People

I have always been passionate about the outdoors. I have been hiking, backpacking, biking, and kayaking in and around NOrth Carolina since I was young. Recently I made the decision to turn that enthusiasm into an education and a career path. I am currenlty working towards a degree in Envrionmental Sceince from UNCC and have had the pleasure of working in an Environmental Education position for my local parks and recreation department. I have found a deep appreciation and enjoyment in learning more about the natural world and how it works and I find a great sense of fulfillment in encouraging this same curiosity in others.

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Bora Simmons serves as the founding director of the National Project for Excellence in Environmental Education. The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) initiated the Project in 1993 to help educators develop and deliver effective environmental education programs. The Project has drawn on the insights of literally thousands of educators across the United States and around the world to craft guidelines for top-quality environmental education.

Educator and photographer focused on science and conservation in Florida's Northern Everglades.

I am an environmental professional looking to apply my knowledge to a broader range of real-world problems. My passion for stewardship and  conservation coupled with my adaptability, communication skills, and collaborative nature help me further my goals in conservation education. 

Alan works at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Applied Sciences & Environmental Solutions, Environmental Solutions Division as their STEM Outreach Coordinator. Building on over a decade of providing evironmental educaiton and workforce development in the non-profit world, Alan brings this experience to the development of a outreach program at the EPA's OASES ESD in Cincinnati, OH. 

Eliezer Vélez is the Capacity Building Project Manager & Grant Writer at Centro de Apoyo Familiar (CAF), a bilingual nonprofit serving low-to-moderate income Hispanic and immigrant families across Maryland, Virginia, D.C., Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico. His work spans grant development, nonprofit coaching, multi-state compliance, and community capacity building in partnership with faith-based organizations. Through CAF's environmental health and justice initiatives, including the Youth ECO-Promoters program, he supports youth and community-led environmental education in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. He is pursuing a BA in Transformational Leadership and Change at College Unbound.

I am currently an 8th grade middle school science teacher.  I have been teacher 22 years.  I am a fan of nature and all things wildlife.  I tell a lot of bigfoot stories in my classes when time permits (Not because I believe in it, but because they are perfect for kids this age.  And mine).  I have a few pets at home, they range from dogs, snakes, cats, spiders,tortoises,  etc...).