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

NOTE: This blog post is time-sensitive and may not be applicable at the time of reading. A huge THANK YOU to several members of the EE community for helping bring all of this information together. Questions, comments, and concerns can be directed to Will Freund, EENC Board President, will@eenc.org . MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15 UPDATE : At the end of June, the North Carolina General Assembly appointed a conferee committee of House and Senate members to work out the differences between their proposed budgets for the next fiscal year. Since that time, we have not received any concrete updates on the status of funding for the North Carolina Office of Environmental Education. That being said, we have received a statement from the Office of EE that we wanted to share. We wanted to provide you with an update on the status of the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs in the state budget. The General Assembly has passed a mini budget that does not include eliminating or moving the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs. The General Assembly is currently stalled on the budget process, and we do not know when or if the full budget will be approved. Thank you for all the support that the Office has received from educators across the state. The Office continues to be a part of the conversation because of the advocacy that you all, as a community, have done. Thank you for speaking up to protect such an integral part of the environmental education community here in North Carolina. That does not mean that our work is done yet. Until the final bill is passed and signed by Gov. Stein, there is still a chance that we will need to call upon you again to call your representatives and advocate for funding for the Office. Stay tuned for more updates in the future. FRIDAY, JUNE 20 UPDATE : Over 40 organizations have now signed the letter in support of funding for the Office of Environmental Education. Thank you! Your voices, both individually and at an organizational level, are and will make a difference. We are getting reports that the NC General Assembly and the budget negotiations are at a stalemate, and will be put on pause until after the July 4th holiday break. Although the NC House's version of the budget did include funding for the Office of EE, the NC Senate still needs to align its version of the budget for it to be voted on and sent to Governor Stein. With that, EENC will hold off on sending the signed organizational letters until deliberation resumes and representatives are in their offices to receive and respond to our messages. If you have not done so yet, and have the capacity to do so, we encourage you to reach out to your NC House representatives and THANK them for ensuring funding for the Office of EE. We asked them to act, they did, and now we need to thank them for listening to us. Here is the link to the spreadsheet  again, if you need it, with contact information for your representatives in the NC General Assembly.  If you want more updates in your email on this issue, we encourage you to sign up for the NC-EE listserv , where members of our community have shared more updates. This list is open to anyone with an interest in environmental education in North Carolina. It is moderated by the N.C. Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs. Posts for environmental education and workshops, job opportunities, new resources, programs, and environmental education conferences and events are welcome. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4 UPDATE: EENC has launched an organizational sign-on letter advocating for financial support of the Office of EE that will be sent to members of the NC Senate. After so many individuals have spoken up, we want to make sure that the organizations in North Carolina have a chance to make their voices heard! If your organization would like to participate in this important effort to advocate for funding for the Office of EE, please follow the link below to fill out the  Google Form  and add your organization to the list of signatories. Although we appreciate the support of individuals, please note that we are collecting signatures from  organizational signatures only  for this effort. The deadline to add your organization to this letter is next   Wednesday, June 11th, 2025 . You can read the full text of the letter by  clicking here . Sign the Letter! WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 UPDATE : Tuesday afternoon, the House put forth a revised budget that reinstates "...all functions, powers, and operations" of the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs under the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources . You can  read all about it here  on page 316. This is really good news, but our work is not done! 1.  We need to THANK the representatives that made this happen . Advocacy must go both ways... the representatives heard the concerns and took a positive action for our EE community - so we need to  show our appreciation before Thursday afternoon . Wednesday and Thursday: Call/Email (or both!) all the people you reached out to and express your sincere thanks for reinstating the Office of Environmental Education in the budget.  Here is the link to the spreadsheet  again if you need it.  Didn't feel comfortable calling and expressing your concerns or didn't have time earlier this week to make a call or send an email? Consider taking a few moments to express your thank you for their support! 2. Remember, the Office of EE is NOT in the Senate budget, so  we will need to come out in force again to let our state senators know why they should support the office . Keep an out for the next call to action that will probably occur for the first week of June. The House/Senate will most likely put forth consensus members for each chamber that will iron out any details before voting on a final budget appropriations bill to be signed by the Governor. By law, this must occur by June 15 .  