Katie Hicks

I currently serve as the Assistant Director of a statewide nonprofit organization, Clean Water for North Carolina. I also serve on the Board of the Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association in Brevard, NC, and do some independent website design for individuals and organizations, especially environmental education and interpretation groups.

My favorite part of earning my certification was having a library of curricula and activity ideas as a result of attending workshops.

A lot about my certification experience stands out to me. I really enjoyed teaching 4-7 year olds during the Woodsy Owl's Curiosity Club summer program when I worked at the Cradle of Forestry as a seasonal educator. The wonder and awe at the processes of nature that shines in the eyes of kids in that age group is inspiring!

For my community partnership project, I coordinated and designed the stream monitoring aspects of the “Reclaiming urban community streams” project. My duties included curriculum planning, development of assessment strategies, and collaboration with four other partner groups to ensure that the three-day program as a whole would engage young adults in learning skills and knowledge related to reclaiming urban community streams.

Congratulations Katie!

Michelle Pearce

I am the Early Childhood Environmental Education Specialist at The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville.

My favorite part of earning my certification was traveling around the state (and country) for the different workshops, conferences and activities. I also really loved the opportunity to network with other educators from across the state.

I was able to participate in the Yellowstone in Winter teacher workshop with the Museum of Natural Sciences in January of 2012. It was an amazing learning experience, not to mention my first trip to Yellowstone!
 

My Community Action Partnership was creating the Mountain Science Expo. This is a western region science expo and an official event of the North Carolina Science Festival. Through this event we connected the Western North Carolina community with the science at play in their own backyard. Visitors were able to meet scientists, researchers and representatives from over 20 different organizations in the fields and science and ecology and interact with their hands-on demonstrations.

Congratulations Michelle!

Rebecca Weaver

Sustainable Forestry Teachers' Academy

After teaching 5th grade for several years, I am now a technology teacher at an elementary school in Raleigh, NC.

I loved all the knowledge, resources, and ideas I received while earning my certification. Starting the EE program soon after moving to North Carolina encouraged me to explore parks across the state. Consequently, from searching for banker ponies to climbing Clingmans Dome, various workshops and site visits taught me the unique and complex geography, geology, and history of North Carolina.

The EE program also made integrating environmental education into daily elementary curriculum easy. My students enjoy having more classes outside and absorb any core subject objectives integrated into an environmental lesson!

I loved attending the Sustainable Forestry Teachers’ Academy sponsored by the NC Forestry Assoc. During these retreats we toured forests, mills, and manufacturing plants. I believe it’s important to teach students the science behind where a resource they use the most of, paper, comes from. I increased my understanding and appreciation of an industry that is important to our local history and economy.

My EE project involved participation from my students in revitalizing a wooded portion of our campus that was underutilized. We restored and added tree identification signs to a trail that connects our school campus with a local park.

Congratulations Rebecca!!

Stan Koziol

                                                                                                                                                        

Full-time, I'm an accountant that has worked twenty years at UNC-Chapel Hill. Fun time, I'm a scout leader and volunteer camp host at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.

My favorite part of earning the certification would have to be the vast array of subject matter mixed in with interesting class mates and newly discovered classrooms that ranged from nature centers to
landfills.

The certification experience that stands out for me was certainly the excitement and creativity that is generated when adults get to do a crafts project designed for K-6 students. My favorite is the fish impression using watercolors during a Growing up WILD course. I proudly have mine hanging on the wall even though everyone assumes it was created by a Cub Scout.

For my community partnership project, I worked with State Park staff and a Boy Scout Troop to develop a butterfly garden at Crosswinds Campground located in Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. The garden is near the boat ramp and has a central walkway that leads to the amphitheater. Benches were built and installed strategically to offer a relaxing, open view to the lake. Over fifty nectar and host plants, all native to North Carolina, were planted and nurtured.

The Chatham Record highlighted Evan Seagroves, one of the local boy scouts who worked on the project at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area for his Eagle Scout Project. Read the article here.

Cynthia Hever

Holly Springs

I volunteer at Lake Crabtree County Park. I also write a nature blog.

My favorite part of earning my certification was meeting like-minded people from all different segments of society. It was refreshing and inspiring to hear about the good things people are doing on behalf of wildlife and the planet.

I enjoyed the outdoor activities, which allowed me to be close to nature and learn many different things. Every instructor I met was enthusiastic, informative and dedicated.

A new greenway was under construction behind my neighborhood. It is an elevated boardwalk over a wetland. For my community partnership project, I added environmental educational signs to the boardwalk to educate people about the complex systems of which we are a part.

My project was twofold, a cleanup of the greenway with a Boy Scout troop and the educational signs containing appropriate material for the ecosystem. One sign describes the important role wetlands have in the environment and the second sign explains the importance of snags to the environment and wildlife.

The signs are written for a wide audience and include graphics and images. They are designed to foster awareness and to personalize the larger picture of the river basin by providing a map of the location of the wetland and the creek it drains into within the community.

A contact number is provided if people would like to know more about environmental projects in their community and how they can help.

Rebecca Priddy

My favorite part of the EE Certification Program was meeting so many interesting like-minded individuals.

