Evergreen Community Charter Schools will receive the 2010 Exceptional Environmental Education Center award from the Environmental Educators of North Carolina

Asheville: The Environmental Educators of North Carolina announces that Evergreen Community Charter School has won the 2010 Exceptional Environmental Education Center Award. A plaque will be awarded to Evergreen staff and students at 10:00 am on Thursday, Oct. 28, at 10:00 am at the school on 50 Bell Rd. in Haw Creek.

Each year the Environmental Educators of North Carolina (EENC) publically recognizes environmental educators, EENC members, organizations, and partners for their valuable contributions to environmental literacy, the field of environmental education, the EENC organization, and environmental well being of North Carolina.

The Exceptional Environmental Education Center award recognizes Evergreen Community Charter School for its commitment to creating an environmentally literate student body and encouraging the students to educate the general public through using recognized practices in environmental education which support the mission of EENC.

The schools dedication to a student body that: is aware and knowledgeable about environmental issues and challenges, understand that a good attitude and thoughtful action is important to a quality environment, and develops the skills to help resolve these issues through age appropriate participation is remarkable. The students are empowered to take action and search for solutions to our environmental issues. The Environmental Education Coordinator along with the Environmental Leadership Team guarantee quality by assessing and monitoring curricula to ensure that Environmental Education (EE) is at the forefront of all the different subjects – not just science, but also math, social studies, reading, and writing. The school applies the international standards of EE as established by the North American Association of Environmental Education and the North Carolina Standard Course of Study.

To that end the school uses edible gardens, natural play areas, solar panels, biodiesel busses, and rain gardens in their day to day operations and as teaching opportunities. The school reaches outside of its grounds and works toward reaching the larger community including families, residents, educators, and business people. Additionally the school has received the recognition as a North Carolina Honor School of Excellence with 100% of the eighth grade students passing the end of grade science tests.

As an organization EENC supports and provides professional development opportunities to individuals and organizations that stand out as professionals creating a more environmentally literate public and exemplifies excellence in providing high quality education opportunities for teachers, students, peers, and the general public.
The first EENC awards were given in 1995, and people from all regions of the state and careers have been recognized over the last fifteen years. EENC's mission is to promote excellence in professional development and facilitate networking opportunities, inspiring educators to create an environmentally literate citizenry.

Environmental education is a learning process that increases people's knowledge and awareness about the environment and associated challenges, develops the necessary skills and expertise to address the challenges, and fosters attitudes, motivations, and commitments to make informed decisions and take responsible action.Read the full article