This week, EENC's Board of Directors and staff met for their first Board Meeting of 2026 and to kick off our Emerald Jubilee, celebrating our 35th anniversary as a nonprofit organization. At this meeting, we welcomed six new amazing individuals as they start their tenure helping lead the Environmental Educators of North Carolina forward into the future. Each of these individuals submitted their applications, interviewed with Board leadership, proposed to the whole Board, and was overwhelmingly approved by members. Here is a little more about these champions for environmental education. Sydney Danby Piedmont Section Chair I am excited to join the E.E. team to be able to use my experience and knowledge to help other environmental educators be the best we all can be! Helping future generations understand the importance of our natural resources has always been my top academic and professional goal. I also bring experience in international agricultural education, which focused heavily on hands-on approaches to learning. Fun Fact: I have travelled to 12 countries and lived abroad with a farming family in the Alps! Emily Behr Central Section Chair I’m so excited to join the board as the Central Section Chair! Environmental Education is so important to youth development and supporting our next generation of environmental stewards. I can’t wait to build connections across central North Carolina, share ideas, and inspire others who care deeply about this work. Fun Fact: Before I got into youth development work, I worked in music and helped Elijah Wood start a record label called Simian Records. Brooke Wilson Board Member at Large I am excited to get a chance to work with an amazing group of Environmental Educators. I look forward to hopefully contributing towards the advancement of this field and making a difference on the board by helping to raise awareness for our initiatives, assisting with the planning of conferences and other events, and helping EENC grow and advance towards its overall goals. Fun Fact: I have spent the majority of my career in some form of a Zookeeper role. I have cared for a wide variety of animals from Manatees and Sea Turtles to Red Wolves and Black Bears. Rachel Bentley Board Member at Large I am excited to join the Board of Directors as a Board Member-at-Large and help further EENC’s mission, work collaboratively with educators across all regions of North Carolina, and give back to the community that has inspired and supported me throughout my professional journey. Fun Fact: I am an avid birder. My all-time favorite bird is a Great Blue Heron! Lauren Daniel Board Member at Large I’m excited to support a statewide network of environmental stewards dedicated to connecting communities with nature through education. Fun Fact: I’m a US Coast Guard approved boat captain (OUPV) and my favorite activity is exploring Eastern NC estuaries with my husband, son, and dog, Otis. Erika Young Board Member at Large I am excited to join the board of EENC! I look forward to serving and collaborating with so many passionate educators! I am proud to be a supporter of environmental education for ALL individuals, as we say in Sea Grant, from K-GRAY! Fun Fact: I am a potter and sculptor and have won a few ribbons and awards! Needless to say, EENC is honored to have such an amazing group of individuals join this organization and further our mission to build connections, provide professional development, and promote excellence for North Carolina's community of environmental educators. This crew is hitting the ground running with all of the exciting things we have planned for 2026 and beyond. From book clubs to new workshops and so much more, we are so excited for what's ahead. You can meet all of EENC's Board of Directors and staff by clicking here . In Community, Will Freund EENC Past-President

Presentation slides used for the meeting featuring different discussion topics EENC hosted its Annual Organization Leadership Meeting this week, bringing together staff from the Organizational Members for conversation and collaboration. This year's conversation started with participants sharing their Roses, Thorns, and Buds for their programs and organizations this year. We heard stories of celebration around taking on new positions and programs, as well as stories of resilience and return after the impacts of Helene and budget roadblocks. While there were also tales of struggle around turnover and transitions with staff, and limitations on the Americorps program budgeting as well as state budgeting, we also learned that there are so many exciting new programs coming up in 2026 for all of the participants! Attendees shared challenges and success around staff recruitment and retention: How often to hire seasonal staff? How to keep staff engaged and committed to the organization? What are some successful ways everyone has built connection in their teams? We also learned about some of the amazing partnerships that are happening across the state, bringing new audiences to each location and/or taking that organization's programs to the communities. Some partners included the TEACCH Autism Program from Chapel Hill, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the NC State Extension offices, and shared contracts with private companies for property use and programming in order to gain additional income. The final "Hot Topic" included shared updates from the NAAEE Conference, and specifically the conversations around AI and EE: ethics, best practices, and how to use it. There will be more details coming from the NAAEE Affiliate Network after the new year, and in the meantime, EENC is planning a webinar presentation on this topic. We want to hear from you! Are you working for an EE organziation that could use some collaboration and feedback from likeminded or mission aligned organizations? Please consider joining EENC at the Organizational Membership Level , and be part of the conversation!

