Katie Zimmerman, the Assistant Park Manager of Programming and Administration with Lake Johnson Park, recently completed the NC Environmental Education Certification. Katie says the certification program helped her find a job.  “My passion is connecting the community to their environment, so my favorite part of my job is coordinating programs, teaching when I can, and helping visitors create an experience at our park to meet their needs. On my own time, I love camping, finding new trails to explore, and searching creeks and streams for critters with my daughter Sawyer. Otherwise, you ca ..read more

Sarah Goldsmith, environmental educator for Wake County Parks, Recreation and Open Space, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Sarah teaches more than 3,000 participants a year and works with many different types of organizations and groups. “I work with a variety of groups such as homeschool, bilingual, senior care, government, and students on field trips, and more. I focus heavily on inclusive programming with a love for increasing accessibility to outdoor learning.” When asked about her favorite part of the program, Sarah said it was the opportunity to networ ..read more

Katherine Wombwell, a student at Montreat College, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Katherine will graduate this spring and would like to work in the outdoor education field. “I enjoy working with a variety of age groups and I hope to work at a site that encourages direct engagement with non-captive audiences. During my time studying environmental education, I have enjoyed leading nature walks and providing scientific and historic information about sites for my participants. In my free time, I really enjoy hiking and backpacking with my friends.” Katherine say ..read more

Brittany Fairfax, a fourth-grade teacher at Acme Delco Elementary School in Columbus County recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Brittany strives to integrate environmental education into her classroom every day and encourages other teachers to do the same. “When I’m not teaching, I enjoy nature walks and visiting parks to photograph and classify plants. I love experiencing nature and learning how it is connected, and I am always engaging my students with that same passion so that they become more environmentally literate adults.” Brittany says her favorite part of ..read more

Lincoln Heights Environmental Connections Magnet Elementary School in Fuquay-Varina has been named a 2025 Top Magnet School of Excellence by Magnet Schools of America (MSA). This is not the first time the school has been recognized for its magnet program. On Earth Day 2024, Lincoln Heights was selected to host the kick-off event for North Carolina's revised State K-12 Environmental Literacy Plan (ELP). Lincoln Heights was chosen for the release because the original Environmental Literacy Plan was used to develop the school's “environmental connections” magnet theme and curriculum.  Lincol ..read more

Jessica Davis, an environmental educator with Randolph County Soil and water Conservation District and the NC Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts education coordinator recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Jessica provides environmental education programs for the local school system and youth organizations in Randolph County. “In my role as the association education coordinator I provide resources for other soil and water educators and develop curriculum that reflects the work we do in Soil and Water Conservation districts. This curriculum ..read more

Moriah Owen, educator and technical conservationist intern with the Wilkes County Soil and Water Conservation District, recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Moriah is the lead educator for the district’s Mobile Soils Classroom, a trailer that has been designed to depict the biological, chemical and physical properties of soils, creating an immersive learning experience for students of all ages. She also assists with contracts for implementing best management practices that protect natural resources. “Teaching is my passion, and I love to educate students of all ag ..read more

Matt Florez, an outdoor nature education instructor for the town of Holly Springs, recently completed the NC Environmental Education Certification program. As a instructor, Matt leads environmental education programs for all ages and is also responsible for archery programming. He says that the certification program gave him the opportunity to travel around the state to different environmental education centers and to network with other educators in the program. The certification experience that stood out to Matt was the "Methods of Teaching Environmental Education" (MOTEE) workshop. “I thin ..read more

Amanda Strickland, conservation education specialist for Cleveland County Soil and Water Conservation District recently completed her NC Environmental Education Certification. Amanda is a nonformal educator who works with schools and community-based groups and organizations. “I work with people who are interested in learning about our natural resources and how to protect them. I work with all ages and love the opportunity to get students outside to learn about their environment.” Amanda says her favorite part of earning her certification was attending programs and meeting people working in th ..read more

  Adrian Chamberlin recently completed his NC Environmental Education Certification. Adrian is a nature instructor for two municipal parks in Wake County, Walnut Creek Wetland Center with the City of Raleigh and Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve with the Town of Cary. As a nature instructor, Adrian is responsible for educational programming, but his duties sometimes also include being a private chef for animals, a Chinese privet slayer, and a box turtle wrangler. “Primarily, I teach middle school students through the Neighborhood Ecology Corps environmental literacy program, run by the City ..read more