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

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

Celebrate Excellence in EE Nominate Someone Today! EENC is proud to offer an annual awards program that recognizes our community members for their innovation, dedication, and excellence in environmental education. EENC Annual Awards Environmental Educator of the Year The Environmental Educator of the Year award recognizes an educator who stands out as a professional who exemplifies excellence in EE and lends credibility to the field. Outstanding Partner The Outstanding Partner award recognizes a business, non-profit, or governmental agency that has partnered with EENC to support our mission and growth. Exceptional EE Program 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. Melva Fager Okun Life Achievement The Life Achievement award recognizes an EENC member for a career of dedication to EENC and environmental education. Outstanding Service The Outstanding Service award is for a member who has served in several key leadership roles making a significant contribution to further the mission of EENC. Outstanding Newcomer The Outstanding Newcomer award recognizes an EENC member of five years or less who has made significant contributions to EENC during their short time as a member. Outstanding Practitioner The Outstanding Practitioner award recognizes a member who 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. Join the Celebration at the Annual Conference Conference Info 2025 Nominations Are Open Now We want to celebrate your EE Hero! Nominations are open through August 3 .

Explore EENC's core workshop and course offerings, including those eligible for NC EE Certification credit hours. Learning Opportunities Core Offerings For Programming information, contact Michelle Pearce at programs@eenc.org Look for eeCOURSES in our offerings! eeCOURSES are top-quality, competency-based courses on specific topics across the breadth of environmental education. eeCOURSES are developed by NAAEE Affiliates and endorsed by NAAEE. Guidelines for Excellence JEDI in EE Accessible by Nature Inquiry-Based Outdoor Learning EE and the NC Science Standards Embracing Evaluation in EE Guidelines for Excellence The Guidelines for Excellence is a series of materials that helps environmental educators hone their practice and programs to national standards for high-quality environmental education programming. Developed by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), the Guidelines document the collective wisdom of hundreds of educators across our nation; these guides are updated periodically to reflect new research, changing best practices, and an increasing attention to equity and inclusion. Workshops focus on one or more of the Guidelines publications: K-12 Environmental Education Professional Development of Environmental Educators Environmental Education Materials Nonformal Environmental Education Programs Early Childhood Environmental Education Programs Community Engagement For those pursuing EE Certification in North Carolina managed by our partners at the NC Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs, these workshops qualify for Criteria I/continuing education credit. You make take multiple Guidelines workshops for credit, so long as each workshop focuses on a different Guidelines publication. Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Environmental Education This online course is designed to provide a strong foundation in the language, concepts and principles of equity work for environmental educators and environmental professionals. It is meant to be an introductory course and spark interest in further learning around justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI). The main topics for the course include: Foundations of communication for sensitive topics, including group agreements and nonviolent communication. Developing a common language for discussing JEDI topics Understanding historical intersections of the environmental movement with social justice topics, how those historical events might still be causing impacts today. Understanding bias, stereotypes, and oppression Reflecting on power and privilege that different identities afford, how that power and privilege manifests as microaggressions and how to use the power and privilege you had to develop a personal action plan. This course was developed through a partnership between Center for Diversity and the Environment , EcoInclusive , Justice Outside , Environmental Educators of North Carolina, Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education, and Kentucky Association for Environmental Education. Each cohort will have 8 weeks to complete the 10-15 hour asynchronous course. Cohorts will begin quarterly . Course qualifies for Criteria I/continuing education credit for the NC Environmental Educator Certificate . Accessible by Nature: Designing EE to Support All Learners This course uses the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework to guide the design of learning environments that are accessible and challenging for all, rather than making modifications for individual students’ needs. This course will encourage you to reflect deeply on your practice to focus on how you plan and teach, not just the content you teach. Whether you’re a classroom teacher or outdoor nonformal educator, are an experienced professional or just getting started in the field, and are new to inclusion or have been leading inclusive programming for years, we hope this course will inspire you to strengthen your pedagogical practices so they are more welcoming, inclusive and accessible for all learners. Focus areas include: Understanding the principles of Universal Design for Learning Describing terms, techniques, tools, and resources to promote inclusivity and access to better serve diverse populations, specifically those with learning differences, physical accessibility needs, and language barriers Evaluating your current teaching practices/pedagogy and your setting to identify barriers to participation Applying the principles of universal design for learning to your pedagogical practices to redesign a lesson, activity, or program This course content was designed by Michelle Silvers of Silver’s Lining PLLC, Estrella Risinger with the Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education , Michelle Pearce and Lauren Pyle with the Environmental Educators of North Carolina, with contributions from Rebekah Jones and the Cooper Center for Environmental Learning . This is an endorsed eeCOURSE with NAAEE . Inquiry-Based Outdoor Learning: USING BEETLES IN NC The BEETLES (Better Environmental Education, Teaching, Learning, and Expertise Sharing) learning sessions are active experiences crafted to encourage instructors to look at specific aspects of research-based science pedagogy and to inspire shifts in instructors’ thinking about their own teaching and learning. Developed by the Lawrence Hall of Science, these hands-on and interactive sessions promote a student-centered approach to help participants better engage with science and the natural world through inquiry. Learn more about BEETLES at http://beetlesproject.org/ Inquiry-Based Outdoor Learning workshops fully explore 2-4 of the eleven Professional Learning Sessions in their entirety during the 6-10 hours of the workshop: Adaptation & Evolution Assessing for Learning Constructing Understanding Evidence & Explanations Field Journaling with Students Making Observations Matter & Energy in Ecosystems Nature and Practices of Science Promoting Discussion Questioning Strategies Teaching & Learning For those pursuing EE Certification in North Carolina managed by our partners at the NC Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs, these workshops qualify for Criteria I/continuing education credit. You make take multiple Inquiry-Based Outdoor Learning workshops for credit, so long as each workshop focuses on different BEETLES. Environmental Education and the NC Science Standards Environmental Education and the NC Science Standards is a 4 week course designed to help practitioners review NC Essential Standards and popular EE curriculum to better understand how they can support eachother. This workshop is for educators (formal, nonformal, and higher education) who want to: Explain the purpose of academic standards and their role in our educational system Describe the components of the academic standards. Use the science standards to illustrate the interdisciplinary nature of environmental education. Demonstrate how these academic standards correlate with environmental education curricula. Format: This course will be a completely online course that uses Moodle and shared documents platforms like Padlet and Google Docs. For those pursuing EE Certification in North Carolina managed by our partners at the NC Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs, this course qualifies for Criteria III/continuing education credit. Embracing Evaluation in Environmental Education What is this course about? A primary goal of this 5 week course is to give participants the skills to develop an evaluation plan that goes beyond the satisfaction survey many providers use. The best evaluation plan is intentionally connected to program goals and created and implemented in collaboration with the program audience. By giving more environmental educators the tools to carry out meaningful evaluations, we can improve our efforts to build a healthier and more equitable future. Who is this course for? This course is intended for anyone working in or adjacent to environmental education. The course will cover evaluation basics and is intended for practitioners with no evaluation experience as well as those with many years of experience. If you are someone with evaluation experience, the course content may help you think of evaluation differently and give you new ideas. For those pursuing EE Certification in North Carolina managed by our partners at the NC Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs, this course qualifies for Criteria III/continuing education credit. Two live Zoom calls are required, otherwise the course is asynchronous. Upcoming Courses & Workshops Membership Offer Mon, Oct 20 Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Environmental Education – Online Course / 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. Membership Offer Mon, Nov 03 Accessible by Nature: Designing EE to Support All Learners / Online Course 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. Membership Offer Mon, Dec 01 Methods of Teaching Environmental Education Online Workshop (MOTEE) / Online Course 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. Thu, Jan 01 EENC Book Club / Online Course 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. Membership Offer Mon, Jan 19 NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence Workshop: Environmental Educator Knowledge and Skills, Thursday PM Section / Workshop 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). About our Events SECTION EVENTS Throughout the year, EENC offers regional section events across the state. These events vary greatly in length, topic, and format - but their goal is the same: to bring local environmental educators together! Some events might be more recreational in nature, like k ayaking or a group hike. Others may be more social, like brewery/film screening meet-up or cookouts. Still others may be more content-driven, like a guided wildflower walk or teaching strategies seminar. We've also hosted book-clubs, behind-the-scenes tours, and family-friendly gatherings. WEBI NARS North Carolina is a large state. EENC provides virtual opportunities so that educators from Murphy to Manteo to gather together, to learn with and from one another. EENC currently hosts monthly webinars on the th ird Thursday of the month. We invite presenters to share their expertise and experience about hot topics impacting our EE community. If you are interested in presenting a webinar, contact the Program Coordinator. All webinars are free for participants. Recordings are sent to all participants afterward. COMMUNIT Y CALLS Community calls are a great chance to share what you're thinkin g, listen to what others are planning, ask questions of one another, and feel a sense of community. These drop-in interactive calls provide virtual opportunities to engage with your peers throughout the year. Some calls have specific themes for target audiences, while others are more general. We don't have the answers, but we're hoping that together, we can create solutions! EVENTS FROM OUR PARTNERS EENC is an Affiliate co-host of the NAAEE Monthly Webinar Series , an Outdoor Learning Store workshop partner, and a Green Teacher Webinar partner. You can find many of EENC's signature and partnered events listed on Facebook . Looking for additional professional development? There are a wide variety of environmental education organizations that offer professional development for North Carolina's EE community. PROGRAM EVALUATION DASHBOARD https://eenc-visualization.streamlit.app/~/+/#welcome-to-the-eenc-dashboard

