Educator Spotlight: Stacy De Witte

Stacy De Witte, a retired NC middle school science and math teacher, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Stacy says the program helped her start and “encore” or post-retirement career. “I currently work part-time with Piedmont Environmental Alliance as one of their Environmental Educators. For the majority of my job, I go into middle and high school science classrooms to share programming about environmental issues and ways that students can participate in stewardship.”

Stacy says her favorite part of the program was collaborating with other educators around the state – both in the classes and during her final project. She says one workshop was the certification experience that really stood out to her. “I took Project WET (Water Education for Today) in Durham for three days through the City of Durham Stormwater Division. That was probably my favorite workshop of all the experiences to date. It was so well-run and organized. I made the decision to get my Project WET training to be a facilitator at that point and followed through this past February.”

For her community partnership program, Stacy created water education backpacks for teachers, scout leaders and environmental educators to check out. “The water exploration bag project engaged community members by bringing together educators, environmental organizations, local government and the public library to create a shared resource that supports environmental education throughout Forsyth County. Representatives from the City of Winston-Salem Stormwater Division, Piedmont Environmental Alliance, and the Forsyth County Public Library collaborated to develop, fund, promote, and distribute the backpacks. The bags have already been used by more than 100 students this summer at Kaleideum and Reynolda Gardens summer camps. Students have been so excited to get out in the creeks and streams in the community to see what kind of diversity lives in their waterways.”

When asked if the program led to changes in her approach to teaching, Stacy says it expanded her reach from the classroom to outdoor camps and other organizations. “The program helped me see beyond the classroom and helped other educators incorporate much of what I learned in the different workshops. I’m hoping to extend this knowledge by being a Project WET facilitator.”

Educator Spotlight: Savannah Lytle

Savannah Lytle, the Southwestern Watershed Outreach Coordinator for Mountain True recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. In her role at Mountain True, Savannah works directly with the region’s water quality programs, including Adopt-A-Stream, microplastics monitoring, and the Swim Guide in addition to other education programs. “I lead education and outreach programs that help connect communities with local environmental issues and conservation efforts. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, developing my naturalist skills, and spending time outside hiking, backpacking and paddling. I also love baking, crafting and exploring new places with my husband.”

Savannah says her favorite part of certification was participating in the guided outdoor experiences. “These experiences gave me the opportunity to explore and learn about North Carolina's natural environment firsthand. Through a variety of trainings, I developed a deeper appreciation for everything ranging from mosses to insects. From the coast to the Southern Appalachians, North Carolina is an incredibly diverse and beautiful state, and these experiences helped me see and appreciate that diversity in new ways.”

When asked what experience in the program stood out to her, Savannah says it was participating in a variety of instructional workshops. “The workshops challenged the way I plan environmental education lessons and introduced me to new strategies for making them more engaging and effective. In particular, the Universal Design for Learning training changed the way I approach lesson planning. I now intentionally incorporate accessibility considerations into all of my environmental education lessons, so they are more inclusive for every learner.”

For her community partnership project, she collaborated with the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher and Cape Fear’s Going Green Magazine to host the first science festival in Wilmington. “The festival created a central place for community members to learn about local community science projects directly from the organizations that lead and support them. Attendees could explore volunteer opportunities, learn how project data is being collected and used, receive information about required training and connect with project leaders to ask questions. By increasing awareness and participation, the festival aimed to expand volunteer recruitment, strengthen community engagement and broaden the reach of local environmental monitoring efforts.”

Savannah says the program changed her approach to teaching in many ways. “One of the biggest ways is that I now better understand developmental stages when I work with various age groups and am able to better tailor my lesson plans to meet their developmental needs and keep students engaged. Additionally, I have a stronger understanding of the importance of evaluation and assessment, recognizing that they can be used in a variety of ways to measure program effectiveness and improve educational programs.”

She says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues. “I now have a much better understanding of the difference between environmental education and environmental advocacy. I appreciate that environmental education is about helping people explore environmental issues from multiple perspectives and use critical thinking to form their own conclusions, while environmental advocacy focuses on promoting a specific viewpoint or course of action. Understanding this distinction has helped me be more intentional about how I approach my work at an environmental advocacy organization and recognize when each approach is most appropriate to use!”

Educator Spotlight: Christy Perrin

Christy Perrin, the Sustainable Waters and Communities Coordinator with the NC Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) and NC Sea Grant, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. In these roles Christy implements projects that benefit both people and nature with a focus on water. “I facilitate collaborative initiatives like the Wake Green Schools Partnership which works to increase environmental literacy in schools, and I coordinate projects that increase community and ecological resiliency and engage K-12 students and educators in NC standards-aligned lessons about water resources and natural science careers. I’m also a volunteer leader with my child’s Scouting of America Troop which provides plenty of opportunities to join camping and other outdoor adventures!”

Christy says her favorite part of earning her certification was participating in the outdoor environmental education experiences. “ It raised my awareness of the many guided programs available across NC through local and state agencies and environmental education centers, and it gave me the gentle nudge I needed to participate in many of them. The NC Museum of Natural Science's Mad for Madtoms Educator Trek was a highlight -- literally diving into a river to learn about tiny, endangered Carolina Madtoms (catfish), and meeting Neuse River Waterdogs with Museum and NC Wildlife Resources Commission staff!”

