Donate today to help us reach our $8000 collective goal by May 19th! Support ACE Education Support EENC Support the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina Support Longleaf Learning Collective Support Wilkes Soil and Water Conservation District Support Wonder Connection Support Woodland Discovery Forest School Support Woods Charter School 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. “Environmental education is just as important for people as it is for the planet,” said Lauren Pyle, Executive Director of the Environmental Educators of North Carolina. “Most of the groups providing environmental education in our state are small organizations that dream of reaching more people. They need to grow so that all students in our state can reap the benefits.” 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 Let’s Grow Together campaign, we’re working to raise funds and draw attention to some amazing organizations who are working to make North Carolina - and its environment - a better place! Our partners for this spring initiative include The Agape Center for Environmental Education in Fuquay-Varina, the Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina in Morganton, Longleaf Learning Collective in Raleigh, Wilkes County Soil and Water Conservation District in Wilkesboro, Wonder Connection in Raleigh, Woodland Discovery in Cornelius, and Woods Charter School in Chapel Hill. Learn more and support these organizations and their environmental education work at https://www.mightycause.com/team/GrowTogether, or find your local environmental education center and plan a visit, attend a program, or make a gift to help grow their work.

This September, the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) will celebrate the 30th anniversary of National Public Lands Day, and EENC is joining in the fun. Since 1994, National Public Lands Day (NPLD) has mobilized volunteers on the fourth Saturday in September to celebrate and care for something we all share – our nation’s public lands. What started with one federal agency, two public land sites, and 700 volunteers has grown into a national event with volunteers in all 50 states and US territories – from trail maintenance to planting, trash pick-up, and more, volunteers of all ages and abilities roll up their sleeves and work side-by-side. Celebrating NPLD cultivates civic engagement, ecological literacy, and social connections through the stewardship of local natural resources, and this year, more than 70,000 participants are expected to join in at events and volunteer workdays across the nation. In honor of this year’s anniversary theme, “30 years of care and community,” EENC is mobilizing our members to volunteer on public lands across the state on National Public Lands Day, to help care for and protect the natural resources that drive our work’s purpose as environmental educators. In collaboration with the NC State Parks system and nonprofit partners, EENC is excited to be hosting several volunteer workdays for our members – and community at large – on Saturday, September 23rd, and we warmly invite you to participate. Available Workdays: Each event requires RSVP; view individual event listings for site-specific details and logistics. Asheville-Area: Copper Ridge Trail Workday [Old Fort] Led by our friends at the Foothills Conservancy. Trail maintenance projects followed by lunch at Hillman Beer! CHANGED TO 10/15: Fayetteville-Area: Carvers Creek State Park [Spring Lake] Enjoy a morning of trail beautification and maintenance led by the Park Rangers at Carvers Creek! Rescheduled to October 15th due to weather. CHANGED TO 10/14: Triangle-Area: Eno River State Park [Durham] Help Eno River State Park celebrate their 50th anniversary by volunteering alongside EENC friends new and old! Rescheduled to October 14th due to weather. CANCELLED: Cashiers-Area: Panthertown Valley [Glenville] Volunteer on the trail alongside our partners at the Friends of Panthertown removing the invasive Autumn Olive, then enjoy a scenic hike! Pack a lunch. Other Upcoming Events at State Parks Across the State: Can't make it to one of EENC's workdays? Consider celebrating our public lands by joining in on the many educational and recreational events scheduled at North Carolina State Parks in the weeks surrounding National Public Lands Day! Listed in chronological order. Note: these events are not EENC-affiliated or endorsed, and instead serve to promote and spread awareness of the programming available in our state. 9/18, 9-10am: Bird Hike. Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach. 9/18, 5:30-7:30pm: Sunset Hike. Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, Hillsborough. 9/19, 9-10am: The Last Mile Hike. Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head. 9/19, 1-2pm: Tree ID Hike. Pilot Mountain State Park, Pinnacle. 9/22, 8:30-9:30am: Birds of the Eno. Eno River State Park, Durham. 9/22, 10-11am: Beach Scavenger Hunt. Fort Macon State Park, Atlantic Beach. 9/22, 7-9pm: Mysteries of Mecum in the Dark Night Hike. Hanging Rock State Park, Westfield. 9/22, 7:30-pm: Star Party. Lake Norman State Park, Troutman. 9/23, 8:30am-12pm: NPLD Volunteer Workday. Crowders Mountain State Park, Kings Mountain. 9/23, 9-10am: Bird Walk. Morrow Mountain State Park, Albemarle. 9/23, 9-11am: Wilderness Survival Skills. Hanging Rock State Park, Westfield. 9/23, 9am-12pm: NPLD Volunteer Workday. Lake Norman State Park, Troutman. 9/23, 10-11am: Carnivorous Plant Hike. Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach. 9/23, 10am-12pm: 10 Essentials and Trail Etiquette. Hanging Rock State Park, Westfield. 9/23, 10am-1pm: Nature Day. South Mountains State Park, Connelly Springs. 9/23, 11am-12pm: Balsam Nature Trail Hike. Mount Mitchell State Park, Burnsville. 9/23, 11am-3pm: Mountain Monarch Festival, Gorges State Park, Sapphire. 9/23, 12-1pm: Nature Hike. Merchants Millpond State Park, Gatesville. 9/23, 1:30-3:15pm: Marsh Cruise. Hammocks Beach State Park, Swansboro. 9/23, 7-8pm: Sunset Hike. Chimney Rock State Park, Chimney Rock. 9/23, 7:30-9:45pm: Astronomy Program. Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach. 9/23, 8:30-10:30pm: Astronomy. Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap. 9/24, 10-11am: Paint the Mountain. Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, West Jefferson. 9/24, 2-3pm: Public Lands Day Hike. Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, Southern Pines. 9/24, 5-7pm: Canoe Hike. Carvers Creek State Park, Spring Lake. 9/25, 5-6:30pm: Lake Tillery Paddle. Morrow Mountain State Park, Albemarle. 9/26, 10-11:30am: Kayak the Sound. Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head. 9/27, 8-10am: Kayak Marsh Tour. Goose Creek State Park, Washington. 9/28, 12:15-1pm: Hike for the Health of It! Mayo River State Park, Mayodan. 9/29, 5-7pm: The Overmountain Men and their Trail. Lake James State Park, Nebo. 9/30, 11am-2pm: 15th Anniversary Celebration. Grandfather Mountain State Park, Banner Elk. 10/1, 9-10am: First Day Hike. Carvers Creek State Park, Spring Lake. 10/2, 2-3pm: Mushroom Hike. Mount Mitchell State Park. Burnsville. 10/7, 8:30am-12pm: Volunteer Workday. Crowders Mountain State Park, Kings Mountain. 10/7, 8-10pm: Astronomy Night. Haw River State Park, Greensboro.