Explore the collaborative white paper detailing best practices for pay and hiring in the environmental education sector, developed by EENC and our partners at SEEA. Equitable Pay and Hiring in Environmental Education Environmental education, like many other sectors, endeavors to answer the calls to examine its history of institutional racism and discrimination, adopt more inclusive hiring practices and address inequities in compensation and benefits packages to make our field more equitable, welcoming and sustainable. Usin g the SEEA findings, we make the case for a reimagining of more equitable hiring and pay practices in the white paper "eeGuidance for Equitable Pay and Hiring in Environmental Education" . EENC is proud to be among the writers, and endorsing partners, of this report. In 2021 the Southeast Environmental Education Alliance (SEEA) conducted a landscape analysis to understand the current state, ongoing needs, and growth areas for the regional environmental education field. This data confirms that entry-level pay in environmental education is 15-25% lower than in comparable fields such as forestry, tourism, and formal education. The eeGuidance provides recommendations and highlights some best practices for environmental and outdoor education organizations. There are several key areas that employers must change to make environmental education careers more accessible to a broader population, including pay and benefits, position design, recruitment, processes and practices. This document provides researched explanations of why these areas matter and outlines specific minimum standards for employers to enact immediately. We also identify the target standards that we all must work toward to transform employment in our field. Citations and resources are embedded throughout this document and collated at the end for further learning. Once applied, these standards and resources will help improve employee retention, attract more diverse talent, create a sustainable career path, and establish our field as a viable profession. Networks, coalitions, and job boards that approve and support this eeGuidance can be recognized as endorsing organizations here. View the Full Document Standards at a Glance Have a job that meets the eeGuidance's minimum standards? As an individual employer, help job seekers know that the position meets or exceeds the minimum standards outlined in this document by adding the following commitment statement at the bottom of job descriptions. “This position meets or exceeds the recommendations as outlined in the eeGuidance for Equitable Pay and Hiring . [Employer Name] is committed to advancing employee equity in the field of environmental education to better serve our staff, our organization, and our community.” Be sure to review the standards listed throughout this document and ensure your position meets 100% of the minimum standards before using this language. The Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance and other endorsing partners will not review every position that is posted as meeting these standards, so we must trust that employers who post positions with this statement in job descriptions have done so with careful consideration.

Support and rep EENC with merch from our RedBuddle store! EENC Official Shop We have a Bonfire store! Show off your support with logo shirts, tote bags, sling bags, and more. A portion of your purchase will be shared with EENC. Find Our Shop Here

EENC boasts a statewide community of Organizational Members – entire organizations who have committed to EENC membership. Get to know our nearly 20 organizational members here. Organizational Members We love our Organizational Members! These environmental educational organizations and programs work alongside EENC to advance the field of environmental education in North Carolina. Do you want to see your name on this list? Learn more about the benefits of Organizational Membership and join today . Bronze Members Silver Members Gold Members Platinum Members

