Awards & Recognition

The Blandy Education team and the individual members have been recognized in many ways:

Education Program Awards and Recognition:

(Bolded words in the descriptions are links to additional information and resources.)

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2022 Regional Recognition & Leadership: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Bay Watershed Educator Training (B-WET) Grant Project in partnership with Clarke County Public Schools (CCPS)

NOAA selected our BWET, in partnership with CCPS, as an exemplary program highlighted on the Chesapeake Bay Program Bay Backpack website. This project developed interdisciplinary environmental literacy curricula that span kindergarten through grade 12. Numerous educator workshops and one-on-one coaching support teachers as they incorporate locally-relevant environmental issues and outdoor-based teaching into their instructional strategies. For more on this project including lesson plans and literacy resources visit our project webpage

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2018 National Recognition: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Bay Watershed Educator Training (B-WET) project "Investigate, Analysis, Synthesis, Conclusion (IASC)" With Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS)

NOAA filmed the project as an exemplar for inclusion in their Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) 101 training module.

This NOAA B-WET with FCPS is Hearlded an example of a successful Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) on the Chesapeake Bay Program's Bay Backpack "What is a MWEE?" page.

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2015 State Award and Recognition: Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR): Center For Environmental Education Excellence Award

The DCR Office of Environmental Education selected Blandy for the newly established award, which was presented during a ceremony at the annual Environmental Education Conference on October 8, 2015, at Natural Bridge. (Phot credit to Bill Portlock)

DCR established the award in to recognize and honor venues that implement exemplary environmental education, using project-based work and incorporating Virginia Standards of Learning.

Candace Lutzow-Felling, Blandy's Director of Education, accepted the award from Clyde Cristman, DCR Director. "It is gratifying that Blandy's commitment and contributions to environmental education are acknowledged," noted Ms. Lutzow-Felling. "This award recognizes excellence not only in Blandy's education program and our Environmental Education staff, but also the dedication of our Arboretum gardens and grounds staff; our many, dedicated FOSA volunteers; and the research faculty. All of us together make our education programs shine."

Education Program Staff Awards and Recognition

Candace Lutzow-Felling

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2022 Leadership Recognition: NOAA Bay Watershed & Education Project MWEE Video

NOAA selected the video tape of Candace's interview about how to design and implement a sustainable watershed education program to include in its web-based MWEE Practitioner Series

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2022 Curriculum Recognition: National Association of Geoscience Teachers - Forest Management and the Carbon Cycle module rated exemplary

The National Association of Geoscience Teachers gave the Forest Management & the Carbon Cycle module an Exemplary rating.

https://cleanet.org/clean/community/activities/forest_management.html (PDF)

Contributed by: Sarah Brylinsky, Second Nature Inc.
Deborah Huntzinger, Northern Arizona University
Candace Lutzow- Felling, University of Virginia
Suzanne O'Connell, Wesleyan University
Andrew Stubblefield, Humboldt State University

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2022 Leadership Recognition: Virginia Environmental Education Advisory Board Appointment

Appointed to the state level Environmental Education Advisory Board, led by the VA Department of Education

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2021 Recognition: NOAA Chesapeake Bay Watershed & Education Training Program exemplary MWEE project leader

Selected by the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Watershed & Education Training Program as an exemplary MWEE project leader. The interview was recorded and edited to create a 22-minute video that was shared with Mid-Atlantic region B-WET grantees

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2020 Recognition: Conservation Educator Award from The Garden Club of Virginia

"Candace is the Director of Education at Blandy Experimental Farm and State Arboretum of Virginia. She has served in this capacity since 2006 and has demonstrated superlative leadership skills in developing conservation education outreach to not only the surrounding community, but the entire state and beyond."

As the Director of Education at Blandy Experimental Farm, she melds her science research and science education experiences to create and administer environmental science education programs for preK-12 teachers and students. Candace's responsibilities include leading the Blandy education team, developing and leading professional development programs for preK-12 teachers and science communication programs for student and professional scientists, and forming and nurturing partnerships with other education institutions (such as local schools and school divisions; state, federal and national agencies; and colleges and universities).

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2017 Leadership: Appointed to the Education Workgroup for the Chesapeake Bay Program

The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) is a regional partnership of the Environmental Protection Agency, all seven jurisdictions in the Chesapeake Bay watershed: Ney York, Pennsylvania, Deleware, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., additional federal agencies, national NGOs, and university partners. CBP guides restoration and sustainable management of the Bay with goals and outcomes established by the C.B. Watershed Agreement, 2014.

The Education Workgroup creates education outcomes and develops strategies and resources to help advance the Education Goals set by the C.B. Program Leadership Committee.

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2014 Leadership: Appointed to the Board of Directors for Virginia Mathematics & Science Coalition

Term 2014-2015

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2013 Leadership: Invitee to the Champions of Change Citizen Science Event at the White House

Invited by the Executive Office of the President, Office of Science & Technology Policy to the Champions of Change Citizen Science Event at the White House (June 25)

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2009 & 2012 Leadership: National Science Teachers' Association

Appointed to the National Science Teachers’ Association Standing Committee on Informal Science Education (June 2009- May 2012)

Elected to serve on the board as the Director of Informal Science (June 2012-May 2015)

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Emily Ford

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Lillian Ledford

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