Educator Spotlight: Mirren Hill

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

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

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

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

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

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

Educator Spotlight: Jennifer Wiggen

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Educator Spotlight: Adam Smith

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Educator Spotlight: Kelly Applegate

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

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

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

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

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

Educator Spotlight: Yolanda Mitchell

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

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

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

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

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

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

Educator Spotlight: Bella Insignares

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Educator Spotlight: Juliann Chavez

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Educator Spotlight: Chris Dransoff

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

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

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

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

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

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

Educator Spotlight: Kerissa Armstead

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

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

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

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

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

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

Educator Spotlight: Sharon Bippus

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Educator Spotlight: Lauren Best

Lauren Best, a recent graduate student in geology and environmental science from Appalachian State University has completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Lauren is pursing a job as a wetlands technician where she will collect soil and plant data on valuable wetlands within federally protected lands. In her personal time, Lauren enjoys ecology, organic farming, birding and running on her local greenway in Boone.

Lauren says her favorite part of certification were the site visits. “The certification took me to places in North Carolina that I wouldn't have otherwise visited, where I learned about the small but crucial roles that people fill to advocate for the importance of our North Carolina environment. During these visits, I met a wide range of educators, scientists, and environmental enthusiasts with a more experience than myself who encouraged me to continue down the path I am currently on.”

She says the certification experience that stands out for her were the workshops. “I liked going to workshops and taking deep dives on certain learning objectives and themes. The workshops were similar, but they all had something unique about them that I got to take away.

For her community partnership project, Lauren did background research and wrote a proposal for the reinstallation of a rose arbor with educational signage at the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park located in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. “The purpose of the report was to provide potential heritage rose options that were once planted in a now overgrown rose garden. The project aims to better utilize the space, promote historical restoration of the park and further education of both the Manors history and the cultural significance of the flowers being grown.”

Lauren says the program led to changes in her approach to teaching. “I've changed my teaching style in a way that integrates student feedback, questions and personal stories. Rather than explaining a concept as 'fact,' I give students the open-ended opportunity to integrate lessons into their personal lives. I also learned there's so many more ways to learn than just sitting in a classroom and listening. Teaching is an interactive activity, and learning looks very different for everyone's personal needs.”

She says the program also changed the way she thinks about environmental issues. “After participating in the certification program, I have a much higher level of understand and appreciation for all the current environmental issues that we are faced with. The effect that humans have on our environment is far reaching, and I now have the awareness to notice where I fit into that picture and how to make others more conscientious in a way that can make everyone appreciate the mistakes we've made but also the gifts we've been given!”

Commonwealth of Virginia Pursues District and State-level Environmental Literacy Plans - Credits Guidance from North Carolina's Plan and Office of Environmental Education

An insightful and inspiring article was recently published in the Bay Journal about the Richmond Public Schools Environmental Literacy Plan. The article also details the current development of the Virginia State K-12 Environmental Literacy Plan, which has been mandated by Virginia's General Assembly. 

The Virginia ELP efforts are being led by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Office of Environmental Education, which visited the North Carolina Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs in 2023 to learn more about the development of the North Carolina K-12 Environmental Literacy Plan. North Carolina's ELP was first released in 2010 and was revised in 2024.

“The Office of Environmental Education at the Virginia Department Of Conservation and Recreation is thankful to Lisa Tolley and Marty Wiggins from the NC Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs for their guidance and encouragement while developing Virginia’s first Environmental Literacy Plan,” notes Lori Schoenwiesner,  Environmental Education Specialist with the Virginia DCR Office of Environmental Education.  North Carolina Environmental Education Program Manger Lisa Tolley has also addressed meetings of the Virginia Association for Environmental Education by video about the North Carolina ELP, and the NC office continues to consult with their counterparts in Virginia. 

View the NC K-12 Environmental Literacy Plan.