When asked about an experience in the program that stood out to her, Christy says it was the Methods of Teaching Environmental Education Workshop. “I found the course especially helpful since my education was about public administration, environmental policy and collaborative problem solving, not teaching. It helped me to move more comfortably and confidently into engaging K-12 audiences in my programming.”

For her community partnership project, Christy chose to do her project at her son's elementary school. As a PTA member and parent volunteer, she was able to work collaboratively to create an outdoor learning and play area and to coordinate sustainability events around campus including native plant installations and litter cleanups. “The new outdoor learning and play area provides K-2 grade students unstructured play opportunities, benefitting their development. The boulders, trees, shrubs and perennials installed throughout the campus provide additional natural areas to explore and enhance the ecosystem and wildlife who may use the campus as their habitat. The importance of outdoor sustainability at the school is now reflected in the title of the committee I chaired. I worked with the PTA president to change the committee from “operations and grounds” to "sustainability and grounds."

Christy says the certification changed her approach to teaching. “The program provided me with skills, knowledge, practice and confidence to expand K-12 programming within WRRI. “I'm applying what I've learned every time I plan to visit a school, create new lesson plans, or partner with others on initiatives to advance environmental literacy across the state of North Carolina.”

Christy says she had a strong base of understanding of environmental issues before starting the program, but the program changed how she thinks about supporting her students’ understanding of environmental issues. “I better understand the need to support a student's critical thinking and analysis of environmental issues as part of the environmental education process and to help them connect to their own experiences and knowledge to make those environmental issues relevant to them. Getting students outdoors to see and experience their local environment is a key piece the process.”

Educator Spotlight: Jacob Regensburger

Jacob Regensburger, a middle school teacher with the 71^st Classical Middle School in Cumberland County recently completed his NC Environmental Education Certification. Jacob teaches 6^th and 7^th grade science and volunteers with Friends of Carvers Creek State Park to help run their programs. In his personal time, he enjoys hiking, photography and reading.

Jacob says his favorite part of the program was the opportunity to see different places in the state. “My favorite part of the program was seeing how diverse an ecology and geography North Carolina has. From the mountains in the west to the coast in the east, you can find many different types of plants, animals and ecosystems.”

When asked if there was an experience that stood out to him, Jacob says it was programs offered through the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. “I first learned about the certification while attending the museum’s Blue Ridge Institute during Covid. My final hours towards certification were earned through another museum institute, their trip to Yellowstone National Park. This was the perfect bookend to my certification experience.”

For my community partnership project, I started an environmental art contest within my school. The focus was on native plants or animals from North Carolina. Our design was sent to Yellow Crayons, a local t-shirt printing business, to create a T-Shirt. The shirts were sold to the student body, and proceeds were donated to the Friends of Carvers Creek State Park. We have already decided to continue the contest next school year, and the Friends group is considering adopting the winning design each year as their official t-shirt.”

Jacob says the program led to changes in his approach to teaching. “Many of my experiences led me to slow down and connect with my environment, as well as the people around me. I find now that I am quicker to slow down and listen before responding, and I teach and encourage my students to do the same. If you have a middle schooler in your life, you know how much they can benefit from slowing down and listening!

Jacob says the program helped his teaching. “I find my practice as a teacher immeasurably improved. Between professional development, curriculum resources, and many new friends and colleagues met through the program, I would not be the teacher I am today without environmental education.”

Educator Spotlight: Morgan Pope

Morgan Pope, an Administrative Support Specialist with Harnett Soil and Water Conservation District, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Morgan works with other staff on the educational programming such as Envirothon. “Our Envirothon competition is probably my most favorite! We primarily work with local farmers and landowners to help implement best management practices for their farm or land to help mitigate erosion and sediment control.”

Morgan says she enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people while completing the program. “My favorite part about earning my certification was meeting people all across the state, learning how our soils and lands differ and working together by building new relationships, sharing ideas and collaborating with others all for a common goal.”

When asked if there was an experience that stood out to her, Morgan says it was the passion shared by the presenters. “The classes I attended were filled with knowledge and a true understanding and love for the natural environment. The presenters were wonderful.”

For her community partnership project, Morgan partnered with Keep Harnett Beautiful to create a litter sweep. “What started as a bi-annual litter sweep for the county, has now developed into the need for a full-time litter sweep coordinator. I started this initiative in the spring of 2022 and had around 120 participants. Fast forward to NOW, from January 2026 through May 2026 we have had over 750 volunteers... The community has stepped up, volunteered and has helped increase awareness of the harm litter causes our natural resources.”

Morgan says the program helped her understand there are different methods to educate your audiences. “Not all ways work for everyone but taking the time to get to know the audience helps decipher which way work best.” She also says the program changed the way she thinks about environmental issues. “I have a deeper understand of the natural resources around us and I feel more confident in teaching current and future stewards of our lands.”

Educator Spotlight: Katie Frederick

Katie Frederick, a small business owner in Johnston County, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Katie is an entrepreneur who is passionate about building community, storytelling and connecting people with the outdoors.

Katie runs a small business consulting company that assists customers with recruiting, administrative tasks and website design and a photography business, where her work focuses heavily on wildlife, travel and outdoor adventure photography. “I lead a family-style trail and nature journal community that offers community hikes for families, women’s international adventure trips, outdoor photography workshops, and environmental education programs for youth. Beyond my own businesses, I serve as an ambassador for a large women’s community in North Carolina and volunteer as a trail guide with Triangle Land Conservancy. At the heart of everything I do is a desire to inspire curiosity, conservation, adventure and meaningful human connection through nature and shared experiences.”

