Dr. Jim Merritt is an exemplary leader in environmental education, possessing an admired character, leadership and charisma. His passion for the environment allows all people he comes in contact with to engage, connect and become experiential learners. His long list of accomplishments began in the 1970’s as an assistant professor of Environmental Studies at Montclair State’s New Jersey School of Conservation in Stokes State Forest. Through his efforts and program direction his classroom became more than the confines of four walls as he opened learning to experiences in the outdoors. He has created programs that have taught students how the value of determination in individual and group efforts can make a significant difference in society and the environment. One example of this was a climbing wall he created, one of the first to be built in the United States, it allowed students to push themselves to reach their full potential; he then compared this to the persistence that is needed to conserve natural resources and the environment. Dr. Merritt’s in-depth involvement with ASE “Action Socialization Experiences” helped to create group dynamics and problem solving. His work had a vision in line with the strategies of critical thinking, creative problem solving and inquiry-based learning that are vital components of today’s environmental education.
For the past seven years, as the program director at the NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife’s Sedge Island Natural Resource Education Center, “Dr. Jim,” continues to help people make important connections and create individual environmental plans to make a difference. His work includes: board member for Cattus Island County Park, NJ Marine Ed. Association, Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science, an education coordinator of the Barnegat Bay Shellfish Restoration Program, volunteer work as an instructor for the Ocean County Teachers Roundtable and Hooked on Fishing Not on Drugs, past president of Friends of Island Beach State Park and instructor for the Becoming an Outdoors Woman Program. Dr. Merritt is a role model of the enthusiasm, commitment, and time-tested skills for communication and organization that truly show how one person can make a difference in the environment!
Environmental Educator-Nonformal Sector
Works with Schools: Ron Thoenig
Working as a naturalist at Fairview Lake YMCA Camps Environmental Education Programs for over 16 years and currently the Senior Naturalist, Ron Thoenig has shared his love and knowledge of the environment with more than 100,000 people that he has instructed at the camp. His love for the outdoors, its protection and preservation are conveyed in his everyday interactions with children and adults alike.
With the use of his calls, imitating a coyote or calling in a screech owl on a night hike, he engages those who are his companions on the trail, giving them an excitement that makes them want to return and find out more! Ron has a unique talent for being able to make even the most complex ideas in ecology, biology and botany easy for any student to understand through his use of concrete examples and real-life experiences.
His enthusiasm for exploration, sharing of materials and fascinating facts coupled with his encouragement distinguish Ron as an all-time favorite leader at the YMCA. Ron truly knows how to captivate his audience. He is well respected and an inspiration to students and teachers alike.
Environmental Educator-Formal Sector
Individual: Paul Ludgate
As an educator for the Upper Township Middle School, Paul has presented many environmental activities that are utilized by others in the learning community. A composting project in effect for the past fourteen years takes approximately 1,800 pounds of organic material out of the waste stream from the school’s kitchen each year.
Through the use of various grants written by Paul, the students at the Upper Township Middle School have benefited by learning about songbirds, migratory shorebirds and the Horseshoe crab. Students have taken virtual field trips to study the migratory flyways with participants from Ecuador, Mexico, the US and Canada. They have planted 240 native trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants, becoming a model for a regional school in Somers Point.
During professional leaves, Paul was able to share the Spanish version of Songbird Connection with teachers in Guatemala and Honduras enabling Latin American students to share created bird cards with the students at the Upper Township Middle School. Another global connection occurred when letters and photographs were shared by students living in Patagonia, the Red Knot’s winter home.
Paul’s students, as well as the entire learning community of the Upper Township Middle School, have an experienced, committed educator who goes the extra mile to tap into resources to enhance environmental education.
Environmental Educator-Formal Sector-Partnership
Michelle Villar and Liza Santiago
Vineland High School South is fortunate to have two wonderful educators who love sharing a vision for a school project not only to provide for beautification of the school, but to facilitate enthusiasm for research and the creation of a hands-on, inquiry-based project that students can take pride in as an accomplishment.
Science educator, Michelle Villar and bilingual science educator, Liza Santiago, worked as a team to provide students with a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural project that involved their students in the establishment of a Butterfly Garden. Biology was used for the research, selection and planting of the garden. Students are able to make observations of the interaction of species: birds and butterflies in this newly created garden habitat. Geometry was used to implement the design. During their art classes, students created glass butterflies to help decorate the garden. Many after-school hours have been utilized to create and maintain the garden; instilling in their students the value of cleaning and maintaining the environment for humans, animals and plants.
Environmental Educator-Wildlife Sector
Winning Smile
A 7 foot American Alligator featured in “The Great Reptiles” presentation by Snakes-N-Scales and Turtle Tails founder and herpetologist Bill Boesenberg.
Awards were presented during the Alliance's Annual Awards Banquet
during the Annual New Jersey Environmental Education Conference.
Friday, February 1, 2008 at the Clarion Palmer Inn
Route 1 South, between Princeton and Lawrenceville, NJ.
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Patricia F. Kane Lifetime Achievement Award