One example of how the plan was applied in North Carolina and continues to have a positive effect at a school and community: 
Lincoln Heights Environmental Connections Magnet Elementary School Named Top Magnet School of Excellence

The North Carolina Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs is part of the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality. This program administers the North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Program, and manages several other programs that serves educators, students and the public. Learn more at https://www.eenorthcarolina.org/about-office-what-educators-say

NC Project WET Coordinator Daniel Honored During DEQ Earth Day Volunteer Event

Today, employees from the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Water Resources participated in a stream clean-up at Walnut Creek Wetlands Park in recognition of Earth Day. DEQ Secretary Reid Wilson was there to thank DEQ employees for their public service and to recognize one of their colleagues, Lauren Daniel, for her contributions to water education in North Carolina. "It's great to celebrate Earth Day week with our fantastic DEQ staff who are working to help build a stronger, healthier North Carolina for all. I'm proud of their dedication and service to our state," said Wilson.

Lauren coordinates water education programs for DEQ’s Division of Water Resources which includes the national Project WET (Water Education for Today) curriculum and the NC Stream Watch program which encourages citizens to learn about and care for our state’s streams. Lauren has been instrumental in developing new programs including the NC Water Education Pen Pal Program, NC Climate Education Network, NC Creek Week Network, and monthly Water Education Virtual Coffee Talks.

Lauren recently completed the NC Environmental Education Certification, a nationally recognized program that requires 200 hours of professional development including workshops, outdoor experiences, teaching and a community partnership project.

Secretary Wilson presented Lauren with her NC Environmental Education Certificate. "Congratulations to Lauren Daniel on earning her North Carolina Environmental Education Certificate. This is a well-deserved honor, and I'm grateful for her work to support and mentor teachers and students across the state."

Lauren says she enjoys meeting people working in North Carolina’s environmental education field. “As an educator, I am fortunate to work with some amazing people. While working toward my certification, I also learned about the incredible environmental education programs North Carolina has to offer. As a state coordinator for Project WET, I get to work with other state water education leaders. I've learned that NC offers a gold standard nationally for programming from the centers and parks across our state to the network of environmental educators involved in connecting students of all ages to our natural resources.”

Lauren says the certification program changed her approach to teaching. “Before I participated in this certification program, I thought that using the environment as an educational tool was like a creative, one-off way to teach our state's grade level standards. Now, I believe that using the environmental as an educational tool is the best way to teach because it connects people with tangible, relevant experiences to build an understanding of the natural world.”

Lauren was also recently named 2025 Project WET Coordinator of the Year by National Project WET. Lauren is the President of the National Project WET national Advisory Council and chairs one of the four Project WET Teams for Facilitator Engagement Support.

“My role as the Council President on their Advisory Council allows me to provide input from a state perspective directly to the headquarters of Project WET. It also allows me to work alongside other states to learn about their environmental education programs, share ideas for supporting environmental education networks, and prioritize ideas for how water education can support educators inside and outside the classroom.”

As a member of the Facilitator Engagement Team Lauren works with other state leaders to identify the needs of facilitators, determine barriers to programming, and to lead a team to develop solutions to meet these ever-changing needs.

In her personal time, Lauren likes to drive boats and explore the NC coastline as well as rivers. She enjoys painting, building forts with her son, exploring all 17 river basins in our state, and meeting new people and hearing their stories.

The Environmental Education Certification is administered by DEQ’s Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs. For more information about DEQ’s water education programs, visit the Division of Water Resources website. For more information about the NC Environmental Education Certification visit the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs website. 

Click on the slide and scroll down to read what educators are saying:

Educator Spotlight: Elizabeth Miles

Elizabeth Miles, an elementary school teacher at Waxhaw Elementary School in Union County recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Elizabeth is the Sustainable Energy Teacher at the school where she creates hands-on environmental education experiences that connect students with nature. “By exploring natural resources, especially renewable energy, my goal is to inspire young scientists, foster environmental awareness, and encourage innovation in sustainability.” In her free time, she enjoys playing the ukulele, reading and spending time with her husband, their two children and their dog.