Katie says one of her favorite parts of earning her certification was connecting with so many like-minded people who share a passion for environmental education, conservation and getting others outdoors. “The program also gave my family and me the opportunity to explore new places, discover different outdoor themes and spend meaningful time together in nature. In many ways, the process helped me reconnect with an important part of my past and professional journey. Before becoming a full-time entrepreneur, I worked for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as an Environmental Specialist and Source Water Protection Specialist, where I assisted communities and stakeholders with wellhead and watershed management plans to help protect drinking water sources. Stepping back into the environmental education world has felt like coming full circle and has reignited my passion for stewardship, conservation and community education.”

The certification experience that stands out most for Katie was the Southern Appalachian Birds program at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Although my original naturalist skills class was postponed, the pre-course reading introduced me to nature journaling, which quickly became a new passion. I have completed the coursework for my Nature Journal Educator Certification and am now awaiting my practicum. Nature journaling also helped me overcome limiting beliefs about my artistic abilities and sparked a new love for drawing and creative observation. I’m excited to continue this journey and eventually pursue my Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification as well.”

Katie collaborated with Triangle Land Conservancy on her community partnership project. Triangle Land Conservancy hosts a public event, Wild Ideas, each year that brings in 300 community members and experts to share ideas and explore solutions to local environmental challenges. Katie introduced nature journaling to attendees, and she says it encouraged deeper connections with the outdoors through observation and creativity. “The experience was incredibly rewarding and showed how accessible and engaging nature journaling can be for people of all ages and experience levels. As a direct result of the event, I was inspired to launch our own Nature Journal Club to continue building community around outdoor exploration and creativity. The project has already created additional opportunities, with several homeschool organizations I connected with during the event reaching out about hosting nature journaling programs for their groups.”

Katie says that participating in the certification program changed her approach to teaching. “Participating in the program significantly shaped the way I approach teaching and engaging others outdoors. What began as a desire to learn more about my adopted home state of North Carolina evolved into a deeper passion for helping youth develop their own naturalist skills and connection to nature. After my oldest child started attending public school, I realized that much of my own love for the outdoors and science had been fostered outside of a traditional classroom setting by my parents, who were science teachers and scientists by profession. It made me recognize that not every child has access to those same experiences or mentors encouraging curiosity, exploration and environmental stewardship. Because of this, my approach has become much more focused on creating accessible, hands-on experiences that inspire wonder, observation and confidence in the outdoors for children and families alike. As a result, I’ve added an element of education into all our community hikes as well as offering specific environmental education programs.”

She says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues. “Participating in the certification program expanded my perspective on environmental issues by highlighting how deeply conservation is connected to education and personal experience in nature. While my background focused on environmental protection and watershed management, this program shifted my thinking toward the importance of building early, meaningful connections to the outdoors. I now see environmental education as a key driver of long-term stewardship because people protect what they understand and feel connected to. It also reinforced the need to make environmental learning accessible, hands-on and engaging for all ages and communities.”

Educator Spotlight: Krista Roa

Krista Roa, director of Environmental Education at the Agape Center for Environmental Education in Fuquay-Varina, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification.

Krista works with K-8 students and leads programs for students throughout central North Carolina on topics such as water quality, animal adaptations, ecosystems, tree identification and many more. In her personal time, Krista enjoys being outdoors. “I love to kayak, paddleboard and volunteer with my sons' scout troops. With the little free time that I do have, I love to crochet, and watch movies.”

Krista says her favorite part of earning her certification was a trip she went on with her son and his scout troop to several national parks, which allowed her to participate in several activities. “We attended ranger talks about the ecosystem of Arches National Park and the mules of the Grand Canyon and went on a guided tour of the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park.”

When asked about an experience that stood out to her, Krista says it was meeting other educators. “I enjoyed networking with others in the field. It was really great to get to know new people and make friends that I can collaborate with.”

For her community partnership project, Krista built new platforms on a pond that is used for collecting water samples during field trip programs. She worked with her son and members of his scout troop to replace the platforms that were rotting and too small for a group of students to use. “The new platform made it possible for more students to collect samples for the water quality and the pond macroinvertebrates programs. The larger platforms provide a safe collecting site and also allow more students to collect at one time.”

Krista says the program led to changes in her approach to teaching. “I've become much more aware of the language I use in my programs. I've worked really hard to use language that is more inclusive and accepting of differences since I've been in the certification program. The Methods of Teaching Environmental Education course facilitated by Environmental Educators of North Carolina was extremely helpful because it gave me some in-depth background knowledge about the history of environmental education.”

The certification program also changed the way Krista thinks about environmental issues. “Since starting this certification program, I've begun looking at the different angles that each environmental issue could involve. There are so many different perspectives that come into play, and part of being a good educator is taking as many of them into account as you can. Giving people the best information I'm able to give so that they can make decisions that are beneficial to them and to others has become one of my central goals.”

DEQ’s Janina Millis Recognized for Earning the State’s Environmental Education Certification

Janina Millis and Lori Davis 

Janina Millis, the NC Air Awareness Program Coordinator for the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) Division of Air Quality, was recognized Friday for completing her NC Environmental Education Certification. The award was a full circle moment for Janina and her mentor Lori Davis, who is the Education Coordinator for the NC Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve. 