Discover foundational concepts and practices of environmental education. What is Environmental Education? Environmental education is a learning process that increases people's knowledge and awareness about the environment and associated challenges, develops the necessary skills and expertise to address the challenges, and fosters attitudes, motivations, and commitments to make informed decisions and take responsible action. Why Does Environmental Education Matter? Did you grow up catching fireflies, playing in the creek, or building forts in your backyard? Most children in today’s world won’t , which means that when they grow up, they may not have a vested interest in protecting our natural resources and natural spaces. Environmental educators across North Carolina are working to change that. Environmental education is critical for a sustainable future. It provides time in, and a connection to, the outdoors which research has shown to improve academic p erformance and physical, mental, and emotional health - making it just as important for our participants as it is for the planet. More than ever, children and adults need to know how ecological systems work and why they matter. The health of the environment is inseparable from humans’ well-being and economic prosperity . People require knowledge, tools and sensitivity to successfully address and solve environmental problems in their daily lives. Environmental education...has the power to transform lives and society. It informs and inspires. It influences attitudes. It motivates action. Environmental education is a key tool in expanding the constituency for the environmental movement and creating healthier and more civically-engaged communities. -North American Association for Environmental Education Environmental Education Works Over the last few decades, thousands of studies have been completed to analyze the effectiveness of EE. “The studies clearly showed that students taking part in environmental education programming gained knowledge about the environment. But the studies also showed that learning about the environment is just the tip of the iceberg.” (NAAEE) This research has demonstrated that environmental education: Has widespread public support Improves standardized test sc ores and academic performance Promotes 21st century skills such as critical thinking, oral communication, analytical skills, problem solving, and higher-order thinking Supports STEM topics and is interdisciplinary Bolsters civic engagement and empowerment Sparks stewardship behavior and environmental actions Encourages students’ personal growth including teamwork, confidence, autonomy, and leadership Increases motivation and interest in learning Is an “equalizer” allowing educators to cater to multiple student interests, skills, abilities, and special needs,Helps improve teacher skills and classroom engagement Is a cost-effective investment, promoting multiple environmental and societal benefits, and Strengthens communities by connecting schools to local organizations and agencies. To learn more about the original research, you can check out eeWorks and the Children’s and Nature Network’s Research Library. Environmental Education Promotes Environmental Literacy “Environmental education is a resource that transcends the classroom—both in character and scope. In the classroom and beyond, the desired outcome of environmental education is environmental literacy. What is Environmental Literacy? In North Carolina, environmental literacy is defined as the ability to make informed decisions about issues affecting shared natural resources while balancing cultural perspectives, the economy, public health and the environment. An environmentally literate citizen: Understands how natural systems and human social systems work and relate to one another, Combines this understanding with personal attitudes and experiences to analyze various facets of environmental issues, Develops the skills necessary to make responsible decisions based on scientific, economic, aesthetic, political, cultural and ethical considerations; and Practices personal and civic responsibility for decisions affecting our shared natural resources. Environmental literacy is dependent upon formal education opportunities as well as nonformal education about the environment that takes place in settings such as parks, zoos, nature centers, community centers, youth camps, etc. It is the combination of these formal and nonformal experiences that leads to an environmentally literate citizenry. North Carolina requires an environmentally literate citizenry who make informed decisions about complex environmental issues affecting the economy, public health and safety, and shared natural resources, such as the water, air and land on which life depends.” - North Carolina’s Environmental Literacy Plan Ways to Get Involved in Environmental Education Learn more about the organizations and research supporting environmental education. Increase our efforts to support North Carolina’s classroom teachers, naturalists, park rangers, nonformal educators, government employees, students and volunteers by contributing to EENC . Spread the word. Encourage your kids’ teachers to get involved. Volunteer at your local environmental education center. Become an environmental educator. Join our community . Want a printable copy of this information to share? We have two PDF versions available: With citations With clickable links

Legacy giving is a meaningful way to support EENC – explore opportunities for legacy giving here. Legacy Giving What is the future you want to create? Do you envision a future where communities are empowered to create a just and sustainable world? Do you envision a future where all children have the opportunity to play freely outside? Where all people have access to beautiful natural spaces, and are deeply engaged with caring for these special places? If so, you know that environmental education is critical to making your dream of the future become reality. EENC needs your support to continue to grow our advocacy, partnerships, programs and resources. Together, let’s create a more just and sustainable world. Leave your lasting legacy by including EENC in your planned giving. We are happy to discuss your options, learn more about your vision for the future, and help find the right fit for you and your family. Since our inception, EENC has grown from a small, all-volunteer group in the Triangle to a robust statewide network of hundreds of educators, supported by multiple paid staff. When EENC was founded in 1991, environmental education in North Carolina looked very different than it does today. Now, every high school student in North Carolina studies environmental science before they graduate. Our state’s EE Certification program, supported by dozens of partners like EENC, recognizes educators’ professional expertise and encourages continuous learning. Educators are also now prioritizing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion - in addition to environmental knowledge - to make environmental education more accessible and welcoming to all. While these are amazing successes, there is still much to be done. More than ever, all children and adults need to know how ecological systems work and why they matter. The health of the environment is inseparable from humans’ well-being and economic prosperity. People require knowledge, tools, and sensitivity to successfully address and solve environmental problems in their daily lives. Your legacy gift will provide EENC with the critical financial resources to ensure its future and ability to support environmental education for future generations. Are you ready to plan your legacy? There are endless variations for how you can implement a planned giving strategy that is tailored to your unique situation. Some common examples include: Bequests, or gifts made as part of a will or trust Naming the Environmental Educators of North Carolina as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan Stocks, bonds, mutual funds or other publicly traded securities Cash or check, in a donation that supports your overall estate planning You can name EENC as a beneficiary of either a specific dollar amount or a fraction of the residual portion of your estate. To leave a gift in your will, simply share this sentence with your attorney or financial planner: “I bequeath $___ or ___% of my estate to the Environmental Educators of North Carolina (Tax ID #56-1715308), 150 Highland Sq Dr #1034, Hendersonville, NC 28792.” If you have decided to include EENC in your estate plans, please let us know! Complete the below form to indicate your interest in EENC's Legacy Giving program. We look forward to being in touch with you soon!