Going to Purchase Knob in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and viewing lichen and Tardegrades in the microscope was the experience that stood out for me. Purchase Knob is a treasure on top of the world.

For my community partnership project, I created a teaching tool for use at the Botanical Gardens at Asheville. The teaching tool is called:  A GPS Guide to a selection of Southern Appalachian Native Trees that live at the Botanical Gardens at Asheville. The booklet contains a list of 32 native trees of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. All 32 species live at the Botanical Gardens of Asheville and are members of 12 different families of trees. This booklet was written as a guide to challenge the reader to find all the trees listed; and then, to get to know the trees by observing them. The reader is encouraged to visit the trees in all four seasons as a way to really become familiar with each species.

Tanya Scott

Newport

I am a 6th grade science teacher at Newport Middle School in Newport NC

My favorite part of earning my EE certification was being exposed to the many environmental resources our state has to offer.

My favorite experience was being chosen as  NOAA Teacher At Sea.  I sailed from Oregon to Washington and had an amazing time.

My community partnership project was an Outdoor Learning Center and gardens on the campus of my school.  The area includes a covered shelter, a vegetable and herb garden, a butterflly garden, compost bins, rain barrels, fig trees, and berry bushes. 

Congratulations Tanya!

Laine Roberts

Durham

Laine is the Water Conservation Specialist for the City of Durham. 

My favorite part of earning my certification was truly the workshops. I met wonderful people, learned new things and was exposed to EE centers that I either had no idea existed or would not have otherwise visited. I am a little sad that is over, but I look forward to my continuing education.

I worked at a Haw River State Park for a season as an outdoor environmental educator which definitely influenced my drive and passion for EE so I wanted to give back to the park that gave some much to me. For my community partnership project I decided to work with a boy scout group and we posted signs around the park.  At that time is was a newer park; having walked those trails many many times I knew there was a need for a bit more direction.

Kelsie Armentrout

Chapel Hill

What does she do? I just graduated from UNCG with a degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in English. I am the new 6th grade Science teacher at Hilburn Academy, a STEM school, in Raleigh, NC.

Favorite part of earning her certification? I did not have any hands-on science during my twelve years in public school and I was apprehensive when I was told that I would be on the science team at UNCG. While I earned my EE certification I was exposed to so many new things and I was given the tools to bring science into any classroom not only a set science period.  When given the choice to choose what subject to teach, I automatically chose science, because I felt very prepared to teach science successfully with the resources I gained while pursuing my EE certification.

The certification experience that stands out for her. The best experiences I had while pursuing my EE certification were the Advanced Wild workshops. I attended Advanced Wild Salamanders and Advanced Wild Black Bears. I enjoyed these workshops the most because they were hands-on and I was given the opportunity to actually do activities such as setting traps for turtles and finding spotted salamanders in vernal pools.

Her community partnership project: For my community partnership project, I worked with another student teacher, Betsy Gaither, to plan a workshop for the entire 5th Grade at General Greene Elementary School. Water Day, was a workshop that we created using Project Wild Aquatic and other resources we gained through the EE certification requirements, to teach students about erosion, water pollution and water conservation. We also teamed up with a local meteorologist to come in and talk to students about the water cycle and weather topics. Students were broken into teams and went through 5 different hands-on stations.

Mary Kingsley

Raleigh

What does she do? I am a Lead Transitional Kindergarten teacher.

Favorite part of earning her certification.
The many wonderful workshops, from Sea Turtles, to bats, to Food Land and People, to frog calling identification, and Aquatics.

The certification experience stands out for her.
There were so many. The Nature Walking with Preschoolers at the Prairie Ridge Eco-station, the Tree Identification at Duke Forest, and the Sea Turtle workshop at Hammocks beach were among my favorites. I also thoroughly enjoyed working with my mentor on my Community Partnership Project. I learned an unbelievable amount of information.

Her community partnership project: My project involved creating a Tree Identification Hike along a new trail. The brochure is available at the Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD Nature Preserve park office, there is a book that offers more information about each native tree, as well, that hikers may check out at the park office.

Congratulations Mary!!

Jessie Summers

Lillington, NC

What does she do?

I am the office assistant at Raven Rock State Park.

Favorite part of earning her certification?

It was all such a great experience but I really enjoyed coming up with new ideas for programs and the research it involved along with watching the participants have a great time and of course their positive responses.

Certification experience that stands out for her.  

From learning to id trees in winter, understanding frog calls, and to finally after decades, handling my first snake.  Now I can bring out our educational snake to many excited children longing for their first touch. 

Her community partnership project

Created a pollinator garden/outdoor classroom in front of our new visitor center.  The project entailed removing grasses, incorporating additional soil and compost, working with local gardening clubs and volunteers, planting and mulching.  Together we have created a place for all types of pollinators and I am working on a grant to get additional money for fencing, benches and an arbor.  The garden also has plans to incorporate some of Raven Rock’s visitor center’s LEED gold credits ideas using solar to run a fountain and a rain barrel to collect water.  We will also be using ideas from one of the wildlife monitoring workshops I attended.

Nancy Williamson

What does she do?  I am a Park Ranger at Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve.

