EEASC: Environmental Champions on a Midlands Mission

Earth Day is a great time to celebrate environmental educators that work tirelessly to educate children and adults about keeping South Carolina clean and healthy. Last year, despite many challenges, the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC) hosted 24 professional development events for environmental educators, including a virtual conference with 140 participants from nine states. Through support from grants, sponsors and fundraising contributions, the organization awarded three mini-grants and recruited three part-time contractors to assist with its mission. EEASC also adopted the S.C. Green Steps Schools Initiative and joined the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance’s Landscape Analysis project. EEASC’s listserv is reaching more than 800 people statewide, with membership increasing nearly 40 percent in the past 12 months.

EEASC has big plans this year. The organization is thrilled to announce that it will adopt the Palmetto Environmental Education Certification program. Its mini-grant program will offer more and larger awards to members to support service projects, professional development, and student experiences. Preparation is underway for its annual hybrid conference to be held Thursday, June 10, through Saturday, June 12. The organization will continue its free monthly Meetups for anyone interested in networking with members.

EEASC is a nonprofit association with a leadership role in environmental and natural resource conservation education in South Carolina. It was formed in 1977 from the Environmental Education Advisory council, which guided efforts in environmental education for the S.C. Department of Education from 1960 to 1977.

The organization has three main goals: to provide a forum for formal and non-formal educators, agencies, administrators, researchers, concerned citizens, and industrial/commercial leaders to share information, ideas and resources pertaining to South Carolina’s natural resources and environmental initiatives; to assist with the development, review and dissemination of environmental education resources and certifications for teaching in both formal and non-formal settings; and to recognize and reward outstanding contributions in environmental education by students, teachers, legislators and industry leaders in South Carolina. 

In the lead-up to Earth Day, the EEASC board of directors plans to launch a fundraiser with the hope that Midlands area citizens will consider making a contribution to support the mission.

For more information, visit eeasc.org.

Note: Chanda Cooper is president of Richland County Conservation Education and EEASC. Jane Hiller is Sonoco Recycling’s Education Specialist. She is also EEASC’s Central Section Director.