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.”

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.”

Educator Spotlight: Desirae Balsamo

Desirae Balsamo, an Earth and Environmental Science teacher at Hanes Middle School in Winston-Salem, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification.

Desirae advises the garden club and collaborates with community gardens through Cooperative Extension to find resources for her school, and she is very active in her school and community. “I spearhead sustainability initiatives at my school, document progress and submit work through the "Clean and Green" Schools contest with the City of Winston Salem. We have an award winning, highly engaging curricular approach where students are active participants in regenerative agriculture and environmental conservation. Beyond that, I am an assistant Scout Master for Scouting America, a co-facilitator for 4-H and volunteer with cooperative extension as a master gardener and master naturalist. Outside of work, I live on a small permaculture based microfarm with my husband, my 14-year-old and an eclectic blend of bees and goats.”

Desirae says her favorite part of the program was the opportunity to travel and network. “I most enjoyed traveling around the state and working with environmental educators in a variety of contexts. I have a network of connections that will improve my teaching approaches for years to come.”

Desirae notes that her experiences at Grandfather Mountain had a profound effect on her teaching. “I have particularly enjoyed every professional development experience at Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. I always came away with new and exciting things to use in my curriculum and have met and made lifelong friendships and connections I cherish.”

For her project, Desirae applied for funding to take her students on a  “Mountains to Sea” adventure to learn about marine and freshwater conservation. “I teach at a Title I school and many of our students have minimal exposure to the natural world and limited opportunities for field trips. To remedy this, I applied for and received four grants to take our students on a freshwater conservation trip to Stone Mountain State Park in the fall and a marine conservation trip to the Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores and Fort Macon State Park in the spring.

Desirae’s students were able to apply what they learned on the field trips at their school by cleaning the campus creek, completing a bioindicator study and learning about the immediate point source and nonpoint source pollution and how it affects cranefly, crayfish and caddisfly larva on the school’s campus.

“We worked in the creek that runs through our property to use water quality indicators to assess and plan how to improve it. We did clean up in the fall and completed indicator studies in the months of March and April 2026 that included pH, Nitrates/Nitrites, phosphates, ammonia, turbidity and a macroinvertebrate study. We also removed as much point source pollution and litter as possible and planted pawpaw trees along the bank of the creek to reduce the stormwater runoff.”

Desirae worked with numerous organizations to provide this unique experience for her students, many of whom had never been to an estuary or even knew there was a creek on their campus. Among those organizations Desirae worked with were the NC Association for the Gifted and Talented, the NC Aquarium Scholars, the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ Learning Happens Here program, Friends of NC State Parks, Forsyth County Cooperative Extension, Hanes Middle School Garden Club and EcoWarriors, Fort Macon State Park, the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores and Stone Mountain State Park.

Desirae says the certification program changed her approach to teaching. “Participating in this program has tremendously added to my ‘teacher toolbox’ of resources to add real life examples and hands on experiences for students and fellow staff. I recommend this to anyone interested in environmental education or teaching future changemakers the importance of conservation and service learning.” 

Educator Spotlight: Cas Wyatt

Cas Wyatt, an environmental educator with the Gaston County Natural Resources Department, recently completed the NC Environmental Education Certification. 

Cas has a bachelor's degree in animal health and behavior and a background as a zookeeper. Cas enjoys teaching about wildlife and when not teaching, enjoys reading, creating art and exploring nature. 

Cas says their favorite part of the program was traveling to different sites. “I was able to explore North Carolina from the mountains to the ocean in order to receive credits. There were so many cool training opportunities that took place all across the state.”

When asked about an experience that stood out, Cas says it was the Hood Huggers tour in Asheville. “I learned about the history of African Americans in the area and how they have continued to strengthen their community despite challenging hardships. The tour guide showed us a neighborhood that had their own community vegetable garden and peace garden which included a lot of art and history of the neighborhood. The overall tour was extremely eye-opening and inspiring.”

