Left to Right: Esther Wagner, Bonnie Webster, Ashley Howell, Ellisa Poff, Destiney Rains, Heather Kraus, Hayley Fournier (not pictured Alison Koutroulias

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2026

South Carolina Now Has 50 Certified Environmental Educators

Eight new graduates join the state's only nationally accredited environmental education certification program

GREENVILLE, SC – This August, eight South Carolina educators crossed the finish line on a two-year journey to earn their Palmetto Environmental Education Certification (PEEC) — the state's first and only certification program dedicated to building effective environmental education practices rooted in South Carolina's own natural landscapes.

Environmental education teaches people of all ages how natural systems work and how human choices affect them, building the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about the environment.

Since its launch by the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium in 2018, PEEC has grown into a cornerstone of environmental education statewide. The program is now administered in partnership with the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC), and in May 2025, it earned national accreditation from the North American Association for Environmental Education — a milestone that cements PEEC's place among the country's leading environmental education credentials.

“More than a certification, PEEC is an investment in the educators, naturalists, and community leaders who bring environmental learning to life across the Palmetto State,” said Keith Willoughby, executive director of EEASC. "We are incredibly proud of these eight graduates and the impact they will continue to make in their schools, organizations, and communities.”

Earning the PEEC credential is no small feat. In two years, candidates must complete four in-person workshops, eight online learning modules, and a series of elective field experiences, culminating in a capstone project that they design and implement in their own community.

Meet the 2024–2026 Graduates

• Hayley Fournier — North Inlet Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

• Ashley Howell — Orangeburg Christian Academy

• Alison Koutroulias — Dorman High School

• Heather Kraus — Nemours Wildlife Foundation

• Ellisa Poff — Museum of York County

• Destiney Rains — Beaufort County Land Preservation Department

• Esther Wagner — PalmettoPride

• Bonnie Webster — Spartanburg Day School

These eight join a growing statewide network of more than 50 PEEC alumni, all working to strengthen environmental literacy in classrooms, nature centers, and communities across South Carolina.

The next chapter begins soon: the 2026–2028 PEEC cohort officially launches in September 2026. For more information about the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina or the PEEC program, visit www.eeasc.org or contact admin@eeasc.org.

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About the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina

The Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC) advances environmental literacy across the state through educator support, program development, and statewide partnerships. Green Step Schools is one of EEASC's signature programs, helping schools integrate hands-on environmental learning and sustainability into everyday education.

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