Lori supervised Janina when she was a DEQ intern with the NC Coastal Reserve in 2017. Today Janina is a full-time educator at DEQ participating in one of Lori’s professional development workshops for educators called Teachers on the Estuary at the Rachel Carson Coastal Reserve. “It has been an honor to mentor Janina and watch her grow as an environmental educator,” Lori said. “I’m so proud to call her a friend and a colleague, and to continue working together to promote environmental education in our state.”

“We are so fortunate to have outstanding educators like Lori and Janina teaching students about the importance of our state’s estuaries, clean air and other environmental topics,” said DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson. “Janina’s success story demonstrates how our internships can create exciting career pathways for students.”

Teachers on the Estuary Workshop participants

As a program coordinator, Janina teaches K-12 students and the public about air quality through school programs and outreach events. Janina also collaborates with educators from other DEQ divisions on teacher training and student outreach. She has created partnerships with other agencies and organizations such as drivers’ education programs, asthma support groups and museums. In her personal time, Janina enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading and dancing. She also loves going home to the Crystal Coast to spend time with her family and dogs.

She says the favorite part of earning her certification was exploring the state. “Though I have lived in North Carolina all my life, I've only just started to explore,” she said. “Going to various regions for workshops and trainings, I have learned to love each part of the state for all its unique qualities. Now, a personal goal of mine is to visit all our state parks, because I have enjoyed exploring so much!”

Janina said the experience in the program that stood out for her was the conferences hosted by Environmental Educators of North Carolina, the state’s professional organization for environmental education. “Getting to be in the same space as folks who have like interests and passions, and an array of content expertise is such a rejuvenating experience,” she said. “Learning from so many wonderful people has made me a better environmental educator. Plus, game nights and campfires are always fun too.” 

For her community partnership project, Janina created a “State of AWE (Air, Water, Earth) workshop” which showcased DEQ’s education programs in the divisions of Coastal Management; Water Resources; Energy, Mineral and Land Resources; Geological Survey; and Air Quality. “The workshops were hosted in underserved areas of the state and educators spent a day learning from DEQ educators using hands-on activities in a variety of subject matter to take back to the classroom,” Janina said. “They gained an understanding of how each element of our environment is connected.” 

DEQ Educators and State of AWE Workshop Facilitators: Rebecca Coppa, Janina Millis, Amy Pitts and Lori Davis

Janina says the program helped her gain a better understanding of her position and what she could improve to make her outreach and education programs successful. She says her biggest take-away was understanding how to teach others how to think and not what to think and making content unique to different audiences so they may take personal interest in the subject. “Telling someone what to expect or what is happening, doesn't allow for them to form their own thoughts or become personally invested,” Janina said. “It is only once they have spent time coming to conclusions themselves and seeing the impacts on their lives that they really start to understand and ask more questions. Then, they can begin to take ownership of their actions that will have impacts on the environment.”

Educator Spotlight: Seth Landon

Seth Landon, an educator at Agape Center for Environmental Education, recently completed his NC Environmental Education Certification. He teaches field trips and provides  programs on a wide variety of subjects from geology and the environment to inserts and bird flight. In his personal time, Seth enjoys collecting insects, fossil hunting, camping and hiking.

Seth says his favorite part of earning his certification was the opportunity to volunteer with the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). “This experience led to me helping with surveys for the federally listed Roanoke Logperch, Neuse River Waterdog, and Carolina Madtom. Each of these experiences across the state filled me with the greatest wonder and appreciation for rare and endangered species that need our help. Getting to volunteer with WRC directly to survey for the Roanoke Logperch was especially meaningful, because I was able to spend several days seeing dozens of fish and aquatic invertebrate species that are as beautiful as any you may find in a tropical reef. There is a special feeling that comes when you get to hold and see an animal that is found nowhere else in the world and then know that your effort can lead to future propagation and conservation.”

When asked about the certification experience that stands out to him, Seth says it was taking the Methods of Teaching Environmental Education Workshop. The methods class was really my biggest wakeup call that wow; I was actually doing this and needed to be all in. I already had some teaching experience, especially as a missionary, but this class taught me so many ways to be more engaging and fun as a teacher. It was especially meaningful to participate as a group and to learn from each other. After this class, I felt much more comfortable pursuing the rest of the certification, and I remember signing up for as much as I could handle on the environmental education calendar.”

For his community partnership program, Seth created an insect collection for the Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls. “The museum contains plenty of historical artifacts, but not many relating to natural history. I was asked to create something that could both expand the collection and serve as a teaching aid for the public. The final collection was 39 labeled insects from various families, complete with a lesson structure and information to be presented to museum visitors.”

Seth says the certification program not only changed his approach to teaching, but it also helped him find a job. “Participation in the EE Certification by itself is what got me at least one job. My instructor for Project WILD asked me if I would like to work for her as a program instructor, which opportunity I gladly took. I was then able to apply what I had learned throughout all my environmental education courses. I have found better ways to address unruly kids, get parent chaperones involved, and now have more confidence teaching in general.”

