THE ADVANCED ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

We are happy to announce that funding has been secured to hire a consultant to spend the next year developing the Advanced Environmental education Certification Porgram!  Charlotte Clark has contracted with the Environmental Education Fund and the DENR Office of Environmental Education to carry out this task.

The number of people enrolled in the Environmental Education Certification Program (see overview) and those who have achieved Certification are evidence of its success. Over 600 educators have achieved the Level I Environmental Education Certification.  Those certified are not only high achievers, but also motivated and dedicated professionals. Once educators become Certified Environmental Educators, their interest in the next level of professionalism is apparent.

The original North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Program took many months of meetings and discussions by a diverse range of interests before the program was finalized. Since its inception in 1996 there has been discussion about an Advanced Environmental Education Certification Program. Due to overwhelming interest in furthering the Certification Program the Environmental Education Fund will support the development of an Advanced Environmental Education Certification Program.

Developing the Advanced Program will take considerable time and energy. One of the most important aspects will be to gain acceptance and participation from Universities, Colleges and Community Colleges as well as human resource personnel from government agencies, nonprofits and businesses. The process will formally start at the Biennial Environmental Education Conference (see overview), but much of the groundwork will be needed before that time.

Environmental Education Fund staff time, outside facilitation, participation in regional meetings, and expert evaluation will all be necessary from the start of the Advanced Program through its completion. As an Advanced Program develops, many people from many professions using resources from around the state and tapping national leaders in environmental education will again be working together to accomplish a common goal.

The Level I Environmental Education Certification Program has gained national recognition. This program is the first of its kind and has spawned great national interest. Many states are looking at North Carolina as they begin to develop a certification program of their own. As the North Carolina Environmental Education Certification Program has brought national attention in the environmental education field, it is expected that Advanced Certification will further elevate
the professionalism of environmental educators.