For the community project, Cas created a wildlife scat identification program for the Stanley Middle School Envirothon Teams. The NC Envirothon is a fun, hands-on, natural science academic competition for teams of middle and high school students and is sponsored by the N.C. Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts and local districts. The subjects for the Envirothon competition include Aquatic Ecology, Forestry, Soils and Land Use, Wildlife and Current Environmental Issues. Cas noticed that the students were struggling with scat identification which is part of the competition. “Since they were studying for the Envirothon competition, I knew I had to strengthen their scat knowledge! I designed a program that included squishy replicas of wildlife scat that they could see and touch and before I knew it, they successfully placed in the Area Envirothon competition and are heading to the State Envirothon Competition. 

Cas says the program changed their approach to teaching. “I take different types of people into consideration. Beforehand, I would create lesson plans that were not designed for everyone. Now, I make sure to make my educational programs accessible to everyone.”

Cas also says the program changed the way they view environmental issues. “I have always cared about environmental issues but sometimes it gets to a point where you feel burnt out and helpless. The trainings I took and the people I met through this certification helped me feel less helpless and numb to the issues around me. I was taught that teaching and helping our community rather than trying to save the world makes a huge difference when it comes to environmental issues. 

Educator Spotlight: Tammy Weller

Tammy Weller, a high school media coordinator at Green Level High School in Wake County, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification.

As a media coordinator, Tammy coordinates with teachers at the school to provide hands-on real-world learning experiences for students. She says her love of the outdoors inspired her to pursue the certification. Tammy says the networking was one of the parts of the program she appreciated the most, especially meeting other educators who share the same passion for the outdoors.

When asked about a certification experience that stands out to her, Tammy says it was the Swamp Treehouse Adventure Educator Trek offered by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences and the Flying Wild Workshop offered by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission.

For her community partnership project Tammy collaborated with the Advanced Placement  (AP) Environmental Science, AP Macroeconomics and AP Microeconomics team to facilitate a three-day student workshop using the En-ROADS Climate Solutions Simulator.

“At Green Level, we have developed intense partnerships/collaborations with 52 teachers and instruct about 400 lessons a year. When I began my certification journey, I wanted to expand our collaborations with the Advanced Placement Environmental Science  (APES) team. Once I completed the En-ROADS training, I realized this was perfect and could reach more than 300 students–not just passively, but through ACTIVE involvement. In addition, based on the training, I realized it’s a great opportunity to bring in the economic side of the climate issue with the AP Microeconomics and Macroeconomics teams.”

Tammy says the students were able to actively participate and discuss a climate goal using the simulator. “Discussions were valuable and impactful as they tried to develop a strategy based on the results of the simulator. It provided students with the opportunity to evaluate any preconceived ideas or thoughts which in turn allowed them to assess what was different. We insist students back up any statements or claims with relevant, accurate sources so they had to justify their findings as well. By reaching 300 students who will potentially go out to 100 different communities, this workshop helped them realize real-world implications so they can impact and make a change in those communities as well.”

Tammy says the certification changed her approach to teaching because of the focus on hands-on lessons and activities. “When I started in this field back in the 1990’s, it was just gaining public momentum. It’s great to see it continue to evolve and develop.”

DEQ Secretary Recognizes Dr. Erika Young, Marine Education Specialist for NC Sea Grant with Environmental Education Certificate

Dr. Erika Young receiving her NC Environmental Education Certificate from NCDEQ Secretary Reid Wilson

Secretary Reid Wilson was at the NC Sea Grant offices on Centennial Campus today to present Erika Young with a certificate for completing the NC Environmental Education Certification Program. Dr. Erika Young is the Coastal and Marine Education Specialist for NC Sea Grant. Prior to joining Sea Grant in 2022, Erika served on the faculty at UNC Pembroke for 13 years teaching biology and zoology and serving as a research mentor for undergraduates. She especially enjoys working with students in underserved communities, as she grew up in Robeson County and is a member of the Lumbee Tribe.

“I am honored to join the staff at North Carolina Sea Grant to recognize Erika’s commitment to providing environmental education and professional development to North Carolina's students and educators. Her accomplishments in marine education and her dedication to increasing environmental literacy exemplify what it means to be a Certified Environmental Educator,” noted Wilson.

Frank López, Dr. Erika Young, NCDEQ Secretary Reid Wilson, Anna Martin, Dr. Susan White 

In her role at NC Sea Grant, Erika provides education that increases ocean literacy through programming for students, teachers and the public. Erika says the certification program advanced her career. “The program enhanced my overall knowledge of the broader aspects of environmental education and allowed me to build relationships with fellow educators throughout the state.”

