Amber PlantzEnvironmental Educator Portfolio

Table of Contents

About Me4

Floating Classroom / Tiohero6

Haw River State Park10

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation16

Evaluations18

SCIENTIST PICTURE

ABOUT ME

Bachelor of Arts Ecological Anthropology Concentrations: Soil and Water

Discovery Place Science CenterEducator

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation McDowell Nature PreserveEnvironmental Education Assistant

Haw River State Park Environmental Educator/Natural Science Curator Tiohero Tours Guide/Mate

Floating ClassroomInstructor University of ArizonaEnvironmental Research Lab - Tilapia Aquaculture

Camping, Terrariums, Soil Judging, Birding, Reading, Arts and Crafts, Photography and Writing

October, 2013 - Present

October, 2012 - August, 2013

February, 2012 - October, 2012

May, 2011 - October, 2011

May, 2011 - October, 2011

February, 2009 - May, 2010

Degree:

Experience:

Interests:

Tiohero Boat Tours, Ithaca NY

1-2 hour narrated boat tours on beautiful Cayuga Lake

Floating Classroom, Ithaca, NY

Testing water quality on Cayuga Lake

Elementary to college level students (Wells College pictured) Trout in the Classroom: Introducing

children to native species

Haw River State Park, Browns Summit, NC

Experiential, outdoor, environmental education

Wilderness survival programs

Haw River State Park, Browns Summit, NC

Team building In-depth water quality studies

Box turtle races: Making kids more aware of our native species

Haw River State Park, Browns Summit, NC Summer Camps

Going back in time: Tracking what once roamed NC. Dinosaur exploration during geology camp Identifying different types of nests

Time travel through the future and past

Haw River State Park, Browns Summit, NCSummer Camps

Learning what makes a mineral, a mineral; a gem, a gem; and a rock, a rock

Trying to strike gold: Learning about NC’s rich history Salamander soiree

Curriculum Development

Rock Hike: Identifying special characteristics of regional specimens

Haw River State Park, Browns Summit, NC

Curriculum Development

Water Cycle Relay: Oh, the many places a water droplet goes!

Haw River State Park, Browns Summit, NC

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McDowell Nature Center Park and Recreation, Mecklenburg County, NC

McDowell Nature Center Park and Recreation, Mecklenburg County, NC

School Programs: Teaching environmental topics based on state standards

McDowell Nature Center Park and Recreation, Mecklenburg County, NC

Original/Specialty Programs

In search of insect habitats

Crafty with Critters: Learning about Hissing Cockroaches after making roach crafts

McDowell Nature Center Park and Recreation, Mecklenburg County, NC

Original/Specialty Programs

Wearing soil-dyed bandanas during kayaking

Becoming avid birders

Patience while fishing...

Urban Outdoor Connection (UOC): Introducing at-risk youth to their natural surroundings

5th grade in-school program in the Friday News Letter!

Pictured  left,  UOC  Youth  Participant  

News  from    McDowell  Part  1  of  2:    Exciting  additions  and  changes  have  been  under-­‐way  at  McDowell  Nature  Center.  In  January,  the  cen-­‐ter  underwent  extensive  cleaning  and  organizing,  especially  in  our  animal  care  area  and  our  base-­‐ment  (yes,  we  have  a  base-­‐

storage  shelves,  a  forest  themed  rug,  and  new  na-­‐ture-­‐based  activities  and  toys.    In  our  classroom,  

great  storage  cabinet  for  our  microscopes  and  a  beautiful  hand-­‐carved  wooden  bench.  In  our  ex-­‐hibit  area,  a  wall  was  actu-­‐ally  taken  down  and  now  visitors  experience  a  won-­‐derful  open  view  as  they  enter  and  are  immediately  greeted  by  our  Large-­‐mouth  Bass  in  his  large  aquarium.    Be  sure  to  read  next  week  of  more  new  additions  and  changes  at  McDowell!  

Urban   Outdoor   Con-­‐nection   (UOC)   gives  chil-­‐dren,  who  do  not  normally  have   the   opportunity,   the  chance   to   explore   nature  and  partake   in  recreational  activities.  Three  local  Title  1  schools   were   chosen   for  

-­‐school   initiative   for   the  school   year.   All   programs  correlated   with   state   stan-­‐dards  ranging  from  learning  about   force   and   motion  through   fishing   to   heat  

transfer  by  roasting  marshmallows.  The  students  were  given  hands-­‐on  activities  to  make  science   more   tangible   and   fun.   This   was   the   last   week   of   programming   until   the   next  school  year.  Kristen  Haas  and  Amber  Plantz  with  McDowell  Nature  Center  enjoyed  work-­‐ing  with  the  children  and  are  saddened  that  the  lessons  are  completed.    

                       

   The  MeckTeens  Plant  Sale  did  it  again  this  year!    We  raised  over  $2,100,  sold  over  1,100  plants,  and  gave  roughly  300  plants  to  three  recreation  centers  for  vegetable  and  native  gardens.    

    Teens   assisted   in   both   the   cultivation   and   sales   of   the  plants.    Vegetable  gardens  located  at  Southview  recreation  center  and  Naomi  Drenan  will  be  used  to  help  their  community  with  access  to  fresh  local  produce,  and  native  wild  flow-­‐ers  at  Ivory  Baker  make  better  wildlife  habitat  in  the  heart  of  the  city.  Only  in  its  second  year,  the  plant  sale  almost  doubled  the  amount  raised  last  year,  making  the  opportunity  for  outdoor  programs  within   recreation   centers  even  more  of   a  possibility!  There   are   a  few   more   plants   left   over,   if   anyone   is   interested   please   email   Anthony   Shaheen   at  McDowell  Nature  Center  (ashaheen@mecklenburgcountync.gov).    

Urban Outdoor Connection (UOC): Introducing at-risk youth to their natural surroundingsAfter-School Programs

Trying out new binocular skillsStaying strong while hiking up Crowders Mountain

Many Thanks!