North Carolina Association of
Environmental Education Centers
NCAEEC is a nonprofit organization that works to foster cooperation among North Carolina's Environmental Education Centers. The membership has one meeting per year, which focuses on professional development specific to facility-based environmental education programs.
NCAEEC was formed in 1996. Four specific objectives guide the activities of the organization:
1. Establish regular and multiple lines of communication among Environmental Education Centers;
2. Identify and assist new environmental education centers;
3. Build public awareness and support for Environmental Education Centers;
4. Develop and promote standards of excellence for Environmental Education Centers.
What is a "North Carolina Environmental Education Center"?
For the purposes of NCAEEC and the Guide to Environmental Education Centers in North Carolina, a "North Carolina Environmental Education Center" is defined as " facilities that provide quality environmental education for the public, including outdoor experiences, exhibits and programs." An EE Center must be a physical site that is open to the general public in some capacity. It should have regularly scheduled, high-quality environmental education programs, provided by a trained staff that is dedicated to professional development and best practices in environmental education.
NCAEEC draws its membership from facilities identified as "North Carolina Environmental Education Centers" by the North Carolina Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs. Please look us up on the North Carolina Office of Environmental Education's web pages at www.eenorthcarolina.org.
NCAEEC's Accomplishments:
EE Certification
NCAEEC worked together with our partner, the NC Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs (and other partners) to develop the
NC Environmental Education Certification Program. A nationally acclaimed program involving rigorous requirements across multiple disciplines, engaging educators in an array of activities to develop their environmental education knowledge and teaching skills. Learn more about the program here www.eenorthcarolina.org/certification--about-the-program.html
Mentoring
NCAEEC Board Members have worked with new environmental education centers to plan and develop their facilities, trails and programs. Site supervisors, center directors and program managers with years of training and experience served as mentors to those in the planning phase who needed insight and information in order to create their unique environmental center or educational program offerings. Our mentors can help with most any project, contact Marty Wiggins at Marty.wiggins@ncdenr.gov
NCAEEC worked together with our partner, the NC Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs (and other partners) to develop the
NC Environmental Education Certification Program. A nationally acclaimed program involving rigorous requirements across multiple disciplines, engaging educators in an array of activities to develop their environmental education knowledge and teaching skills. Learn more about the program here www.eenorthcarolina.org/certification--about-the-program.html
Mentoring
NCAEEC Board Members have worked with new environmental education centers to plan and develop their facilities, trails and programs. Site supervisors, center directors and program managers with years of training and experience served as mentors to those in the planning phase who needed insight and information in order to create their unique environmental center or educational program offerings. Our mentors can help with most any project, contact Marty Wiggins at Marty.wiggins@ncdenr.gov