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EENC Members have the exclusive opportunity to apply for our annual mini-grants. Mini-Grant Program 2026 Mini-Grant applications are now CLOSED. What difference would $250 make for your teaching? Could it pay for that workshop you’ve been dreaming of taking? Materials for a professional development course you want to facilitate? Resources for an environmental education project in your community? EENC recognizes that in our field, sometimes a little bit goes a long way in making a difference for the teachers, non-formal educators, government employees, students and volunteers we work with. Open to all paying members of EENC, the goal of this grant is to provide support to promote excellence in environmental education across North Carolina. EENC awards mini-grants annually; accepted proposals can range from $50 to $250. Members may submit one proposal per year, either on their own behalf or on behalf of an organization or school. Funding will be distributed on a reimbursement basis to awardees after their p ro jects are completed. What You Can Apply For: Anything that would promote excellence for environmental education in NC, including but not limited to: professional development course fees, substitute teacher fees to allow professional development attendance, student field trip fees, educational books or m aterials for facility/classroom/workshop, garden resources, staff time to deliver programming to a new audience, etc. Eligibility Criteria: Our Mini-Grant Program is a member benefit . Professional, Student, Senior, New to EE, Life, and all Organizational Members may apply. The 2026 mini-grant application will be open from Sunday, March 1st, through Tuesday, March 31st at 11:59 PM; all applicants will be notified of their status in mid-April. Funded projects must take place within the 2026 calendar year. The 2026 EENC Mini-Grant program is made possible by the generous support of the EENC donor community. Without their continued and ongoing support, we would not be able to provide this opportunity. Past Mini-Grant Application Cycles and Awardees Congratulations to EENC’s 2026 Mini-Grant Awardees EENC is so proud to be able to offer mini-grants for the 8th year in a row! Jun 12 Announcing EENC’s 2025 Mini-Grant Awardees Now in its 7th year, we are excited to continue our successful mini-grant program in supporting the teachers, non-formal educators, government employees, students, and volunteers we work with across North Carolina. Jun 15, 2025 Meet EENC's 2024 Mini-Grant Awardees Map of all mini-grant awardees to date, with orange pins representing the 2024 awardees. It's the best time of year – the time when we... Mar 26, 2024 Reflections and Accomplishments from The First Five Years of EENC's Mini-Grant Program 2023 marks the fifth year of EENC’s mini-grant program, an innovative, equity-driven member benefit that promotes excellence in... Dec 27, 2023 Celebrating 2023’s EENC Mini-Grant Awardees Each year, EENC awards mini-grants of $50-$250 to support members’ environmental education efforts. This year’s six awardees used this... Dec 8, 2023 Congratulations to our 2023 Mini-Grant Winners! EENC recognizes that in our field, sometimes a little bit goes a long way in making a difference for the teachers, non-formal educators,... Apr 7, 2023 2023 Mini-Grants for EENC Members Open for Proposals What difference would $250 make for your teaching? Could it pay for that workshop you’ve been dreaming of taking? Materials for a... Jan 18, 2023 Celebrating 2022 EENC Mini-Grant Winners Each year, EENC awards mini-grants to ranging from $50 to $250. This year’s nine winners used this funding for school gardens, community... Dec 9, 2022 Announcing 2022 Mini-Grant Winners Congratulations to the 10 educators of this year’s mini-grant! This Earth Day, EENC is thrilled to announce that we're helping 10 EENC... Apr 22, 2022 Now Accepting Proposals: 2022 EENC Mini-Grant What difference would $250 make for your teaching? Could it pay for that workshop you’ve been dreaming of taking? Materials for a... Feb 10, 2022 Sharing Successes from 2021 Mini-Grant Awardees This year EENC awarded our third year of funding through our annual mini-grant program! These grants provided up to $250 to cover time, ... Dec 20, 2021 Announcing 2021 Mini-Grant Winners EENC is thrilled to announce that we're helping 11 educators from across our state in the third year of our mini-grant program. With... Apr 15, 2021 2021 Mini-Grant Application Opens What difference would $250 make for your teaching? Could it pay for that workshop you’ve been dreaming of taking? Materials for a... Jan 11, 2021 Congratulations to our 2020 Mini-Grant Recipients! Wow what a year! When EENC announced our mini-grant winners back in April, none of us had any idea of what the year ahead would look... Dec 15, 2020 Announcing 2020 Mini-Grant Winners! Environmental education is not cancelled! EENC is thrilled to announce that we're helping 10 educators from across our state take on EE... Apr 17, 2020 Apply now for 2020 Mini-Grant! What difference would $250 make for your teaching? Could it pay for that workshop you’ve been dreaming of taking? Materials for a... Jan 24, 2020 Celebrating EENC's First Mini-Grant Awardees 2019 has been a big year for EENC. We've launched lot's of new resources and events - but this was also the first year we've awarded... Dec 20, 2019 Congratulations to Our First Mini-Grant Recipients! After a detailed review by a committee of EENC life members and board members, we are proud to announce the recipients of EENC's... Apr 11, 2019