From left to right: Lisa Rider, Melanie Buckingham, Susan Sachs, and Sarah Goldsmith | Credit: Keith Bamberger For years, EENC has had the pleasure and opportunity to recognize and award individuals nominated by their peers, and this year is no exception. These awards are meant to recognize members, organizations, partners, and leaders who exemplify service, creativity, ingenuity, and contribution to the field of environmental education. On Saturday, September 20, 2025, the Environmental Educators of North Carolina held their annual awards ceremony during their conference at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College in Asheville, North Carolina. The awards ceremony was moderated by Will Freund, EENC Board President, and included a panel discussion with all of the award winners. This year, EENC presented four awards to the following individuals. Credit: Keith Bamberger Outstanding Newcomer - Sarah Goldsmith Outstanding Newcomer recognizes an EENC member of five years or less who has made significant contributions to EENC during their short time with EENC. This person really shows what it means to be a rising star in the field of environmental education. Through her work with Wake County Parks, Sarah has developed and led over 100 unique programs annually for homeschool groups, schools, dementia care homes, and outreach organizations, reaching more than 3,000 students each year. She brings environmental education to life in both formal and non-formal settings, from leading summer camps and bilingual “Tiny Tots” nature programs to launching the county’s first Sensory Programming initiative for adults with differing abilities.  As a Project WET Facilitator and part-time educator at the Agape Center for Environmental Education, she also provides training and inspiration for fellow educators. She creates very engaging and unique, accessible educational materials, including grab-and-go Discovery Backpacks that help with environmental literacy for park visitors of all ages. Her passion for inclusivity and community engagement is shown in her partnerships with groups like Activate Good, South Wake Conservationists, 4-H, and the Wake County Animal Shelter, where she founded and continues to lead the “Tails and Trails” dog adoption event promoting responsible pet care and adoption. Currently working on her Certified Park and Recreation Professional certification as well as becoming a certified wildlife rehabilitator for opossums.  She is a frequent contributor to NC Recreation & Park Association’s Recre8 and NRPA magazines. Sarah has quickly become a leader in her field, known for her high energy, collaboration, and dedication to creating a more environmentally aware and inclusive community all around the triangle! Outstanding Practitioner - Melanie Buckingham Outstanding Practitioner recognizes a member of EENC who works regularly as an environmental educator, lending their skills to the growing body of environmental education as a profession. This individual has made significant contributions to EENC through statewide participation, leadership in their region, and being an advocate for high quality education through how they teach, live, and do. Credit: Keith Bamberger This person is an amazing environmental educator and has helped not only me but everyone lucky enough to visit Kathleen Clay Edwards’ Library in Greensboro, North Carolina. She has brought so many classes to her branch and has always been a great source of information. She has encouraged so many people to pursue their EE certification and follow their passions for the field of environmental education. I don’t think I could be doing this without her support. EENC Board President, Will Freund, moderates a panel discussion with the award recipients. Exceptional Environmental Education Program - Coastal Carolina Riverwatch The Exceptional EE Program award recognizes a program, organization, or center that brings environmental education to the public in great, new, and/or exceptional ways. Credit: Keith Bamberger This award was accepted by Lisa Rider, Executive Director of Coastal Carolina Riverwatch. This is a grassroots nonprofit organization working to protect the quality of water and quality of life in coastal North Carolina. Their mission is centered on supporting clean water through community science, education, and advocacy. They serve the White Oak River Basin, including the Crystal Coast and New River regions, where they engage residents, students, and decision-makers in efforts to address pressing water quality concerns. A core part of their work focuses on making environmental education accessible, relevant, and grounded in local issues. Through their educator resources, they provide free, standards-aligned materials that support North Carolina Essential Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. These