nature-based learning to life through hands-on workshops, trivia nights, and immersive experiences for all ages.  In our free time, my husband and I spend most of our days outside—whether we’re hiking, paddling, fishing, or just exploring new trails. I’ve built a business, and our life around a love for the outdoors.”

Brittany says that the NC Forest Service’s  week-long Investigating Your Environment Workshop in the mountains that she took in college got her “hooked” on environmental education and encouraged her to pursue her certification. Brittany says she enjoyed connecting with other educators. “My favorite part of earning my certification was getting to travel across our beautiful state and connect with so many incredible people who share the same passion for environmental education. There’s something powerful about being surrounded by like-minded individuals working toward common goals - it reminded me that this work matters and that we’re not doing it alone.”

When asked what certification experience stood out to her, Brittany says it was the Guidelines for Excellence series provided by Environmental Educators of NC. “While all the workshops, lectures, and hands-on adventures were memorable, the Guidelines for Excellence series stands out the most. I took the Early Childhood and Community Engagement trainings, and they were incredibly encouraging. It was eye-opening to see that there’s already a solid foundation of tested methods and best practices available to build new programs and strengthen existing ones. Starting from scratch can feel overwhelming, but these workshops gave me the tools and confidence to go back to the programs I was already running and make them even better.”

For her community partnership project, Brittany created a Gyotaku for Educators webinar designed to introduce teachers to the cultural art of Japanese fish printing as a tool for environmental education. “The webinar provided hands-on strategies, cross-curricular lesson plans, and a shared resource folder to help educators incorporate topics like adaptations, river basins, and place-based learning. By making the content available beyond the live session, the project continues to impact a broader community of educators looking for creative, engaging ways to connect students with the natural world.”

Brittany says participating in the certification program changed her approach to teaching. “Coming from a background teaching middle school as a licensed NC teacher, I was trained in a system that heavily prioritizes reading, writing, and testing. But throughout this program, I was inspired by so many educators who were calm, open-minded, and deeply committed to hands-on, inquiry-based learning. Environmental education values curiosity and real-world experience over rote memorization, and that perspective has transformed how I design and lead programs. I’ve seen firsthand how much more meaningful learning becomes when students can engage with the content directly—it's the difference between reading about fish printing and printing one with their own hands.”

Brittany says the certification program also changed the way she thinks about environmental issues. “I’ve always loved our planet—it’s the only one we have. But through the certification program, I’ve realized that real change starts with personal connection. Learning how to find my own connections to nature—and helping others discover theirs—has been life-altering in the best way. I also gained a deeper understanding how we can't 'save the planet' by preaching behavior changes, but by sharing knowledge and experiences that can lead to those changes naturally. When people feel connected and informed, they’re far more likely to take meaningful and intentional actions.”

Educator Spotlight: Mirren Hill

Mirren Hill, a nature educator at White Deer Park in Garner, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Mirren also works as an educator at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences and the North Carolina Zoo. In her personal time, she enjoys reading, hiking new trails and trying new restaurants.

Mirren says her favorite part of the program was the opportunity to travel to different areas of North Carolina and to visit different parks and education centers. “I grew up in the Triangle and there's so many places I still needed to explore! So, it was super fun for me to be able to try places that I'd been wanting to go to or even places I hadn't heard of before. For my certification, some of the places I really enjoyed were the NC Arboretum in Asheville, the Greensboro Science Center, Blue Jay County Park, Forest Ridge Park and Agape Center for Environmental Education. I also really enjoyed meeting people at the different workshops and programs I attended.”

When asked about an experience that stood out to her, Mirren says there were two – the Don’t Waste It! workshop at Blue Jay County Park and the Snakes 101 program at Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve. “I learned a lot of new information about landfills, waste and compost I found to be super interesting and engaging. I also have used activities I learned in that workshop for my community partnership project and for programs at work. I was pretty indifferent towards snakes before my career in environmental education but since handling snakes at my jobs and learning more about them in programs like the Snakes 101, I have grown a newfound appreciation and passion for them which has been a lot of fun for me.”

