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Palmetto Environmental Education Certification

A training for educators designed to advance environmental literacy in South Carolina
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About PEEC 

The Palmetto Environmental Education Certification (PEEC) program is South Carolina’s first professional certification for environmental educators, designed for both formal and nonformal educators dedicated to connecting people with nature. Its mission is to foster a professional network that advances environmental literacy across the state, envisioning the professionalization of environmental education as a career field. The program strengthens educators’ skills through multidisciplinary courses that blend NAAEE Core Competencies with South Carolina. Through PEEC, educators gain the tools, knowledge, and community to elevate their impact statewide.

Key Highlights

  • Time for completion: 2 years
  • Eligibility: SC K-12 formal and nonformal educators (including nature-based tourism businesses)
  • Environmental education training and experiences across the state
  • 120 hours of renewal credit through the SC Department of Education
  • Length certification valid: 5 years (recertification available)
  • Registration cost: $800 for 2024-2026 cohort (scholarships available)
  • NAAEE-accredited, meaning certification is recognized nationally

Required Elements

  • Four weekend-long, in-person workshops designed to develop skills for effective environmental education instruction.
  • Eight online modules which explore topics such as the foundations and history of the field of environmental education.
  • Individualized elective component (90 hours) that encourages exploration of the state's different regions and the personal interests of the participant.
  • Capstone project that demonstrates mastery of knowledge and involves the implementation of a new or revised program or product.

Applications for the 2026-2028 PEEC Cohort will open Summer 2026!

All applications are reviewed by members of the PEEC Advisory Committee. Please contact peecprogram@gmail.com with any questions.

Program Development Timeline

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2013-2014
A statewide needs assessment and follow-up focus groups led by the SC Sea Grant Consortium revealed overwhelming educator support for developing a environmental education certification.
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2014-2017
A 15-member steering committee of South Carolina educators developed the PEEC program to build a professional network that advances environmental literacy statewide.
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2017-2018
PEEC pilot program launched in August of 2017 with 14 participants from across South Carolina, all of whom successfully completed the fast-paced and condensed nine-month program.
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2019-2023
Created scholarship for applicants, PEEC adopted as flagship program of EEASC, graduated 24 educators. Began process of applying for national accreditation.
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2025
Now accredited by the North American Association of Environmental Educators E, individuals certified through PEEC are recognized nationally: their certification carries with them even if they relocate to a new state.

Sponsor and Partner Opportunities

Seeking sponsors: The PEEC Advisory Committee, facilitation team, alumni association, and the current cohort of participants support the PEEC program with their time, energy, and passion…but your support is needed to expand the program’s impact and ensure its long-term success and its affordability. Please consider making a one-time contribution or becoming an annual program sponsor to support environmental educators and environmental education in SC! Please contact for more information and for a customized sponsorship package. 

Sponsorship Menu

Partnerships: Our network of partners is growing, and we invite you to be part of it. By partnering with the PEEC program, you’re not only supporting South Carolina educators—you’re also connecting your organization to a statewide effort to strengthen environmental literacy. Your partnership helps empower educators, expand environmental education, and showcase your organization’s commitment to a sustainable future. Below are a just few ways we may be able to work together to continue building this program:   

  • Offering discounted meeting or lodging space for PEEC workshops
  • Providing funding for workshops or program materials
  • Extending reduced registration rates for PEEC participants attending your programs
  • Serving on the PEEC Steering Committee
  • Sponsoring or nominating a participant for certification
  • Promoting PEEC within your organization
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2024-2026 Schedule

  • PEEC Application Period: May 1–June 30, 2024
  • 2024–2026 Cohort Announced: July 31, 2024
  • Kickoff Meeting: September 18, 2024
  • Coastal Region Workshop: January 17–19, 2025
  • Upstate Region Workshop: August 5–7, 2025
  • Midlands Region Workshop: January 16–18, 2026
  • Upstate Region Workshop/Graduation: August 4–6, 2026
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2024-2026 Cohort

ashley
E. Ashley Howell
Orangeburg Christian Academy
Student

Favorite Hobby: Hiking

What does environmental education mean to me? Environmental education means learning to be a wise steward of the natural world so that all can benefit in a sustainable way.

haley
Hayley Fournier
North Inlet-Winyah Bay NERR
Student

Favorite Hobby: Art and Gardening 

What does environmental education mean to me? Environmental Education is the gift that keeps on giving. Nature itself is a necessity to life itself for ALL people to learn about, enjoy, and protect.

destiney
Destiney Rains
Beaufort County Passive Parks System
Student

Favorite Hobby: Walking my dog on trails and the beach, birding, running, and fishing with my family!