include downloadable lesson plans, interactive Google Classroom activities, and opportunities for classroom visits. Their educational programming covers topics such as landforms, watersheds, harmful algal blooms, pollution sources, and sea level rise. These resources are designed to help teachers incorporate local environmental topics into their curriculum and to engage students in meaningful, science-based learning experiences. In addition to resources for teachers, they offer in-class demonstrations such as the EnviroScape watershed model. These hands-on experiences help students visualize the connections between land use and water quality. Their staff are available to visit classrooms and community groups to talk about environmental issues and solutions that matter to coastal North Carolinians. By bringing science and advocacy into educational spaces, CCRW empowers the next generation with the tools and knowledge they need to protect their local environment. Environmental Educator of the Year - Susan Sachs EE of the Year recognizes an educator who stands out among environmental educators as a professional who exemplifies excellence in EE and lends credibility to the field. Through valuable contributions and professionalism, the environmental educator is regarded as an ideal example that other EE practitioners should strive to emulate. Credit: Keith Bamberger It is hard to find a science educator in Western North Carolina who has not learned to be a better science educator from Susan Sachs, either directly or through one of her many employees, partners, or others she has mentored over decades at the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Each day she works to improve public awareness, developing materials and training for educators, and helps create both a scientifically literate public, as well as a connection to the Southern Appalachians and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Susan has played a pivotal role in helping educators incorporate culturally responsive teaching and place-based education tied to the unique ecology and history of the Smokies. This is beyond just Purchase Knob but is true for the entire park, and has moved into the NPS through the capillary action or engaging learning and teaching.  As much as every other accomplishment and accolade, Susan Sachs's more significant contribution to EENC and the environmental education community is as a mentor. By leading by example and working with school-aged students, teachers, interns, Americorp members, seasonal, temporary, and full-time NPS employees, and all others who come through her door, she has created a healthy educational ecosystem in the park and throughout the southeast. She works directly with or through her staff, hundreds of teachers and educators each year, and likely tens of thousands of students. And she has been doing this for two and a half decades. She quietly shares methods of teaching complex ecological systems and climate science into engaging, hands-on learning experiences. In closing, EENC is honored to be able to award and recognize those who are exemplary examples of the field of environmental education in North Carolina and across the region. If you know someone you would like to nominate for an award in the future, nominations for next year's awards will open in July 2026. We cannot give out these awards if those in our community do not nominate them. A special thank you to craftsman and educator Jonathan Marchal for creating such beautiful awards for EENC for so many years. We deeply appreciate your work. Credit: Keith Bamberger

Thank you for your interest in joining EENC's Board of Directors! Join Our Board The EENC Nomination Committee has opened applications for the 2026 Board of Directors! Thank you for your interest in a position on the Environmental Educators of North Carolina Board of Directors. Please complete this form to allow us to learn more about your interests and qualifications. Click the link below to complete the application, or scroll further down to fill it out on this page. If you have any questions about specific positions, serving on the board in general, OR need to submit responses in an alternative format, don't hesitate to get in touch with Kyra Thurow Bartow, EENC Past-President, kyra@eenc.org. Do you know someone with skills that would complement our organization's mission? Please send their contact information to Kyra. Click Here to Complete the Board Application Position Description Position Overview Key Responsibilities Qualifications Terms and Compensation Position Overview: Board Members at EENC play a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of the organization. By utilizing their expertise, commitment, and passion, they contribute to realizing EENC's mission of building connections, providing professional development, and promoting excellence for North Carolina's environmental educators. As a board member, you will actively engage in decision-making, collaborate with fellow board members, and provide oversight to ensure the organization's values and objectives are upheld. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership: Contribute to the development and refinement of EENC's strategic plan, ensuring alignment with the organization's mission and long-term goals. Governance and Oversight: Participate in board meetings, offering insights on critical decisions, policies, and initiatives. Uphold the highest ethical standards and ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations when applicable. Financial Stewardship: Review and approve EENC's budget, financial reports, and audits. Monitor financial performance to ensure responsible fiscal management. Advocacy and Resource Development: Support fundraising efforts by leveraging personal networks, identifying potential donors or partners, and actively participating in fundraising campaigns and events. Community Engagement: Act as an advocate for EENC, raising awareness about its mission and impact within the community. Attend public events, engage with stakeholders, and foster connections. Risk Management: Identify potential risks and collaborate with fellow board members and staff to implement strategies that mitigate these risks while ensuring the organization's success. Collaborative Approach: Work closely with other board members, the executive director, and staff, cultivating a collaborative environment that embraces diverse perspectives to achieve organizational goals. Committee Engagement: Contribute your expertise to relevant board committees (e.g., finance, advocacy, program) as needed to address specific areas of focus. Term and Compensation: Board members typically serve renewable terms, with each term lasting 2-3 years depending on the position. Time commitment varies, with Board Members at Large typically serving approximately 10 hours per month. This is a voluntary role without monetary compensation. However, it provides an invaluable opportunity to contribute to a significant cause and make a lasting impact on the environmental education community. Qualifications: Passion for Mission: A genuine dedication to EENC's mission and objectives, with a strong desire to contribute positively to the environmental education community. Expertise: Relevant experience or skills in areas such as environmental education, nonprofit management, advocacy, fundraising, or related fields. Leadership Abilities: Ability to think strategically, make informed decisions, and collaborate effectively within a diverse team. Effective Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, along with the capability to professionally represent EENC and cultivate relationships with stakeholders. Time Commitment: Willingness to dedicate the necessary time for board meetings, committee participation, and additional responsibilities as required. Integrity: Demonstrated commitment to ethical conduct and upholding EENC's core values.

Donor support directly enables us to take action in pursuit of our mission to support and advocate on behalf of North Carolina's community of environmental educators. Thank you. Donate Make a Donation Invest in environmental education by making a n online donation directly to EENC by completing the form on the left. We also accept donations via check at the below address: Environmental Educators of North C arolina 150 Highlands Sq Dr #1034, Hendersonville, NC 28792 To coordinate ACH or wire-transfer gifts, contact operations@eenc.org . Learn about our Donor Recognition Tiers here. Explore our Sponsorship opportunities here. Learn more about our Legacy Giving program here. Get to know our community of 2023 Donors here. Everyone benefits from environmental education. Your donation helps EENC provide low-cost and free training for educators, collaborate with partners to advance our field, and work to make environmental education more equitable and inclusive. EENC wants to change the world by: Providing professional development and networking for educators Diversifying the field of environmental education Bringing together like-minded organizations to increase capacity Promoting excellence in environmental education As a learner, teacher, parent, or community member, you can play a critical role in helping people access the intellectual, personal, and social benefits of environmental education. As a society, we are facing huge environmental, social, and economic issues. The author Richard Louv spoke at our conference in 2016 and summed it up with a JAWS reference: We’re gonna need a bigger boat. Will you be a part of EENC’s bigger boat? Your gift of any size brings us another step closer to achieving our vision of an environmentally literate community.