Favorite part of earning her certification?  The best part about earning my certification was refreshing my library of ideas for how to present programs to the public. I've been working as an environmental educator at different jobs around the country for the past 7 years, and I still learned so many different techniques from all the workshops I attended.

Certification experience that stands out for her.   No single experience stands out in my head, but having all the opportunities (excuses) to travel to other facilities and learn about other parts of North Carolina was fantastic.

Her community partnership project:  For my community partnership project, I helped a group of 3rd graders create a display to promote Weymouth Woods. It's a small park, and many people in the community aren't aware of the recreational and educational opportunities that it provides. I had the students come out to the park to take photographs and write quotes to capture and express their favorite part of their visit. I compiled all of their work and then had it displayed several places around the community in hopes of recruiting more visitors to appreciate the amazing natural resources we have at Weymouth Woods and in the sandhills region.

Jennifer Smith

Fayetteville, NC (Cumberland County)

What does she do? I am the Director of Education at Cape Fear Botanical Garden (provide env ed for pre-k through seniors.)

Favorite part of earning her certification: I loved it all. I enjoyed expanding my skills both as a naturalist, and educator, and the networking has been priceless. I now have a state-wide community of "co-workers" to share ideas, partner on initiatives, and look forward to seeing in person on occasion throughout the year!

Favorite outdoor experience while earning her certification: My favorite experiences have been those in the teacher education program at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. Mike Dunn and Melissa Dowland have taught me so much about nature but also modeled how a top notch workshop or field trip should be conducted.

Her community partnership project: My partnership project was creating a "Forest Detectives" nature trail with guidebook at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden. The trail encourages family learning and fitness, and includes over 50 native plant labels for the adults, and trail stops with multi-sensory activities for kids.

Lauren Greene

What Does she do? I am currently a science teacher (Earth Science & Biology) at Green Hope High School in Cary.  When I started the program, I was getting ready to move to NC to earn a Masters of Education in Science Education at NCSU.

Favorite part of earning her certification.  I loved having the excuse to visit lots of different environmental education facilities across the state.

Certification experience that stands out. Completing the certification was filled with memorable experiences.  It is hard to choose one that stands out the most.  My favorite one was enjoying an entire day exploring the NC Zoo for the first time.

Her community partnership project.  For my community project, I helped improve the wetlands on my school's campus. AP Environmental Science students and myself created a new trail.  With some help, I created an informational sign about the wildlife in our wetlands. I also created some identifying markers for the most common trees and shrubs.

Karan Barber

What does she do?  Currently, I am the Summer Camp Director at Carolina Raptor Centers Kids for Conservation Summer Camps, pursuing a Bachelors Degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Education from Queens University of Charlotte.  Environmental Education Consultant for BarneysAlmanac.com
Favorite part of earning her certification.  My favorite part of earning my certification was the fantastic educational material I received from my many workshops. I enjoyed the interaction with equally passionate participants from the environmental community including park rangers, NCWRC staff, teachers, and other environmental educators.

Certification experience that stands out for her.  I have many favorite certification experiences, but the most surreal are my Southern Appalachian Naturalist Courses from the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont.  This was a proverbial return to my roots as I attend a weeklong camp there in the seventies with my elementary school. 
Her community partnership project: My project entailed painting vertebrate fauna tracks and signs along the railing in front of the raptor mews. A native tree leaf was added adjacent to the corresponding species. A key to the tracks and leaves will be available in the visitor services center of Carolina Raptor Center.

Emily Vasquez

What does she do? I just graduated from UNC-Greensboro with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (K-6).  I plan to teach at an elementary school in NC.

Favorite part of earning her certification. My favorite part of earning my certification was being outdoors while also getting to experience teaching outside and watching young learners engaged in science.

Certification experience that stands out for her. The certification experience that stands out to me the most is all the hiking and time spent at parks or rivers that I did with a great group of teaching friends.  This was a fantastic experience from going geocaching to catching frogs, toads, and salamanders to wearing waders for the first time to fishing to seeing and holding turtles to gaining less of a fear for snakes to climbing huge rocks.

Her community partnership project.  For my community partnership project, my 2nd grade class (that I was a student teacher for) read with a 1st grade class.  A 2nd grader was paired with a 1st grader, and they each read a science related book.  There were four books given out, and an activity went with each.  The books were donated to the school so that the teachers can use them and the science activities in the upcoming years.

Congratulations Emily!

Amanda Jo Phillips

Winston-Salem, NC (Davidson County)

What does she do?  I just graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and plan to teach in NC public schools.

Favorite part of earning her certification: I did this with a group of girls from my University. Having people to share my experiences with was wonderful. We did everything together including climbing mountains and facing a lot of fears (or should I say previous misconceptions!) 

Certification experience stands out for her:  All of the hands-on experiences with animals. I held salamanders, snakes, bugs, sting rays, fish, frogs, and I am sure there are some I've forgotten. I also learned about Geocaching which is now a hobby I do in my free time!

Her Community Action Partnership Project: My community partnership was adding tree tags to my school's nature trail. I found it important that the students realize how many different trees were there. I identified and tagged 10 trees and left the teachers plenty of lessons to use that are directly associated with the tagged trees.