When asked if the program changed the way he views environmental issues, Seth says that it was the Ground LevelOzone: Advanced Air Quality Educator Workshop in particular that had a hug impact on him. “I was able to do a program in the Smokey Mountains, which was hosted by the  NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality in partnership with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This program allowed us to survey salamanders and terrestrial snails, both of which are affected by poor air quality and acid rain. We were also able to make observations on the air quality itself. After our data collection and observation, we were shown data from previous years. Since the implementation of legislation such as the Clean Air Act, the sky has grown significantly clearer, snail shells have grown to larger sizes, and plants are less ozone burned. These were undeniable results of changes made to preserve the environment and reduce unnecessary pollution. This course alone had the biggest impact on me, showing that we really can make a difference and that the earth can heal itself if given the opportunity.”

Educator Spotlight: Raelene Toomer

Raelene Toomer, a teacher at Hunters Creek Elementary School in Onslow County, recently completed her North Carolina Environmental Education Certification. Raelene is retiring from teaching 2^nd grade and hopes to start an encore career. “I am looking for a new job, and I would love to do something in an environmental field. Working on my certification was the best thing for me because it helped my students learn how to take care of a creek that was on our school grounds.”

Raelene says her favorite part of earning her certification was the knowledge she gained and the networking. “I loved learning about different environments and the science lessons in all of the workshops I attended. The best part was meeting new friends that care about the environment we have here in North Carolina.”

When asked about an experience that stood out for her, Raelene says it was the North Carolina Forest Service’s “Investigating Your Environment” Workshop. “This was an incredible experience and the knowledge I gained was amazing. I was able to take that knowledge back to my classroom to help my students learn more about the creek and the trees that are living nearby.”

For her community partnership project, Raelene focused on restoring the creek that is on the school grounds. She engaged the students, parents, principal and the larger community in the effort to clean up a creek that had been damaged by  hurricanes, erosion and pollution. “This community has houses around these two schools where the creek runs into Little Northeast Creek, which runs into the New River, which runs into the Atlantic Ocean. My goal was to clean up the creek so the elementary and middle school students will have an open classroom to study the environment and all the different habitats and plants that live by our creek.”

Raelene partnered with the North Carolina Forest Service to identify the intermittent creek, with a riverkeeper for the cleanup and with the county’s landscaping crew to help connect the creek from the elementary school to the middle school. She engaged parents through a STEM night at the school and a follow-up cleanup. Raelene says the most important benefit of cleaning up the creek was to make it a healthier place for the wildlife that lives nearby and to create an outdoor classroom that teachers can use to teach about the environment and to teach science. “Community members like to take hikes along the creek and there is an open area where outdoor classes can be held for learning. Some middle school students even go out there to sit on the fallen trees to read their books in nature for relaxation. It is so nice to see this area being used by the school and the community.”

Raelene says the certification program changed her approach to teaching. “This program opened my eyes to see that we have a lot of teaching to do about the environments that are in our backyards. Students today are scared to get outside and see nature. As an educator, it is important to teach students how to take care of our planet Earth and the habitats that are near us. We can teach the NC curriculum to the students outside in nature which is the best thing for the students. It gives them hands on learning and helps them see problems in nature and encourages teamwork as they try to find solutions to these problems.”

Raelene also says the program changed the way she thinks about environmental issues. She says the program emphasized the importance of communities working together to solve environmental issues.

Educator Spotlight: Jen Johnson

Jen Johnson, a nature and mindfulness psychotherapist and coach, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification.

Jen’s practice focuses on stress, climate anxiety, grief, health and wellness. She is a Writing as Refuge™ workshop facilitator and a speaker and trainer on stress reduction, resilience, creativity, nature meditation and emotional resilience in the climate crisis. She includes nature-based education and nature connection practices in her workshops and presentations. She is also a writer and nature photographer.

Jen says her favorite part of the program was deepening her knowledge about climate change and birds. “I enjoyed the creative aspects of the community project such as collaborating with my community partner on project design and facilitation and curation of the exhibit. Mostly I loved connecting with so many amazing people who are committed to environmental education.”

When asked about a certification experience that stands out to her, she says there are so many that stand out! “A frog call identification workshop helped me to pay more attention to frog calls every season. After the frog calls workshop, I started paying more attention to their calls, and now I know that when the eye of a hurricane is overhead, there is silence, and the hurricane is over when the frogs begin calling again.”

Jen says another experience that stands out to her was Climate Interactive Mastering EnROADS Training*. “It was an intensive training that offered so much information about climate change along with concrete ways to assess which actions will have the greatest positive effects on decreasing the impacts of climate change. I plan to sign up again for continuing education credits! The bird walks at Halyburton Park with Andy Fairbanks also stand out. He's an amazing facilitator, and I've learned so much more about birds from him. I could go on and on, as there are many more experiences that had a positive impact on me. I can't say enough about how wonderful this program is.”

For her community partnership project, Jen created a project called “Writing the Earth: A Climate Writing and Resilience Workshop.” Writing with the Earth project offered a space in which participants could learn about the causes and impacts of climate change, express climate emotions, and write about their climate emotions and as well as their hopes for the future. The project taught participants skills for being more emotionally resilient in the face of the climate crisis. The exhibit of the writing is scheduled to be hung in May at Halyburton Park Nature Center in Wilmington, NC. Our hope is that the exhibit will expand the community conversation and give others encouragement and permission to think about and express their concerns and feelings about climate change.”

Jen says the program changed the way she teaches others. “Participating in the EE Certification program has helped me to be more focused on engaging people's curiosity about the natural world and has expanded my perspective about the many ways that people can engage with nature.”

