EENC's Annual Conference has always had the goal of bringing together educators for idea sharing, networking, and an overall good time. For over 30 years, the conference has celebrated the different regions of the state, highlighting the amazing EE Centers and natural areas from the mountains in the west to the coastal plain of the east, and everything in between. As the organization has grown, and more educators across the state have come to rely on the Annual Conference as a keystone gathering to explore best practices in Environmental Education, the importance of financial access has become critical. Each year one of the highlights of the conference has been the Silent Auction. Dozens of items are donated by local and regional businesses and artists. Even members of the EENC community bring items of their own creation like pottery, needlefelting, and quilts. These "celebritEEs" have created such a following that conference attendees come to wait around the tables to see what that year's donated items will be! From the opening of the auction after the welcoming remarks, to the close just before the banquet, conference goers stop by the tables to bid on items and check to see if a friend has tried to out-bid them since their last walk through. Now in our digital age, in addtion to the live items, attendees can find some bigger ticket items on our online auction platform: beach houses, winery tours, and zoo passes, OH MY!. All this FUN-draising serves a bigger purpose: to fill the Conference Scholarship Fund. In the last five years alone, EENC's Silent Auction has raised over $15,000. This has financially supported 109 conference registrations for either full attendance or partial attendance. This also includes the Inclusion Scholarship, provided to support racial equity in the field of Environmental Education in North Carolina. So when great stuff is donated, great money is raised, and the great people of our community are able to attend the conference. The Scholarship Application is open now through July 5. Conference registration opens on June 10! Will you be the first one registered? Don't forget to check the box "Yes" for bringing a Silent Auction item to support the Scholarship Fund, and who knows, maybe you'll be the next "celebritEE"!

Since its rollout in 2022, the Universal Design for Environmental Education course designed by EENC, California AEOE, and Silvers Linings, PLLC has served 125 educators in North Carolina, and is now hosted in California, Pennsylvania, and Arkansas, totaling 211 participants so far. It will also be offered in Alberta, Canada later this year. Registrants have included classroom and non-formal educators, administrators/managers in Environmental Education Centers, university students, and volunteers at Environmental Education Centers. Evaluation data shows that  overall satisfaction with the program was a 4.28 out of 5 for all 205 participants across the country. Regarding the goal areas of knowledge of UDL language and concepts, ability to identify learning barriers, and the ability to apply UDL principles to teaching practices, there has been a 96.6% increase for all participants. These same 205 participants indicated 4.82 out of 5 in their confidence in being able to put UDL changes in place that they explored in the course. Throughout the course, participants keep a Course Journal where they share reflections on the content and keep track of changes they would like to make to an “Anchoring Activity” they are focused on during their learning journey. Toward the end of the course as participants are sharing what they have learned, many of them have been able to report that they see easy, transferable skills that can apply to other activities they lead, beyond their Anchoring Activity. They have also shared that some remaining barriers are limitations to changing the physical space they use, making sure their whole team understands the importance of making these changes (including administration), and having limited time to make changes to more programs. EENC is looking forward to the continued reach of this course. Through support of the North American Association of Environmental Education, the UDL in EE course is one of many that the organization hopes to see through the new eeCourses approval process, certifying it as an approved NAAEE eeCourse nationwide.

Re-published with permission from the NC Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs blog, "Teachable Moments." Find the original story here. Sammy is a Professional Member of EENC and is a 2024 At-Large Member of the Board of Directors. Sammy Bauer, a stormwater educator for the Town of Chapel Hill, recently completed the NC Environmental Education Certification. Sammy says they have a fun job. “I spend my days teaching folks about water pollution prevention and, where possible, helping them nurture their own relationships with our land and waterways.” Sammy is also an impact producer and sometimes director at Ethereal Films where they have released two documentary shorts about forever chemicals that have gone on tour nationwide and beyond. Sammy enjoys spending time at the Eno River, rock climbing, and crafting. When asked about the best part of the program, Sammy says it was attending the air quality workshop twice. “The first time, I had just fallen into nonformal environmental education after teaching 6th grade language arts and getting a Master of Public Administration. I knew a lot about teaching and engaging audiences, but I knew next to no content. The first time I went to the workshop in 2019, I was soaking up every bit of content I could. I learned how to find salamanders under tree cookies and about the plants used to monitor air pollution at Purchase Knob! I'd never considered air quality much before the workshop. It was a highlight of the certification and also of life in general. The second time I went several years later, I knew much more content. While I still learned many new things - yes please, tardigrades - I centered my learning on the process such as how they built the agenda and what went into coordinating such a big trip. This time, I walked away with a deeper understanding of how to create learning opportunities that bring people closer to the land.” Sammy says the experience in the program that stood out was the support of the environmental education community. “I immediately felt welcomed and supported at every workshop and especially at the Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC) conference. I'm also a big fan of the different criteria. From process to content, structured experiences to self-guided exploration, the certificate feels well-balanced. It's thorough yet accessible, structured yet flexible.” For the community partnership project, Sammy coordinated the 3rd annual Orange County Creek Week, March 16-23, 2024. Creek Week is a weeklong celebration of local waterways that involves events organization, partnership development, communication and education, community engagement, documentation and evaluation. “The events consist of workshops, cleanups, art sessions, and habitat assessment workshops. We design the events to help folks nurture their own relationships with the waterways and land.” Sammy says that partnerships with community organizations are extremely important. The planning team includes local governments, UNC, and nonprofits.  