Yesterday was both a sad day and a very happy day. Happy – because I was able to participate in the 30th Bay Area Environmental Education Resources Fair (BAEER Fair) at the Marin Civic Center. Sad – because some old friends and programs were not there.
The BAEER Fair was initiated and hosted by CSU-Hayward in 1977. The main purpose of the Fair was to serve as a networking event, promoting environmental education programs and various resources available to the public and teachers. The 2007 Fair was sponsored by the Lawrence Hall of Science as a special project.
Several of the early BAEER Fair volunteers are still involved and were coordinating the 2007 event with the same dedication and enthusiasm as 30 years ago. There were about 70 exhibitors and a dozen workshops in the Main Hall. The displays featured program information and resources offered byFederal, State, and local governmental agencies, as well as non-profit organizations, publishers, and ECO (Environmental, Conservation, and Outdoor) Education Associations.
A couple of programs that this blogger has been affiliated with in one-way or another were there, as usual. (Audubon Canyon Ranch, the YMCA Point Bonita and Jones Gulch Outdoor & Conference Centers)In fact, the Fair was supported by the Environmental Education Forum for several years; an NGO project founded by yours truly and supported by the Foundation for the Advancement of Environmental Education.
The sad part was the absence of one of the Bay Area’s most enthusiastic environmental educators – Elizabeth Terwilliger. “Mrs. T,” as she was known, enthralled three generations of families with her unique teaching style. She died last November at the age of 97. She was a pioneer environmental educator that was acknowledged and honored by many, including a U.S. President – Ronald Reagan in 1984. Her love of nature and our relationship to plants and animals was second to none. I’m certain that “Mrs. T,” was with us in spirit, yesterday.
For additional information about the BAEER Fair: http://www.baeerfair.org
“Mrs. T.” http://www.marinij.com/ci_4738210