CONGRATULATIONS, AMANDA JO!

Bennet George Jefferson

Danbury, NC (Stokes County)
What does he do? I like to call myself the Nature Coach, but my official title for NCDENR is Assistant Park Ranger here at Hanging Rock State Park and one of the Master Educators for Leave no Trace. I spend most of my time at the park making sure our visitors enjoy thier stay and make them fall in love with our park and make a connection with Nature. I started my career in 1985 teaching Automotive Service Professionals about the environmental impact that chemicals have on air and water. We offer monthly workshops here for Teachers and Non Formal educators in Project Wet,Leopold Education Project, Wonders of Wetlands to name a few.

Favorite part of earning his certification? My favorite part of the program was all of the travel that I got to do and the people I met. The classes were so diverse, from in-service college students to park rangers and teachers from all over the state !

Certification experience that stands out for him. The teaching requirement was one of the best opportunities for me to apply what I had learned in the previous weeks workshops. One of my first classes was with large cub scout group and we had a great time playing Oh Deer and Whats That Habitat?

His Action Partnership? For my community project I studied the impact of Campfire Debri and ways we could help reduce it. One example is Campfire Impacts and the chance of bringing into the park invasive threats from non native firewood. The large amount of ash and debris that are removed and collected weekly then stored onsite and this creates large piles.

My research including visiting the site where the ashes from the campsite are dumped and discovered decades of ashes in huge pile. My assessment was that if I could work with the Park Personnel the Sauratown Mountain friends groups and the volunteer camp hosts on the how to communicate to the parks guest ways to be more environmentally aware and offer alternatives such as a community fire circle and communicating not to burn nothing but local firewood. My idea/plan was to train Park Staff, Friends Group Members and Camp Hosts to deliver a presentation that would show some of the impacts and how to implement a program to educate the New Hikers and Campers on recreational and outdoor ethics. The efforts focused on reducing litter, campfire debris and trail erosion. My knowledge of the Leave No Trace principals was a great tool in communicating these challenges.
CONGRATULATIONS, GEORGE!

Cindy Lincoln

Raleigh, NC (Wake County)
What does she do? I spend most of my time working as a nature instructor at the Walnut Creek Wetland Center in Raleigh. I also do free-lance writing and landscape design/horticultural consulting.

Favorite part of earning her certification? Of course, it was great to travel to different parts of the state, visit EE centers that I had never been to and meet other educators. But, I really enjoyed getting all the resource materials and refer often to the many teaching guides, manuals, binders and notes that I collected during the certification process.

Certification experience that stands out for her? The Leopold Education Project workshop was one of my favorites. As part of our homework assignment for the course, I did one of the lessons with my 12 year old niece, Shelby, at a 100 year old family cabin in Northern Minnesota. The setting couldn’t have been more perfect for teaching one of Leopold’s land ethic lessons.

Her Community Partnership Project? I wrote and created training material for specific gardening tasks needed to maintain a typical community garden. The implementation and use of this training material will be carried out by my project partner, Interfaith Food Shuttle (IFFS) in their community garden program.
CONGRATULATIONS, CINDY!

Katie Kovach

Durham, NC (Durham County)
What does she do? I am a Laboratory Manager for a plant evolutionary ecology laboratory in the Biology Department at Duke University. I mentor undergraduate and high school students, and manage many of the day to day activities in our lab. I am also an informal educator in Durham county with community gardens and local non-profit groups.

Favorite part of earning her certification? My favorite part of the certification was meeting people from other backgrounds and teaching experiences. It was fascinating and encouraging to be able to connect with many people from different occupations, counties, even states. I made valuable friendships and professional acquaintances through the workshops I took for this certification.

Certification experience that stands out? I loved having a extra motivation to explore North Carolina and get outside of the Piedmont where I spend most of my time. I made it out to Mt. Mitchell as part of my certification, and I wish I had had a week to spend up there!

Her Action Partnership? I put together an online field guide for the Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association in Durham county North Carolina. That guide can be found here:  http://fieldguides.eol.org/fieldguide-view.php?guidekey=249 My objectives for the field guide were: 1. To have a user friendly and field friendly version of the species lists that are currently available on the ECWA website. 2. To have an online interface where people involved with ECWA can update the species list and get detailed information on species they are interested in. I used the category designations from the ECWA website, so that it would be applicable to land management activities. When people print and save copies of the guide in pdf form, they can specify which species from the guide they wish to include. I have also made myself available to the group for an introduction on how to use the guide.

Congratulations, Katie!

Andrea Walter

Columbus, NC (Polk County)
What does she do? I am a 5th grade teacher at Polk Central Elementary School.
Favorite part of earning her certification? My favorite part was attending the Earth Partnership for Schools program at the N.C. Botanical Garden with three colleagues from my school.
Certification experience that stands out? Watching baby turtles emerge and go into the ocean.
Her Action Partnership? My action partnership was to create a nature trail for our elementary school. I have learned so much as the project continued to evolve and new challenges presented themselves.
CONGRATULATIONS, Andrea!