For her community partnership project, Mirren partnered with Hillandale Elementary School in Durham and created a "Every Day is Earth Day" program for their Science Day. “I presented the program to around 80 second graders and created a ‘10 Ways to be Kind to the Earth’ pamphlet for the students to take home. I think my project affected the community by showcasing our changing climate in a positive light by educating the students about fun, everyday things they can do in their daily lives to care for the environment.”

Mirren says the program changed her approach to teaching by encouraging her to incorporate a sense of curiosity and discovery. “In my work, I like to ask a lot of questions and create an environment where the younger generation can discover the natural beauty of our environment on their own with me there to guide them with a sense of wonder.”

Mirren says the program also changed how she views environmental issues. “I think my approach to environmental issues before participating in the certification program was more geared towards policy change, but now I think about environmental issues with an education lens. I think there is so much power and value in education and there can be so much positive change made when people learn about and appreciate the environment around them.”

Educator Spotlight: Jennifer Wiggen

Jennifer Wiggen, the Director of Education and Engagement at the Bald Head Island Conservancy, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. In her role at the conservancy, Jennifer creates opportunities for people to have meaningful nature-based experiences on Bald Head Island. These experiences can include taking the Turtle Walk program to observe a nesting sea turtle, exploring oyster reefs on a guided kayak or creating art with nature during a summer camp.

Jennifer’s work has a significant impact on students in the area. “We bring over a thousand 6th grade students from Title 1 schools in Brunswick County every year for a free outdoor field trip where they learn about the ecosystems found on Barrier Islands. I love the outdoors - my family and I call them nature adventures – and I want to share it with others because I believe if we can connect people to the natural world, the more we all will feel connected and can become better environmental stewards.”

In her personal time Jennifer is a NC Certified Watercraft Instructor and Outdoor Instructor for the Girls Scouts. She spends a lot of time volunteering with the girls so they will have the opportunity to experience being on the water and enjoying the outdoors. She also volunteers to monitor sea turtle nests in the summer with the Oak Island Sea Turtle Program. “When I’m not outside, you can probably find me spending time with family, at CrossFit or reading.”

When asked about her favorite part of the program, Jennifer says she enjoyed all the classes she took, all the new things she learned and exploring different education centers and outdoor spaces. “It made me feel like a kid again to go discover different museums, nature centers and do different outdoor excursions and learn from other educators. I just really enjoyed the opportunity to prioritize learning again. This was especially true after taking the classes because you just look at things differently and see all the things you can incorporate and do to make your programming and space better and more accessible.”

As far as an experience that stood out to her, Jennifer says it was the opportunity to include her family in her certification journey. “I really got to spend some amazing quality time with my family visiting some truly beautiful places in North Carolina. I visited Grandfather Mountain with my husband and daughter and saw the synchronous fireflies, I kayaked out to the Three Sisters Swamp with them and saw the fifth oldest tree species in the world, I took my Mom and went on a waterfowl birding tour with the NC Maritime Museum to the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge to see the Tundra Swan, my sister and I took all our kids to Sylvan Heights Bird Park which was amazing. The experiences that stand out to me are the ones that brought me closer to the people I love while appreciating nature and what NC has to offer.”

For her community partnership project, she created the “Bald Head Island Youth Sustainability Symposium” which brought together high school students from different parts of the state. The BHIC Youth Sustainability Symposium focused on engaging youth in thought-provoking, real-world conversations which promote the conservation and preservation of coastal resources for future generations in response to climate and other anthropogenic change in a manner that effectively balances environmental, economic, and social factors. Overall, it created an opportunity for students to come together and talk to each other from different backgrounds. This event will continue and will happen again this spring.”

Jennifer says the program changed her approach to teaching. “Participating in the EE certification really changed how I viewed what I means to be accessible. I now look at my programs entirely differently than I did before in terms of thinking about how they can be experienced by a variety of people with different needs. I'm so thankful for information that programs like groups like Birdability and Universal Design for Learning taught me.

The program also changed the way Jennifer views environmental issues. “I think that the certification really engrained in me how multi-faceted environmental issues are and that there isn't ever an absolute "right" answer when thinking about people and the environment. We all come with our own lived experiences which will shape how we approach environmental issues, and I think that keeping that in mind is the key to having meaningful dialogue about the environmental issues that we face today.”