WEDNESDAY, MAY 16 UPDATE: This is an update and call for action on the state budget funding situation concerning the removal of funding for the North Carolina Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs from the currently proposed North Carolina House budget  set to be voted on the week of May 19th . We need you to speak up for the Office of EE and show how important and impactful their work is in your work, your community, and around the state. Why is this important?  Environmental education empowers students to understand and address the pressing environmental challenges of our time. The Office of Environmental Education manages our state's EE Certification program, provides an email Listserv resource, hosts an environmental education job board, the Lunchtime Discovery series, the annual Nonformal Educators meeting in partnership with the Department of Public Instruction, maintains a website that serves as a clearinghouse for all the programs and EE opportunities across the state, and much more. It’s a small investment with a massive impact. Eliminating this office would undermine decades of progress in fostering an informed and engaged citizenry. The Office of Environmental Education is a critical partner for EENC and so many other organizations and individuals across the state and throughout the region. We need YOU as someone who cares about the future of environmental education and the importance of the work that the Office of EE does, to speak up and contact your elected officials to tell them to ensure funding for this Office now and in the future.  Below, you will find a list of links to documents, committees, and the budget related to the upcoming NC House and Senate deliberations. These committees will be meeting early next week (starting Monday, May 19) to start budget negotiations. The key committees are linked below. The next few days will be a critical timeframe for hearing from constituents, LIKE YOU! We have heard from a legislative liaison, and this is what they had to share: It is urgent that people actively reach out to the legislative members of the committees we have mentioned below, because if they hear from hundreds of people, the issue will have to be taken up for discussion in committee.  It is also imperative that people reach out to the Speaker of the House, Representative Destin Hall , and the President Pro Tem, Senator Phil Berger . All Documents:   North Carolina General Assembly (HOUSE) - Appropriations, Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources House Standing Committee   Budget: https://webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewDocSiteFile/99061   Committees: House Committee on Appropriations - https://www.ncleg.gov/Committees/CommitteeInfo/HouseStanding/6     Senate Committee on Appropriations/Base Budget Standing - https://www.ncleg.gov/Committees/CommitteeInfo/SenateStanding/136     Senate Committee on Appropriations on Agriculture, Natural, and Economic Resources - https://www.ncleg.gov/Committees/CommitteeInfo/SenateStanding/145   House Appropriations Committee on Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources - https://www.ncleg.gov/Committees/CommitteeInfo/HouseStanding/12  - FOCUS ON COMMITTEE CHAIRS If you aren't certain who your representative is,   visit this website and enter your address . Just be certain you have NC HOUSE selected. Know who your representative is, but not their contact information? Check out this spreadsheet with contact information for the four key committees that people need to reach out to, and also the Speaker of the House and the House Pro Tem. EENC has created   this email template  you can use for your communications. We have faced this challenge before - in 2011 and in 2017 - and work from the EE Community and supporters saved this vital office, and we can do it again! For more context, you can read our previous blog post related to this issue: Unless: Your Voice Can Make A Difference for EE in North Carolina .

Get to know our small but mighty staff team and our dedicated Board of Directors. Meet our Staff and Board Michelle Pearce Programming Lead About Michelle 2025 Board of Directors Will Freund President will@eenc.org Krista Brinchek Central Section Chair krista@eenc.org LaKyla Hodges Western Section Chair lakyla@eenc.org Tamara Kelly Member-At-Large tamara@eenc.org Kyra Thurow Bartow Past President kyra@eenc.org Cynthia Peedin President-Elect cynthia@eenc.org Ali Huber-Disla Member-At-Large alexandria@eenc.org Harrison Jackson Member-At-Large harrison@eenc.org Breanna Walker Treasurer breanna@eenc.org Erin Carroll Member-At-Large erin@eenc.org Noah Upchurch Piedmont Section Chair noah@eenc.org Tim Goodale Eastern Section Chair timothy@eenc.org Jessica Stitt Member-At-Large jessica@eenc.org Hillary Harrison Secretary hillary@eenc.org Nicole Warren Member-At-Large nicole@eenc.org The Board of Directors for Environmental Educators of North Carolina is elected by the membership and oversees the organization. Board members plan the annual conference, help develop partnerships, seek funding for the organization, lead advocacy initiatives, and set and manage the annual budget for the organization. Board positions are volunteer-based with two-year terms. The EENC Nomination Committee has closed applications for the 2026 Board of Directors. EENC Committees EENC accomplishes our work through collaboration between staff and board members. We currently have four committees that are chaired by board members that further our mission work. Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Chair: LaKyla Hodges Email LaKyla Events & Outreach Chair: Erin Carroll Email Erin Finance & Development Chair: Breanna Walker Email Breanna Governance Chair: Cynthia Peedin Email Cynthia

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.

