Jan
21
Suzanne Smith Hirrel is an Extension Specialist/ Associate Professor – Environmental Management with the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Since 1992, she has been developing and delivering educational materials and programs focusing on recycling, composting, urban stormwater and sustainability. She also delivers programs and training in environmental education such as the Leopold Education Project, Project Learning Tree and Waste in Place.
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Tags: arkansas, coordinator, hirrel, state, suzanne
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Jan
19
Chris was born in Aldo Leopold’s hometown of Burlington, Iowa. He grew up hunting and fishing on the Mississippi River and its backwaters. He is the oldest of five, his siblings ranging in age from 23 to 9.
Chris graduated from Iowa State University in 2005 with B.S. in Animal Ecology and a minor in Forestry. Soon after graduation, he joined the Pheasants Forever team as a Farm Bill Biologist in Northeast Missouri. It was during that time that Chris got involved with LEP by attending his first Educator Training at the 2007 National Workshop and the newly opened Leopold Legacy Center in Baraboo, WI. From there, Chris attended both 2007 and 2008 Pheasant Fests where he helped in the Youth Village.
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Tags: chris, coordinator, iowa, lee, state
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Dec
15
State Coordinators recently met outside Springfield Missouri to learn about the new curriculum for Facilitators and Educators. Representatives from 14 states met at the Bull Shoals Field Station Kirbyville, Missouri.
The house located on the field station site is a renovated stone home that is off the grid. The electric power comes from Solar Panels and a propane backup is available when needed.
The facility is used to do research projects ranging from water quality to bat population density. The event started on Friday afternoon with a round of introductions.
After dinner, Janine Kohn, National Education Specialist and Cheryl Riley, Vice President of Education, filled us in on upcoming projects and ideas being discussed at the National Headquarters.
The evening ended with everyone gathered around the campfire, which was masterfully created by Marc Hirrel. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: coordinators, meeting, missouri, recap, state
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Dec
1
Christine Jacobsen - Nebraska State Coordinator
Christine Jacobsen is a conservation and environmental educator with over 10 years experience teaching workshops and youth and community groups with the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, in Omaha, Nebraska. She has been state coordinator of LEP in Nebraska since 2000 and trained in LEP in 1999.
A native of Iowa, Christine has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology from Iowa State University, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She has done public relations assignments, educator workshops on conservation education, started nature day camps, planned school gardens, and chaired community events, often combining information about Aldo Leopold and his philosophies in the process.
Currently, Christine is heading up the Metro Omaha Resources for Exploring Nature; a community forum to promote the importance of outdoor play.
Professional memberships include: Groundwater Foundation, North American Association for Environmental Education, Pheasants Forever, Nebraska Association for Environment Education Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: christine, coordinator, jacobsen, nebraska, state
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Dec
1
Anne Lewis - South Dakota State Coordinator
Anne Lewis has been involved in environmental education since 1997. In 2007, she became the charter South Dakota Leopold Education Project state coordinator, facilitating an agreement between the South Dakota Discovery Center and LEP national.
In addition to the Leopold Education Project, Anne is the state coordinator for Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) and administrates the 319 Information and Education Project for the state of South Dakota, 319 being that section of the Clean Water Act which addresses non-point source pollution. Anne is the current president of Environment Education Connections of South Dakota, the environmental education association for the state.
Anne graduated from the George Washington University where she studied education and is currently working on her Master’s in Natural Science and Environmental Education at Hamline University in Minneapolis. She lives in Pierre with her husband and a rapidly emptying nest which, when full, contains three sons.
How are you using LEP?
I use the LEP as part of our teacher training program to equip educators to teach about the environment. LEP activities also are used in outreaches to students and youth and will shape our programming for our new outdoor investigation program.
What are your goals for the coming year?
During 2009, I would like to see our outdoor outreach program successfully piloted. My goals are also to develop the facilitator network, and train at least 20 educators in the LEP.
Why is LEP important?
The LEP is important because it builds a land ethic, challenging people to think about our responsibility for flora, fauna, water and soil. The issues and concerns Aldo Leopold wrote about in the 1930’s and 40’s are relevant to today.
Tags: anne, coordinator, dakota, lewis, south, state
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