N. American Association for Environmental Education Conference Registration and Awards Nominations Now Open

A message from the North American Association for Environmental Education EE-NEWS:

Register Now!
It’s time to register for the 2013 NAAEE conference in Baltimore (October 9-12). With prices lower than last year’s, you’ll want to make sure to join us for a diverse slate of thought-provoking keynoters, exciting concurrent sessions, outstanding workshops and field trips, and endless opportunities for networking and professional development.

Register at www.naaee.net/conference/registration

Conference information: www.naaee.net/conference

Exhibits and Ads
Promote your programs and resources, reach more than 1,000 environmental educators, and support NAAEE by purchasing your exhibit booths and program advertisements soon. Exhibit booth purchases include one free conference registration, so it’s a great deal and a wonderful way to interact directly with your primary target audience. And surely you want your ad noticed as every conference participant receives and reads the program!
Sign up online at www.naaee.net/conference/exhibits-ads

Session Notification Update
Review results have been sent to all conference proposal submitters; research symposium results will be sent soon. The online conference management system will reopen to all later this week. Session scheduling is underway and specific session dates and times will be announced and posted online within about a week.

2013 Call for Nominations: NAAEE Excellence in EE Awards

Nominations Deadline: August 16, 2013
Help NAAEE recognize individuals and organizations that excel in EE by nominating them for one of our annual awards, including our highest honor: the Walter E. Jeske Award.

The Call for Nominations is now open; the awards will be presented on October 12 at the Annual Awards Luncheon at the 2013 NAAEE Annual Conference. Online nomination forms are linked here: 

http://www.naaee.net/programs/awards  

Environmental Education Quotable...

This was a response to a Basics of Environmental Education online workshop question we recently received from a N.C. Environmental Education Certification Program enrollee:

[E]nvironmental education strives to further the understanding of the interconnectedness of the whole environment, both natural and artificial, through age appropriate knowledge sharing and exploration of nature.

Well said!

N.C. Sea Grant Highlights North Carolina's Amazing Coast

North Carolina Sea Grant proudly announces the release of a new book that highlights our state's coastal ecosystems. North Carolina’s Amazing Coast: Natural Wonders from Alligators to Zoeas is now available in bookstores and from the University of Georgia Press. 

This beautifully illustrated book is a partnership between the North Carolina and Georgia Sea Grant programs. Terri Kirby Hathaway, N.C. Sea Grant marine education specialist (and a longtime N.C. Certified Environmental Educator!) and Kathleen Angione, a writer and former N.C. Sea Grant Coastwatch senior editor, teamed with Georgia Sea Grant writers David Bryant and George Davidson and illustrator Charlotte Ingram on the project.

Terri will  be working with classroom teachers to develop lesson plans based on the book and she and other authors will be touring the state at various book signings this summer. For more information, visit www.ncseagrant.org/s/AmazingCoast 

Environmental Educators of NC Awards Nominations Open Until August 1st

The Environmental Educators of North Carolina's annual awards nominations are open until August 1, 2013. Please make your nominations soon! Winners will be announced at the 2013 annual conference, which will be held at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville September 12-15.

Any individual can nominate a person, agency or organization for an EENC award. The award categories include:

Awards open to all:
Environmental Educator of the Year
Exceptional Environmental Education Program
Outstanding Partnership

Awards open to EENC members:
Melva Fager Okun Lifetime Achievement Award
Outstanding Service Award
Outstanding Practitioner Award
Outstanding Newcomer Award

Nominations can be made online at https://iyha.wufoo.com/forms/q7p9x3/

Check out the snazzy EENC award plaque, made in NC from reclaimed wood!

N.C. Certified Environmental Educator Featured as Project Scientist STEM Superstar

Karan Barber, the Special Programs and Outreach Coordinator at the Carolina Raptor Center in Huntersville, is featured as this week's Project Scientist's "STEM Superstars."

Project Scientist is a Charlotte-based nonprofit that provides science camps for girls and celebrates the contributions of female scientists in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields.

We are not surprised that Karan was nominated for this honor, as we have seen the great things she is doing at Carolina Raptor Center and through her work with Barney's Almanac. Thanks to Project Scientist for recognizing that environmental education supports all aspects of STEM! Visit www.projectscientist.org  for more information.



 From Project Scientist: Karan is a Project Scientist STEM Superstar because she is living proof that it is never too late to unearth and explore your passion for the sciences. After discovering a love of the outdoors and nature, she decided to make a career change by pursuing her environmental science degree at Queens University of Charlotte.

