Kasey Schollenberger

What do you do? 
I am currently a graduate student in UNCW 's Environmental Studies department. I am concentrating in Marine and Coastal Education and Coastal Management.

What was your favorite part of earning your certification?
I really enjoyed going to the criteria I workshops. Although hard to find in my area, they were well worth it. I am now working with the environmental studies department to bring more workshops to the coast.




What certification experience stands out for you? 
Working with Mike Campbell in the WILD workshops.

What was your community partnership project and how did it affect the community?
I worked with UNCW's MarineQuest to develope curriculum for young students around the community. It is a Saturday program that brings kids from around the area to learn about marine science.

Sarah Ludwig

What do you do? 
I teach and plan field-based lessons on redwood forest ecology and marine ecology to groups of 12-16 students. I supervise, counsel, and evaluate high school cabin leaders and lead large group activities such as meals, campfire skits, dances, and beach day preparation programs. Basically I get kids excited about being outside and becoming more curious/observant about the natural world! Hobbies: Traveling, ukulele, contra dancing, rock climbing, African hand-drumming, backpacking, a capella music, scuba diving.

What was your favorite part of earning your certification? 
My community partnership project! I loved learning about the tree species in the area where I grew up and sharing that knowledge with others.

What certification experience stands out for you? 
An Educator Trek with the Museum of Natural Sciences on the NC coast. I was in awe of the carnivorous plants of the longleaf pine ecosystem! We also watched a beautiful sunrise while birding near Beaufort.

What was your community partnership project and how did it affect the community? 
I worked with Mountain Heritage High School (my own alma mater, located in Burnsville, NC) to prepare and implement an interactive tree ID guide for their new nature trail. The trial leads around campus to an outdoor classroom and is accessible by any community user group. The tree ID guide identifies 16 native trees (each marked by wooden posts) and provides interesting facts about their natural history and human use. As more community members learn about the trail and guide, its impact will grow and allow more locals to get to know common tree species.

Misty Varnell

What do you do? 
Currently, I work in a Registrar's office, where my duties are administrative in nature. I am also completing a master's degree in environmental education. In my free time, I enjoy being outside, from hiking to rock climbing to gardening. I am beginning to explore careers in teaching (public/charter/private schools), extension, and other educationally-related fields. I love working with people and seeing faces light up when they learn a new skill or a concept finally clicks.

What was your favorite part of earning your certification?
I liked to workshops (Project WILD, etc.) and the outdoor experience hours best!

What certification experience stands out for you? 
I completed a large portion of my requirements through graduate school. My most memorable teaching experience was taking my grad school cohort to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska (part of our summer ecosystems trip/capstone course). I was in as much awe of the glacier as they were, but it was exciting to see everyone's enthusiasm to soak up the beauty and learn about the natural history of the area.

What was your community partnership project and how did it affect the community? 
I coordinated the first Arbor Day Celebration for the Town of Montreat - an event that will become annual in conjunction with the Native Plant Sale. One direct benefit is that the Town is applying for Tree City USA status, and one of the criteria is to celebrate Arbor Day. The Arbor Day event was educationally-oriented and involved several local experts and agencies. As a result of the Arbor Day event, the Town brought back one of the NC Forest Rangers to educate summer residents on "FireWise" landscaping. The Arbor Day event also publicly highlighted Montreat's efforts to combat the hemlock woolly adelgid.