Discover volunteer opportunities with EENC, including Board and committee involvement. Volunteer Want to get involved with EENC? EENC is always looking for help to help with committees, action projects, and special events! Volunteering is great way to help other educators across our state, share your voice to help EENC better serve our professional community, and it's a chance to get to know some really cool people. Have questions about volunteering? Contact erin@eenc.org to learn more about the Events and Outreach Committee. Annual Opportunities: Mini-Grant Reviewers (March) Conference Session Proposal Reviewers (April-May) Conference Scholarship Application Reviewers (May-June) Awards Committee (August-September) Conference Volunteers (September - recruitment happens when you register!) Section Committees (ongoing, as openings arise) Join the Policy Community Join the Policy Committee to help us create our Advocacy Plan. This plan will identify legislative priorities as well as non-legislative advocacy opportunities and provide a roadmap for organizational engagement. This opportunity is for anyone interested in advocacy for environmental education as a field. We want your skills and knowledge if you are a policy expert, have legislative advocacy experience, or love building relationships. We also want your thoughts and energy if this is something you want to learn more about! Contact 2024 Board Policy Chair Brian Wuertz to get involved in this committee. Overarching Goals: Create an advocacy plan for EENC Advocate for environmental education policy initiatives Build relationships with decision makers Establish connections with current policy advocates who can include EE in their policy pushes Include non-board member volunteers Membership expectations: Attendance 1, 1-hour meeting per month Estimated time commitment: 2-3 hours per month Research policies, review documents, and prepare for meetings For Current Volunteers Volunteer Waivers Volunteers must complete the EENC Volunteer Waiver prior to service. Please complete the form and email a copy to info@eenc.org . Volunteer Waiver Volunteer Hours Have you given time to support EENC? If so, know we are so deeply appreciative. We want to make sure your time is counted. Please report your hours of service to EENC by completing our volunteer hours form.

EENC hosts an annual conference to gather environmental educators from across the state for networking and professional learning. Join us in September for our next conference! Attend The Conference Check Out the 2025 Conference Page #eenc2025: Hope Through Strength from Mountains to Sea EENC's 2025 conference will be at Mission Health/AB Tech Conference Center in Asheville on September 19 and 20, with a pre-conference workshop and field trips taking place on the 18th. Attention Exhibitors! Would you like to showcase your organization or program? You can set up a table during the conference to share information about what you do. Organizational Members with a Platinum, Titanium, or Diamond level membership get to the table for free! Lodging: Asheville area lodging accommodations for the conference. Sponsor Packet Learn More Check out the schedule from the 2024 EENC conference! View Now Previous Conference Themes: Every year, EENC selects a theme for the conference that will be the guiding principle for the session strands and programming. Previous themes include: Imagining SustainablE FuturEs Unplug and rEEconnect rEEdefine rEEmerge Previous Conference Session Strands: Within each theme, there are a series of strands or tracks that group sessions together in a common idea, perspective, or objective. Previous strands include: Research to Action* Hands-On, Minds-On* The Future of Community Engagement The Future of Capacity Building The Future of Environmental Literacy rEEconnect to Place rEEconnect to Our Why (Work) rEEconnect to Social Change *Consistent from year to year Additional conference information will be published here as it becomes available. Check back frequently for the latest details! Estimated Release Dates: Request for Session Proposals – April Keynote Speaker Announcement – April Award Nominations – May Sponsorship Opportunities – May Pre-Conference Workshops and Field Trips – May Schedule – July Early Bird Registration – July General Registration – August Previous Conferences 2024 2023 2022 2021 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. will.freund13 Silent Auction + Scholarships= Mutualism! EENC's Annual Conference has always had the goal of bringing together educators for idea sharing, networking, and an overall good time.... EENC Staff Team Recap & Gallery: 2023 EENC Conference Early this month, EENC friends and members gathered at Rockfish Camp and Retreat Center in Parkton for our 32nd annual conference, guided... EENC Staff Team