Erika says her favorite part of earning her certification was the collaboration. “The sheer amount of networking and collaborating with fellow environmental educators was very rewarding and further prompted my interest in creating and facilitating my own workshops.” Erika recently developed an instructional workshop for educators called Aquaculture and Marine Science and piloted it during a week of professional development programming at the Eastern 4-H Center in Columbia. The workshop will be included as professional development for the NC Environmental Education Certification program, meeting a need for more marine content for classroom teachers and nonformal educators.  

When asked what certification experience stood out to her, Erika says it was the site visits. “I thoroughly enjoyed visiting all of the hidden gems of our state's environmental education centers. This process has opened so many doors for new places to visit in North Carolina!”

For her community partnership project, Erika provided a once-in-a-lifetime professional development experience for educators. “I was the fortunate recipient of a small special topics grant offered by NOAA in 2024. I designed an educator "returnship" called Teachers on the Tower in which science educators could have a "rejuvenation" of the scientific research experience! Five educators spent six days atop Frying Pan Tower, once a fully functioning light station for the US Coast Guard in the 60's to warn ships of a particularly dangerous part of the ocean, known as The Graveyard of the Atlantic. The educators collected data for biological, physical and chemical oceanographic processes. The tower was retired in 2004 and has since become a nonprofit, focused on oceanic research, coastal resilience and public outreach.”

Erika says the program was beneficial for her career and noted the program’s reputation as a model for other states. “I am proud to be a part of this program, as North Carolina has an excellent history of environmental education.”

Educator Spotlight: Luke Halton

Photo by Colonel Matthew Halton

Luke Halton, founder and director of the nonprofit, THE OBX WAY, recently completed his NC Environmental Education Certification. Luke creates Outer Banks trail maps to encourage outdoor safety, health, and education. He also coordinated a high school photography internship, established the Outer Banks Trail Center in Manteo, and has adopted the Hatteras National Seashore beach from ORV Ramp 4 to the Oregon Inlet.

"TrailHead" by Benjamin Lashley

Luke says what he enjoyed most about the program was the opportunity to collaborate with other educators while working towards certification. “Many meaningful moments in the journey occurred while sharing best practices with a mix of traditional North Carolina instructors. The online group classes, in-person workshops, and site visits helped me understand how to improve my existing resources and better connect with audiences.”

"BikeRack" by Benjamin Lashley

When asked about a certification experience that stands out to him, Luke said it was the teaching. “I am most proud of our HONORS internship program.  Our student-partner, Benjamin Lashley, captured the idyllic images for our Outer Banks Visitors Bureau essays, was published online by Our State Magazine, and won the NC Wildlife Youth Photographer Competition.  Ben’s effort is irreplaceable, and his photos are timeless.”

"BaySide" by Benjamin Lashley

For his community partnership project, THE OBX WAY activated a grant from the Outer Banks Community Foundation to research, document, and promote local day-hikes.  The project produced an online interactive map, a printable booklet, and an information event hosted by outdoor enthusiasts.  The momentum from this project led to bicycle and paddle route designs, with the new interpretive maps reaching over 100,000 views.

"Happy Hikes" by Benjamin Lashley

"Down the Line" by Benjamin Lashley

Luke says participating in the program helped him develop fundamental environmental literacy. “As an informal educator exploring ocean, forest, and marsh ecosystems with unique plant and animal species, my curriculum is unlimited.  However, to improve awareness and affect attitudes for environmental appreciation, focusing on key subjects for diverse learners is required to advance outdoor stewardship, access, and inclusion.  So… how can I help people with varied ages and abilities enjoy nature on their terms?”

"Pocosin Paradox" by Benjamin Lashley

25 Years of Wonder: Sharing the Magic of Estuaries with Ms. Lori Davis

 Today, we are celebrating the incredible impact of Lori Davis as she reaches an amazing milestone of 25 years of service with the state of North Carolina.

“Ms. Lori,” as she is called by most, strives to live by this quote from Rachel Carson: “If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder without any such gift from the fairies, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.” 