EENC is partnered with statewide and national nonprofits to advance our mission. Here, we share key resource databases from those partners. Resources from Our Partners EENC is lucky to be partnered and affiliated with a variety of organizations that support environmental education. These organizations have distinct missions and visions, but collectively seek to create a rich landscape for environmental education and increased environmental literacy in North Carolina, and across the country. A selection of resource databases from our partners is included below. EENC's work with the NAAEE eeCOURSE "Accessible by Nature: Designing EE to Support All Learners" has been published in the Journal of Environmental Education. The work was cited in the article titled "At the intersection of environmental learning and special education: Hidden opportunities" and the full PDF is available here . NC Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs NC Environmental Educator Certification Program NC & Nearby Intern ship and Job Board Directory of North Carolina Environmental Education Center Resource Database North American Association for Environmental Education eePRO networking and learning community Nationwide Internship and Job Board Environmental Education Research Library Children and Nature Network Children and Nature Research Library Nature News Hub

The mission, vision, and values that guide our work. About EENC Welcome to the online home of the Environmental Educators of North Carolina! Our organization grew from the desire of environmental educators across North Carolina to meet and share their experiences, aspirations, and tools. Since its inception in 1990, EENC has grown into something much greater. Our organization is a 501(c)3 non-profit, governed by bylaws that are voted on by our membership, and managed by an all-volunteer board of directors that is elected annually by the members. We represent a network of outstanding environmental educators, individuals, and organizations who work together to strengthen environmental education in our state. Our Mission EENC’s mission is to build connections, provide professional development, and promote excellence for North Carolina's community of environmental educators. We do this by promoting and facilitating professional development, fostering networking opportunities, and demonstrating high quality environmental education programs and materials. EENC strives to be a leader in the field of environmental education within North Carolina, the southeast, and the nation. Our Vision EENC envisions a future in which: Individuals across all NC communities are empowered by their knowledge, skills, convictions, and abilities to inspire a just and sustainable world. 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. EENC is a national model, creating a stronger sense of belonging for educators from all walks of life where varied skills and experiences are celebrated. Our Values 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. Nature Connection is Essential We believe that humans are rooted in their environment. Connection to nature is an essential human right that provides a sense of belonging, place, identity, and community. Learning Lasts a Lifetime We nurture a growth mindset and cultivate curiosity as teachers and learners. We invest in evaluation, growth, and responsive change to meet the needs of our expanding community. Impact Drives Us We may not have the answers, but together, we can find solutions. We center research and evaluation to guide data-based advancements and accountability in pursuit of excellence. We seek meaningful partnerships to foster success for our professions, our students, and the natural world. 