Conservation Educator Award 2006
Vanderburgh County SWCD supervisors and staff recognizes an educator who goes above and beyond what is expected to teach young people about the environment and wildlife. This year’s award goes to Connie Waltz, a former teacher at Trinity Lutheran School in Darmstadt who currently is in a position at Central Library where she continues to generate interest in the environment and wildlife through a children’s garden.
The Soil and Water Conservation District sponsored Connie for workshops which she said filled a gap in her education. The workshops enabled her to provide environmental education to her students because many of the concepts and activities lent themselves to Language Arts and Art instruction as well as Science. Connie said the manuals she received were well organized, provided step by step instructions and were connected with educational standards as well.
She credits her parents with teaching her a love of nature and respect for the environment. They encouraged her in 4-H with her forestry project and traveled with her to many of the country’s beautiful national parks. Connie and her husband Jerry maintain bluebird boxes that he constructed for a trail on their property. Connie and Jerry share their love of nature and birds with family members Adam, Ryan and Kyle.
She feels the children in our community need to have opportunities to explore the outdoors and experience the natural world. This is vital in order for us to preserve our natural areas, provide habitat in urban and suburban areas and combat global warming. Without environmental education, children fail to understand the importance of our natural resources. This education is necessary for their survival and quality of life.
Connie also works with the Master Gardeners in the community by providing educational programs for children at Sunrise Park. The programs are open to the public but they also invite groups from the inner-city. The programs have been well attended and she thinks it is rewarding to see just how the children enjoy the park and learning about plants and animal life. CONGRATULATIONS CONNIE WALTZ!