She also says the program changed the way she views environmental issues. “I believe deeply that people will try to save what they love. I’m more committed than ever to try and inspire people to connect with and fall in love with nature.”

*En-ROADS is developed by Climate Interactive and MIT Sloan.

Educator Spotlight: Angela Craven

Angela Craven, an Environmental Educator at Piedmont Environmental Center in High Point, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. 

Angela provides environmental programs that align with the NC Science Standards for visiting school groups, and she creates original programming for homeschool groups and the public. Angela is also the current vice president of the Piedmont Bird Club and in her personal time, she enjoys birding, spending time in nature and reading.  

Angela says her favorite part of earning her certification was the networking. “I enjoyed the opportunity to take different classes and meeting other people in the field. It was fun to spend the day in a class with others that enjoy doing what I do.”

The certification experience that stands out the most for Angela was the program Presenting Thematic Talks and Hikes for Effective Impact at Pilot Mountain State Park. She found this training very helpful with wonderful information, and she says it helped her become better at creating her own program plans and outlines for homeschool and public programming.

Angela says she also really enjoyed putting together the “Feather Fest” birding festival for her community partnership project. The festival included 10 local groups, two speakers and educational opportunities for the community to learn more about the birding world and how to support birds locally. “It was so much fun speaking with all those involved and seeing how excited they were to be a part of the festival. I loved that at the end of the day we had so many people commenting that they hope we do this every year. To me that shows that the festival was a success and that it engaged the participants enough to want to come back again.”

Angela says the program changed her approach to teaching. “Participating in the certification program helped me to be more aware of how I teach so that I can be sure to include as many people from as many walks of life as possible. It helped me analyze how I engage with participants so that I can critique my methods and then improve on them as needed.”

 She says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues. “I think the biggest change was in realizing that we need to approach the teaching of environmental issues not just from a standpoint of what we need to fix and why, but also from an understanding that some people may not be coming from a place in which these issues seem important in comparison with their every day struggles. I try to find ways to engage those that may not see how environmental issues affect everyone, no matter where they are in life.”

Educator Spotlight: Hayden Lindsey

Hayden Lindsey, a homeschool teacher in Wake County, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. 

Hayden has been a homeschool teacher for 16 years and a scout leader for her daughter’s American Heritage Girl Scout troop for five years. “I enjoy hiking, camping and visiting national parks. I am a follower of Christ and enjoy writing nature-related devotionals tied to the national parks my family has visited. I will be teaching outdoor skills for New Life Camp’s homeschool program next school year.” 

Hayden says her favorite part of the program is meeting teachers from many different backgrounds and practicing teaching techniques with them. “I have been teaching science and nature/outdoor-related topics to kids for many years in different homeschool and scouting contexts, but I had not interacted much with other informal educators and traditional classroom teachers who teach similar topics. It was encouraging and inspiring to learn from these new voices.” 

When asked what experience stands out to her from the program, Hayden says it was the NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ Got Elk? Educator Trek. “The weekend at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park allowed me to connect with other environmental educators and to experience the rutting season when elk are active at the park. The time spent outdoors in creation was restorative and observing majestic elk up close was awe inspiring. The facilitators and rangers who planned this trek created a fun and educational experience, and I am thankful I got to be a part of the trip for my certification.”

For her community partnership project, Hayden created a weekend full of environmental education activities for her American Heritage Girl (AHG) Scout Troop at Blue Jay County Park in Raleigh. “I planned activities for three levels of scouts to complete their nature and wildlife  badge in one weekend. I incorporated Project WILD activities into the weekend, which was a great supplement to our badgework. The girls especially enjoyed the Dire Diet game we played, addressing the effect of pesticides on the food chain. The second part of my project involved correlating Project WILD curriculum activities with AHG badgework. I documented each AHG badge that touched on wildlife and conservation, linking badge requirements with specific activities in four Project WILD guides. This process was time consuming, but it helped me plan activities for my own scouts and improved my familiarity with the Project WILD guides. I hope this work will be useful to other AHG leaders as well.”

Hayden says the program changed her approach to teaching. “I have gained so many valuable resources for teaching about nature and outdoor skills through the workshops and outdoor experiences I’ve done through the certification program. The activities in the Project WILD, Project WET and Project Learning Tree guides are very valuable. I have also learned from the facilitators in these workshops, as well as through tips on "classroom" management for teaching kids outdoors from other teachers and participants in the programs I attended. I hope to get my scouts outdoors more, not just on camping trips/outdoor events, but at regular troop meetings as well.”

The program also changed the way she thinks about environmental issues. “It was helpful to hear about how we should tailor how we communicate about environmental issues to children's age levels. Younger children may not be able to handle harsh environmental realities at the level high school students can. The emphasis on communicating environmental information without attempting to promote our own agenda was also pertinent.”

Educator Spotlight: Abby Weinshenker

Abby Weinshenker, the Resource Education Coordinator for the Cabarrus Soil and Water Conservation District, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. In addition to completing her certification, the NC Wildlife Federation awarded Abby  “Environmental Educator of the Year” for the 2026 Governor’s Achievement Awards.

Abby says this role gives her the opportunity to connect the community to the importance of natural resources. “I create and lead educational programs, support conservation initiatives and inspire people of all ages to care for the environment. Outside of work, I love scuba diving, getting lost in a good book
and spending time with my pets."