Educator Spotlight: Adam Smith

Adam Smith, an eighth-grade science teacher at South Stanly Middle School, recently completed his NC Environmental Education Certification. In addition to teaching, Adam enjoys photography and incorporates his photos into his lessons. He also enjoys birding and has been contributing bird observations to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s citizen science program, eBird, after noticing a lack of observations in his local parks.   

Adam says his favorite part of earning his certification was the people he met especially during multi-day workshops. “Being able to connect with other people with a similar goal as you is uplifting and informative. Being able to talk through problems and share stories with other educators as we learn things to take back to the classroom has been something that I would not trade, and it is why I encourage educators to join the program.”

Adam says the experience that stood out for him was the  the Educators of Excellence trip with the Museum of Natural Sciences to Yellowstone National Park. “There were so many parts about this trip that encompasses what environmental education means to me. The shared experiences, personal connections, a connection with nature, a time of personal growth; these are just a few of the things that happened on this trip, with this wild and beautiful landscape in the background.”

For his community partnership project, Adam made a digital scavenger hunt for a local park that allows visitors to do a nature walk at the park. Adam noticed that the park did not have any signage explaining the trees, wildlife or the benefits of removing dams to let the park’s creek flow freely. “The scavenger hunt provides a reason for locals to slow down and observe what is around them and discover all the diversity in the park. There are also facts provided for those who want to learn more and then links that take you to outside sites to give even more information for those that are curious.”

Adam says that the program changed his approach to teaching because he learned what a powerful impact storytelling and personal experiences can have as a part of teaching. “I try to have students make the personal connections with the environment in ways that they have not thought of before. Students often do not realize how connected they are to the environment, and in my lessons, providing that connection helps them realize that their actions are important, and they are not disconnected from the environment.”

Adam also says the program changed the way he views environmental issues. “I have come to realize how fragile the policies we have in place are. Working with professionals in field during workshops I see how little they have to work with and how important it is to inform others about environmental issues. I thought myself well informed before getting my certification, but I have found that there are far fewer people involved with environmental issues. I am becoming more involved by letting my voice be heard because we need more people to inform others. I also have found there is a lack of information in our rural communities such as the one I live in. It is up to me to be the change that educate those around me.”

 

Educator Spotlight: Kelly Applegate

Kelly Applegate, the interim garden manager at Warren Wilson College’s garden, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Kelly leads 30 students in flower, vegetable and cover crop production from seed to harvest. “The garden has an industrial composting system and makes compost for the land operations creating a close looped farming system. I teach students how to operate tools, machinery, and tractors, we create systems and collect data, work in greenhouses growing seedlings, soil testing, and more! I also work with Bountiful Cities as the Asheville Edibles Coordinator and social media manager. In this role, I partner with the City of Asheville to run workdays at three edible parks in Asheville, maintain a map showing edibles on public lands in the area, and generally promote more access to food in public spaces. In my free time I do a lot of hiking, camping, and all things outdoors!”

Kelly says the classes, workshops and site visits were one of the highlights of the program for her. “I loved all the classes and workshops I attended! Connecting with other environmental educators and learning from one another was a big highlight. Visiting other parts of the state to complete the environmental education site visits gave me a chance to have a larger scope on the EE work happening all over North Carolina!”

For her community partnership project, Kelly connected her work with Bountiful Cities and teaching garden-based education with Asheville City Schools. “I helped to plan the Ecology Week event for 300 students at Lucy S. Herring Elementary. We brought in community partners from all over Asheville to speak with the students and teach them about the amazing work happening in our community! Students were able to connect with animals from the Nature Center, talk with local environmental nonprofits about their work, discuss strategies for invasive plant removal, and so much more. The students were able to have a fun learning experience that connected to environmental education.”

Kelly says the program changed her approach to teaching. “Completing the certification program helped me to see teaching and learning opportunities everywhere. Since I am a non-formal educator, I try to find unconventional teachable moments in my work. After finishing the certification program I feel even more confident in my abilities to connect information about the natural world to everyday life!" 

She says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues. “I think I am just more aware of the environmental issues that affect North Carolina as a whole. Connecting scientific research to adult workshops helps to ground the information and make people realize the implications of issues like climate change and conservation.”