"STEM Consolidation" Would End Funding for NOAA Environmental Literacy Grants, other EE Grant Programs

Updated 7/2/2013

There is a current effort on the federal level to consolidate a number of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs by removing their funding and starting new programs at the U.S. Department of Education, the National Science Foundation and the Smithsonian. Many in the environmental education community are concerned, as this consolidation of programs would end funding for NOAA's Environmental Literacy Grants program and Bay-Watershed Education and Training program. The EPA Environmental Education Program is not mentioned in this consolidation, but the President's current budget proposal does not provide any funding for it. An overview of the Administration proposal can be found at www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/2014_R&Dbudget_STEM.pdf

Many organizations that promote and support both STEM and environmental education, such as the North American Association for Environmental Education, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the National Wildlife Federation and the American Meteorological Society are signing on to a letter that addresses their concerns with eliminating the NOAA and EPA programs, which are the only three federal grant programs that are dedicated to environmental education. The  letter notes:

 "Consolidating the funds from these three programs into a much broader STEM education pool of funds ignores the specific need of the federal government to foster environmental literacy. Eliminating the NOAA and EPA programs would also leave the environmental education community without any federal funding program that understands the particular needs and opportunities in our field."

For more information, visit http://www.cbf.org/ncli/landing

Congratulations New Certified Environmental Educators!

Derek Dunn, one of North Carolina's newest certified environmental  educators.

Congratulations to the following individuals for earning their North Carolina Environmental Educator Certification:


Jennifer Fuller
North Carolina Baptist Assembly, Fort Caswell 

Lisa Marochak
Durham Soil and Water Conservation District 

Maria Hitt
Orange County Partnership for Young Children 

Wendy Patoprsty 
North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Watauga County

Lauren Pyle
Western North Carolina Nature Center, Asheville

Jenni Heartway 
Learning Outside, Pittsboro

Cynthia Stephenson
Forsyth Country Day School

Cliff Hudson
Riverside High School, Williamston

Kristy Burja,
Foothills Equestrian Nature Center, Tryon

Derek Dunn
Greensboro Parks and Recreation

Joy Fields
Piedmont Triad Regional Council

Jill Goodwin
Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation

Katie Gray
Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation

To learn more about these and other recently certified individuals visit http://certifiedenvironmentaleducators.blogspot.com/ 

In other news, the online certification management system just completed  a major upgrade. Now enrollees and certified individuals will find  more options and increased usability in tracking their credits. Certified individuals will also now receive a digital badge image they can use to indicate their certified status in email signatures, resumes and other online documents.

The North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Program, managed by the N.C. Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs, has certified more than 1,000 individuals. This 200-hour program recognizes professional development in environmental education and establishes standards for professional excellence in the field for formal and non-formal educators. It consists of workshops, field experiences, teaching experiences and an environmental education community partnership project.

To more about the program, including the enrollment process, are available at http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/certification--about-the-program.html

Environmental Education Cooperation at its Finest

Our state is known throughout the nation for our tight-knit environmental education community and quality and variety of environmental education programs. Note how this middle school program, which combines classroom and outdoor instruction with hands-on coastal restoration work, was a success due to the collaboration of several agencies, organizations and volunteers   that were all dedicated to environmental education. 

Jockey's Ridge Makes Fetching Classroom

The following agencies and organizations all contributed in some way to the environmental education and restoration effort (let us know if we missed one!):

Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership
Jockey’s Ridge State Park
N.C. Sea Grant
N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island and Jennette’s Pier
N.C. Coastal Federation
The Nature Conservancy
N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries
The Nature Conservancy
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Monitor National Marine Sanctuary
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership
Carlson Family Foundation

N.C. Teacher Wins Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators

Jeanna Goodson, a science teacher at Maiden High School in Catawba County, was recently awarded the Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators. The PIAEE is awarded by the U.S. EPA and  recognizes outstanding kindergarten through grade 12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for learning for their students. The award is given each year to two teachers from each of the EPA's ten regions.


Jeanna has been a North Carolina Certified Environmental Educator since 2003 and credits the EE Certification Program with inspiring her teaching and helping her win this award. 

Congratulations Jeanna!