*Photo above: Andrea is front of a brush pile after removing the dead and dying trees from the trail. Photo to the right is of the flip-top bench tables that she put in the first phase of the trail project.

Kim Shuping

Granite Quarry, NC (Rowan County)
What does she do? Kim is a 6th Grade teacher at Erwin Middle School.
Favorite part of earning her certification? Kim especially enjoyed the outdoor learning experiences and awesome staff of the six Pisgah Forest Institute workshops that she attended at Brevard College. She appreciated the outstanding leadership roles of Kevin Fischer and Dr. Jennifer Frick-Ruppert, and the amazing van driver, Ms. Doris.
Certification experience that stands out? One of her many favorite outdoor experiences was the PFI Forest Ecology Workshop. The forest hikes were educational, breathtaking, adventurous, and fun – a common description of all her PFI workshops!
Her Action Partnership? Kim's Action Partnership was to restore a nature trail at a local elementary school. This project consisted of clearing an existing trail, improving bridges and creating an outdoor classroom with the installation of an observation deck and benches. A special thanks to the United Way, local Girl Scouts and family and friends for the success and completion of this outdoor classroom setting.
CONGRATULATIONS, Kim!

Darcia Harris

Asheville, NC (Buncombe County)
What does she do? Dacia works as a full-time environmental educator at Asheville High School and as a part-time science adjunct at both Shaw University Asheville CAPE and ABTech Community College.
Favorite part of earning her certification? Darcia's favorite part of the EE experience was getting a chance to learn more about the state and meet other formal and nonformal educators across North Carolina. The diversity as you move from West to East is amazing, and she enjoyed experiencing every bit of it.
Certification experience that stands out? Darcia's favorite outdoor experience was by far the Marine Mammal Institute through the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher and N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences. Folks from all across North Carolina were together studying the effects of climate change on marine mammals by heading out and getting our hands wet and dirty. The camaraderie led this to be one of the greatest experiences of her life.
Her Action Partnership? As a part of her action partnership, Darcia was able to have the museum bring research to herstudents who had never had a chance to partake in a museum-based learning experience. Her students then took that experience, expounded on it and shared it with the public during an open house event and a community display at The Health Adventure in downtown Asheville. It was above and beyond an AWESOME experience!
CONGRATULATIONS, DACIA!

Susan Parker

Ahoskie, NC (Hertford County)
What does she do? Susan is a second grade teacher at Buckland Elementary School.
Favorite part of earning her certification? Susan enjoyed discovering the natural beauty of our state, and being proud that North Carolinians offer such knowledgeable, dedicated training in the field.
Certification experience that stands out? "The best outdoor experience was spending time in the mountains during the Pisgah Mountain Institute. We don't even have hills where I live, so the views, the forests, the streams were like heaven to me."

Her Action Partnership? For Susan's Action Partnership she completed an outdoor classroom for her school which includes a tracking station, butterfly garden, trails and bridges, a pond, and a weather/outdoor calendar center. She partnered with Ranger Jane from Merchants Millpond State Park to guide every student in her class to become certified junior rangers this year. They plan to repeat the process every year.
CONGRATULATIONS, SUSAN!

Reama Pearson

(Burke County)
What does she do? Reama is a Seasonal Interpretive Ranger on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Favorite part of earning her certification? Reama enjoyed visiting and learning about other regions in the state. The workshops she attended offered a wealth of knowledge, social networking and hands on experiences.
Certification experience that stands out? "It was actually the first workshop I attended on the coast at Shackleford Banks Island. I got to see the wild horses, study marine animals, spot dolphins swimming alongside the boat and fish from the deck. It was wonderful!"
Her Action Partnership? For Reama's Action Partnership she helped a special needs group home with MR clients to implement "Go Green" changes in their facility by setting up recycling bins.
CONGRATULATIONS, REAMA!

Christina Livingstone

Durham, NC (Durham County)
What does she do? Christina teaches Language Arts at Brogden Middle School
Favorite part of earning her certification? Christing enjoyed visiting all the different locations for her site visits.
Certification experience that stands out? "I threw my tent and sleeping bag in the back of my car and spent a few weeks over the summer traveling from one wonderful state park to another, hiking and kayaking and falling asleep to the sound of frogs."
Her Action Partnership? For Christina's Action Partnership she created visual instructional support for a bilingual NC Catch Workshop and is looking forward to taking a group of students fishing.

CONGRATULATIONS, CHRISTINA!

Barb Smelser

Charlotte, NC (Mecklenburg County)
What does she do? Barb is a volunteer preschool educator at Wing Haven Gardens and Bird Sanctuary
Favorite part of earning her certification? Barb enjoyed traveling to different parks across the state.

Certification experience that stands out? "I enjoyed many great outdoor learning experiences, so picking just one is difficult. That said, the Forest Ecology Workshop at the Pisgah Forest Institute was a most wonderful and memorable experience."
Her Action Partnership? For Barb's Action Partnership she created a storm drain education and marketing project in her 210 home Charlotte development. The project was called, "Only RAIN Goes Down the Storm Drain."
CONGRATULATIONS, BARB!

