Several environmental educators had a wonderful meeting on September 9, 2002. The meeting was so productive, in fact, that future meetings are being planned. If you'd like to receive an emailed notice of future meetings, please complete the form below. Thank you.

Dear Environmental Educator,

Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (NEP) invites you to a meeting of environmental educators from Bartow to Venice to Bonita Springs to share environmental education tools and techniques, and learn what the NEP can do for you!

The meeting will be held Monday, September 9 from 9:30 to 2:00 in the Student Activities Center at the Edison Community College – Charlotte Campus in Punta Gorda. (From I-75 Exit 161 travel west to first light then follow signs to campus.)

To help plan the meeting we ask that you register by September 3 via the website or by phone (with your name, organization name and phone number) and pay $5 to help defray lunch and refreshment expenses. Please invite others who you know who may have an interest.

To register, please complete the following form.

This meeting is to further the partnership with those who help residents and visitors better understand and appreciate the value of our beautiful natural resources. During the meeting, you will . . .

• learn about grants and other resources CHNEP offers,

• help develop public information and education projects, including

  • Brochure of educational and recreational facilities

  • Videos

  • Children’s book

  • Electronic media

  • Develop campaigns to reach reporters, realtors and teachers

  • Harbor Happenings, the quarterly newsletter on issues and events of concern in the watershed

  • NEP website with links to partners, event announcements and issues

• suggest additional projects

• become a “distribution center” to those you normally serve by providing them with the NEP management plan, newsletters, videos, posters and other items

• learn how to become involved in the Citizens Advisory Committee.

Randy McCormick with Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve will talk about a “sense of place,” and participants will have opportunities to network with others.

A more detailed agenda will soon be available.

Please explore this website to learn more about the CHNEP web, including:

• grant information

  • micro-grants are awarded throughout the year for up to $250

  • mini-grants are awarded annually for up to $3,000

  • research & restoration grants are awarded annually for up to $20,000 for each participating partner)

• images of posters currently available

• workplan for Fiscal Year 2003 (October 1, 2002 to September 30, 2003) that details projects to begin October 1, including public information and education projects

If you have any questions or wish to register, contact Maran Hilgendorf (239/338-2556, mhilgendorf@swfrpc.org). We hope to see you at this meeting but if you are unable to attend, please let me know of your interest to participate in these exciting projects.

Hope to see you September 9.

Maran Brainard Hilgendorf

Communications Manager

Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program