Whether it’s hands-on in a classroom, on an informational cruise, presenting to a community group or mentoring an intern our educators are in the field helping bring the science of the coast to life. Here are just a few of the ways we are helping to develop knowledge of our coastal environment and an appreciation for the need to preserve these vital habitats.

For more information on any of these programs, please contact one of our educators below.

Also, be sure to check out our Distance Learning Lab which showcases educational videos and activities you can do from home!

K-12

Our hands-on classroom programs are designed to support your school district’s science curriculum. Whether you’re studying coastal habitats, water quality, or wildlife, our presentations will enrich learning and inspire stewardship.

Our current curriculum features lessons on:

College

Service Projects

The Federation welcomes many high school students and college groups each year. They help us with our restoration, education, and other projects and we help them with community service credits, senior projects, and alternative spring breaks. The net result makes the coast a better place.

Internships

Join the Coastal Advocacy Institute this summer!

This is a hands-on, fully immersive program. You will dive headfirst into local, state, and national policy, restoration, and education issues in which the Federation engages.

In the Community
education in the field

Earthwise Farm

This small community farm started by the Federation is dedicated to helping people learn how to grow food while protecting the coastal waters.

YouthBuild

The YouthBuild program is run by River City Community Development Corporation and provides economically disadvantaged youth with education and employment skills through opportunities for meaningful work in their communities.

The Federation provides training to YouthBuild participants on low-impact development techniques and enhancements to their campus rain gardens.

Teaching the Teachers

Our educators occasionally conduct professional development training for formal K-12 classroom teachers. Public school teacher training programs serve as opportunities for enriched learning and reinforcement of crucial lessons. The Federation’s educators are experts in teaching about watersheds and the importance of the estuary through hands-on techniques.

Education Beyond the Schools

Each year, we host several workshops, summits, or training geared toward adults. Many of these workshops focus on better educating the community about coastal resources and how to protect them. Some are geared toward community members, while others offer specific information and training useful to engineers, contractors, land surveyors, and other professions. Each summer, the Fred and Alice Stanback Coastal Education Center hosts a speaker series, and in the past, Coastal Review Online has hosted a training session for journalists covering coastal issues.

Meet Our Educators

Coastal Education Coordinator

Bonnie, once a volunteer for the Federation, joined the staff in 2019 and coordinates the education and outreach programs in the southeast region while managing the region’s volunteers, interns, events,…

Coastal Education Coordinator

Rachel, from Pine Level, North Carolina, joined the Federation in 2013 after volunteering for several years. She holds a Master of Science in coastal marine and wetland studies from Coastal…

Education & Outreach Director

Before joining the Federation in 2008, Sara worked as a special activities instructor at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, where she fell in love with North Carolina’s estuaries.…

The Coastal Classroom

You can inspire the next generation of coastal leaders.