Sharon Malone

Raleigh, NC (Wake County)
What does she do? Sharon is a full time student at NC A&T University
Favorite part of earning her certification? Sharon enjoyed traveling across NC to visit many counties that she never would have visited. She had the privilege to go to workshops from the Outerbanks to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Certification experience that stands out? "My favorite outdoor experience was at a PLT workshop where we learned the parts of a tree. I received my degree in Landscape Gardening and this was an experience that truly made the information real and easier to remember."
Her Action Partnership? For Sharon's Action Partnership she used her skills from her degree in Landscape Gardening to design and implement a vegetable and flower garden at a local Homeless Women’s shelter.
CONGRATULATIONS, SHARON!

Jessica Gilmore

Salisbury, NC (Rowan County)
What does she do? Jessica is a senior in Environmental Studies Major at Catawba College in Salisbury, NC
Favorite part of earning her certification? Jessica enjoyed meeting and connecting with educators from North and South Carolina—some outdoor educators and some traditional—makes for a great learning environment
Certification experience that stands out? The Partnership component of certification was a great experience. It helped me hone some interpersonal skills and it led to experience writing grant proposals and planning events.
Her Action Partnership? For Jessica's Action Partnership she developed a new EE program—TREK (Targeting Recreation and Environmental Knowledge) In October of 2009, she approached both the Center for the Environment and Horizon’s Unlimited in Salisbury to partner in creating an outreach project to use on the Center’s preserve to promote local Citizen Science. She researched materials, cost, and potential target audiences as well as created a logo for the project. She wrote, and was awarded, two grant proposals to fund the creation of nine TREK backpacks: three outfitted for bird watching, three outfitted for insect observation, and three outfitted for the study of trees and plants. have also helped develop a plan for participants to use the packs—including a check out and evaluation system—and organized an event in April to promote pack use.
CONGRATULATIONS, JESSICA!

Chris Cabral

Winterville, NC (Pitt County)
What does he do? - Chris is a Park Ranger at Goose Creek State Park, Washington, NC
Favorite part of earning his certification? Chris enjoyed traveling to the different locations throughout the state for EELE’s and outdoor experience’s.
Certification experience that stands out? "Although I’m not the greatest kayaker," says Chris, "I’d have to say the Kayak Leader Training at Singletary Lake and Lumber River was a very hands on, educational experience."

His Action Partnership? For his Action Partnership, Chris, along with two superb master gardeners from Beaufort County, help from the NC Agricultural Extension, the park staff and numerous volunteers, created a beautiful native butterfly garden near the visitor center parking lot of Goose Creek State Park. This laborious task involved completely removing an overgrown existing garden including pine trees and other shrubs. The 1700 sq.ft garden was then tilled and the soil was prepared for planting. "Donations of native plants from local gardeners and businesses really made this garden a special project," says Chris. Another neat feature was the placement of 25 tree cookies used as a trail through the garden. An outline of a butterfly was engraved into each cookie. "This required lots of skilled volunteer labor and gave the garden a personal touch."
CONGRATULATIONS, CHRIS!

Adam DeWitte

Brevard, NC (Transylvania County)
What does he do? Adam is the Director of Education for the Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association.
Favorite part of earning his certification? "My favorite part of earning the certification was playing outside," says Adam.
Certification experience that stands out? Adam's favorite outdoor experience was kayaking down a small confluence off the Congaree River and paddling right through the Congaree Swamp National Monument. "We spent all day birdwatching, swimming and photographing wildlife," he recalls.
His Action Partnership? For his Action Partnership, Adam designed and built a sensory trail with the Autism Society of NC to help teach children with autism about the natural world.
CONGRATULATIONS, ADAM!

Kim Aichele

Huntersville, NC (Mecklenburg County)
What does she do? Kim is a 4th/5th grade science teacher at Children's Community School in Davidson, NC.
Favorite part of earning her certification? Kim enjoyed attending workshops with other educators, specifically the neotropical migratory bird class at Reedy Creek nature center. She is an avid birder and loves the challenge of identifying birds.


Certification experience that stands out? Kim's favorite outdoor experience was visiting Cowans Ford National Wildlife Refuge as part of a Museum of Natural Sciences grant program. "We identified birds, frogs, and found salamanders and eggs as well as many macro invertebrates," says Kim. "We also identified many programs our students could be involved in at Latta."
Her Action Partnership? Kim's project involved labeling storm drains and educating her neighborhood as to the importance of keeping everything out of the storm drains except rainwater.
CONGRATULATIONS, KIM!

Matt Mutel

Burnsville, NC (Yancey County)
What does he do? Matt works at Mount Mitchell State Park as a lead resource management ranger. He is also an active member of the Children and Nature Network in which he works to recruit youth to get children outside through the Natural Leaders Network.

Favorite part of earning his certification? Matt says that while completing the Certification program, he really enjoyed networking with fellow educators at all of the workshops. "We all learned so much from each other and have become good friends in many cases," says Matt.
Certification experience that stands out? Something that stood out to Matt were the many outdoor activities during the certification program, including the numerous lessons that he taught during Take A Child Outside Week.
His Action Partnership? Matt's Action Parnership started as a day-long trail building project with the Outdoors program at UNC - Asheville. This partnership has lived on and will result in a full day of tree planting this year!
CONGRATULATIONS, MATT!