What does environmental education mean to me? Environmental education fosters a sense of love and compassion for our beautiful environment within the general public. It provides folks with the knowledge and understanding of their personal impacts on the environment; and inspires people to protect, conserve, and restore the world they live in for themselves and the future generations to come.

heather
Heather Kraus
Nemours Wildlife Foundation
Student

Favorite Hobby: Pottery, walking around my neighborhood, and sometimes baking.

What does environmental education mean to me? For me, environmental education means cultivating curiosity, appreciation, and understanding for the natural world. It should give people the tools to explore the plants, animals, and ecosystems where they live and make a meaningful connection to a particular place.

nancy
Nancy White
SC Lowcountry Tourism Commission
Student

Favorite Hobby: Tasting different types of food and beverages.

What does environmental education mean to me? Initiating others to observe, touch, smell, taste, and show curiosity and concern about preserving our natural environment.

elisa
Ellisa Poff
Museum of York County
Student

Favorite Hobby: I really enjoy being outside hiking with my husband and taking pictures of nature. When I can’t get outside, I can usually be found reading and learning to crochet.

What does environmental education mean to me? Environmental education is essential for the future of our world. I see it as an important opportunity to connect our youth with nature and give them the tools to protect and improve our environment for generations to come.

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Esther Wagner
PalmettoPride
Student

Favorite Hobby: One all-consuming thing—but it changes often.

What does environmental education mean to me? New knowledge leads to new ideas and improvements on old ones.

bonnie
Bonnie Webster
Nemours Wildlife Foundation
Student

Favorite Hobby: Hiking

What does environmental education mean to me? Environmental education is a way to conect people with the natural world around them. It is both a way to bring people joy and wonder about our amazing planet and to raise their awareness of the role we can play in protecting it.

Alison (1)
Alison Koutroulias
Spartanburg District 6
Student

Favorite Hobby: Reading, Gardening, Knitting

What does environmental education mean to me?Environmental education means empowering the future generations to become active stewards of our amazing environment and ecosystems.

lisa
Lisa Pike
Francis Marion University
Instructor

Favorite Hobby: Pottery and Nature Walks.

What does environmental education mean to me? A world that cares about the natural environment.

beth
Sara Beth Freytag
Belle W. Baruch Foundation
Instructor

Favorite Hobby: Playing the piano, cuddling with my Kitty.

What does environmental education mean to me? To me, environmental education means teaching others to explore, appreciate, and understand the world around us.

cindy
Cindy Lilly
Oceanbay Middle School
Instructor

Favorite Hobby: Beachcombing, reading, and pottery

What does environmental education mean to me? Environmental education I feel is allowing the children I teach to explore and dive deep into environmental matters that will affect their furture. It also is allowing them to fall in love with our planet. I think it is medicine for the soul.

rachel
Rachel Kennerly
Saluda Shoals Park
Instructor

Favorite Hobby: Reading. I love getting lost in a good book.

What does environmental education mean to me?To me, it means a love and passion for the world around us and sharing that love with the next generation of scientists.

shana
Shana Bury
Bioblitz of the Grand Strand
Instructor

Favorite Hobby: Reading, Gardening, Knitting

What does environmental education mean to me?Environmental education means empowering the future generations to become active stewards of our amazing environment and ecosystems.

wiltress
Wiltress Felder
Richland District 2
Instructor

Favorite Hobby: sky watching, nature walks with my dogs

What does environmental education mean to me?eaching students to appreciate the world in which they live.

Treon
Morgan Treon
SC Sea Grant Consortium
Administrator

Favorite Hobby: From hiking to kayaking, I love to be outside exploring and learning about the natural world.

What does environmental education mean to me?As an environmental educator, my goal is to foster an empathy and understanding of the natural world by providing a safe space for students to engage and learn with nature.

ev
E.V. Bell
SC Sea Grant Consortium
Administrator

Favorite Hobby: Tennis, gardening, anything water related, hiking, cheering on the Clemson tigers

What does environmental education mean to me?t’s everything! EE connects us to each other and the world around us — humans are not separate from, but interwoven with, the natural environment.