Scotch Bonnet

Welcome to the newest online issue of Scotch Bonnet. And the newsletter is also available as a portable document format (.pdf) — if you’re like me and want to keep a hard copy!

What a difference this winter has been from last winter so far. Although we’ve had some cold temperatures, shorts and t-shirts have been the norm several days during December and January. People are still walking the beach barefooted, kayaking or paddle-boarding, or sleeping with open windows. However, I’m sure the cold air will be here before too long.

Speaking of warmth and beaches, I spent the holidays exploring Costa Rica. Here are some of my photos from our adventures down south.

These white-faced capuchins at Manuel Antonio came out to see us.

A bare-throated tiger heron along the Rio Sierpe, Costa Rica.

We enjoyed a colorful sunset over the Pacific on New Year’s Eve 2011.

Kent and I enjoyed the surf at Playa Dominicalito.

I hope you’re geared up for an eventful winter. This is the time of year to be planning your summers. Many professional-development opportunities have early application deadlines, so keep an eye out for something to do. Try to take advantage of these wonderful conferences, workshops and more. Keep reading for unique events and ideas for educators. There is a lot going on in North Carolina and beyond!

Coastwatch Offer
www.nccoastwatch.org

Coastwatch, North Carolina Sea Grant’s magazine, has a special deal for educators. Until June 30, buy one subscription and get another free for $10. Use the code “2012 Education.” Mail your checks to Coastwatch, North Carolina Sea Grant, NC State University, Box 8605, Raleigh, NC 27695-8605. For more information, call 919/515-9101 or e-mail sandra_harris@ncsu.edu.

In Praise of the Scotch Bonnet

Tina Clark, North Carolina Sea Grant’s fall semester intern, is a poet. While she was with us, Tina shared her talents by writing two poems for Coastwatch. Tina graduated in December and we wish her the best of luck. Here’s one from the Winter 2012 issue.

Song of the Scotch Bonnet

We find you coiled on yourself,
A clef note left in the sand,
We find you abandoned, an empty case
Which once held chords and organs,
The melody of a hidden life.

Years ago, you composed
Your movements to the rhythm
Of the earth’s fleshy core,
The pulse felt deep beneath the seafloor.

We press your hollow chambers
To our ears, and still hear each note rise
And fall, a body of music
A chorus of lost voices.

Environmental Educators Honored

The North American Association for Environmental Education not only brought its annual meeting to Raleigh, it also offered honors to educators with North Carolina ties.

Sheila Jones of the Wake County Water and Soil Conservation District received the NAAEE 2011 national award for Outstanding Service to Environmental Education by a K-12 Educator. Jones also received a 2011 Outstanding Practitioner Award from the Environmental Educators of North Carolina.

Rosanne Fortner was presented NAAEE’s highest honor, the Walter E. Jeske Award. She was cited for three decades of environmental education at Ohio Sea Grant, NAAEE, The Journal of Environmental Education, the Centers for Ocean Science Education Excellence and the National Marine Education Association. Fortner now lives at the North Carolina coast.

Elizabeth Burke received the award for Outstanding Service to Environmental Education by an Individual at the Regional Level. Burke now lives in Virginia, but has remained active in EENC.

Several other state awards were presented by EENC at its fall meeting. They include:

• 2011 Environmental Educator of the Year: Lisa Rider, Onslow Solid Waste assistant director and county Big Sweep coordinator.
• 2011 Exceptional Environmental Education Program: Kathleen Clay Edwards Library in Greensboro, programs coordinated by Melanie Buckingham, environmental resource librarian.
• 2011 Outstanding Partner: North Carolina State Parks.
• 2011 Outstanding Practitioner: Tanya Poole, Pisgah Wildlife Center education specialist.

North Carolina Sea Grant was among the NAAEE conference sponsors. For more information on the organizations and awards, go to: www.naaee.org and www.eenc.org.

NC Office of Environmental Education Overhauls Website
www.eenorthcarolina.org

Take some time to explore the updated and expanded website for the N.C. Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs. Learn about the EE Certification program, discover professional development opportunities in your area and beyond, and explore the multitude of grants available for classroom teachers.

Blue Heron Bowl
www.ecu.edu/icsp/bhb2012/

East Carolina University’s Institute for Coastal Science and Policy and the Office of Continuing Studies are hosting the 2012 Blue Heron Bowl in Greenville on ECU’s campus. The event is scheduled for Saturday, March 3.

Ten schools will be at the bowl this year, each represented by five students and a coach. The winning team will go to Baltimore, Md., to compete at the national level in April. Second- and third-place teams will win prizes. The team demonstrating the most sportsmanlike attitude also receives a special award.

The Blue Heron Bowl is North Carolina’s regional competition for the National Ocean Sciences Bowl. The national academic competition for high schools is coordinated by the Consortium for Ocean Leadership.

More information is available at www.ecu.edu/icsp/bhb2012/, including volunteer and sponsorship information.

2012 National Marine Educators Association Conference
www.pacname.org/conf.shtml

Join the National Marine Educators Association for their conference in Alaska, titled North to Alaska’s Seas: A Confluence of Science and Culture. This annual event is scheduled for June 24 to 28 in Anchorage, which is also known as “Tikatnu” or the “big ocean river,” place of the Dena’ina Athabascan Indians on Cook Inlet.