Christel Walter

Mill Spring, NC (Polk County)
What does she do? Besides working on her EE Certification, Christel recently graduated from the Biltmore Forest School (Woodland Steward Series, Summer 2009) and is a master gardener. Her woodland is under the Forest Stewardship Program, an incentive program aimed at keeping native vegetation thriving and aliens at bay. Christel is also a volunteer with the Pacolet Area Conservancy (a land trust) and chair of its education committee. This group brings programs and creates opportunities to teach environmental awareness and conservation values to school children and youth groups.
Favorite part of earning her certification? Christel liked that the Certification Program reinforced the values she grew up with in her native Germany. "Knowing that there are many like-minded individuals who are concerned about the natural world and our place in it," says Christel. "The young people I have met and their commitment to make this world a place where all can live in harmony especially impressed me."
Certification experience that stands out? What stands out to Christel was attending the EENC Conference "Renewing a Sense of Wonder" and being in the Long Leaf Pine Forest at Fort Bragg. "The seedlings I received are doing well here in the foothills of Western NC. They are a reminder of the importance of stewardship as we try to preserve what is left of our diverse flora and fauna," she says.
Her Action Partnership? Christel laid out a system of trails and supervised a chain saw gang as they built a hiking trail on an 85-acre tract of land protected by the Pacolet Area Conservancy. This trail has just been included in the guide for the NC Birding Trail - Mountain Region!
CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTEL!

Rich Bowerman

Hendersonville, NC (Henderson County)
What does he do? Rich works at the Mountain Trail Outdoor School located in the mountains of western North Carolina. He just completed his sixth season (third year) as the Program Coordinator and Instructor at MTOS and loves it! "As I am fond of telling people," says Rich, "I spend all day, every day outside teaching middle school (mostly) students environmental science and outdoor adventure."
Favorite part of earning his certification? Rich's favorite part of earning his certification was attending two, week-long workshops: Earth & Environmental Science for Middle/High School Educators through the Pisgah Forest Institute and Investigating Your Environment through the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources. He found both of these workshops to be extremely well-supported; offer first-rate instruction; and facilitate wonderful networking opportunities. "Mostly," says Rich, "they are just plain fun!"
Certification experience that stands out? Rich's favorite outdoor experience while earning his certification came at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education during a stream water quality sampling. "We caught a very large hellbender salamander and that threw our lesson plan out the window as we all struggled to land and examine the beast! This was a true “teachable moment” just like it happens with students. Great to be stomping around a stream on a summer afternoon looking at slimy creatures!"
His Action Partnership? For his action partnership, Rich developed a tree identification dichotomous key for the North Carolina Museum of Forestry in Whiteville and for Halyburton Park in Wilmington, North Carolina.
CONGRATULATIONS, RICH!

Sandy Riddle Bisdee

Durham, NC (Durham County)
What does she do? Sandy works for the Center for Education, Imagination and the Natural World where she serves as the Director for Children's Programs, the College Intern Coordinator and Organic Gardener.
Favorite part of earning her certification? Sandy's favorite part of earning her certification was the Environmental Education Learning Experiences (EELEs) offered by the State Parks.
Certification experience that stands out? "I enjoyed seeing the lovely, ribbon-like leeches, five inches long, in the headwaters of the Haw River," says Sandy.
Her Action Partnership? Sandy led a creek and trail restoration in the New Hope Creek Preserve.
CONGRATULATIONS, SANDY!

Sunmi Lee

Daejeon Metropolitan City, South Korea
What does she do? Sunmi works for the Korea Forest Service.
Favorite part of earning her certification? While earning her certification, Sunmi enjoyed getting to attend diverse workshops offered by different environmental education centers.
Certification experience that stands out? Sunmi says that what really stood out to her was attending so many state parks and discovering how different each one was from the next. "Each park has wonderful natural resources and unique programs," says Sunmi. "It was a surprise!"
Her Action Partnership? Sunmi worked with Jesse Perry from the NC Museum of Natural Sciences to install plant identification signs at the garden of the Korean Baptist Church in Raleigh.
CONGRATULATIONS, SUNMI!

Victoria Fields

High Point, NC (Davidson County)
What does she do? Victoria works as the Marina Operator for the City of High Point Parks and Recreation Department at Oak Hollow Lake. She is also am the Coordinator for the High Point Parks and Recreation Youth Education Program.
Favorite part of earning her certification? Victoria enjoyed visiting and learning about natural areas and parks systems across the state. "I have been inspired by teachers and students alike," says Victoria. "Their enthusiasm is contagious. It has renewed my love for the natural world and it has taught me that we all have a responsibility for its care and preservation."
Certification experience that stands out? Victoria's favorite outdoor experience was the Nocturnal Workshop held at Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center. She got quite a thrill being out in the wild at night, sighting, listening, tracking and even capturing a few photos of animals. "Being part of this magical and sometimes scary world was an experience that I will never forget," she says.
Her Action Partnership? She partnered with other groups to erect a Dog Waste Station at the City’s Oak Hollow Campground along with educational signs and cards about the importance of protecting the City’s Drinking Water. She hopes to expand the Dog Waste Stations to all park areas around the lake.
CONGRATULATIONS, VICTORIA!