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. We believe: Environmental literacy and mutual respect are inherently linked with environmental and social justice. Environmental education and resources should be accessible to all communities. Biodiversity is critical to the success of natural spaces, and the diversity of humanity is what makes us stronger. We are never done learning and growing as an organization and as individuals. Our Affiliations Our Partners Looking for information about Environmental Education Certification in North Carolina ? That program is administered by our partners at the North Carolina Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs. Shared Leadership EENC has adopted a model grounded in transparent, shared decision-making power among board members and staff members leading different spheres of the work. Our leadership is a collective effort, promoting a resilient and adaptive organizational structure. We use a unique decision-making model to guide our shared work. Important decisions may be made among staff, between staff and board members or committees, or at the board level. All staff members report to one another regularly on progress and challenges. Staff serve as liaisons to board committees and routinely communicate with board leaders to plan and implement projects. Team members must be able to self-motivate and take ownership of their individual tasks while contributing effectively to shared goals and initiatives. Ongoing, transparent, frequent communication among team members is integral to this model. Read our full Shared Leadership Statement: Strategic Plan Every three years, the Board of Directors defines our organizational priorities through a strategic plan to help guide our work. EENC's four main focus areas for 2025 - 2027 are: Advancing EE - Strengthen environmental education through equitable access, culturally responsive professional development, and advocacy that reflects diverse community needs. Developing Community - Build a supportive, knowledge-rich community that is inclusive, equitable, and responsive to diverse needs and perspectives. Fostering Partnerships - Develop equitable partnerships that enhance our reach, resources, and impact, ensuring shared power dynamics and a focus on diversity and inclusion Building Internal Capacity - Strengthen the internal structure to ensure sustainability, growth, and a positive, inclusive, and equitable work environment. You can read our full strategic plan here. Annual Reports The EENC President generates an annual report each year that describes the organization's activities and growth during their tenure. These reports are available to the membership. Click on a date below to view the report for that year: 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 Learn more about our operations and see how we've put previous support into action by reviewing our most recent 990. Discover our History Beginnings In late 1987, Triangle area environmental and teaching professionals met often and regularly at various venues to engage in discussions around the environmental education movement in our state. Members of the focus group included UNC and NCSU professors, school teachers of diverse disciplines, museum curators and interpreters, County and State Parks rangers and naturalists, federal, state and county government agency officials, environmental researchers, electric utility professionals, and environmental policymakers. Meetings were held "after school" and rooms were sometimes packed with professionals determined to spin a common thread in their efforts to increase environmental awareness and knowledge among the people of North Carolina. In time, interest grew beyond the Triangle, resulting in the creation of a state-wide, membership-driven, 501(c)3 education non-profit organization called Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC). The first board meeting was held at Museum of Life and Science in Durham in October 1990. It was then, and continues to be, the premier environmental education professional organization in our state which connects diverse professionals and organizations to each other through directories, news, regional events, an annual state conference and a coveted awards program.

Thank you for your interest in joining EENC's Board of Directors! Join Our Board The EENC Nomination Committee has opened applications for the 2027 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 Will Freund, EENC Past-President, will@eenc.org. Do you know someone with skills that would complement our organization's mission? Please send their contact information to Will. 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.

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 2026 Conference Page Emerald Pathways: From Triangle Roots to Carolina Horizons EENC's 2026 conference will be at NC State’s McKimmon Conference & Training Center in Raleigh, NC! This year’s conference will be held from Friday, September 11, to Saturday, September 12, 2026. Plan ahead for pre-conference workshops, field trips, and more on Thursday, September 10. 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! Learn more in our sponsor packet . Lodging: Raleigh area lodging accommodations for the conference are available on the Conference Page. Sponsor Packet Conference Shirts 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: Hope Through Strength from Mountain to Sea 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 – June Sponsorship Opportunities – May Pre-Conference Workshops and Field Trips – June Schedule – July Early Bird Registration – June General Registration – August Previous Conferences 2025 2024 2023 2022 The Office: A Note from Past-President Will Freund For over 30 years, the North Carolina Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs has been a key partner in EENC's work since our founding in 1991. Now we embark on the journey of figuring out what is next. EENC Board of Directors 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