Held at the University of Alaska, the meeting will be hosted by the Northwest Aquatic and Marine Educators and the Alaska Center for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence.

Early registration ends April 14. Regular registration will be available starting April 15.

Earth Day Celebrations along the Coast

Earth Day is on April 22 this year. Join Carteret and Dare counties for some planet celebrations.

Carteret County: Come celebrate Earth Day at the beach and party for the planet! The third annual Crystal Coast Earth Day Festival will take place in Atlantic Beach on Saturday, April 14. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., you can meet environmental educators from dozens of environmentally focused organizations, learn about local conservation efforts, and enjoy hands-on activities and games. Enjoy art by area artists and live music, too. All activities are at the Coastal Education and Visitor Center at Fort Macon State Park. For additional information, contact Sarah Phillips, N.C. Coastal Federation, at sarahp@nccoast.org.

Dare County: Everyone is invited to enjoy Earth Day at Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head, on Sunday, April 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. Activity and information booths will be staffed by various educational and environmental organizations, including the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island, North Carolina Sea Grant, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, N.C. Coastal Federation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and others. Fun for all ages is guaranteed. There is no rain date, so this event will happen, rain or shine. Come on out and celebrate the Earth! For additional information, contact Lydia Courtright, Jennette’s Pier, at Lydia.Courtright@ncaquariums.com.

Registration Open for 2012 Sustainable Forestry Teachers’ Academies
www.ncsu.edu/sfta

If you are looking for a summer professional-development opportunity that will take you into forests and mills, provide hands-on experiences with technologies used in the forest industry, and provide fun networking opportunities with teachers statewide, then the Sustainable Forestry Teachers’ Academy is what you have been waiting for.

This summer, the Coastal Academy, based in New Bern, will be held on June 25 to 29. The Mountain Academy, located in Asheville, is scheduled for July 23 to 27.

The Academy is a four-day, residential program that focuses on the social, economic and environmental aspects of sustainable forestry. Teachers will visit forests and mills to learn about natural resource management and how various wood products — such as paper, furniture, plywood and lumber — are manufactured. They will participate in tours and hikes in forests under a variety of ownership and management plans. Trips to museums, state forests, experimental forests and environmental learning centers round out the experience.

Participants should expect a fast-paced week, with extended moderate walking, great food, networking and lots of fun. In addition, extensive materials and discussions prepare the teachers to transfer what they have learned to the classroom.

Meals, lodging and transportation during the Academy are provided. However, participants are required to submit a $100 deposit, which will be returned upon arrival. Continuing education unit renewal credits will be awarded (20 to 25 contact hours).

Visit www.ncsu.edu/sfta to read about the Academy and apply. Applications are due by April 6.

Multiple teachers from the same school, and teachers of all disciplines and grades, are encouraged to apply. This opportunity is available only for teachers associated with a school district within North Carolina. Non-formal educators do not qualify. Questions? Contact Renee Strnad at 919/515-5518 or renee_strnad@ncsu.edu.

Curriculum/Activity Guides Still Available

The Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence SouthEast’s The Educator’s Guide to Marine Debris: Southeast and Gulf of Mexico is a regional introduction to three main categories of marine debris: litter, derelict or abandoned boats, and lost or abandoned commercial and recreational fishing gear. To download this publication, go to www.cosee-se.org/ForEducators/ and follow the link for Human Impacts and Stewardship, and then select the link for the PDF. The guide also is available in hard copy, while supplies last.

N.C. Big Sweep’s publication, Undercurrents: A Big Sweep Middle School Teacher’s Guide, includes litter-awareness lessons that are correlated with state learning objectives for 8th grade science and math, as well as for healthful living, language arts and information skills. Undercurrents is available free to North Carolina educators while supplies last. Big Sweep celebrated its 25th cleanup last October. See the article in the Autumn 2011 issue of Coastwatch at www.nccoastwatch.org.

The Coastal Processes and Conflicts curriculum includes extensive background information for teachers, as well as student lessons that are relevant in any setting — not just the island environment. It is appropriate for middle- and high-school students. The curriculum can be downloaded free from www.ecu.edu/educ/csmte/coastal_processes.cfm. Or you can order a hard copy ($10 includes postage), which comes with a CD containing color copies of figures used in the student activities.

Each of these education resources is available from Terri Kirby Hathaway, North Carolina Sea Grant, terrikh@csi.northcarolina.edu.

Need to Contact Me?

If you ever have information to share with other marine educators, please don’t hesitate to send it my way for inclusion in a future issue of the Scotch Bonnet. Let me know what you’re hearing from the sea!

Please share this website with others — and share my e-mail address with anyone who wants to receive a message when each Scotch Bonnet is available online! Thanks for all you do for students and for other educators!

My contact information is: North Carolina Sea Grant, PO Box 699, Manteo, NC 27954; phone: 252/475-3663; fax: 252/475-3545; e-mail: terrikh@csi.northcarolina.edu.

Best Fishes!

Terri Kirby Hathaway
Marine Education Specialist
North Carolina Sea Grant
terrikh@csi.northcarolina.edu

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