Sarah Phillips

Beaufort, NC (Carteret County)
What does she do? Sarah is a Coastal Outreach Specialist with the North Carolina Coastal Federation.
Favorite part of earning her certification? While earning her EE Certification, Sarah enjoyed meeting and talking with other NC educators that have similar goals regarding the environment. "Many educators working on their EE certification are really trying to get students and adults to love the environment as much as they do!"
Certification experience that stands out? Sarah's favorite outdoor experience was the Leopold Education Project in Greensboro. She enjoys the creative side of education and really liked learning to appreciate the environment in non-formal ways.
Her Action Partnership? She organized and led two youth groups to create oyster shell bags that were placed along an island's eroding shoreline in the White Oak River in Carteret County. These oyster shells provide habitat for native oysters in the river and also protect the island from erosion from storms and boat wake.
CONGRATULATIONS, SARAH!

Staci Clark

Kannapolis, NC (Cabarrus County)
What does she do? Staci is an Environmental Educator with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation.
Favorite part of earning her certification? She enjoyed cooperating with Central Piedmont Community College as a partner organization to make a visual difference in the nature preserve.

Certification experience that stands out? Backpacking through the Pisgah National Forest
Her Action Partnership? Staci's project was to cooridinate and create a graphic design for a nature center logo, interpretive signs, light post banners, and exhibit signs to enhance information available for nature center guests.
CONGRATULATIONS, STACI!!!

John Sutton

Hickory, NC (Catawba County)
What does he do? John Sutton is the primary park ranger at Bakers Mountain Park for Catawba County Parks where his duties allow him to lead guided interpretive walks, host a variety of educational workshops and participate in outreach programs in schools and with special interest groups.


Favorite part of earning his certification? John's favorite part of earning his EE certification was the advanced dragonfly workshop with Scott Hartley and the avian point counts and community hikes with Tim Johnson and Alan Rogers of South Mountains State Park. John found the most valuable and useful part of his certification experience to be the plethora of activities available through PLT and Project Wild.
His Action Partnership? John's action partnership was to work with scouts and citizens to construct an interpretive trail system with signs and a kiosk as well as to remove invasive species and replace them with native species. He also created wildlife feeding stations for birds, butterflies and mammals. John attempted to place some of the stations and signs on the ADA trail. Even though his work is completed for my certification, John says that his action partnership project will continue to grow with the help of eagle scouts and hopefully with others that will set the goal for achieving their EE certification.
CONGRATULATIONS JOHN!!!

Katie Bender

Salisbury, NC (Rowan County)
What does she do? Katie just graduated from Catawba College and is currently job searching.
Favorite part of earning her certification? One of Katie's favorite things about earning her certificate was meeting new people and learning about what they do as well as learning new things with familiar friends. Fulfilling the various requirements also allowed her to learn many things about the people and places in North Carolina.
Her Action Partnership? Katie carried out her Action Partnership in conjunction with the Land Trust for Central North Carolina where she updated their display to better communicate information, accomplishments, and events to others.
CONGRATULATIONS, KATIE!!!

Charlotte Fletcher

Charlotte, NC (Mecklenberg County)
What does she do? Charlotte is an Instructional Assistant at Park Road Montessori, a public elementary school in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system. She teaches a mixed 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade class. Her responsibilities include leading a small group of students each day in a "green hour." This often means taking a nature walk along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, which is connected to the school property, or working in the classroom garden.

Favorite part of earning her certification? Her favorite part of working on her Environmental Education Certification was learning so many things she could use during these "green hours" and getting to know the wonderful natural resources of her city that, despite being a Charlotte native, she'd never experienced.
Her Action Partnership? Charlotte's Action Partnership included working with volunteers to develop hiking trails, remove invasive plants, label plants, make a map and put up signage for RibbonWalk Nature Preserve, a 155-acre urban forest located 4 miles from Charlotte's Center City.
CONGRATULATIONS CHARLOTTE!!!

Pamela Bowman

Statesville, NC (Iredell County)
What does she do? Pamela is a teacher at North Iredell High School. She primarily teaches biology.
Favorite part of earning her certification? Her favorite part of earning her EE Certification was the Becoming an Outdoor Woman workshop that was offered by the Wildlife Resources Commission. "I love to camp," says Pamela, "and that workshop provided me with so many more skills to make camping more enjoyable."
Her Action Partnership? Pamela's Action Partnership involved designing and placing interpretive signs in Riverbend Park (Catawba County). The signs are meant to educate the public about invasive species and the park's forest restoration project.
CONGRATULATIONS PAMELA!!!

Daniel Schewlakow

Raleigh, NC (Wake County)

What does he do: Daniel is a Park Ranger at William B. Umstead State Park.

Favorite part of earning his certification: His favorite park of earning his EE certification was traveling to all of the different areas of the state where trainings were held and meeting lots of other environmental educators.

His Action Partnership: For his action partnership, Daniel built and renovated a picnic area so that people would have a place to enjoy the outdoors.
CONGRATULATIONS, DANIEL!