Abby says her favorite part of earning her certification was taking the workshops. “They helped me feel more confident when I teach.” Her favorite experience was taking the Methods of Teaching Environmental Education at Stevens Creek Nature Center and Preserve in Mecklenburg County. “I learned a lot of new techniques and terminology related to environmental education. This is the class that I credit for my confidence boost and for the methods to teach environmental education.”

For her community partnership project, Abby started the first annual Creek Week for Cabarrus County. “It was a challenging process that required extensive planning, coordination and collaboration with multiple partners, but the effort paid off and the event was a success. We’re now in the midst of planning our second annual Creek Week, building on what we learned to make it even better.”

Abby says the program changed her approach to teaching. "Taking the Methods workshop allowed me to become a more confident public speaker, but when I took “Accessible by Nature” through Environmental Educators of North Carolina, I changed my approach to education entirely. I learned several techniques to be more inclusive for all learners, and I highly recommend everyone take that course.”

When asked if the program changed the way she views environmental issues, Abby says her opinion on issues hasn’t changed but her communication about those issues has changed. “I learned to scale the heaviness of the topic amongst different age ranges and not to let my own opinions seep into the topic when I’m talking about it. We need to give learners the facts and let them form their own opinions on issue.”

Educator Spotlight: Sarah Downing

Sarah Downing, a retired archivist, volunteer and Virginia Master Naturalist, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification.

Sarah retired from the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources in 2025 and credits the certification program with helping her start an “encore”  post-retirement career. “In the first year I took the basic training to become a Virginia Master Naturalist. Through that program, I started volunteering at the Joseph S.J. Tanner Environmental Education Center adjacent to the John H. Kerr Dam. I greet visitors, answer questions and ensure they have a positive experience at the center. After working a public-facing job for 30 years, greeting the guest is something I enjoy doing and that I do well.” In her personal time, Sarah enjoys birding, swimming and foraging for mushrooms.

Sarah says her favorite part of the program was visiting environmental education centers. “There were many in the Asheville area where I enrolled in the certification program. But I would also visit sites on road trips. I travelled to Cedar Key Florida, and I went to several environmental education centers in South Carolina and Georgia. I also loved gaining credits for outdoor experiences. In Asheville, there were so many opportunities! Asheville Botanical Gardens, Blue Ridge Audubon Society, Holmes Educational State Forest and The North Carolina Arboretum.”

When asked what certification experience stood out for her, Sarah says it was earning her teaching hours. “Unlike many in the program, I was not a teacher, park ranger, museum person, etc. I was an archivist! Earning my teaching hours was a challenge, however, I was able to do a week-long internship with the Forest Floor Wilderness Program which was one of the best things I have ever experienced. We met for five days at Feathered Friends Camp with 6 and 7-year-olds, and we were outside the entire time under the trees and within earshot of the creek. I learned about nature mentoring and how to use discovery, storytelling and game playing as methods to introduce youngsters to an out-of-doors setting and how to learn about nature. At the beginning of each day before driving to camp, the facilitators and helpers would meet and practice gratitude and share any important information. Sometimes someone would read an inspirational poem. At the end of each session, we would rejoin and debrief. I was working with some of the most inspiring people I have ever met.”

For her community partnership project Sarah created a NatureFest event at the Joseph S.J. Tanner Center at John H. Kerr Reservoir which is operated by rangers with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). This project allowed the US Army Corps of Engineers to host an event with limited staff. Sarah partnered with the Virginia Master Gardeners, Virginia Master Naturalists, Kerr Lake Butterfly Trail, Mecklenburg County Virginia Beekeepers Association, Virginia State Parks and Kerr Lake Recreation Area to make the event possible. “Each group had one or more educational stations and families, campers, seniors, home schoolers and passers-by attended and visited the stations. One of the outcomes of NatureFest was to invite people to the Joseph S.J. Tanner Environmental Education Center and to increase awareness of it in the community.  The educational stations were designed to create dialog and resources for visitors to learn more. Crafts and activities gave visitors a chance to take home something to remind them of the event.  NatureFest strives to be a “soft approach” to getting people more interested in the natural environment.”

Sarah says the certification program served as a springboard for learning how to meet people where they are and provide a safe, inclusive and welcoming space. “The program was a wonderful experience for me as a life-long learner.”

 

Educator Spotlight: Nora Skinner

Nora Skinner, the environmental programs coordinator for the Town of Apex, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certificate.

Nora gets to wear a lot of different hats in her position. “The part of my role that I enjoy most is creating new environmental programs for community members to participate in. These programs have included both town-led initiatives and collaborations with local partner organizations, but I find the partnerships especially fulfilling. There’s something really rewarding about different groups coming together to work toward a shared environmental goal. The environmental education certification program has helped me tremendously in this aspect of my work, as I strive to design programs that are relevant, accessible and engaging for our community. Outside of work, you can still find me exploring nature. I’m a coastal girl at heart, so even though I grew up in Stokes County and love the mountains, my ideal day would be spent reading a book on the beach or stomping around in the marsh.”