The team distributed educational materials to raise awareness about watersheds and stormwater pollution. Community members were actively involved, and the project's impact is evaluated and documented. “This year, we had over 1200 people (and 30 dogs) participate in our events - including 10 trash cleanups that removed over 1500 pounds of trash from our waterways - nearly doubling our impact from last year. Using resources from EENC’s Universal Design for Learning course, we structured accessibility into every step of the planning process.” Sammy is also working on a project guide that will help other communities plan their own Creek Week. Sammy says the program changed how they approach teaching and notes several workshops that made a significant impact. “DEQ’s Ground Level Ozone workshop showed me how multiday experiences can deepen folks’ relationship to the more-than-human world and how to run a fun community science program. The BEETLES program’s learning cycle and BFF questions (questions that will be your Best Friends Forever to encourage wonder, exploration, discussion, and reflection) transformed the way I approach teaching. EENC’s Universal Design for Learning course helped restructure all my events to better meet the needs of more people.” ###

Republished from NC DEQ. FUQUAY-VARINA State and local leaders gathered today at Lincoln Heights Environmental Connections Magnet Elementary School to celebrate Earth Day with students and release the state’s new K-12 Environmental Literacy Plan. “The Environmental Literacy Plan is a roadmap for increasing environmental understanding and preparing students for STEM careers,” said DEQ Secretary Elizabeth S. Biser.  “Lincoln Heights is a successful model of the schools exemplified in the Plan and the perfect place to celebrate Earth Day and the release of the updated plan.” This 2024 revision of the original 2010 Environmental Literacy Plan was a collaboration between the NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the nonprofit Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC), which serves as the state’s professional association for environmental education. The Plan provides schools and nonformal educators guidance for increasing environmental literacy and preparing students for environmental and STEM careers. Lincoln Heights provided the ideal site to release the new plan. The school has incorporated an environmental connections magnet theme since the 2017-18 school year, and the original Environmental Literacy Plan was used to develop the program. The Plan encourages collaborations between schools, local businesses and organizations, environmental education centers, colleges and universities, conservation organizations, and nonformal educators--individuals such as park and forest rangers, museum educators, Soil and Water District educators, local stormwater and recycling educators and others. All of the speakers at today’s event highlighted the collaborative nature of the Plan and the environmental connections Magnet Program at Lincoln Heights. Lincoln Heights third graders shared ways to reduce food waste and the fifth-grade GROW ambassadors invited guests to add pollinator plants to the school’s garden planters. Dr. Kimberly Lane, Senior Director for Magnet and Curriculum Enhancement programs, Wake County Public School System; Dr. Kristi Day, Director of Academic Standards with DPI; Nikki Jones, interim executive director for EENC; EENC President Kyra Thurow Bartow; Fuquay-Varina Mayor Blake Massengill; Principal Scott Gaiten and Laura Wood, Environmental Connections Integration Specialist, joined Secretary Biser to celebrate the release of the plan.

Environmental education integrates the natural world and meaningful outdoor experiences using evidence-driven, research-backed methods to develop students’ knowledge of concepts we all need to understand: how natural systems work, how to interact responsibly with our environment, and how we can protect natural resources for future generations. Environmental educators are using gardens, nature centers, creeks, and other sites across North Carolina to help learners of all ages to be healthier, happier, smarter, and better stewards of the environment. Learners of all ages, from infancy through adulthood, can benefit from the connection to and understanding of our environments that comes from environmental education. Implementing environmental education into every school day can build the foundation for lifelong engagement. This spring, the Environmental Educators of North Carolina are asking you to join us in supporting our community of environmental education programs across the state. Through the 2024 Let’s Grow Together Campaign, we’re working to raise funds and draw attention to five amazing organizations who are working to make North Carolina - and its environment - a better place! Last year's inaugural Let's Grow Together Campaign was a wonderful success, and we're excited to build on that momentum in this second year. Our partners for this year's initiative include The Agape Center for Environmental Education (Fuquay-Varina), The Broad River Greenway (Cleveland County), Flora and Fauna Festivities (Sandhills), Longleaf Learning Collective (Triangle), and Science Across NC (statewide). “EENC is proud to promote the important work of our members serving public communities, schools, campers, and professionals across NC," notes Nikki Jones, Interim Executive Director of the Environmental Educators of North Carolina. "Many North Carolinians experience their formative nature connections through unique local opportunities developed by smaller organizations. With this collaborative campaign, we highlight growing organizations and high-impact initiatives that bring meaningful learning to our neighbors, communities, and future leaders." Donate today to help us reach our $8500 collective goal by May 31st! Support the Agape Center for Environmental Education Support the Broad River Greenway Support Flora and Fauna Festivities Support Longleaf Learning Collective Support Science Across North Carolina Learn more and support these organizations and their environmental education work at https://secure.givelively.org/donate/environmental-educators-of-north-carolina/let-s-grow-together-campaign, or find your local environmental education center and plan a visit, attend a program, or make a gift to help grow their work.