Educator Spotlight: Yolanda Mitchell

Yolanda Mitchell, a parent and educator in Guilford County, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Yolanda has had many roles in education both in the traditional and non-traditional classroom in her 20-year career. These roles include serving as a case manager, an after-school instructor, a teacher and as the director and math teacher for a GED program. She has also served as a NC 4-H Volunteer Leader, a NC 4-H Master ACE (Achievement in Continuing Education) Volunteer, a Sunday school teacher, youth department leader, community volunteer, and in juvenile and criminal justice.

Yolanda says this was the right time in her career to complete her NC Environmental Education Certification. When asked about her favorite part of the program, she says it was a workshop provided by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission. “I enjoyed every session I took. My favorite was NC CATCH (Caring for Aquatics Through Conservation Habits) because I learned how to fish and bait a hook. Even though we were catching and releasing the fish, I felt like I could do anything!”

Yolanda says the positive impact of the program on you as an educator really impressed her. “The way environmental education is taught is so freeing for teachers in the classroom. Staying in the student-led space, encouraging exploration, and just simply enjoying nature was a reboot for me and my growth. If we provide our children with the opportunity and give them an experience, it will last them a lifetime and not just for a moment!”

For her community partnership project, Yolanda worked with the Frank Sharpe Jr. Wildlife Education Center at Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro. She created spaces throughout the center that were toddler-focused and immersed them in their world of learning about nature and animals. “I gave suggestions to improve current spaces to update them and open opportunities for youth to explore. I cleaned and organized spaces to maximize guests' experiences. I know firsthand from guests how my changes have had a positive effect on the community. Some set a comeback date, others planned visits with their grandchildren—the kids wanted to explore every area before leaving—and my favorite was a child that loved the upstairs toy/book area. The child's mother said they come to sit, read, and play every chance they get.”

Yolanda says the program has positively and greatly impacted her approach to teaching. “I was a super strict and structured person before joining. Slowly with each session, I began to value the unstructured approach to teaching which is difficult. I became in touch with my senses, learned to enjoy nature, saw the challenges in activities that would prevent a toddler, or a person with glasses, or person with walking difficulty from enjoying nature.” Yolanda says she wants to make sure environmental education activities are available to all students. “I have had to see kids that didn't know what a forest was, youth scared to engage with nature or never had the opportunity. I hope I can make impact in small ways as I reintroduce myself in the EE world!”

Yolanda also says the program changed the way she viewed environmental issues. “My thoughts about zero waste, water conservation, composting, pollinator gardens, ecosystems, and growing your own garden has been changed. I am more knowledgeable about personal or individual impacts on the environment and how it is better to lead with knowledge, details, and resources for personal growth and research.”

Educator Spotlight: Bella Insignares

Bella is a nature instructor at Walnut Creek Wetland Center in Raleigh and recently began working in the Discovery Room at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. Bella credits the environmental education certification program with helping her find positions in the field.

Bella has a strong background in southeastern flora and fauna that she incorporates into the programs she develops and teaches. “I am particularly passionate about connecting environmental education to art and increasing the access to environmental education by developing programs that are accessible and inclusive.”

Bella says her favorite part of her certification journey was the instructional workshops. “It was a really enjoyable experience to spend lots of time with other educators, learning foundational activities and techniques specific to the field of environmental education. I think it made me feel most connected to the field and gave me lots of ideas for teaching.”

When asked about an experience that stood out to her, Bella says that it was the Storytelling in Environmental Education Workshop that was facilitated by Raleigh Parks and Recreation. “It was so informative and fun. It also gave me context because I recognized elements from the workshop that had been used by my peers in their own programs, which helped me see the workshop as a shared experience between myself and my peers. I thought it was very meaningful that I was a part of that cycle of learning.”

For her community partnership project, Bella contributed to the Beginning Birding program developed by Field Inclusive, Wake Audubon, City of Raleigh and the NC Bird Atlas. “I conducted breeding bird surveys for Bird Atlas and developed a presentation to share with program participants about how they could contribute to citizen science as burgeoning birders. I also led bird walks as part of the Beginning and Advanced Birding programs, both of which continue to this day. These programs are primarily aimed at increasing a sense of belonging in marginalized recreationists and exposing new birders to foundational birding knowledge, positive community support, and safety tips, while also increasing awareness of citizen science opportunities. I hope these programs have contributed to a safer, more supportive, more positive birding community.”

