The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Virginia Association for Environmental Education recognized Shenandoah National Park as a Virginia Center for Environmental Education Excellence at the Virginia Environmental Education Conference held in Williamsburg. This designation is based on the Park’s dedication and effort in providing effective environmental education opportunities through programs, services, and curricula for a wide variety of participants.
Tim Taglauer, Deputy Chief of Interpretation, accepted the designation presented by Tom Smith, Deputy Director of Operations, Virginia DCR and Greg Eaton, Chair, VAEE:
“Shenandoah National Park’s interpretive and educational programs strive to provide memorable and meaningful learning and recreational experiences, foster development of a personal stewardship ethic, and broaden public support for preserving park resources. Interpretation and environmental education is key to preserving both the idea of national parks and the park resources themselves. It is essential that interpretive and environmental education programs reach beyond park boundaries to schools and the wider general public.
The Park provides a wealth of indoor and outdoor facilities to foster environmental education experiences, including two visitor centers with interpretive exhibits and videos. Shenandoah National Park provides a wide range of educational and recreational opportunities through formal education programs, educator professional development workshops, interpretive hikes and illustrated programs, junior ranger programs, and interpretive and educational exhibits and publications delivered on site and through the Internet.”
This is the second year of the Environmental Education Excellence program. Seven new Centers were named for 2016, joining 14 other facilities designated last year.
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