COASTLINES LINES VOLUME 24 // ISSUE 4 // Winter 2024
ELEVATING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
T
he next generation of coastal conservation champions has a powerful ally. Bryce Tholen, our Environmental Education Coordinator and Stewardship Assistant, recently earned his Environmental Education Certification from the NC Office of Environmental Education and Public Affairs - a distinguished credential that marks a new chapter in our educational outreach. This certification represents more than just passing a test. To earn it, Bryce completed 200 hours of specialized training, covering everything from local ecology and ecosystem processes to innovative teaching methods for diverse learners. “Understanding different teaching methods was a wonderful aspect of this training,” Bryce shared, highlighting how
the program has enhanced his ability to connect with students of all learning styles. Bryce’s journey with the Coastal Land Trust began in 2021 when he joined us as an AmeriCorps NC Resilience Corps Member, fresh from earning his Environmental Science degree at UNC Wilmington. His passion for education was evident from day one - he immediately began pursuing his certification while serving with AmeriCorps. After two successful years of service, we were thrilled to bring him on as our first full-time Environmental Education Coordinator. The impact has been remarkable. Under Bryce’s leadership, our education program has expanded significantly over EDUCATION, continued on page 6
Whether guiding 800 curious visitors at Flytrap Frolic or inspiring a classroom of 15 young students, Bryce Tholen pours his heart into every moment of the Coastal Land Trust’s environmental education program.
GETTING CLOSER TO SAVING THE SOUTH END OF TOPSAIL ISLAND
TOPSAIL, continued on page 5
Beachcombing, birdwatching, fishing...no matter how you connect to the South End, our campaign to permanently protect this special place for generations to come is gaining momentum. Photo credit: Gavin Shwahla
CoastalLandTrust.org
W
e are excited to share a major update on our efforts to permanently protect the South End of Topsail Island, one of the last undeveloped coastal treasures in North Carolina. As of early November, we have secured an incredible $4.5 million in grant funding to help make this project a reality! We are awaiting the outcome of one final grant, with a decision expected in early December. In addition to these generous grants, more than $1.2 million has been raised from over 650 private donors, all of whom are passionate about preserving this unique and unspoiled habitat. However, there is still work to be done. We need additional private contributions by the end of the year to meet our $1.6 million fundraising goal to purchase the South End. TOPSAIL, continued on page 5
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