Bella says the program changed the way she approaches teaching. “I gained a much more principled, thoughtful, intentional approach to teaching while completing my certification. I started this certification as a college student after taking an interest in environmental education in high school. My first programs were developed from an emotional, intuitive perspective, and though well-intentioned, lacked any understanding of pacing, audience, or the role of the educator. Having learned the guidelines, gained more experience teaching and learning from peers I've met through EE workshops, I would say my teaching style has matured and blossomed beyond my imagination. I am far more confident, practiced, and principled after participating in the certification program.”

She says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues. “I see the role the educator plays in awareness about environmental issues differently after this certification program. I used to see environmental education as more directly relating to sharing issues and encouraging specific solutions, but now I see our role as encouraging affective investment in the environment that leads to people forming their own ideas and solutions about environmental issues.” 

Educator Spotlight: Juliann Chavez

Juliann Chavez, the sustainability coordinator for the City of Concord recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Juliann educates the public about stormwater pollution and prevention, waste management including recycling and composting, and about the importance of native plants and habitat management. 

Juliann says her favorite part of the program was meeting other educators. “The best part was meeting lots of other educators throughout the state that I am now collaborating with on various programs. That has been invaluable for me in my position.”

She says the part of the certification process that stands out for her were the instructional workshops. “I really learned a lot of new ways to engage the public and how to improve my programs.”

For her community partnership project, she created a new pollinator garden at one of the city’s parks. “I partnered with our parks and recreation department and our NC Wildlife Federation local chapter, the Concord Wildlife Alliance. We saw a need for a teaching pollinator garden within the City of Concord. In the city, we have a unique partnership with Concord Wildlife Alliance. I worked with this organization to promote and create this pollinator garden. I also worked with the local Cooperative Extension office to create the ideal list of native plants to attract pollinators. The garden is a great space for residents to come and see pollinators in action.”

When asked if the certification program led to changes in her approach to teaching, she says it helped her see the connection between her programming and increasing environmental literacy and awareness among her audiences. “It opened my eyes to new ways of developing curriculum and showed me that there is more that I can offer.” She also plans to make her programs more interactive while also teaching outdoors more often.

Leesville Road Middle School Celebrates a New School Mural and Pollinator Garden and Recognizes School Library Media Coordinator Evelyn Bussell.

Evelyn Bussell, the School Library Media Coordinator at Leesville Road Middle School in Raleigh, was recognized yesterday for completing her NC Environmental Education Certification during a Spring Showcase and ribbon cutting for the school’s new mural and pollinator garden. The showcase also included performances by students in the dance program. 

The showcase was an appropriate place to recognize Evelyn’s achievement – the school’s pollinator garden was her community partnership project for her certification. Evelyn says in addition to Leesville Middle; the garden will also benefit other schools. “I worked with our environmental club students and many different community members and organizations to create three pollinator gardens and one monarch waystation using NC native plants. As our school is located on the only three-school-campus in our school district so teachers, classes and students from the neighboring elementary and high schools, in addition to our own middle school, will have access to and be able to use the gardens to support their units on plants, habitats, pollinators and more. Any visitors to our gardens can contribute to citizen science using our QR codes to share their observations and our environmental club students will submit the collected data to The Great Sunflower Project. In addition to students from our school, local Boy Scouts and high school students earned community service hours assisting with the project.”

Lisa Tolley, program manager for the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs, and Kelly Hendrix, assistant park manager of Education for Blue Jay Point and Green Hills County Park with Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space presented Evelyn with her certificate. “Thank you for the opportunity to recognize Ms. Bussell for her dedication to environmental education, sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with her students for getting students outdoors to learn across disciplines.” Principal Chris Cox thanked Evelyn for leading the school's environmental club and the PTSA for their support of the club's projects including the pollinator garden and other improvements at the school. 