Some of Jeanna's students in action

Below is Jeanna's write-up on the PIAEE winners page:


As a National Board Certified AP Environmental Science and wildlife teacher at Maiden High School, Jeanna has provided students with meaningful outdoor and integrated learning experiences. She strives to connect her students with the natural world in a way that fosters an appreciation for the environment while also building a practical understanding of community initiatives and collaboration. Jeanna worked with local community members and groups to design and create a campus nature trail that enables her students to access different ecosystems for outdoor labs and activities in their studies. On the trail, students conduct science experiments such as water quality testing, and learn about local flora and fauna, population dynamics, air quality and pollution research. She utilizes a variety of creative and integrative education methods such as science simulations, interactive games, hands-on and team based activities and projects to help students to explore larger concepts and gain a better understanding of events and issues they may not otherwise experience. Her students learn the importance of connecting real world issues with their local community and environment which has direct ties to their daily lives. 

Jeanna’s students share their learning experiences and enthusiasm for science, cultural and environmental issues with their families and community members through a variety of interactive projects that include creating and sharing an on-going environmental science A-Z booklet which includes images of labs they conduct, outdoor lessons, and written materials. Parents interact with students in this project through their written reflections about environmental science they collaboratively discuss with students. Jeanna also works with other teachers to encourage the integration of nature activities into other subjects and has participated in North Carolina’s rigorous Environmental Education Certification Program. Jeanna’s exceptional dedication to her students is apparent as she tries to help instill a sense of awareness and responsibility in her students as they learn to be mindful of how their actions can impact the world around them and how they can each make a difference as responsible stewards of the earth. 

EE News Tips Spotlight: The Environmental Literacy Center

Did you know our office maintains the Environmental Literacy Center? The Environmental Literacy Center (ELC) is located in the Nature Research Center, the new wing of the Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh. We have 2000+ holdings of books and DVDs such as educator guides, environmental curricula, North Carolina field guides, naturalist books, environmental non-fiction and children's books. Subject areas include environmental science, popular natural science, conservation, sustainability, museum and non-formal education practices and science education. The ELC is available for use upon appointment. It can be used as a meeting center and/or a resource center for anyone in the field of education. It's a great place to do research or plan environmental education programs or events. The resources can be used by educators and preservice teachers or for student research but the holdings are only circulating for DENR employees at this time. Learn more about it at http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/resource-center-elc.html

The New Environmental Education is Good for All of Us

We are always on the lookout for news and commentary on environmental education. This piece caught our eye and we thought it warranted a feature in News Tips. Andy Hart is the executive director of the Nevada Outdoor School. Andy begins:


Twenty years ago, the term Environmental Education left a sour taste in most people’s mouths.  Perhaps it still does for some, but it shouldn’t.  Most everyone in my current profession will agree that Environmental Education hasn’t always been done well and in the 1980’s and 90’s, even when it was; the term had been hijacked in popular culture by agenda-based organizations and lobbying groups. 

Moreover, anything accompanied by the word environmental was often assumed to indicate a negative for industry, agriculture or progress in general.  It is long overdue for us to recommit to the word ‘environment’ for what it really is, the space in which we all live and rely upon as an endless provider. Read the rest of Andy's opinion piece in the Silver Pinyon Journal. 

The EE Grants Page Pays Off Again (and Again and Again)

We recently received great news that two organizations applied for and were awarded grants they found on the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs EE Grants page. It's an honor to help great organizations and agencies locate grants that further environmental education and help their communities. Please let us know if you receive a grant you found on our website or email listserv. 

Kendyll Collins, environmental educator and outreach coordinator for the Bald Head Island Conservancy recently announced they had received Outdoor Nation's Paddle Nation Grant. The Conservancy was one of only 25 projects in the nation to receive the grant and the only recipient in North Carolina. It will fund the Women Paddling Into Science project that will offer kayaking expeditions for month and daughter pairs over a seven month period. The trips will focus on kayaking skills, estuary ecology and water quality. It will also involve a salt marsh clean-up. Congratulations Kendyll!

Kendyll doing some early scouting for their upcoming Women Paddling Into Science Program, funded by a grant they found on the EE Grants page. 

Leslie Van Hoy, grants director for Johnston Community College, also learned of the National Wildlife Federation's Tree Bank program through our site. The college was able to use this program to continue the long leaf pine restoration at its Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center. This is the second grant JCC has found an applied for from our page. The first, from the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, allowed the JCC Arboretum to plant a working fruit orchard to provide produce for local food charities. 

Volunteers plant long leaf pine seedlings at Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center. The  trees were provided by the National Wildlife Federations Tree Bank Program that Johnston Community College learned of on the EE  Grants page.

Alexander Wilson Elementary E.C.O. Campus Opening Featured on News 14 Carolina

On Earth Day, Alexander Wilson Elementary (Alamance-Burlington School System) officially cut the ribbon on its new E.C.O Campus. Time Warner Cable News 14 Carolina was on the scene:

Click photo to view the video

The E.C.O. (Educating Children Outdoors) Campus features a butterfly garden, a frog habitat, a nature trail, a bird sanctuary, an air quality monitoring station and an outdoor classroom. The school also plans to use more native plants on campus, increase on-site recycling and several other conservation initiatives.