Elizabeth says her favorite part of earning her certification was discovering North Carolina’s incredible natural diversity. “I was amazed by how much I didn’t know about the local flora and fauna! With every class I took and park I explored, my knowledge grew. This experience has given me a deeper understanding of how to teach my students and equip them with the tools to be curious, informed, and empathetic toward our changing Earth.”

When asked what stood out for her about the certification process, Elizabeth says it was the connections she made. “I had the opportunity to network with passionate individuals dedicated to deepening our understanding of nature. These relationships have not only enriched my own perspective but have also enhanced the learning experiences I bring to my students.”

For her community partnership project, Elizabeth connected Waxhaw Elementary with Wingate University to create a hands-on environmental education experience for 5th graders. Through a grade-wide field trip to Wingate's Campus Lake, students explored ecosystems, built food webs, and engaged with college mentors. “This project deepened their understanding of environmental science while inspiring future studies in sustainability. By collaborating with university students and faculty, we strengthened the bond between elementary education and higher learning, making science more accessible and exciting. The field trip experience was formalized into a curriculum that can be mass-produced and utilized for years to come, ensuring long-term impact.” The project was highlighted in stories by Wingate University and Union County Schools. 

Elizabeth says the certification program led to changes in her approach to teaching. “The program transformed my teaching by reinforcing the importance of outdoor learning and hands-on experiences. I now take my students outside more often, allowing them to connect with nature in meaningful ways. By immersing them in the environment, I help them develop a sense of wonder and responsibility for the world around them. I believe we can’t expect future leaders and thinkers to protect our planet if they don’t first form a personal connection to it. This program has given me the tools to inspire that connection and foster a deeper commitment to environmental stewardship.”

She also says the program changed the way she views environmental issues. “After this program, I’ve shifted my perspective on how to approach environmental issues in the classroom. I’ve learned that my role as an educator is to provide students with facts and allow them to form their own opinions. There’s a clear difference between activism and environmental education—my job is not to tell students what to think, but to give them the knowledge and experiences they need to make informed decisions. By fostering a deep connection with nature, I can empower my students to create meaningful change on their own terms.”

Educator Spotlight: Amy Jordan

Amy Jordan, a Schools in Parks Specialist for NC State Parks recently completed her Environmental Education Certification. Amy is based at Lake Norman State Park and works in the community to support park programming and outreach initiatives. She says the goal is to get people out to the parks to see first-hand why NC State Parks are so amazing. In her personal time, she enjoys exploring with her two dogs and husband on the weekends, planting flowers, hiking and baking sweet treats to share. She is always up for learning something new and is a proud co-parent of 15 baby chicks.

Amy says her favorite part of earning her certification was the opportunity for new experiences. “I most enjoyed the variety of experiences that let me explore and connect with so many resources across our beautiful state.”

She says the experience that stood out to her was a NC Museumof Natural Sciences’ Teacher Trek. “I was able to attend a "swamp treehouse adventure" Teacher Trek with the Museum of Natural Science where we explored the Cashie River in Eastern NC on a canoe and camped on a platform amidst the plants and animals of that amazing ecosystem. I connected with colleagues from across the state in a fascinating way! Being in the swamp allowed so many learning opportunities in the field and gave me ideas I could come back immediately and use.”

For her community partnership project, Amy brought new life back to the outside learning area at Woodland Heights Elementary School, a K-5 public school in Iredell County. “My project was "building gardens and inspiring minds" and it was a true partnership among parents, students, teachers and our community. We worked together to refresh and renew a school outside learning area and provided teacher professional development enhancing environmental education initiatives at the school. We also created a monthly eco club to create a school garden, explore environmental education and host monthly community presenters on water quality, gardening, plants and animals, nature journaling, and additional topics in environmental education.”