The application to join our 2024 Board of Directors is now open! 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. The Nominations Committee seeks applicants eager to make a positive impact on North Carolina’s environmental education community, and to participate as a member of our dynamic and committed team. EENC welcomes and encourages applications from individuals of all identities and backgrounds. One of our central values is that We’re Stronger Together: Environmental Education is a community for everyone. Regardless of identity, environmental education is for you. We unite our industry through advocacy, access, equity, and sustainability. EENC is committed to building authentic and mutual connections. EENC continually seeks new opportunities to work with people and organizations that intentionally represent and are champions for systemic justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. Just like nature’s ecosystems, each individual contribution may not be visible but together they uphold valuable knowledge and strength in our communities. The application form is open until Sunday, September 24th. Applicants are encouraged to review the position description in full on the Board Applications website, also included verbatim below. Contact Past President Elise Tellez at pastpresident@eenc.org with questions about serving on the Board or the application process. Full Position Description 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. 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 EEC's core values. 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.

EENC is thrilled to welcome Grace Baucom to our staff team. As EENC’s Communications & Relationships Manager, Grace Baucom will coordinate communication campaigns and projects designed to strengthen our statewide community of members and donors. Through her work, Grace will help strengthen communications and relationships, cultivate positive relationships for future growth, increase organizational capacity, and grow EENC’s network to increase our impact, reach, and representation across North Carolina. Grace is a Certified North Carolina Environmental Educator and an NAI Certified Interpretive Guide passionate about fostering curious minds and sustainable communities through environmental education. She graduated from NC State University with degrees in Extension Education and Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems, and minors in Environmental Education, Spanish, and Parks & Recreation. When offline, Grace enjoys exploring hiking trails and campsites across the state.

EENC is encouraging school and district administrators and formal educators who work in the PreK-12 setting, as well as environmental education providers, to participate in a survey as part of a regional landscape analysis conducted by the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance (SEEA). This analysis is designed to gain an enhanced understanding of environmental education providers and schools in the southeastern U.S. that are working towards similar goals. It will identify gaps and barriers to access that prevent successful implementation, and provide recommendations and next steps for increasing environmental literacy efforts in the southeast and accelerating the impact of environmental education in PreK-12 schools. Through surveys, the analysis will gather data from PreK-12 schools and environmental education providers in the eight SEEA states. In fall of 2023, the data collected will be shared in a comprehensive analysis of environmental education offerings in the region, along with the gaps and barriers that exist in both formal and non-formal settings for students of all ages in these areas. These findings will also help provide opportunities for schools to partner with service providers to advance SEEA’s collective efforts toward environmental literacy. To date, SEEA has surveyed over 500 schools and 600 environmental education providers. Based on findings from the analysis, several recommendations were identified for North Carolina environmental education providers, some of which include increasing the diversity of environmental education staff and leadership to better reflect the demographics of the state, addressing inequities in pay and benefits for environmental education, providing professional learning and resources to classroom teachers, and addressing gaps in services found across the state. “This analysis will shine a light on environmental education, not just in our state but in the entire southeast region, and serve as a blueprint for future strategic planning,” said Ashley Hoffman, Executive Director of SEEA. “We strongly encourage members of our education community to take some time to complete this survey. By doing so, they are providing us with the information to shape the future of environmental education in the southeast.” Educators and administrators can take the survey by visiting southeastee.org/survey.