Alexander Wilson is listed as one of the N.C. Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs   "EE Schools."   Follow the link to learn more and to find out how other schools can apply.

Remember: Love of Nature Precedes Caring for the Environment

This post written by Mariah Grant originally appeared on our EcoSmart Parent blog, but we thought out EE News Tips readers would also find it of interest. EcoSmart Parent (always available on www.eenorthcarolina.org) provides information and N.C. environmental education events and resources of interest to parents, caregivers and educators of younger children.


Remember: Love of Nature Precedes Caring for the Environment

Source: Nature Explorers http://ncbg.unc.edu/

Given pressing environmental concerns, we have to remind ourselves not to relay these world burdens to impressionable young children. It is during early childhood that experiences form the values and attitudes about the world that children carry with them through life. Before a certain age, children are unable to think in abstract terms but rather learn through sensory engagement with the world. Allowing open-ended, interactive and sensory play in natural settings is recommended for young children. This is more likely to nurture a positive relationship with nature and foster empathy for the environment than trying to relay knowledge of environmental systems. Presenting problems about the environment that are beyond their cognitive ability can cause children to develop fear and anxiety of the natural world, exactly the opposite of the intended effect.

The appropriate age for imparting knowledge about environmental systems and concerns depends entirely on the individual, but most research says not until at least fourth grade or even middle school. Here is a good article that summarizes much of the research: http://www.whitehutchinson.com/children/articles/nurturing.shtml

Source: "Forts, land trusts, and conservation behavior"
http://bit.ly/12nKUSV

In the past, environmental education programs have received criticism for providing education too early on abstract concepts such as endangered species, acid rain and rainforest destruction. Among the network of educators and environmental education centers in North Carolina, the research has been so widely distributed that most have adopted the age appropriate perspective into their practices.

Quality environmental education events for children that focus on exploration and discovery of the natural world help foster a love of nature in children. Good examples of these types of programs can be found on the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs' calendar.

Connecting environmental education and STEM

This year's theme for National Environmental Education Week was "Greening STEM: Taking Technology Outdoors." This is part of a multi-year "Greening STEM" focus by the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) to show that hands-on environmental education projects can enrich learning in science, technology, engineering and math education. 

Recently, Jennifer Tabola, senior director of education for NEEF, was featured in following guest blog for Change the Equation, a "nonprofit, nonpartisan, CEO-led initiative that is mobilizing the business community to improve the quality of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) learning in the United States." http://changetheequation.org/ 

Here it is below, reprinted in its entirety with permission from Change the Equation and NEEF. 

What are the learning goals of environmental education? How are they best accomplished? How do they support the broader goals of improving students’ STEM skills?

Students have an innate curiosity – even wonder – about the natural world around them. Environmental education (EE) taps into their enthusiasm and provides them the knowledge and skills to solve 21^st-century challenges. Early connection with the environment also equips students to make everyday decisions that improve the quality of their lives and the health of our planet.

The goals of EE can be accomplished well through project-based learning and hands-on exploration of the outdoors. Local, place-based environmental projects provide relevant learning experiences for students and an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in their communities.

Through EE, students learn not only STEM content, but also develop the critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making skills that are critical for success in STEM careers where substantial growth is expected. Further, studies indicate that young people who experience the natural world and have more opportunities to play and learn within it are more likely to choose science or related fields as careers.

What are the opportunities and obstacles to introducing students to environmental education?

While field trips and opportunities to explore nature centers and other nonformal education settings are valuable to sparking interest and deeper knowledge about the environment, lack of time and resources can make it challenging for teachers to provide those opportunities. Increasingly, schools are investing in enriching the more accessible laboratories for learning that exist right outside the classroom door, in a nearby park, the schoolyard, school garden -- even the school building itself. Recognizing the national priority on successfully engaging more students in STEM, significantly more environmental science content is being integrated across multiple disciplines. There are expanded opportunities within the new Next Generation Science Standards to emphasize science learning through an environmental context, through content on human impacts on the natural world.

What do policymakers and decision makers need to know when thinking about STEM learning and environmental education?

Research and survey findings indicate young people have a strong interest in the environment. Total employment in STEM jobs is expected to increase by twice as much as all other jobs by 2018 and environmental science jobs are expected to grow by 25% by 2016 – the fastest among the sciences. Sources and additional statistics can be found in the new Tech & Our Planet infographic.