The EENC Board of Directors is pleased to announce the opening of a new staff position on our team: The Operations & Development Lead!​ The Operations and Development Lead will play a pivotal role in shaping EENC’s organizational operational efficiency and financial sustainability while driving strategic development initiatives. This position encompasses a range of responsibilities across business management, fundraising, and collaborative leadership, including management of routine finance operations, planning and execution of data-driven development and major gifts initiatives, and strategic funding cultivation. The Operations & Development Lead will work closely alongside our staff and Board to keep things running smoothly while helping guide long-term plans for EENC’s fiscal sustainability. The successful candidate should be experienced and comfortable managing budgets, cultivating revenue streams, and successfully executing dynamic projects, and will be eager to foster an expanding community of funders and supporters for our mission. ​ Applications are being accepted through Friday, April 12th, 2024, with a target start date of June 1st, 2024 for the selected candidate. Read the full job description and apply at https://www.eenc.org/join-our-team. Please share widely across your networks!

Read the Road to 100 Launch Announcement Blog Post Read February Road to 100 Updates Read January Road to 100 Updates March Celebrations and Updates Let's Celebrate! In March... We welcomed two new members in Watauga County, bringing their county total from five to seven members! We welcomed one new member in Harnett County, bringing their county total from five to six members! We welcomed one new member in Avery County, bringing their county total from four to five members! We welcomed one new member in Cleveland County, bringing their county total from three to four members: thank you, Broad River Greenway, for joining EENC's Organizational Membership community as a Bronze-level Organizational Member! We welcomed one new member in Brunswick County, bringing their county total from two to three members! We welcomed one new member in Macon County, bringing their county total from two to three members! We welcomed one new member in Nash County, bringing their county total from two to three members! We welcomed one new member in Richmond County, bringing their county total from two to three members! We welcomed one new member in Burke County, bringing their county total from one to two members! We welcomed one new member in Caldwell County, bringing their county total from one to two members! We welcomed one new member in Halifax County, bringing their county total from one to two members! Current Status: As of April 1st, 2024... EENC has 497 total members across all membership levels; Those 497 members have reported working across 71 counties in NC; 29 counties have no reported members; 52 counties have only 1-5 reported members. Let's "spring" into action this month to reach even more counties and members! Next update coming 4/30/24. February Celebrations and Updates Let's Celebrate! In February... We welcomed our first members in Richmond County! Welcome, Brittany and Adam Smith of Flora & Fauna Festivities, LLC – thank you for joining our community as a Bronze Organizational Member. "Environmental education is vital because without a fundamental understanding of the intricate processes and relationships that shape our planet, it's challenging to truly appreciate the invaluable contributions of Mother Nature to our lives. This understanding is crucial not only for children but also for adults, as environmental education empowers individuals of all ages to have the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions." - Brittany Smith, Flora & Fauna Festivities We welcomed our first member in Craven County! Welcome, Somer Peede of the Coastal Environmental Partnership! Thank you for joining our community as a New to EE Member, and for gifting your included Honorary Membership to Kelli Miller of Craven County Schools. We colored in Hoke, Robeson, and Scotland counties! Thank you, Professional Member Erika Young of the North Carolina Sea Grant, for updating your profile when renewing your annual membership to share the counties where you work. "Environmental education is important to me because I want people to have curiosity of who and what they share the planet with, confidence in the world around them, and concern when they are fearful.  My goal is to enrich understanding of the planet's ecosystems and empower to take action to preserve our environment for future generations." - Erika Young, NC Sea Grant We welcomed four new members in Carteret County, bringing their county total from two to six members! We welcomed one new member in Stanly County, bringing their county total from one to two members! We welcomed two new members in Cumberland County, bringing their county total from five to seven members! Current Status: As of February 29th, 2024... EENC has 521 total members across all membership levels; Those 521 members have reported working across 73 counties in NC; 27 counties have no reported members; 54 counties have only 1-5 reported members. Who do you know in one of the currently unrepresented counties listed above? Send them the link to this article and encourage them to join our membership community as part of the Road to 100! Next update coming 4/1/24 – let's see if we can reach 75 counties by then! January Celebrations and Updates Let’s Celebrate! In the first month of the Road to 100 Challenge… We welcomed our first member in Hyde County! Welcome, Karen Teklinsky of the Ocracoke School! Thank you for joining our community as a Professional Member through the NC Stream Watch Educator Cohort – and for gifting your included Honorary Membership to fellow Ocracoke Science Teacher Louise Salerno! "Environmental Education is important to me because it builds students' awareness of real world issues around them.  