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. To help with that, each year EENC awards mini-grants of up to $250 to support projects that promote excellence in environmental education. We are proud to announce this year's winners. Ginny Paul of Beaufort County Schools for "STEAM in the PARK" Kayla McCoy of Wilkes Soil & Water Conservation District for "Vermicomposting in the Classroom" Mir Youngquist-Thurow of Agape Center for Environmental Education for "Water Quality Chemical Resupply" Jennie Emmons of Excelsior Classical Academy for "STEAM in the Park Acadia Professional Development" Allison Murphy of the Town of Garner for "Barefoot Sensory Pathway" Desirae Balsamo with Winston Salem Forsyth County Schools for "Regenerate the Future: Utilizing Vermicompost to Tackle Waste Reduction and Food Insecurity" Check back in December to learn more about what they accomplished!

This spring, EENC plans to coordinate a crowdfunding campaign to benefit environmental education programs across North Carolina. In short, we want to help you raise money for your environmental education center, classroom, or program! EENC plans to use Earth Day 2023 as an opportunity to raise support and increase awareness of the amazing environmental education being done in our state. Requirements for Participating Partners Participating partners must be nonprofit organizations, classroom teachers, or independent environmental education providers who are working in North Carolina Funds raised must be designated for environmental education - whether that’s staff time to lead programs, materials, site improvements, student transportation, bringing in outside speakers, or anything else that promotes excellence in environmental education What’s Expected Apply to be a part of the campaign If accepted, set up a fundraising page as part of EENC’s team using provided templates Actively fundraise for your program from April 19-May 19, 2023 - just before Earth Day through Endangered Species Day Support You’ll Get As a Participating Partner Shared promotion through EENC’s communications Graphics and template text for you to share through your social media and email Calendars and resources to make your campaign a success Coaching and reminders throughout the campaign The Final Result: Participating partners will be awarded 100% of the net proceeds from their individual campaigns!

Part of EENC’s vision is that environmental education's substantial societal value is recognized and invested in widely by policymakers, funders, education institutions, and the general public through our advocacy work. This winter, EENC put this statement into action. In late January, a bill was introduced to the N.C. House of Representatives to add a computer science graduation requirement. In its original form, the bill effectively eliminated the state’s Earth/Environmental Science graduation requirement. This requirement was established in 1997, ensuring that all high school graduates in our state have a baseline knowledge about the earth, climate, air, water, and natural world around them. North Carolina is recognized nationally as a leader in the environmental education community, and other states are looking to our Earth/Environmental Science graduation requirement as a model. Knowing that the course could become an elective or removed from the curriculum altogether, EENC took immediate action to protect this critical course. Initial steps by staff and Board members included developing a policy toolkit for EENC advocacy committee members, drafting phone scripts and email templates emphasizing the importance of environmental science in secondary education, and consulting with partners and organizations with similar missions. Within the first week, EENC mobilized members who lived in the district of the bill sponsors asking them to reach out to their representatives. EENC contacted partner associations and began building a grassroots campaign around this issue. With passion building, local media picked up the story and editorials were run in the News & Observer, the Greensboro News & Record, and other outlets. Working with the NC Science Teacher Association and the North Carolina Forestry Association, bill language was edited and changed prior to being presented to the K-12 Education Committee. The voices of EENC were heard, but ongoing concerns were raised in the updated language. Instead of specifically eliminating the Earth/Environmental Science, the new language still reduced the overall number of science graduation requirements (currently three) to make space for the new computer science course. EENC and our partners continued to engage with the bill sponsors and the State Government Committee members, the bill’s next stop. EENC prepared bullet points and compiled research to help our partners prepare for 1:1 meetings with the bill sponsors, and had frequent strategy calls with allies who were also mobilizing to protect the requirement. We are celebrating the power of our network! Thanks to our members, partners, and community, this legislation was changed not once, but twice. After three intense weeks working behind the scenes, House Bill 8 passed the State Government Committee Meeting with an amendment from the lead bill sponsor that protects the Earth/Environmental Science Graduation Requirement. The new version of the bill reduces the total number of elective credits instead of impacting science. Our vision that environmental education is a societal value was recognized. EENC will continue to monitor this bill as it makes its way through the Senate (follow the bill’s progress). We learned about this bill thanks to a tip from one of our contacts. Our strength is in our people, so if you learn about legislation that impacts environmental education in our state in the future, please reach out to EENC’s Policy Chair to let us know.