EENC Members have the exclusive opportunity to apply for our annual mini-grants. Mini-Grant Program 2026 Mini-Grant applications are now OPEN. What difference would $250 make for your teaching? Could it pay for that workshop you’ve been dreaming of taking? Materials for a professional development course you want to facilitate? Resources for an environmental education project in your community? EENC recognizes that in our field, sometimes a little bit goes a long way in making a difference for the teachers, non-formal educators, government employees, students and volunteers we work with. Open to all paying members of EENC, the goal of this grant is to provide support to promote excellence in environmental education across North Carolina. EENC awards mini-grants annually; accepted proposals can range from $50 to $250. Members may submit one proposal per year, either on their own behalf or on behalf of an organization or school. Funding will be distributed on a reimbursement basis to awardees after their p ro jects are completed. What You Can Apply For: Anything that would promote excellence for environmental education in NC, including but not limited to: professional development course fees, substitute teacher fees to allow professional development attendance, student field trip fees, educational books or m aterials for facility/classroom/workshop, garden resources, staff time to deliver programming to a new audience, etc. Eligibility Criteria: Our Mini-Grant Program is a member benefit . Professional, Student, Senior, New to EE, Life, and all Organizational Members may apply. The 2026 mini-grant application will be open from Sunday, March 1st, through Tuesday, March 31st at 11:59 PM; all applicants will be notified of their status in mid-April. Funded projects must take place within the 2026 calendar year. The 2026 EENC Mini-Grant program is made possible by the generous support of the EENC donor community. Without their continued and ongoing support, we would not be able to provide this opportunity. Past Mini-Grant Application Cycles and Awardees Announcing EENC’s 2025 Mini-Grant Awardees Now in its 7th year, we are excited to continue our successful mini-grant program in supporting the teachers, non-formal educators, government employees, students, and volunteers we work with across North Carolina. Jun 15, 2025 Meet EENC's 2024 Mini-Grant Awardees Map of all mini-grant awardees to date, with orange pins representing the 2024 awardees. It's the best time of year – the time when we... Mar 26, 2024 Reflections and Accomplishments from The First Five Years of EENC's Mini-Grant Program 2023 marks the fifth year of EENC’s mini-grant program, an innovative, equity-driven member benefit that promotes excellence in... Dec 27, 2023 Celebrating 2023’s EENC Mini-Grant Awardees Each year, EENC awards mini-grants of $50-$250 to support members’ environmental education efforts. This year’s six awardees used this... Dec 8, 2023 Congratulations to our 2023 Mini-Grant Winners! EENC recognizes that in our field, sometimes a little bit goes a long way in making a difference for the teachers, non-formal educators,... Apr 7, 2023 2023 Mini-Grants for EENC Members Open for Proposals What difference would $250 make for your teaching? Could it pay for that workshop you’ve been dreaming of taking? Materials for a... Jan 18, 2023 Celebrating 2022 EENC Mini-Grant Winners Each year, EENC awards mini-grants to ranging from $50 to $250. This year’s nine winners used this funding for school gardens, community... Dec 9, 2022 Announcing 2022 Mini-Grant Winners Congratulations to the 10 educators of this year’s mini-grant! This Earth Day, EENC is thrilled to announce that we're helping 10 EENC... Apr 22, 2022 Now Accepting Proposals: 2022 EENC Mini-Grant What difference would $250 make for your teaching? Could it pay for that workshop you’ve been dreaming of taking? Materials for a... Feb 10, 2022 Sharing Successes from 2021 Mini-Grant Awardees This year EENC awarded our third year of funding through our annual mini-grant program! These grants provided up to $250 to cover time, ... Dec 20, 2021 Announcing 2021 Mini-Grant Winners EENC is thrilled to announce that we're helping 11 educators from across our state in the third year of our mini-grant program. With... Apr 15, 2021 2021 Mini-Grant Application Opens What difference would $250 make for your teaching? Could it pay for that workshop you’ve been dreaming of taking? Materials for a... Jan 11, 2021 Congratulations to our 2020 Mini-Grant Recipients! Wow what a year! When EENC announced our mini-grant winners back in April, none of us had any idea of what the year ahead would look... Dec 15, 2020 Announcing 2020 Mini-Grant Winners! Environmental education is not cancelled! EENC is thrilled to announce that we're helping 10 educators from across our state take on EE... Apr 17, 2020 Apply now for 2020 Mini-Grant! What difference would $250 make for your teaching? Could it pay for that workshop you’ve been dreaming of taking? Materials for a... Jan 24, 2020 Celebrating EENC's First Mini-Grant Awardees 2019 has been a big year for EENC. We've launched lot's of new resources and events - but this was also the first year we've awarded... Dec 20, 2019 Congratulations to Our First Mini-Grant Recipients! After a detailed review by a committee of EENC life members and board members, we are proud to announce the recipients of EENC's... Apr 11, 2019