It inculcates respect for nature and a love for our phenomenal natural world." -Karen Teklinksy, Ocracoke School We "colored in" Cleveland County! Thank you to existing EENC Senior Member Miriam Ash-Jones and Life Members David Marshall and Nancy Scism for updating your profiles and repping your county community. We welcomed three new members in Brunswick County, which previously only had one representative, for a new county total of four members! We welcomed one new member in Dare County, bringing their county total from three to four members! We welcomed one new member in Franklin County, bringing their county total from three to four members! Current Status: As of January 31st, 2024… EENC has 537 (+9 from 1/1/24) total members across all membership levels; Those 537 members have reported working across 71 (+2) counties in NC; 29 (-2) counties have no reported members; 50 counties have only 1-5 reported members. Update: More Prizes! Our partners at the Outdoor Learning Store and Take Me Outside heard about the Road to 100 Challenge, and reached out to generously donate a $100 gift certificate each to their respective online stores for us to share with our new members! Now, in addition to the first new member to join EENC in each unrepresented county receiving a giftable EENC Honorary Membership to share with a colleague, all new and existing members reporting previously unrepresented counties will be entered to win these gift cards at the end of the year – or when we reach our 100 county goal, whichever comes first! We are eager to make these additional prizes to our growing membership community, and we thank the Outdoor Learning Store and Take Me Outside for supporting this challenge. Let’s keep up the momentum! Who can you tell about the Road to 100 Challenge? Who in your network of educators and supporters should become EENC members? Help us get the word out by sharing this blog post through your social media channels! Next update coming 2/29/24. Until then, we’re on the road again!

I am EENC is a series of quarterly guest-written blog posts where members share their journeys, passions, and accomplishments as environmental educators in their own words. By EENC members, for EENC members. Hello, fellow environmental educators! My name is Justin Young, and I'm thrilled to share a glimpse of my journey in the environmental education realm with you. Currently based in Asheville, North Carolina, I serve as the Education & Outreach Manager at RiverLink, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the environmental and economic vitality of the French Broad River and its watershed for all. My venture into the environmental education field was somewhat serendipitous. While attending Appalachian State University, I pursued a degree in Sustainable Development and City Planning. It was during this time that I crossed paths with a professor specializing in environmental education, particularly focusing on freshwater ecosystems. Joining her at numerous educational events and witnessing the awe on children's faces as they explored a creek for the first time, I realized that this was my calling. Following graduation, I was fortunate to join the RiverLink team as an AmeriCorps member, serving for two years as the Volunteer Coordinator. At the end of my second term, I was offered a newly created position to manage our growing education programs. In my role at RiverLink, I have the privilege of engaging with remarkable community members and organizational partners to offer free and engaging opportunities for children to delve into streams, rivers, and freshwater ecology, both in-school and afterschool. I’ve seen the profound impact of these partnerships and their ability to empower everyone involved, cultivating a diverse network of environmental stewards. Sharing my passion for the environment and education with these people has been one of the greatest joys of my career. Every time I get to bring students to a creek, looking for macroinvertebrates or testing water chemistry, I get to share in their excitement of finding a crayfish, holding a mayfly, or simply splashing in the water. Helping them understand the intricacies of our waterways gives me hope that we can protect the beauty of our natural resources here in Western North Carolina. My introduction to the Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC) was an important moment in my professional journey. EENC's mission to support and connect environmental educators across the state resonated deeply with me. Motivated by the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals and access professional development resources, I eagerly became a member. RiverLink has held EENC's Bronze Membership for many years and it has been a game-changer for both myself and our team. From networking opportunities to trainings and workshops, EENC has provided invaluable support that has bolstered our educational initiatives. I am Justin Young, and I am EENC because it fosters a community of committed educators who can exchange knowledge and celebrate achievements together. Through our collective efforts, we are nurturing a generation of environmentally literate citizens who are poised to become the future stewards of our planet.

What: The Let’s Grow Together Campaign is a team fundraiser (similar to crowdfunding) hosted by EENC that allows our Members to raise funds directly for their own organization’s environmental education work. Read about last year’s inaugural Let’s Grow Together Campaign on our blog. When: The 2024 Let’s Grow Together Campaign will run from April 22nd to May 31st; participants will be expected to engage with setup and management of their organization’s fundraising efforts throughout April and May. The participation application is open now! DEADLINE EXTENDED – Register to participate by March 29th: https://forms.gle/RFJXPJtgiTUwtWt66 How it works: Through our unique team fundraising structure, EENC provides the platform and support for online fundraising to our Members, covering administrative costs through a 5% fee deducted from each participant’s gross campaign result. In exchange for that 5% fee, EENC offers all participants extensive benefits and mentorship before and during the campaign, including: Free use of EENC’s team-based online fundraising platform (GiveLively), including a custom-designed page for your organization A 1:1 meeting with EENC staff in advance of the campaign to discuss your ideas, goals, and plans for fundraising A “plug-and-play” communications toolkit packed with branded graphics and text ready for social media and email marketing across your channels Shared support among your fellow fundraising organizations, including a kick-off meeting, a mid-point check-in meeting, and access to contact information Ongoing coaching and support from EENC before and during the campaign, including tips and tricks for fundraising and email reminders Cross-promotion of your organization through EENC’s channels, including at minimum one social media post tagging your organization, as well as mentions in our campaign blog posts, email marketing, and donor solicitation efforts Am I a fit for participation? All EENC Members are automatically eligible to register, with preference given to Organizational Members. Participants will be expected to dedicate at least 5 hours to setting up and managing their organization’s fundraising. This is a great opportunity for small organizations, units, and individuals who do not have nonprofit status to fundraise in support of their environmental education work! What’s next: Complete the registration form by 11:59pm on Friday, March 29th. You’ll hear back from us the following week with your application’s status and a participant agreement to fill out as needed. Participants will prepare for the campaign, including attending a 1:1 virtual meeting with EENC staff, between April 1st and 19th.