In 2011 the U.S. Department of Education developed the Green Ribbon Schools recognition award, which honors schools that are exemplary in reducing environmental impact and costs; improving the health and wellness of students and staff; and providing effective environmental and sustainability education, which incorporates STEM, civic skills and green career pathways. This year, as part of National Environmental Education Week, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan did a PSA that speaks to the important connection between EE and STEM.(See previous post)

U.S. Education Secretary Talks Environmental Education/STEM for EE Week

In honor of National Environmental Education Week (April 14-20), U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan takes a few moments to address the benefits of environmental education and how it complements and strengthens STEM education (science, technology, engineering and math). 

NCSU Researchers Release Environmental Literacy Study

Researchers in the N.C. State University College of Natural Resources have released a study on environmental literacy among North Carolina middle school students. Environmental, Institutional, and Demographic Predictors of Environmental Literacy among Middle School Children can be found in the in the online, open access peer-reviewed journal PLOS ONE. 

CNR Research Fact Sheet 

CNR News Release: Outdoor Education Helps Minority Students Close Gap in Environmental Literacy

Complete article in PLOS ONE

The study shows that several factors have a positive effect on environmental literacy for various student groups, including time spent in outdoor learning experiences, the use of published environmental education curricula and teacher experience and education level. 

This project was funded by North Carolina Sea Grant. Kathryn T. Stevenson and Dr. Nils Peterson in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at N.C. State University partnered with members of the N.C. Environmental Literacy Plan working group during the research process. The partners plan to use this study as a baseline of environmental literacy in future research and program planning.

For more information about the N.C. Environmental Literacy Plan go to the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs website:
http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/educators--literacy-plan.html

EE Certification is Really Hopping!

Jenny Fuller from the N.C. Baptist Assembly at Fort Caswell

The North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Program is really on the move! New enrollments arrive weekly and the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs has recently awarded several certificates. You can read about some of our state's certified environmental educators at on our blog:  http://certifiedenvironmentaleducators.blogspot.com/

You can also access the profiles from the main EE Certification site, which also lists all N.C. Certified Environmental Educators by county. http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/certification--meet-certified-educators.html

The North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Program has certified more than 1,000 individuals. This 200-hour program recognizes professional development in environmental education and establishes standards for professional excellence in the field for formal and non-formal educators. It consists of workshops, field experiences, teaching experiences and an environmental education community partnership project.

To more about the program, including the enrollment process, are available at http://www.eenorthcarolina.org/certification--about-the-program.html

NAAEE Releases Status Report on State Environmental Literacy Plans

The North American Association for Environmental Education has released a report on state environmental literacy plans. Forty-eight states (including the District of Columbia) responded to the survey about the progress of their state plan. According to NAAEE, state environmental literacy plans are "comprehensive frameworks that support school systems in expanding and improving environmental education programs." The report can be viewed here: http://www.naaee.net/sites/default/files/us/affiliates/SELP_final.pdf 

North Carolina's environmental literacy plan was developed by the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resoruces Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs and the N.C. Department of Public Instruction, in partnership with Environmental Educators of North Carolina and the North Carolina Association of Environmental Education Centers, with additional input from a wide range stakeholders in the education and environmental communities. The final draft form of our state plan is currently available on the N.C. Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs website.

National EE Week 2013 April 14-20, 2013

National Environmental Education Week is here!

Hosted by NEEF, the National Environmental Education Foundation, EE Week is the nation's largest celebration of environmental education held each year the week before Earth Day and inspires environmental learning and stewardship among K-12 students. The 2013 theme, Greening STEM: Taking Technology Outdoors, will explore how technology can enhance environmental learning both inside and outside the classroom. Part of NEEF's series on Greening STEM.

As part of Taking Technology Outdoors, EE Week will highlight the growing opportunity to engage today's students in learning about the environment by "plugging into nature" through new technologies that enable scientific research and 21st century skills including creativity, innovation, communication, and collaboration.

Educators who register for EE Week 2013 will be able to take advantage of:

• Free educator webinars and toolkits offering tips, tricks, resources, and ideas for using the latest technology to excite students about environmental learning in their community
• Case studies, success stories, and examples of technology in action and the teachers who are using it to enhance environmental learning and achievement in core subject areas
• Discounts, giveaways, and special offers from NEEF partners

Registration is free and easy and, in addition to the benefits above, connects you to a national network of educators dedicated to increasing the environmental knowledge of K-12 students.

http://eeweek.org