LINVILLE, N.C. – Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, has announced its educator workshops for 2026.
These workshops, provided specifically to environmental educators in various professions, offer opportunities for career growth and professional development by using the wonders of Grandfather Mountain to further participants’ expertise.
“Environmental education is one of the cornerstones of Grandfather Mountain’s mission,” said Lauren Farrell, director of education for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. “We are always eager to offer learning opportunities for individuals across the state who are seeking to educate about conservation and the environment like we do here.”
Instructors include Grandfather Mountain’s environmental educators and Matt Robinson from the Town of Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation. Workshops are structured with a mix of in-class instruction and outside fieldwork that enables participants to dive right into the subject material. Best of all, the workshops are also held in a collaborative setting that allows the group to share their knowledge and expertise with each other.
Advance registration is required. The workshops will take place at Grandfather Mountain and may include some walking, so participants are encouraged to bring appropriate footwear and be prepared for inclement weather. Attendees are also asked to bring their own lunch, although there is a restaurant onsite.
Most workshops are free, although some include modest fees to cover the cost of course materials. They are limited to 25 participants.
Workshops include:
Project Learning Tree
June 1 | 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Join Grandfather Mountain’s Interpretation and Education staff and Matt Robinson from the Town of Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation as they explore activities in the Project Learning Tree Explore Your Environment K-8 Activity Guide. This workshop is geared toward K-5th educators, though all educators, formal and nonformal, are welcome. Every participant will leave the workshop with a copy of this guide that includes 50 hands-on, multidisciplinary activities to connect children to nature and increase young people’s awareness and knowledge about their environment. The activities in this resource are supported by a robust Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) correlation guide, building durable STEM Skills, and differentiated instruction.
This workshop qualifies for Criteria I or II in the EE Certification Program. CEU renewal credits are available.
Registration is currently open for this workshop with a $20 fee. Learn more at www.grandfather.com/event/educator-workshop-project-learning-tree.
Methods of Teaching Environmental Education
June 12-13 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The focus of this 10-hour workshop is to prepare participants from a variety of educational backgrounds and experiences in both the formal and non-formal sectors to use exemplary Environmental Education teaching methods. Participants will learn about a variety of teaching techniques, methods and instructional strategies; and the workshop will include multiple interactive components.
This is a required workshop for all N.C. Environmental Education Certification candidates. This workshop may also count for Continuing Education for educators who are already certified.
Registration is currently open for this free workshop. Read more at www.grandfather.com/event/educator-workshop-methods.
WILD About Bears
July 31 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Hosted by Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation’s own Interpretation and Education staff, this workshop will teach participants about the life history and management of black bears, as well as how to incorporate activities about bears into the N.C. Curriculum. Participants will also get to meet the black bears who call Grandfather Mountain home and what it takes to keep them healthy and happy.
This workshop is open to individuals studying for the N.C. Environmental Education Certification or those needing CE Credits to maintain their certification. Criteria II or III and CEU credit are available upon completion of workshop.
Registration for this free workshop opens May 29. Learn more at www.grandfather.com/event/educator-workshop-wild-about-bear.
BEETLES
Aug. 29 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
BEETLES Professional Learning Sessions are active experiences crafted to encourage instructors to look at different specific aspects of research-based science pedagogy and to inspire shifts in instructors’ thinking about their own teaching and learning. This session will cover the “Making Observations and Promoting Discussion Sessions” where the group will learn how to help learners make careful observations while encouraging wonder and curiosity and how productive talk leads to deep learning.
This workshop qualifies for Criteria I or II in the EE Certification Program. CEU renewal credits are available.
Free registration opens June 29. Read more at www.grandfather.com/event/beetles-educator-workshop.
About the Series
Grandfather Mountain began its educator workshop series in 2018 as a way to offer western N.C. educators a nearby venue through which to achieve N.C. Environmental Education certification credit.
Such workshops were already being held onsite for members of Grandfather Mountain’s education staff, who are required to possess N.C. Environmental Education certification. As a service to N.C. educators, the park opened the courses to all teachers in the state pursuing environmental education certification — with most being free of charge.
To learn more about the Educator Workshop series, visit www.grandfather.com/educator-workshops.
The nonprofit Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation strives to inspire conservation of the natural world through education, exploration and example. For more information, visit www.grandfather.com.
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