Calling all educators and advocates! It's time to reach out to your Senators and Representatives to ask for support for robust funding for environmental education in the FY25 federal budget. We need to reach out to as many House of Representative offices as soon as possible, and no later than April 5th, 2024, to ensure our legislators sign on to support EPA environmental education funding. Learn about the appropriations process and federal programs supporting environmental education, and find the instructions you need to take action in support of those programs, below. Information provided by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). NAAEE's toolkit with the resources you need to take action today: An Advocate's Guide to the FY25 EE Appropriations Campaign Includes sample emails and phone scripts (also included below), plus more information about the EPA and NOAA programs the "Dear Colleague" letters support. Everything in this blog post is also available in this guide! 118th Congress Record of Past Support for EE Includes contact information for representatives by district. NAAEE's complete guide to the advocacy process Learn the basics if this is your first time taking action! These materials can also be found on the NAAEE website. Background Information Addressing complex and urgent environmental problems requires an informed and engaged citizenry. Federal environmental education (EE) programs through the EPA and NOAA have been crucial in funding local education initiatives that help students and the general public participate in community decisions about environmental issues. For fiscal year 2025, we are seeking a needed funding increase for these essential programs. Appropriations subcommittees in the Senate and House will begin to hold meetings in the coming weeks (April 2024) to determine funding allocations for the FY ‘25 budget. These allocations will be influenced, in part, by requests that come from other members of Congress in the form of “Dear Colleague” letters in support of individual programs. NAAEE, EENC, and our nationwide allies are calling on educators, students, and other advocates to each take a few minutes to request that their Members of Congress support EE by signing these electronic "Dear Colleague" support letters to the respective appropriations committees. You will be asking your legislators to endorse one such funding letter for the EPA Office of Environmental Education, including the crucial grant program. There will be a separate letter for Senators to sign in the coming week or weeks, as well as support letters for NOAA environmental education programs. It is important that we generate as many Congressional signatures for the letters regarding EE programs at NOAA and EPA as possible! The offices of your representatives are staffed at this time of year to consider these requests—this is one of the easiest things you can ask your Rep. or Senator to do. The biggest reason we hear from Members of Congress about why they didn’t sign these letters is : “I wasn’t asked”! Ready, set, go! Take action today: The goal: Contact the D.C. offices of your Senators and Representatives to ask that they sign on to “Dear Colleague” letters in support of EE programs at NOAA (specifically, the Bay Watershed Education and Training program and Environmental Literacy Grants) and EPA (specifically the Office of Environmental Education). Finding contacting information: If you already have a relationship with a staff member in your Congressional offices, you should email them directly with the request. If you don’t have a current contact, check this spreadsheet to see if we have a contact (or sometimes two) for you to email. If there isn’t a contact listed, you will need to call the Washington DC offices of the legislator and ask who is the appropriations support coordinator and what is their email address. It may be hard to get this information over the phone but don’t give up! Our request does not always fit neatly into any of the tight categories that the people who answer the phone have a response. If they don’t know who the appropriations person might be, you could ask for the legislative staff who deals with education or the environment. If they give you two different names and emails, send a single email addressed to both of the people jointly. Doing background research: Check your Senators’ or Representatives’ record of support for EE. If they have signed on to these letters in the past, or supported EE in any fashion, be sure to mention this in your email or call—it can make the decision to sign on again a no-brainer! You can also read about yourself with the thirteen (!) large-scale environmental education projects that NOAA and the EPA have funded in North Carolina in recent decades, including multiple directly funding EENC's work, to learn more about the impact these appropriations have on our local communities. Make your ask: Email template Email is the preferred way to contact your legislators. Italic text in () is to be replaced by information you provide. Subject: Appropriations programmatic sign-on letter request: EPA and NOAA Offices of Environmental Education Hi -------, EPA and NOAA education funding is essential for addressing our environmental challenges. These programs have very modest budgets, but the schools, nature centers, water conservation districts, and other organizations who benefit from the grant and other programs do a lot with a little! Our district and state has benefited greatly from these programs; here are the fantastic grants received in the state and locally in the past ten years: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cF_2mqp5U0sQAN2T5t6sjlVTmBh2xd1slvcEHfia64M/edit?usp=sharing Please help secure this crucial funding by having Representative/Senator (Your member of Congress) join many other Members of Congress and sign on to these letters: EPA support letters circulated by: Reps. Magaziner (RI-2) and Neguse (CO-2), and Sen. GIllibrand (NY). Thank you for supporting environmental education! (Your name) (Your affiliation, if applicable; “member, your state EE association” is okay) Make your ask: Phone call script template – Senate Ask if it is possible to speak to the person who handles appropriations issues related to the environment. It may not be; that is fine. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. My name is (name) from (city or town). I am calling on behalf of the Environmental Educators of North Carolina, to urge Senator (Name) to sign on to two Dear Colleague Letters in support of important appropriations for environmental education grants at EPA and NOAA. The first asks the appropriations committee to provide a boost in funding for the National Environmental Education Act for fiscal year 2025. This letter is being circulated by Senator Gillibrand, who is asking that the program be funded at $14 million. EPA’s environmental education grants are small but critical investments that provide significant returns for our communities and the local environment. Funding for this office has been stagnant for a decade and $14M is the original amount authorized in 1990. A second letter urges Congress to support funding for the vital NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training and Environmental Literacy grant programs. Please sign on to this letter in support of these important programs—it is being circulated by Senator Baldwin’s office. Environmental education is critical for (state). It provides non-regulatory solutions to complex problems, engages students in real-world learning, and supports a healthy quality of life. I will follow up with you by email with copies of the letters and contact information. Should I send these materials to you or is there another person I should contact? Thank you for your time. Make your ask: Phone call script template – House (Ask if it is possible to speak to the person who handles appropriations issues related to the environment. It may not be; that is fine) Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. My name is (name) from (city or town). I am calling on behalf of the Environmental Educators of North Carolina, to urge Representative (Name) to sign on to two Dear Colleague Letters in support of important appropriations for environmental education grants at EPA and NOAA. The first asks the appropriations committee to a provide a boost in funding for the National Environmental Education Act for fiscal year 2025. This letter is being circulated by Representatives Neguse and Langevin, who are asking for $14 million for the program. EPA’s environmental education grants are small but critical investments that yield significant returns for our communities and the local environment. Funding for this office has been stagnant for a decade and $14M is the original amount authorized in 1990. A second letter urges Congress to appropriate $12 million for the vital NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training program, and $8 million for the Environmental Literacy Program. This represents a modest increase in funding over previous years. It also includes a request for funding to support climate change education. Please sign on to this letter in support of these important programs—it is being circulated by Rep. Kathy Castor. Environmental education is critical for (state and district). It provides non-regulatory solutions to complex problems, engages students and the general public in real-world learning, and supports a healthy quality of life. I will follow up with you by email with copies of the letters and contact information. Should I send these materials to you or is there another person I should contact? Thank you for your time. Who to contact with questions: At EENC: Brian Wuertz, Board Policy Committee Chair – brian@eenc.org At NAAEE: Sarah Bodor – sarah@naaee.org; Brock Adler – brockadler@gmail.com

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 set our mini-grant awardees loose to go make an impact on environmental education in their communities with the help of our funding! This year, EENC proudly awarded seven members with mini-grants. The EENC Mini-Grant Program, now in its sixth year, is an equity-driven initiative offering direct, supplementary funding to member educators, schools, and organizations to support their environmental education efforts by allowing them to implement new projects, build infrastructure, purchase needed supplies, pursue professional development, and more. With the addition of our 2024 awardees, EENC has now allocated over $12,000 in mini-grant funding over the lifetime of the program, supporting 42 educators across 29 NC counties (read the five-year program anniversary article here for more mini-grant stats and highlights). This year’s mini-grant program is sponsored in part by the National Parks Conservation Association, a nationwide conservation-oriented nonprofit working to protect and enhance America’s National Park System for present and future generations. We thank them for their generous Ally-level support! Our mini-grant awardees will be hard at work through the year carrying out their funded projects – read about their plans below, then check back in December to see what they accomplished! Awardees Listed alphabetically by last name. Marissa Blackburn Environmental Education Manager, Cape Fear River Watch Professional Member, EENC Eastern Section Project Title: Stocking the Shelves: Enhancing EE at the Cape Fear River Watch’s Nature Camp “The Cape Fear River Watch’s Summer Nature Camp will get Wilmington area youth outside, learning about their local environment, connecting to nature, and exploring how they can be strong environmental stewards. They will gain skills in identifying flora and fauna, nature journaling and making observations, carrying out steps of the scientific method, and more. Nature Camp will provide high-quality environmental education opportunities to youth ages 8-12. Providing equitable access to EE is important because not all children are afforded the opportunity to explore their local environment & spend time outside due to a variety of factors (time, money, comfort level being outdoors, etc.). Offering a free, day-long camp, with lunch/snacks included helps to create these opportunities for more families. Purchasing new supplies will help make camp more fun, more memorable, and more impactful for all participating youth. It’s important to me that camp not just be babysitting, but instead be enriching and educational during their time off from school.” Kayla M. McCoy Natural Resource Conservationist, Wilkes County Soil & Water Conservation District Silver Organizational Member, EENC Western Section Project Title: Soil Probes for High School Soils Field Day “Students will use soil probes to explore the soil hands-on! This hands-on learning fosters curiosity, reveals the wonders of soil, and empowers them to understand its vital role in life. It's a seed planted for environmental awareness and future generations of responsible stewards. Digging into soil benefits student learning in powerful ways, textbooks can't replicate the feel of crumbly loam or the wriggle of earthworms. Hands-on exploration lets students connect with soil on a deeper level. Students become scientists, observing the hidden world teeming in healthy soil. From busy beetles to