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 2026 Board of Directors Will Freund Past-President will@eenc.org LaKyla Hodges Western Section Chair lakyla@eenc.org Brooke Wilson Member-At-Large brooke@eenc.org Emily Behr Central Section Chair emily.b@eenc.org Jessica Stitt Eastern Section Chair jessica@eenc.org Noah Upchurch President-Elect noah@eenc.org Sydney Singleton Piedmont Section Chair sydney@eenc.org Rachel Bentley Member-At-Large rachel@eenc.org Cynthia Peedin President cynthia@eenc.org Tamara Kelly Member-At-Large tamara@eenc.org Lauren Daniel Treasurer lauren@eenc.org Hillary Harrison Secretary hillary@eenc.org Harrison Jackson Member-At-Large harrison@eenc.org Erika Young Member-at-Large erika@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: Jess Stit Email Jess Finance & Development Chair: Will Freund Email Will Governance Chair: Cynthia Peedin Email Cynthia

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

Donor support directly enables us to take action in pursuit of our mission to support and advocate on behalf of North Carolina's community of environmental educators. Thank you. Our Donors A message of welcome and appreciation for our donors: We've welcomed many new donors to our community in recent months following the record-making success of our 2023 end of year Better Together Campaign – thank you for your interest in supporting NC's environmental educators! Be sure to check out our donor recognition tiers featuring North Carolina's beloved state nature symbols — and you – to learn how we plan to celebrate your contributions. Thanks to your phenomenal support, we are moving forward into new opportunities and strategies to ensure effective, equitable, change-making work. Our 2024 EENC Board of Directors includes many returning faces and our first-ever cohort of at-large board members working in alignment with our shared leadership model . As the staff team continues to bring additional professional capacity to our mission, we've transitioned from task-specific board positions to a robust slate of active committees. These committees synthesize expertise from many board members around topics including governance, advocacy, finance, events and outreach, and more. We owe our ongoing success to the steadfast support from you, our donors. Thank you for investing in our work leading excellence and progress in environmental education nationally and close to home. Thanks to our community of 2023 donors! We rely on direct contributions from our members and supporters to bring our mission to life. Find the full list of 2022 year donors in our 2022 Annual Report . Want to see your name on this list next year? Make a donation today. Brook Trout Recognition available: Included in donor newsletter & Annual Report, Listed on website, Listed in Annual Report, Recognition during fundraising events, Printed annual report sent to your home. Charlotte Clark Brad Daniel Melva Okun Kyra Thurow Bartow Pine Barrens Tree Frogs Recognition avai lable: Included in donor newsletter & Annual Report, Name listed on website, Name listed in Annual Report, Recognition during fundraising events. Sarah Adams Miriam Ash-Jones and Thomas Jones Barbara Bleiwies Erin Hines Nikki Jones Melody Lineberger The Ramsay Family Elise Tellez Tracy Wilson Eastern Tiger Swallowtails Recognition available: Included in donor newsletter & Annual Report, Name listed on website, Name listed in Annual Report. Keith Bamberger Sammy Bauer Mary Dobreff Chandler Holland Amelia Juliana Kathryn Stevenson Renee Strnad Celia Tuttle Scotch Bonnets Recognition available: Included in donor newsletter & Annual Report; Name listed on website. Alonzo Jaynes Andrea Parham Beth Cranford Brian Wuertz Brooke and Patrick OFriel Cheryl Grim Colin McCormick Daniel Naruta Donna Tolar Edith Rinholm Ellie Florack Emily Walker Erin Hudson George McCrary Gloria Clouse Gloria Lengel Heather Drayton Heather Hubbard Jessica Stitt Jessie Gruber Jonathan Marchal Julie Hall Kelly Bono Laura K White Lauren Lampley Leigh Kopicki Lindsey Baker Lisa Tolley Michael Smith Mickey Jo Sorrell Pam Pearce Pamela Vassallo Perry Hodgkins Jones Rebecca Shareff Ren Love Ryan Manning Shannon Culpepper Shannon Jones Sheila Jones Terri Kirby Hathaway Tots Height Ty Rinholm Support The 2024 Let's Grow Together Campaign! Through the Let’s Grow Together Campaign, we’re working to raise funds and draw attention to five amazing EE organizations across the state. EENC Staff Team Better Together: Successes from the 2023 Annual Giving Campaign EENC’s 2023 Annual Giving Campaign, Better Together, is one for the history books! Together, our community raised over $30,000 over the... EENC Staff Team Announcing EENC’s New Donor Recognition Tiers The EENC team owes every aspect of our success to the support of our donors: financial contributions directly drive our ability to offer... EENC Staff Team