For the past 25 years, Ms. Lori has served as an Education Specialist (11 years) and as the Education Coordinator (14 years) for the North Carolina Coastal Reserve and National Estuarine Research Reserve. In this role, she manages K - college education initiatives, teacher and educator programs, and community outreach efforts. If you have ever been fortunate enough to learn from or work with her, then you know how she transforms the natural world into a place of discovery and excitement through her words, enthusiasm, and knowledge.

Read the entire story on DEQ's Environmentally Speaking Blog.

Educator Spotlight: Elizabeth Vickery-Lewis

Elizabeth Vickery-Lewis, the high school and virtual programs coordinator at the North Carolina Zoo School recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. She works primarily with high school students delivering hands-on and in-nature programming. Elizabeth loves spending time outdoors, traveling and she is currently working on a Master of Arts in teaching in the biological sciences.

Elizabeth says her favorite part of the certification program was being able to learn new things and to be outdoors. “Living in a world where there so often needs to be a "why" or even just an end goal feeling of advancement, this provided the space for me to prioritize what I already love to do and truly helped expand me as an educator.”

When asked about the certification experience that stood out for her, Elizabeth said it was the air quality workshop at Purchase Knob. “It’s a beautiful area with such applicable ways to teach otherwise hard to grasp concepts. I left feeling reinvigorated, equipped with strategies to teach air quality concepts effectively, and the sense of community was heightened with the overnight experiences. I have kept in contact with multiple participants despite it being a small class.”

For her community partnership project, Elizabeth facilitated a project based learning experience with middle and high school groups. “As part of my role as School and Library Programs Coordinator, and later High School and Virtual Programs Coordinator, I continued to hear the need for true project based learning facilitated by the North Carolina Zoo. Multiple teachers pointed out that in a world where students can access information extremely readily, even an interactive activity if fact based, is no longer enough to foster the love of learning and deep understanding of scientific processes – students need to actively engage in problem solving. Throughout this process I was able to advocate for a permanent summer teen conservation program, and I am now able to offer project based learning experiences to all my program applicants.”

Elizabeth said the program changed her approach to teaching. “The program promotes direct, hands-on experiences, and we were constantly learning. Often in the education field you can feel like you somehow know how to change anything into a lesson, but the program really shifts your methods overall. Just the Methods of Teaching Environmental Education training alone changed how I framed my goals and objectives in my lessons to ensure I was staying true to quality environmental education instead of merely environmental information.”

She says the program has also changed the way she views environmental issues. “It has broadened my understanding and has forced me to see new perspectives. In this political climate it can also be hard to bring up environmental issues and topics surrounding them without being incredibly uncomfortable and worrying that your peers may be in a completely different place than you. We were able to discuss our viewpoints and while everyone was relatively on the same page about concerns, it became a safe place to discuss other views or even just how to informally "teach" in our personal encounters with others even if we don't directly share our own views.”

 

Educator Spotlight: Sara Davarbakhsh

Sara Davarbakhsh, environmental education program coordinator for Wake County Solid Waste Management Division, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. In her coordinator role, Sara organizes outreach activities focused on reducing waste for different audiences.

Sara says her favorite part of earning her environmental education certification was learning from instructors. “I enjoyed being able to learn directly from subject matter experts about the diverse ecosystems and wildlife that live in NC, including how to track and identify different species of flora and fauna.”

When asked about the certification experience that stood out to her, Sara says it was a workshop offered through Environmental Educators of North Carolina on universal design. “There were so many amazing experiences, one that really stood out for me and is already shaping how I develop educational programs, was Accessible by Nature: Designing EE to Support All Learners.”

For her community partnership project, Sara started a compost bin and equipment donation program for educational purposes. “I worked with many community partners, including schools, churches, non-profits, assisted living facilities, food bank gardens, community gardens, parks, museums, and municipalities in an effort to expand community composting, reduce waste sent to landfill, and provide an educational opportunity for community partners to learn the best practice of composting firsthand. Since 2021, the program has donated over 240 compost bins to over 100 community partners and the program is growing. Each composter has the potential to divert 500 lbs. of organic waste from disposal each year. This amounts to 120,000 lbs. per year of organic waste turned into an environmentally beneficial product instead of pollution in a landfill.”