microscopic fungi, they witness the vital roles each plays. By getting their hands dirty, students develop a profound appreciation for soil's crucial role in plant growth, food production, and ecosystem health. This fosters a sense of environmental responsibility.” Meridith Mitchell Upper School Science Teacher, IC Imagine Public Charter School Professional Member, EENC Western Section Project Title: Horticulture Start-up! “Our project will promote excellence in environmental education by inspiring our students to grow their own food, realize where food comes from, and have direct hands-on sustainability lessons that they could replicate at home. We also hope to promote knowledge around future careers in horticulture. Additionally, school gardens teach students about sustainable models like our water harvesting, recycling, composting, the interconnection between humans, animals and the environment, and the importance of local food production. I am passionate about gardening with kids because of the amazing benefits it has had on my own life. Anyone can garden and grow things with some basic knowledge. I love helping kids see the physical and mental benefits to gardening. As a high school teacher I have come to realize that not all students are college-bound and are in need of finding their own passion or career path. Showing kids how to make a career out of something they enjoy doing is powerful.” Kristin Owens-White Environmental Connections Teacher, Stanly County Schools New to EE Member, EENC Piedmont Section Project Title: Native Bee Habitat “This project is a student-led project. They were given the native bees as their topic and they began the research to see why native bees are important, issues native bees are facing, and what the bees need for a healthy habitat. The students are 100% invested in this project and they have presented their research to their parents and community members. Now, the students want to execute their plans to create a native bee habitat on our school grounds. This project promotes excellence in EE by allowing students to educate others. I am passionate about having my students outdoors and invested in our environment. These students are our future and this project allows them an opportunity to make a positive impact. This project also gives my students meaningful outdoor experiences.  My class is a brand new course for our district and the only one in the county. I need to have successful projects to ensure we can continue with the Environmental Connections course in the future.” Keshi Satterwhite Managing Partner, LJS A Plan Ahead, LLC New to EE Member, EENC Central Section Project Title: Elevating from the Backyard to the Community “We are piloting Elevating from the Backyard to the Community (EBC). EBC promotes excellence in environmental education in North Carolina because it communicates the importance of stewardship and offers volunteer opportunities. EBC provides and encourages opportunities for outdoor experiences that connect individuals with the ecosystem. Through six modules, our program will guide students to focus on preserving and restoring the quality of the natural environment through green job career opportunities. We will explore eighteen green jobs throughout the program in the job readiness exercises. Curiosity about nature and sources of water can start in our backyards. Elevating from the Backyard to the Community project is important to me because I have a chance to enhance the knowledge of marginalized communities and be a resource as they strive as stewards of their neighborhoods. Our project helps build community and develop lasting relationships. Funding from EENC will help us with our program vision.” Sarah Spencer North Carolina Director, Longleaf Learning Collective Bronze Organizational Member, EENC Central Section Project Title: Materials for New Sapling Classes “Longleaf Learning Collective is a nonprofit committed to making the outdoors accessible to all by serving people of all ages and backgrounds through our programs and events. This project will allow us to continue to grow our programs and curriculum by allowing us to purchase needed supplies for our new Saplings class. This class is for children 6-10 years old, the age where most children lose their interest in outdoor free play. We hope to offer materials that reignite that spark, inspire a sense of responsibility, encourage more time outdoors, and further curiosity about the natural world. As a small nonprofit we are often limited by our budget for supplies. We know that we are making a difference in our community and sparking a love for the environment in children and adults by offering these programs. This project is important because we believe that the materials will add depth and understanding to our lessons that students would not otherwise experience. Giving these opportunities to our Saplings students could make a huge difference in a child's life path and that of our planet.” Hannah Steel Environmental Coordinator, Carolina International School New to EE Member, EENC Piedmont Section Project Title: Composting “Our 3-tier school composting project in North Carolina addresses the urgent need for hands-on environmental education. Currently, we have small indoor compost bins that remain unused due to the lack of outdoor systems. By refurbishing our garden and greenhouse, we'll create an outdoor composting infrastructure, supplementing our program.This initiative will positively impact our community by providing students with practical, interdisciplinary learning experiences. They'll actively engage in composting, witnessing the transformation of waste into soil. This hands-on approach instills responsibility and stewardship toward sustainability. Moreover, the project fosters community engagement by involving teachers, parents, and stakeholders. Collaborative efforts will establish a commitment to environmental conservation. The garden and greenhouse will serve as communal learning spaces, strengthening community bonds. Aligned with environmental education fundamentals, our project emphasizes experiential learning and holistic understanding. Composting integrates resource management, recycling, and ecosystem principles, empowering students as environmental advocates. This project is important to me because it aligns with my passion for sustainability and community engagement. By promoting composting and environmental education, I'm able to contribute to a healthier environment and empower others to take action for a more sustainable future. Seeing the positive impact on students and the community inspires me to continue advocating for environmental stewardship.”