In addition to her roles as media coordinator, Evelyn also serves as the school’s technical contact and sponsors the school’s environmental club. “Outside of my school-based role I enjoy serving as a mentor for new school librarians, facilitating the district's professional development for school library media coordinators working towards their initial or maintaining their National Boards Certification, and serving on the Wake NC Association of Educators Leadership and Organizing Committees.” In her personal time, she enjoys spending time with my kids and "framily," hiking, camping, kayaking, watercolor painting, taking nature photography, quilting, and of course, reading.

Evelyn notes that the best part of earning her certification was the instructional workshops. “All the workshops reignited my passion for teaching, becoming a better educator all-around and having fun with science, a subject that I struggled with during my own school years.”  When asked what experience in the program stood out to her, Evelyn says it was the Educator Treks offered through the NC Museum of Natural Sciences that allowed her to learn and connect with other educators while exploring some amazing places.

Evelyn completed her professional development at Blue Jay County Park and at other educational institutions throughout the state including Lake Johnson Park, the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Walnut Creek Wetland Center in addition to visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Pocosin Lakes and Alligator River National Wildlife Refuges through the NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ Educator Trek program. You can read more about her professional development experiences on her website.

Evelyn says the program changed her approach to teaching. “Going through the EE Certification program allowed me to collaborate with science teachers in my school and become confident in taking students outside for learning experiences.”

The NC Environmental Education Certification is offered through the Department of Environmental Quality’s Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs to encourage professional development in environmental education and acknowledge educators committed to environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.eenorthcarolina.org.

Educator Spotlight: Chris Dransoff

Chris Dransoff, a retired educator, recently completed his NC Environmental Education Certification. “I retired in 2018 and have done a lot of volunteering at various museums in both Chicago and Charlotte.  In addition to museum volunteering, I have devoted time to environmental education.  I have volunteered for the past several years at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden where I give time weekly to a phenology program and assist in monitoring 50 bluebird boxes. In December of 2024, I completed certification as a Central Carolinas Master Naturalist. I also enjoy playing golf and hiking.”

When asked about his favorite part of the program, Chris says he enjoyed learning about other parts of the state and the resources. "I enjoyed the resources I acquired through the various trainings in which I participated like Project Wild, Project Wet, Project Learning Tree and the Methods of Teaching Environmental Education training. These are fabulous resources and I hope to utilize them in the coming years to help engage others and increase enthusiasm and commitment to environmental issues, awareness and action."

When asked about a certification experience that stood out for him, Chris says it was the depth of the certification experience. “It is a rigorous program that requires a commitment to learning and sharing that knowledge.” He adds that his community partnership project came in a close second for a standout experience. 

For his community partnership project, Chris installed Bluebird boxes at a local elementary school. “For Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, birds are part of the first grade curriculum, so I was able to work directly with the teachers at the school and present to the first grade classes about the importance of caring about birds. The first grade produced a PSA that explained the importance of protecting birds, and the first-grade teachers helped monitor the bird boxes and report the observations through an app called Nature's Notebook. Those reports go to a national database at Arizona State University and are used by scientists to monitor patterns across the country. In fact today I am installing two additional boxes on the school site.  The school has been a great partner!  This is year three of the partnership and we've fledged 37 bluebirds to date.”

When asked if the program changed his approach to teaching, Chris says it further supported his own approach. “As a career educator, I know the importance of hands-on and learner-driven experiences.  With environmental education, this is essential. The environmental education certification process has driven this home even more for me.”

Chris says the program has also supported his views on the environment. “I have been environmentally driven since a young age as a scout and later generally as a camper, hiker and outdoor lover. The program has helped me deepen my understanding of ecological systems and the beauty and wonder of the natural world; and therefore, our duty to protect it by educating others about the delicate balance in nature.”

Educator Spotlight: Kerissa Armstead

Kerissa Armstead, a Recreation Coordinator with the City of Durham Parks and Recreation, has recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Kerissa credits the certification program with helping her find a job. In her position, Kerissa coordinates field trips to the park and public programs that are focused on environmental education and outdoor recreation skill building. “I am a former high school science teacher, so I love that I get to work with kids in the outdoors and share my love of nature and science! I spend a lot of time outdoors with friends and family and kind of become a default nature guide during activities in my personal time as well.”