Legacy giving is a meaningful way to support EENC – explore opportunities for legacy giving here. Sponsorship Opportunities Support EENC's mission to advance environmental education in North Carolina. Your sponsorship empowers a network of educators and organizations across NC, fostering connections, providing professional development, and promoting excellence. EENC builds environmental literacy, supports emerging community leaders, and encourages responsible interaction with our natural resources by guiding statewide collaboration and promoting meaningful nature learning for all ages. Together, we advocate for crucial environmental outdoor learning opportunities, build a diverse workforce, and ensure equitable opportunities for all to enjoy and protect the natural world. Become a Sponsor today to join us in creating a sustainable future. Sponsorship support is needed to bring EENC’s mission to life. We look forward to finding the right fit for your company’s philanthropic goals: your gift today supports a greener tomorrow. EENC Sponsorship tiers and recognition opportunities are listed below – to discuss customized sponsorships, or specific sponsorship of an EENC event, course, or project, please contact the EENC Staff Team. Thanks to Our Sponsor Community

Donor support directly enables us to take action in pursuit of our mission to support and advocate on behalf of North Carolina's community of environmental educators. Thank you. Donor Recognition Tiers A message of welcome and appreciation for our donors: The EENC team owes every aspect of our success to the support of our donors: financial contributions directly drive our ability to offer professional learning opportunities, advocate for environmental education across North Carolina, host our annual conferences, and implement innovative projects with key partners to strengthen environmental education capacity nationwide. All donors receive email and written thank you cards, get added to our quarterly donor newsletter, and are listed (small print below $500) in our Annual Report. At the below giving levels, donors are also eligible for all listed recognition opportunities. Think of it as a thank-you gift: from us, to you. We’re better together. $1-99: Scuppernongs Digital Badge for LinkedIn “I Gave to EENC” $100-249: Scotch Bonnets All Donors recognition (see above) Name listed on website Gratitude post on Facebook $250-499: Eastern Tiger Swallowtails All Donors recognition (see above) Name listed on website Name listed (not small) in Annual Report Access to the Vulture Program presented by President $500-999: Pine Barrens Tree Frogs Included in donor newsletter & Annual Report Name listed on website Name listed in Annual Report Recognition during fundraising events $1000-$2499: Brook Trout All Donors recognition (see above) Listed on website Listed in Annual Report Printed annual report sent to your home Social Media Interview/Highlight $2500-$4999: Marbled Salamanders All Donors recognition (see above) Listed on website Listed in Annual Report Printed annual report sent to your home Personal letter of gratitude from Leadership Special tour with an organization leader $5000-$9999: Flowering Dogwoods All doors recognition (see above) Listed on website Listed in Annual Report Printed annual report sent to your home Personal letter of gratitude from Leadership Spotlight article on EENC website Commemorative Thank You Item The Emerald Society $10,000-24,999: Eastern Box Turtles $25,000-49,999: Carolina Lillies $50,000+: Northern Cardinals All Emerald Society donors receive the following: All Donors recognition (see above) Listed on website Listed in Annual Report Recognition during fundraising events Printed annual report sent to your home Personal letter of gratitude from Leadership Spotlight article on EENC website Custom newsletter Induction during ceremony at annual fundraising event or Conference Additional naming and legacy opportunities available for Northern Cardinal donors For questions about these giving levels and recognition offerings, contact Operations & Development Lead David Rizor at operations@eenc.org. Thank you for supporting EENC! Thanks to our community of 2024 donors! We rely on direct contributions from our members and supporters to bring our mission to life. Find the full list of 2024 donors in our 2024 Annual Report . Want to see your name on this list next year? Make a donation today. Support The 2024 Let's Grow Together Campaign! Through the Let’s Grow Together Campaign, we’re working to raise funds and draw attention to five amazing EE organizations across the state. EENC Staff Team Better Together: Successes from the 2023 Annual Giving Campaign EENC’s 2023 Annual Giving Campaign, Better Together, is one for the history books! Together, our community raised over $30,000 over the... EENC Staff Team Announcing EENC’s New Donor Recognition Tiers The EENC team owes every aspect of our success to the support of our donors: financial contributions directly drive our ability to offer... EENC Staff Team

