A special guest post from Life Member Mir Youngquist-Thurow.
My name is Mir Youngquist-Thurow. I’m currently the Environmental Education Director at the Agapé Center for Environmental Education in Harnett County, where I’ve been playing with kids in the woods for 28 years! (Retirement is just around the corner; Krista Roa will be taking over as the next ACE Ed Director. Rock on!) I’m a Life Member of EENC, having joined in 1997 shortly after arriving in North Carolina.
I got started in EE my Junior year of college when I was privileged to take part in an internship as a naturalist at St. Croix State Park in northern Minnesota. That was when I discovered that I could pursue my career as an educator outdoors! What a revelation! I’ve been enjoying this field of work (play?) for 41 years.
Environmental Education is important because, as research has shown time and time again, everyone is healthier by having a connection to nature. Nurturing awareness and appreciation of our environment is vital to leading to caring individuals who make responsible decisions concerning our world.
I learned about EENC when I attended an event held by OEE at a hotel in Raleigh, and attended my first conference at The Wake County Office Park in Raleigh in 1997. From there, I became involved by helping with News Notes. Recognizing what a valuable organization EENC is for professionals, I joined the Board and served in the following positions:
1998-1999 – Communications Chair (and Membership)
1999-2003 – Secretary
2010-2015 – Central Section Co-Chair
2016-present – Historian
Environmental Education is alive and well in the Central Section. Besides the Agapé Center for Environmental Education, there are state, county, and city agencies offering EE opportunities throughout this vibrant section. EENC has been valuable to my career in North Carolina through the many friends/contacts that I’ve made through being involved on the Board, attending conferences, Central Section events, and events throughout this diverse state. NC is the place to be!
I am Mir Youngquist-Thurow and I am EENC because… well…what I said above.
Grateful for the experience, education and engagement you have so passionately shared with others through ACE Education , EENC, and all the diverse ways your gifts have inspired and encouraged a love of nature and the environment for so many.