Sara says the program directly engages members of the community. “It provides them with free access to compost equipment, technical assistance, and education on composting. Recipients learn hands on from staff, including the benefits of composting as well as how to compost and they share their learnings with their members. The health, environmental, and socio-economic rewards of composting are soon learned over time, as composting gets underway. Composting is a great way to teach environmental stewardship, through natural resource conservation and educate people about where their food comes from and the importance of healthy soils. It can help address food insecurity, prevent soil erosion and nutrient loss, and is recognized as a carbon sink when compost is applied to soil.”

Sara says the program changed the way she approaches teaching. “I have already made improvements to how I teach and deliver programs, incorporating new approaches I learned from the certification program through workshops such as the Accessible by Nature: Designing EE to Support All Learners. It provided me with the knowledge and resources I needed to develop learning opportunities that remove barriers to learning to create a learning environment that anyone and everyone can successfully learn in regardless of their different learning style/needs.”

Sara says the program did change the way she thinks about environmental issues. “I came into the certification program with a post-graduate degree in environmental science. The change I experienced the most after participating in the certification program was in developing teaching skills, and the confidence to teach environmental issues to others. I had no formal experience as an educator. After finishing my certification, I am much more confident at teaching environmental issues to others. I know how to engage my students better. I know how to serve their individual learning needs better. Overall, I am better at my job, as an environmental education program coordinator.”

 

Educator Spotlight: Jessica Blackburn

Jessica Blackburn, an educator with the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. In this role, Jessica provides environmental education and  outdoor programming for the youth in Jackson and Macon Counties. “The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust is a non-profit conservation organization that conserves land, educates people, and maintains public access to its properties so most of my programming is held on the properties we conserve. I am a full-time graduate student in biology at Western Carolina University where I am also a teaching assistant for biology labs. Some of my hobbies include hiking, baking, and reading.”

Jessica says her favorite part of the program was travelling around this state. “Although I grew up here, earning my certification allowed me to travel to places in North Carolina that I had never visited.” She says the experience in the program that really stood out for her was going to Cherokee and learning more about the NC Wildlife Resources Commission’s Project WILD workshop and about the Cherokee culture at the New Kituwah Academy. “I loved how we learned about some traditional Cherokee greetings through active participation. Furthermore, learning from people of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians made the experience genuine.”

For her community partnership, she organized and taught a mushroom inoculation workshop. “For this program I wanted to emphasize the power that growing your own food has and how simple it can be. On one of the land trust properties, Edward Baker Preserve, community members gathered, and I taught participants how to drill holes in the logs, inoculate with edible mushroom spawn and store at home for future harvesting. Community members were so excited and so engaged. They let me know they would be demonstrating this new skill to other community members.”

Jessica says the program changed her approach to teaching. “This program allowed me to grow as a public speaker and get more creative with my lessons. Prior to this, I was not the biggest fan of talking in front of people or instructing people on how to learn. Now I have the confidence and organization to teach anyone.

Educator Spotlight: Leeah Sutton

Leeah Sutton, a nonformal educator in Guilford County, has completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. She recently completed a seasonal environmental education position at Haw River State Park and is now open to opportunities to apply environmental education across the Piedmont, Triad and surrounding communities.

In her work with North Carolina State Parks and as an outdoor adventure education instructor, Leeah leads NC curriculum-aligned programs, facilitates outdoor skill-building experiences, and supports learners across a range of age groups. Outside of work, she enjoys whitewater kayaking, volleyball, and listening to audiobooks.

Leeah shared that her favorite part of the program was the community partnership project. “I appreciated the opportunity to make a tangible community impact by developing and delivering programming on an invasive species recently established in North Carolina and that is actively spreading.” For her project, Leeah created age-appropriate spotted lanternfly education materials for Haw River State Park in partnership with North Carolina Cooperative Extension - Rockingham County Center.

Leeah reflected that the certification program influenced her approach to teaching and program design. “I learned to prioritize curiosity, connection, and hands-on participation in environmental education before asking learners to take conservation action. The program also expanded my access to educational resources and allowed me to learn from observing other educators in practice. Overall, this process has reinforced the importance of meaningful outdoor experiences as a foundation for environmental stewardship. ” She noted that workshops focused on teaching methods and adaptable materials for different age groups were particularly valuable in strengthening her planning and facilitation skills."