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! 2024 EENC Confernece #EENC2024: Imagining SustainablE FuturEs EENC's 2024 conference took place September 13th and 14th at Catawba College in Salisbury, with a pre-conference workshop and field trips taking place on the 12th. We thank the Catawba College Center for the Environment for their generous in-kind facility donation for our conference sessions and gatherings! 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 : We’re happy to be working with Dan Nicholas Park to provide camping options, and Holiday Inn Express Salisbury for hotel accommodations. 2024 Conference Schedule View Now 2024 Conference Sponsors Presenting Catawba College Center for the Environment Advocate Acorn Naturalist 2nd Nature TREC Supporter Murphy's Naturals Interested in sponsoring the EENC conference? Explore our Sponsor Packet . 2024 Conference Theme: The 2024 conference theme is Imagining SustainablE FuturEs . During the conference, we will examine present-day issues to explore the future of environmental education in North Carolina. Through capacity building, engagement, and practical innovation we will dream big about what environmental education can look like and build skills for how we get there. 2024 Conference Session Strands: The Future of Community Engagement: Environmental education (EE) can take place anywhere and involve anyone. This track will explore how EE can empower students through formal education, enable youth to be active contributors, and engage community members who are not typically represented in EE. Sessions will focus on the diverse ways EE can engage different audiences, such as visitor engagement, youth empowerment, higher education, adult education, and partnership projects. The Future of Capacity Building: EE relies on the people and organizations that do the hard work. This track will delve into effective techniques for building capacity in organizations to promote growth, innovation, and sustainability. Examples include evaluation, strategic planning, facility management, and equitable pay and hiring practices. The Future of Environmental Literacy: These sessions will examine what it means to be environmentally literate in 2024. How can we support environmental literacy in classrooms and beyond, and how might it be influenced by current issues? Topics include climate education, formal education, and systems thinking. Research to Action: These presentations will highlight the research conducted by you and/or your organization in the field, as well as its practical applications. For instance, you might present the findings of a study on intergenerational learning and then discuss strategies for engaging audiences in such learning experiences. Hands-On, Minds-On: These presentations will showcase practical activities, field skills, demonstrations, and walking workshops that exemplify the essence of EE. They are designed to be interactive and demonstrate both the 'what' and 'how' of EE. Examples include activity demonstrations, activity guides, and identification skills workshops. About The Location: Just an hour from both the Triad and Charlotte Metro areas, Catawba College is situated conveniently in the heart of EENC's Piedmont Section. Our gracious hosts at the Catawba College Center for the Environment are opening their campus to our community: we can't wait for you to enjoy their AASHE STARS Silver rated, carbon-neutral facility, as well as the neighboring college-owned Fred Stanback Jr. Ecological Preserve. "Since its founding in 1996, the Center has led a living-learning laboratory for campus sustainability that provides hands-on environmental learning opportunities for Catawba’s students while helping them learn how to advocate for and lead positive environmental change. The Center also serves as a research, convening and policy development hub for issues ranging from regional air and water quality to state and national environmental and energy policies. The Center is housed in a stunning structure that emerges from a sloping stand of hardwood trees at the edge of the College's 189-acre ecological preserve. Every aspect of the building embodies leading sustainability principles, which creates one of the most sought-after spaces for environmental gatherings in North Carolina." 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 Other Previous Conferences 2023 2022 2021 The Office: A Note from Past-President Will Freund For over 30 years, the North Carolina Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs has been a key partner in EENC's work since our founding in 1991. Now we embark on the journey of figuring out what is next. EENC Board of Directors 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