Environment DEC
From the December 2004 issue
Rogers Environmental Education Center Hosts Partner Recognition Reception
Fifty people from across upstate New York participated in a partner recognition reception at Rogers Environmental Education Center's new outdoor classroom in Sherburne. These people, representatives of various agencies and organizations, received certificates and were cited for helping Rogers further its mission of educating New Yorkers about the state's natural resources and how to use and manage them wisely. Partners differ from volunteers in that their contributions are made as part of their jobs. Support may be provided in the form of information, services or team-teaching.
Examples
Professor Mary Skvorak from Nazareth College in Rochester is a typical partner. Nazareth College has been hosting Project WILD workshops since 1986 as part of their teacher-training program. The college is committed to providing its students with the means to incorporate wildlife issues into their future teaching. Rogers staff conducts these wildlife-related, multi-disciplinary teacher workshops throughout New York State. Nazareth College is one of 24 colleges statewide that provide teacher workshops for their students.
NYS Outdoor Eduction
Association President,
Foster Portzline,
proudly displays his
Certificate of Appreciation to
Patti and Fred VonMechow,
conference coordinators
Another partner is the New York State Outdoor Education Association, a professional organization for teachers and environmental educators. The staff at Rogers works closely with NYSOEA to foster environmental appreciation and understanding in young New Yorkers through their teachers. Rogers staff also help plan an annual conference and conduct workshops for participants.
Essential Links
Altogether, 26 different groups were honored at the reception. One attendee said "Listening to all our connections seems like a web of life of sorts...we are all tied together." Rogers Center Director Marsha Guzewich noted that without partners and volunteers, the staff at Rogers EEC would be hard pressed to reach so many people over such a wide geographic area.
