Educator Spotlight: Matt Robinson

Matt Robinson, program coordinator and camp director for Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation has completed his NC Environmental Education Certification.

Matt says his favorite part of earning his certification was the networking and friends he met in the program. “As a small parks and recreation division, being able to work with other larger organizations such as NC State Parks and Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation has been rewarding. Not only are we making great partnerships, but we are showing our citizens that we are up to snuff in our own education programs.”

When asked what certification experience stood out for Matt, he says it was the Project Learning Tree workshop. “I had the pleasure of co-hosting a Project Learning Tree course with new friends at the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. It stands out to me because I enjoyed working as a team to complete a common goal.”

For his community partnership project, Matt started a volunteer trail guide program on Beech Mountain. “This program has training sessions based on, flora and fauna, first aid, Beech Mountain history and environmental concerns. The guides lead hikes every other week from May to October. This has been a great program because it brings local knowledge to the town's citizens. As a result, we have better communication with local residents and more civic engagement. The people want more environmental programming now more than ever!”

Matt says as a result of the program he uses interactive games when teaching summer camp programs.  “I've learned that having fun learning with games and intrinsic questions retain better with the kids than anything.” He also says the program changed how he views environmental issues. “I think a lot more about the local ecology and financial impacts.” Matt says a good example of this connection is the hemlock woolly adelgid, an aphid-like bug that is responsible for decline of eastern and Carolina hemlock trees.  “People come to Beech Mountain for the natural beauty and healthy environment and that is connected to our economy since we are a tourism-based town.”