Find your environmental education community in North Carolina with EENC! Take a workshop, build connections, become a member, apply for funding, and more... EENC Find your community . The Final Campaign of 2025 is Here! Help EENC continue to build a stronger environmental education network to meet today's challenges. Support our Work Let's Learn Together Mon, Oct 20 Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Environmental Education – Online Course / Details Oct 20, 2025, 9:00 AM – Dec 19, 2025, 5:00 PM Online Course This course is designed to provide a strong foundation in the language, concepts and principles of equity work for environmental educators and environmental professionals. Mon, Nov 03 Accessible by Nature: Designing EE to Support All Learners / Details Nov 03, 2025, 9:00 AM – Dec 19, 2025, 5:00 PM Online Course We hope this course will inspire you to strengthen your pedagogical practices so they are more welcoming, inclusive and accessible for all learners. Mon, Dec 01 Methods of Teaching Environmental Education Online Workshop (MOTEE) / Details Dec 01, 2025, 9:00 AM – Dec 19, 2025, 6:00 PM Online Course Helps practitioners create inclusive and age-appropriate learning experiences, gain group management skills, practice teaching methods to promote inquiry, and gain skills in designing objectives, lessons, and assessments for EE programs using NC Essential Standards as a foundation. Sun, Dec 14 EENC GrEEn Holiday Crafting / RSVP Dec 14, 2025, 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM Annie Louise Wilkerson Nature Preserve, 5229 Awls Haven Dr, Raleigh, NC 27614, USA A fun, relaxing afternoon with other EENC members plus some yummy snacks! Thu, Jan 01 EENC Book Club / RSVP Jan 01, 2026, 8:00 AM – Jun 18, 2026, 8:00 PM Online Course Join EENC's semi-annual book club for monthly connection and conversation around some great eco-forward titles. Mon, Jan 19 NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence Workshop: Environmental Educator Knowledge and Skills, Thursday PM Section / Buy Tickets Jan 19, 2026, 9:00 AM – Jan 30, 2026, 5:30 PM Workshop This workshop will focus on the newly revised Environmental Educator Knowledge and Skills Guidelines for Excellence publication (formerly Professional Development Guidelines for Excellence). Lates t News Collaborative Connections: Notes from EENC's Annual Organization Leaders Meeting 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 resilie Nov 14 Recognizing Excellence in 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. Sep 22 EENC Joins EarthShare NC EarthShare NC's Nonprofit Members represent the breadth of work needed to take care of the people and natural treasures that make North... Sep 14 Announcing the Release of EENC’s 2025-2027 Strategic Plan The Environmental Educators of North Carolina is thrilled to share our newest Strategic Plan. Aug 14 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 Speaking Up for the NC Office of EE NOTE: This blog post is time-sensitive and may not be applicable at the time of reading. A huge THANK YOU to several members of the EE... May 16 1 2 3 4 5 “I joined EENC shortly after moving to North Carolina. Coming from an environmental education background, I knew that the best way to make connections with other professionals in the field would be through this organization. EENC provides numerous opportunities to network, build community, and to feel supported. During my time as a member I have had the opportunity to meet and learn from so many talented individuals in conservation and conservation education, and this has certainly helped me grow as an educator.” -Breanna Walker, 2023 Board Piedmont Section Chair Champion Sponsor