Amy engaged members of the community and partnered with the schools PTO, Lowes Home Improvement, Lake Norman State Park, Iredell Soil and Water Conservation District and a local master gardener to make a big impact. “It empowered the classroom teachers by giving them some skills and background to try environmental education activities with their students and to have names and contacts of local partners that can support their teaching of the science standards.  Some private businesses like Lowes Home Improvement and individual presenters were able to share their passions and support and in-turn, built important relationships within our community.”

Amy says the certification program changed her approach to teaching. “Most importantly the environmental education certification program solidified my teacher "toolkit" by building field experiences, best practices and highly engaging strategies to support student learning, as well as my own!”

Her views on environmental issues also changed because of the program. “I believe I now consider more perspectives on environmental topics and look at the bigger picture. I knew many best practices in general education and teaching, but the certification program led me to see the connections between and bridges across curriculum areas. I also can now connect traditional formal education with informal environmental education leading to high student engagement and motivation.”

Amy says the certification program helped her change careers. “I really feel prepared, and I can honestly say I am as proud of gaining this certification as I was for both my undergraduate and graduate degrees earlier in my life. I am grateful for the experiences and opportunities it has provided!”

Educator Spotlight: Lindsey Blanchard

Lindsey Blanchard, a park technician with Historic Yates Mill County Park, recently completed the NC Environmental Education Certification.

In addition to her role at the park, Lindsey is also a science communicator and museum educator in Raleigh. “I educate the public in many ways about the natural world through my personal social media accounts where I share all things paleontology, and by leading guided tours of historic sites around Raleigh, working with park volunteers to help them serve their community, and encouraging young minds to find peace in the outdoors.”

Lindsey says the workshops were her favorite part of the certification process. “I loved all the workshops! I feel like my brain is overflowing, but in the best way possible. There is so much knowledge to be learned from others in this field, and it's so inspiring to practice skills with them and hear their stories. I think the workshops have really encouraged me to be a life-long learner, and I can't wait to continue taking them and finding new things to learn about.”

When asked about the certification experience that stood out for her, Lindsey says it was the NC Museum of Natural Sciences’ Educator Treks. “I participated in a few Educator Treks with the museum, and those were beyond incredible. Those experiences gave me an opportunity to learn from scientists who are doing the work we're educating about, and I feel so much more prepared to share about why it is important to learn about the environment. I was able to talk with a red wolf biologist, talk with National Park rangers, NC Forest Service rangers, public historians at NC Historic Sites, and so many more on these trips. These trips gave me the opportunity to learn skills that I can use in my own work in parks.”

For her community partnership project, Lindsey developed new fossil programming for students. “Since my main area of knowledge is in paleontology, I felt like this was a great opportunity to share my area of passion with others. To do this, I worked with local community groups including summer camps, students participating in the Science Olympiad, and homeschool groups to really fine-tune my program and jump start this education. These groups helped me by sharing their feedback, and I helped them by preparing them for their Science Olympiad and encouraging careers and education in STEM fields. I have since continued this programming at Historic Yates Mill County Park and have been able to share it with hundreds of students in just a few months.”

Lindsey says the certification program changed her approach to teaching others. “I have learned how to be a student in environmental education, and that really helped me to understand the best practices for teaching. By participating in workshops and trainings, I was able to put myself in the student's shoes and experience the wonder of the outdoors myself. There are so many ways that students can learn, and many of these workshops taught me about universal and accessible design. I hope to continue to build on those skills so that all types of learners can find joy in the outdoors.”

She also says the program changed they way she thinks about environmental issues. “By visiting so many sites and hearing from parks and museum workers, I really learned how important those sites are. I think it is so important to visit sites because it gives you a sense of understanding in the work within the environmental world that is happening. Sometimes the sites are viewed as non-essential or just for fun, but they are providing an important service by protecting our natural and cultural resources. There are endangered species being protected in parks, habitats being restored, and so much more. Participating in site visits really allowed me to learn how to educate the public more on these issues and share why parks are important.”