FIELD EXPERIENCES

The Field Experiences described on this page have been designed as mobile workshops.  Professional Content Leaders will be strengthening your background knowledge in a wide variety of EE subject matter and have built in teacher training and networking exercises. The EE techniques, exercises and lesson plans demonstrated during the course of these field experiences complement your professional development during the 2011 NAAEE 40th Anniversary Conference. Cost saving measures (picnics rather than box lunches) and sharing of resources (in-kind donations) have produced these experiences at a very reasonable cost to you. Space is limited, and advanced registration is required. Secure your spot today!


Field Experiences are held Wednesday, October 12, and Sunday, October 16, and require a separate fee to participate. Do not register for a Wednesday field experience if you are attending a Wednesday workshop or the Research Symposium.


Field Experiences may be canceled due to low registration. NAAEE reserves the right to change the program as needed. If an activity is canceled, you will be notified no later than September 9, 2011, and will be given the option to change to another field experience or to receive a full refund. NAAEE cannot be held responsible for travel arrangements made by participants in the event of a field experience being canceled. Note that field experience fees are nonrefundable if the participant is unable to attend.


Things to know:
Field Experiences are primarily outdoors. Plan to go rain or shine. Field Experiences might be cancelled in the event of hurricane, tornado, or severe weather outbreak.  Participants will be presented with an alternative opportunity at nearby museums.  Departure Points: Overnight Field Experiences depart from the Raleigh Marriott City Center lobby at 4:00 pm. Wednesday, and Sunday experiences depart from the Salisbury Street entrance of the Raleigh Convention Center.

  • Return points: All Field Experiences return to Raleigh Convention Center.
  • Transportation: 15-passenger vans with a group size of 12 per van.  Vans are not wheelchair accessible.
  • Dress for the weather. Expect cool mornings and evenings (low 50s) and if sunny, daytime temperatures in the low 70s. October is one of North Carolina’s least cloudy months.
  • What to bring: a water bottle, skin protection, fanny pack or small daypack, business cards, appropriate footwear, sunglasses, hat, light jacket.
     

OVERNIGHT TRIPS

A. Mountain Geology and Alpine Ecosystem
Sharpen your tracking skills discovering Eastern Box Turtles in the Piedmont, before heading west through the fall foliage of the Blue Ridge Mountains. You will learn to interpret geologic features as you hike Linville Falls and Gorge and at Wiseman’s View at sunset. On Wednesday, summit Mt. Mitchell to study the combined effects of invasive alien species and acid precipitation on this alpine ecosystem.
THIS FIELD EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN CANCELED.

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B. Water Quality Monitoring and Marine Ecosystems
Sharpen your tracking skills discovering Eastern Box Turtles in the Piedmont, before heading east through traditional southeastern farmland to the crystalline sands of the Atlantic Coast. A below deck introduction to the FerryMon Project while crossing the Neuse River leads you to the UNC-CH water quality monitoring lab. On Wednesday, a shuttle boat takes you to Carrot Island to share marine ecosystem research and spend personal time on a barrier island with wild mustangs within the Rachel Carson National Estuarine Research Reserve.

October 10, 4:00 pm to October 12, 4:00 pm (Note: Monday, October 10th arrival is required to attend this field experience)
Fee: $190.00 per person
DEADLINE EXTENDED to August 11, 2011 (Early Bird Deadline)
Includes: 2 overnight accommodations, transportation, 5 meals (2-B, 2-L, and 1-D), entrance and activity fees, professional guides, and hosts.
Minimum registrants required: 9
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12

C. Sandhills Fire Ecology
North Carolina is the land of the Longleaf Pine. Find out why at Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve where you will be introduced to the “Rooted in Time” EELE. Activities from the EELE relate the functions of fire and a vigorous Longleaf Pine ecosystem. Weather conditions permitting, you will take part in a controlled burn of a small plot on a historic private farm.

October 12, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fee: $50.00 per person
Includes: Transportation, lunch, entrance and activity fees, professional guides, and hosts.
Minimum registrants required: 9
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D. Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue
“Let’s build a boat” at William B. Umstead State Park from repurposed materials and then learn how a landfill was transformed into the new North Wake Landfill District Park. Following lunch and watershed education activities at Blue Jay Point County Park, this trip concludes with a demonstration of wildlife habitat helpers made from repurposed materials.

October 12, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fee: $25.00
Includes: Transportation, lunch, entrance and activity fees,
professional guides, and hosts.
Minimum registrants required: 5
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E. Prairie Ridge Ecostation — Educating with Research
Travel to Prairie Ridge Ecostation where you will learn how they use bird banding, citizen science projects, and other scientific research as the core of their educational programs. Begin with a live, hands-on bird banding session and learn how best to share information with students. We will also test a new program on sustainability as we explore a variety of features such as wind turbines, solar panels, water harvesting strategies, a green roof of native plants, and the award winning Outdoor Classroom.

October 12, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fee: $35.00
Includes: Transportation, lunch, entrance and activity fees, professional guides, and hosts.
Minimum registrants required: 7
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F. Building Healthy Communities through Educated Choices
This Field Experience has been CANCELED 


G. Conserving Native Species and Natural Communities
One of the Southeast’s premier carnivorous plant collections and an introduction to Horticultural Therapy Program highlight the day at the North Carolina Botanical Gardens. At Mason Farm Biological Reserve, managed by University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, you will hike through one of the most biologically diverse natural areas of the Piedmont region of North Carolina.

October 12, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fee: $25.00
Includes: Transportation, lunch, entrance and activity fees,
professional guides, and hosts.
Minimum registrants required: 10
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H. Community Projects & Partnerships for Conservation Education & Sustainable Agriculture
Beginning at Historic Yates Mill County Park, the last operating grist mill in the Raleigh area, you will trace agricultural practices from the 1700s to the application of new technologies and practices at North Carolina State University’s Center for Environmental Farming Systems and the Agro-Ecology Farm. After lunch and a tour at the NC Farmers Market, successful growing and charitable distribution of local produce will be highlighted at the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s Community Farm.

October 12, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fee: $20.00
Includes: Transportation, entrance and activity fees, professional guides, and hosts. Lunch is on your own at NC Farmers Market restaurants. Menu items from $5 to $20+.
Minimum registrants required: 5
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16

I. From Flow to Faucet, the Neuse River
Professional guides lead you on a two and a half hour paddle trip down the source of the water that feeds the thirst of the 2011 NAAEE conference, the Neuse River. While keeping watch for wildlife, you will identify the components of an “ecological address” and measure your own ecological footprint. Or just drift down the river not listening to anything but the birds.

October 16, 9:00 am – 12:30 pm
Fee: $40.00
Includes: Transportation, lunch, canoe and all safety equipment, professional guides, and hosts.
Minimum registrants required: 8
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J. Farm to Fork
Track your brunch out to Coon Rock Farm where it was growing in the field or barn earlier in the week. Owners Richard Holcombe and Jamie Dement ensure that their farm not only supplies their restaurants but also hosts interns and K-12 and college agriculture education classes and programs, allowing students to see and experience the true meaning of a local, sustainable food economy.

October 16, 11:00 am – 4:30 pm
Fee: $20.00
Includes: Transportation, professional guides, and hosts. Brunch is on your own at the Piedmont Restaurant. Menu items from $7 to $15.
Minimum registrants required: 5
More information>>