Nora says her favorite part of the certification program was the teaching. “I was in a somewhat unique position, because I was able to count a portion of my teaching hours while I was out of state earning my Master’s in Conservation Education from Mississippi State University. From 2022 to early 2025, I lived in Biloxi, Mississippi, where I worked as an extension agent for Mississippi State University. During that time, I led a variety of STEM programs for local high school students. These included a summer camp focused on teaching green infrastructure technical skills, such as drone operation, using Real-Time Kinematic equipment and boating, as well as a program centered on marsh and dune restoration. Students grew native plants at their schools throughout the year, and at the end of the program, we took a field trip to a marsh or beach site to complete a hands-on restoration project. Working with those students and seeing their growth through these experiences has been some of the most rewarding teaching I’ve done so far.”

When asked which certification experience stood out for her, Nora says it was the NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ Project RESTORE (Rescuing Endangered Species through Outreach, Restoration and Education) Educator Trek which connects teachers and students to imperiled and endangered species in eastern NC such as the Neuse River Waterdog salamander, one of the rarest species of salamander in the Southeast. “I participated in this event last December and was thoroughly impressed by how much educational content was packed into a single day while still keeping the program fun! It was really amazing to hear from North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission staff about this rare, endemic species that is right in our backyards and to learn about all of the conservation efforts focused on protecting them.”

For her community partnership project, Nora developed the Apex Natural Heritage Trail at Apex Nature Park which features a series of 10 interpretive signs focused on the ecology and natural history of Apex. The project allowed her to partner with several departments with the Town of Apex where she works. “I researched the topics, worked with the town’s parks and recreation staff to produce and install the signs, and collaborated with the town’s communications department to create a webpage to support the trail. The trail is designed to be a self-guided experience, but on the first day the signs were installed, I led a guided walk through the trails to kick off the program. I plan to continue offering guided walks periodically. This project filled a gap in environmental education programming at Apex Nature Park, since there was previously no educational information available in the park. My hope is that this project benefits the community by increasing environmental literacy in an accessible way. Visitors can explore the trail at their own pace while learning about local watersheds, wildlife and the history of the area.”

Nora says the program changed her approach to teaching others. “The program changed my approach to creating new programs and lessons. Now, when I begin planning, I take time to think more intentionally about the relevance of the topics I want to address and whether they matter and how they meet the needs of our community. I also think about how to make programs inclusive for everyone, whether it means addressing physical accessibility or using different teaching methods. I also try to bring as many voices to the table as possible so that multiple perspectives are represented. My goal is to reduce barriers to entry in the environmental field and create programs that are welcoming, meaningful and accessible to a wider audience.”

Nora also says the program changed the way she thinks about environmental issues.  "After completing the certification program, one lesson that will always stay with me is that the overarching goal of environmental education is to increase environmental literacy. When thinking about environmental issues and how to teach them, I understand that my role as an educator is to help people better understand these topics and how their actions and decisions relate to and impact the environment. There is a phrase that I use often that reflects this idea, “If you know better, you do better.” My goal is not to promote specific values, but to foster environmental literacy by equipping folks with the knowledge to make their own informed decisions about environmental issues.”

Educator Spotlight: Kathryn Reis

Kathryn Reis, an educator with Randolph County Soil and Water Conservation District, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification.

Kathryn develops and leads environmental education programs for students in Asheboro City and Randolph County schools. “I pursue partnerships with libraries, YMCAs, afterschool clubs, homeschool groups, etc. to lead environmental education activities. I also develop outreach efforts for Randolph County citizens.”  In her personal time, Kathryn enjoys hiking, reading, nature journaling and pollinator gardening and this summer she is attempting to grow a vegetable gardening!

Kathryn says participating in the certification program helped advance her career. “I have engaged in environmental education off and on, mostly as a volunteer, since 1994. Participation in this certification program equipped me with more knowledge about environmental education’s history, reputable techniques and available curriculum. The program introduced me to leaders in environmental action civics, which has been a long time passion of mine. It also helped me grow my peer network and assess my strengths and weaknesses as an environmental educator. Most importantly, the program reaffirmed why I have transitioned my career away from policy advocacy and governmental relations to environmental education.

For her community partnership project, Kathryn developed a three-day session with Teachey Elementary School in Asheboro. “ I had a blast educating the 2nd and 3rd graders about the natural history of monarch butterflies, how to design a garden and helping them create a pollinator garden outside their classroom. A quarter of the class said my lesson set was their favorite part of the school year. All of the students were extremely proud of the plant they placed in the garden. I hope to replicate this three-day learning session with other elementary schools!”

Kathryn says the program changed her approach to teaching. “I learned that I gravitate towards being “a sage on stage” which is typical of many trained scientist. Thus, the Methods of Teaching Environmental Education workshop guided me on a self-assessment of my teaching style and spurred lasting changes in my approach. For instance, I now incorporate an observation component into the start of my lessons, even for career fairs. I use this exercise to encourage the participants to act and think like a scientist. I remind them that there are no wrong answers because they are in discovery mode. I also learned how to tailor lessons to different age groups. Prior to my current job, most of my environmental education work was as a nature trail interpreter. Thus, this certification program equipped me with more teaching techniques for my toolbox.”

She says the program also changed the way she views environmental issues. “Prior to this certification program, my career was devoted to the resolution of environmental issues via policy analysis and partnership building. This certification program allowed me to learn how to teach environmental issues to youth across all grades by using existing environmental action civics models. I received training through Earth Force and now have resources and peers that can help me facilitate the entire student led process of problem identification, contextual research, problem solving and partnership building to put their resolution idea into action for an environmental issue they care about.”