Foreword from EENC: "Learning Happens Here" is a new initiative of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) that promotes the educational resources, opportunities, and experiences available through our state's museums, state parks, natural areas, historical sites, zoos, and aquariums. These places, and the educational experiences they provide, are intrinsic to our state's environmental education landscape. EENC proudly champions work aligned with the DNCR's Science and Nature priority areas for K-12 education, and counts two of the department's affiliated properties – the North Carolina Zoo and Chimney Rock State Park – among our Organizational Membership Community, and many more among our network of partners. We're grateful to work in a state so rich in environmental, cultural, and nature-based learning, and we look forward to following the dissemination and impact of the new resources associated with the "Learning Happens Here" initiative. This article was written by Mebane Rash, EdNC.org, and first appeared on EducationNC. It is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Find the original article at https://www.ednc.org/n-c-department-of-natural-and-cultural-resources-launches-learning-happens-here-initiative/. All images provided by EENC. Do you know that North Carolina’s Department of Natural and Cultural Resources manages over 100 places that matter across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program? For more than 50 years, the department has inspired a lifelong love of learning at all of those places North Carolinians cherish. Education has always been a core mission of the department, but a new initiative, “Learning Happens Here,” seeks to connect the department’s educational resources with students, parents, and educators. Support for educators “My top priority is to connect our educational resources to as many North Carolina K-12 teachers and students as possible,” said Secretary Reid Wilson on the department’s website. Classroom resources for educators include standards-aligned lesson plans, activities, and multimedia experiences, which can be found by visiting the hub #GoOpenNC. Online and in person professional development opportunities can be explored through a calendar or by location. A school field trip finder and financial support is available for schools to visit the department’s sites. Additional resources for teachers can be found on the NC Learn website, including a “We love NC” activity. School programs Check out these school outreach opportunities to bring programs to schools across North Carolina. There also are 19 different virtual field trips! These special programs, contests, and clubs “offer additional ways to spark creativity, curiosity, scholarship, and stewardship in your students.” “From A to Z,” says the website, the department “has staff members that can be everything from accountants to zookeepers.” The career exploration program introduces students to professions, and helps them consider “what they like to do, where interests and skills connect, and how they identify themselves within diverse career paths.” The opportunities to learn more includes “Zoo Jobs: More Than You Think,” aquarium job shadowing, internship and volunteer opportunities, and lesson plans. Key priorities for K-12 education “The initiative aims to inspire a love of learning, promote unity through shared history, foster science literacy, encourage environmental responsibility, and instill a lifelong passion for reading,” according to the press release. The department’s priorities focus on key areas in K-12 education: History and Culture: North Carolina has a rich and complex history, with a diverse cultural tapestry that has shaped who we are today. Our department is dedicated to uncovering and sharing an expanded set of stories about the people and events that have influenced our history. We believe that presenting multiple perspectives illuminates a more comprehensive history, even when some aspects are painful and difficult to confront. Understanding our shared past builds unity and guides us toward a brighter future. Our goal is to help students understand where they fit in our state’s journey toward achieving our country’s founding ideals while embracing our wonderfully diverse culture and arts. Science: We strive to increase students’ understanding and appreciation of scientific concepts. Through interactive exhibits, hands-on experiences, and educational programs, we spark curiosity and foster a love for scientific inquiry, aiming to cultivate the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. Nature: North Carolina boasts a wealth of natural beauty, and we believe in connecting students to the outdoors and encouraging outdoor recreation. Our initiatives provide opportunities for students to explore and appreciate the wonders of nature, fostering environmental awareness and encouraging a sense of responsibility for the conservation of our land, water, air, and wildlife. Literacy and Reading: We are committed to promoting literacy and a lifelong love for reading. Literacy is the foundation of education, and we aim to instill a passion for books and knowledge in every North Carolina student. By nurturing reading skills and fostering a love for literature, we empower students to excel in all areas of their education. Arts: Artists and artistic institutions educate and inspire our youth and improve their quality of life. Connecting students to opportunities beyond school “‘Learning Happens Here’ will help the next generation of North Carolinians to thrive in a knowledge-driven world,” says the press release. “Governor Cooper has declared 2024 as the Year of Public Schools in North Carolina,” said Secretary Reid Wilson. “Our ‘Learning Happens Here’ initiative will complement the governor’s efforts by sharing our department’s substantial educational content and programs.” ###