The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction has just released the second draft of the K-12 Science Standards. This is most likely the environmental education community's final chance to share feedback in the standards revision process. Just like we did with the first draft, EENC has compiled the links and information you need to know to help you prepare to complete the survey. A few things to note in this round of feedback: It is important for all environmental educators in our state to provide feedback! This information will be review by the Data Review Committee to determine which comments and recommendations will be shared with the Standards Writing Team - so be sure to submit your individual response to ensure your voice is heard! This survey is more holistic and does not offer the option for line-by-line feedback. If you have specific recommendations, be sure to include those in the open-ended response at the end of each grade. We recommend you review the compiled recommendations from the environmental education community from the first draft before you submit your feedback. Please be sure to complete the survey by March 26 to help ensure that environmental learning is incorporated in our state's science standards at every grade level!

We are saddened to share the news of the passing of a creative, exuberant spirit who graced EENC with her enthusiasm for environmental education. Elizabeth Burke passed away in her sleep on January 30, 2023. Elizabeth was a feature of EENC in the early 2000s. She served on the EENC board as Communications Chair/Co-Chair from 2007-2012. Elizabeth received the Outstanding Newcomer Award 2006 and the Melva Fager Okun Life Achievement Award in 2012. As one of the first individuals to become a Certified Environmental Educator in North Carolina, it is easy to understand Elizabeth’s dedication to environmental education. She founded Mud Pie Planet in the late 1990s and taught in the Triangle until she moved to Virginia in 2003. Even after moving out of North Carolina, she continued to serve on the EENC Board as Communications Chair. She led the change from periodic print newsletters to more environmentally sound digital newsletter, oversaw the development of EENC’s early web presence, and continued to be at the center of EENC communications while we hosted the NAAEE conference in 2011. When she received the Melva Fager Okun Life Achievement award, she shared that throughout her career she never lost sight of her expressed goal, “To know nature, it’s critical to hold it in your hand. To fully understand the interdependence of organisms, there’s no substitute for seeing it in action.” If you worked with Elizabeth, you can share your memories and pictures here.

How did you get started in environmental education? Did you start with a low paying seasonal job and moved position to position until you landed the full-time job with benefits? It’s a common path for many new environmental educators. A 2021 regional Landscape Analysis conducted by the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance confirmed what many of us working in environmental education already know: there are inequities in pay and benefits. This analysis found that the average entry-level salary for environmental educators is 15-25% lower than in comparable fields (Stakeholder Report). To address this, SEEA gathered a team of writers and advisors from across North America to develop an eeGuidance for Equitable Pay and Hiring in Environmental Education. EENC coordinated this project and is proud to now share this resource with our community. We are also so thankful to our members and partners who contributed to this work! This eeGuidance provides concrete tools and suggestions for designing and posting positions. It can serve as a tool for individuals and organizations to advocate for increasing EE salaries. And once applied, these standards and resources will help improve employee retention, attract more diverse talent, create a sustainable career path, and ultimately make environmental education more equitable. EENC will be hosting a webinar on Thursday, March 16 at 1 pm to provide an overview of what this document includes and recommended strategies for how you can use it. If you dig into this document before that webinar, know that we recognize and acknowledge that environmental education employers are coming from a wide range of starting points when it comes to pay and hiring. If your employer is already meeting all of the minimum standards, great work! If your organization is just getting started - or if you have been working to make change, but are challenged with constraints of larger systems - review the minimum standards and focus on what you can do. While you might not be able to raise pay right away, can you immediately rework how you recruit participants? Every step you can take helps move the field in the right direction. And if you’re in a position where you don’t have the power to make change (yet!), know that EENC will continue to advocate for equitable pay and hiring, so we can work toward a sustainable future for the field.

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 student, professional, senior, life, new to EE, and organizational members of EENC, the goal of this grant is to provide support to promote excellence in environmental education across North Carolina. EENC will award $2500 in mini-grants in 2023. Accepted proposals can range from $50 to $250. Each member can submit one proposal per year, either on their own behalf or on behalf of an organization or school. Eligible Members: Log in to your account at https://www.eenc.org/mini-grant to find all the details and apply online by February 28, 2023. Not a member? Join online at http://eenc.org/membership. Contact Lauren Pyle with questions.