When asked about her favorite part of the program, Kerissa says it was networking with other people who love nature. “I still keep up with some folks I got to know in the workshops. Also, I enjoyed that through the program, I was able to mix and match workshops that are tailored to my interests and skills that I want to work on.”

Kerissa says the certification experiences that stood out for her were the ones that focused on a particular type of animals such as NC State Park Interpretation and Education Specialist Brian Bockhahn’s spider workshop. “I had no idea about all the diversity around us. It gave me a lot more appreciation for the littlest creatures.”

For her community partnership project, Kerissa strengthened the Franklinton Community Garden by improving volunteer coordination, community awareness, and administrative organization. “I recruited student volunteers, streamlined scheduling, and managed social media and public outreach. Franklinton is a small rural town where access to fresh food and community engagement is vital. My project helped connect residents, provide education, and improve access to fresh produce.”

Kerissa says the certification program led to changes in her approach to teaching. She continues to use resources from several of the workshops including Growing Up Wild and Project WILD, programs of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and Project Learning Tree, a program provided by NC State University - Extension Forestry and more. “I haven’t had to ‘reinvent the wheel’ for different activities for programs. It has also helped me come up with ideas to scale a program up or down in age if we don't have a version of something for a specific age group. For example, it's nice to be able to pull in a song or game from Growing Up Wild” for younger students.”

Kerissa says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues. “This program helped me know how to talk about environmental issues with the public. Since I studied environmental science in college, conversations with colleagues could become very technical, but this program helped me know how to make these issues understandable for people who aren’t working in an environmental field.”

Educator Spotlight: Sharon Bippus

Dr. Sharon Bippus, a retired college instructor who is pursuing a post-retirement career in environmental education, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification.

Sharon has worked as an educator for many years and has a background in English as a Second Language (ESL). She is currently teaching ESL at Forsyth Technical Community College. “I have worked with adults, but I have also taught high school and middle school. In addition, I taught intensive summer programs in China and Slovakia, and I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Russia for two years. After moving to North Carolina from Texas in August of 2023, I decided to add another dimension to my teaching toolbox, so I began working on the North Carolina Environmental Education certificate. In my free time, I enjoy spending time in nature, photography, and arts and crafts."

Sharon says her favorite part of the certification program was exploring different parts of the state and having more access to nature. “The first workshop I attended in person was Wild about Elk on Grandfather Mountain. Later I traveled to the coast and visited the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, and of course, I have visited many locations near my new home in the Piedmont. Melanie Buckingham, the librarian at the Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library in Greensboro, has been an amazing resource, and I have attended many of her workshops. Visiting so many different locations throughout the entire state has provided me with an incredible introduction to North Carolina.”

The certification experience that stood out to Sharon was a workshop offered through North Carolina State Parks. “My favorite workshop, which was taught by Regional Education Specialist Brian Bockhahn at the Carolina Beach State Park, was Nature Art because it combined two of my favorite things – creative expression and nature.”

For her community partnership project, Sharon was able to merge two of her interests -gardening and ESL. “I created a study guide for the young adult novel Seedfolks and facilitated a book group for the ESL students at the local YMCA. Seedfolks by Paul Fleischmann tells the story of a community garden that brings a diverse group of neighbors together as they turn a vacant city lot into a thriving garden. Our book group also brought together a diverse group. The participants represented Germany, Honduras, Iran, South Korean, Spain, and Venezuela, and we enjoyed learning about the themes in the book and each other’s cultures.”

Sharon says that the program changed the way she approached teaching. “Participating in the certification program has expanded my perception of the concept of a ‘classroom,’ and I have learned how to adapt the skills that I already have and apply them to different situations. As a classroom ESL teacher, I have always been a proponent of active learning and experiential learning, but the certification program showed me how to use nature as my classroom, and it has increased my awareness of new teaching tools.”

Participating in the Environmental Education Certification program benefited Sharon in some other unanticipated ways. “One of the pleasant surprises of participating in this program was meeting people from such a variety of professional backgrounds – K-12 teachers, professors, librarians, park rangers, city and county employees, and entrepreneurs, just to name a few – but the one thing we all have in common is our interest in the environment. It encourages me to know that so many people care and are advocating for the environment in a multitude of ways.”