Elective Criteria I Workshops
The additional 50 hours of Criteria I credit can be earned by taking any of the workshops from this list. Remember that Criteria I workshops must be at least 6 hours long. Shorter or "sampler" versions of these workshops do not count as Criteria I, but may be used in other criteria. In some cases, facilitator trainings can be used as Criteria I as well. Contact the EE Certification Program Managers for more information.
How do I find these workshops?
Enrollees are strongly encouraged to join the NC-EE email list for upcoming Criteria I workshop announcements and updates. Also, check our events calendar often. The links below are provided for more information on workshop content and providers, not upcoming workshop announcements.
Air Quality Workshop for Teachers and Educators
United States Environmental Protection Agency, RTP and
N.C. Division of Air Quality
Keith Bamberger
Janina Millis
Aquatic WILD
Division of Conservation Education
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Tanya Poole (828) 329-3472
CATCH
Division of Conservation Education
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Tanya Poole (828) 329-3472
Certified Interpretive Guide Training
National Association for Interpretation
This workshop qualifies for 20 hours of Criteria I credit. State Parks Basic Interpretive Training is accepted as an equivalent to CIG training.
Coastal Explorations for the Class and Field
N.C. Coastal Reserve/N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve
Lori Davis (252) 838-0885
Don't Waste It
Chatham County Solid Waste and Recycling
Shannon Culpepper
Shannon.Culpepper@chathamcountync.gov
State Park EELEs are not currently scheduled on a regular basis, but these and possibly others can be used for Criteria I when offered. Contact the EE Certification managers before registering to confirm.
EELE: Alpine Forest (Environmental Education Learning Experience) Mount Mitchell State Park
N.C. Division of Parks & Recreation
EELE: Living Waters (Environmental Education Learning Experience) Eno River State Park
N.C. Division of Parks & Recreation
EELE: One of a Kind (Environmental Education Learning Experience) Lake Waccamaw State Park
N.C. Division of Parks & Recreation
EELE: Sea Turtle Treks (Environmental Education Learning Experience)
Hammocks Beach State Park
N.C. Division of Parks & Recreation
Feed the Bin
Wake County Solid Waste
Flying Wild
Division of Conservation Education
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Tanya Poole (828) 329-3472
Ground Level Ozone - Advanced Air Quality
Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center
National Park Service
Susan Sachs (828) 926-6251
Growing Up WILD
Division of Conservation Education
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Tanya Poole (828) 329-3472
Investigating Your Environment
N.C. Forest Service
Kevin Pittman (919) 553-5651
It's Our Air
N.C. Division of Air Quality, Department of Environmental Quality
air.awareness@ncdenr.gov
It's Our Water
N.C. Division of Water Resources, Department of Environmental Quality
Lauren Daniel
(919) 707-9009
Inquiry-Based Outdoor Learning: Using BEETLES in North Carolina
Environmental Educators of North Carolina
Michelle Pearce
programs@eenc.org
Justice, Equity, Inclusion and Diversity in Environmental Education Online Workshop
Environmental Educators of North Carolina
Lauren Pyle, Executive Director
director@eenc.org
Leopold Education Project
Rob Hawk
Area Specialized Extension Agent, Community Development and Natural Resources
Haywood County Coop Ext.
Waynesville, NC
(828) 456-3575, robert_hawk@ncsu.edu
Mastering En-ROADS Training
Climate Interactive
*This is an online, self-paced training that is eligible for 20 hours of Criteria I credits upon completion.
Janet Chikofsky, Climate & Energy Program Coordinator
jchikofsky@climateinteractive.org
NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence Workshops
These workshops are offered by our partners at the Environmental Educators of North Carolina. Note that you may
make take multiple Guidelines workshops for credit, so long as each workshop focuses on a different Guidelines publication.
Michelle Pearce
programs@eenc.org
Project Food, Land and People
N.C. Division of Soil and Water Conservation
Project GLOBE: Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment
Alisa Wickliff (704) 687-8818
Project Learning Tree
There are several topic-based versions of Project Learning Tree in North Carolina. In most cases,
enrollees can take multiple versions for Criteria I credit. Contact the EE Certification Program
Managers if you have any questions.
Renee Strnad (919) 515-5518
NC State University - Extension Forestry
NC Project Learning Tree Coordinator
*Note: The online versions of PLT workshops cannot be used for Criteria I credit.
Project OWL
North Carolina Arboretum|
Michelle Pearce (828) 665-2492
Project WET
N.C. Division of Water Resources
Lauren Daniel (919) 707-9009
Project WILD
Division of Conservation Education
N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission
Tanya Poole (828) 329-3472
Skills for Sharing Nature
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
John DiDiego (865) 448-6709
Sea Turtle Exploration Curriculum Workshop
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
Gail Lemiec, (910) 772-0546
gail.lemiec@ncaquariums.com
NOTE: Shorter versions of Sea Turtle Exploration are sometimes offered offered, but
the Criteria I credit workshop must be at least 6 hours long.
Please confirm with the facilitator before registering that the
version offered is the full Criteria I.
Southern Appalachian Skills for Sharing Nature Workshop
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
John DiDiego (865) 448-6709
Southern Appalachian Naturalist Skills Workshop
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
John DiDiego (865) 448-6709
Southern Appalachian Aquatic Natural History Workshop
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
John DiDiego (865) 448-6709
Southern Appalachian Birds
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
John DiDiego (865) 448-6709
Southern Appalachian Ecology
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
John DiDiego (865) 448-6709
Southern Appalachian Mammals
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
John DiDiego (865) 448-6709
Southern Appalachian Plants
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
John DiDiego (865) 448-6709
Southern Appalachian Reptiles and Amphibians
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
John DiDiego (865) 448-6709
Program providers may submit workshops and courses for Criteria I Elective approval to the Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs.