LUFKIN, TEXAS – Rachel Collins of Zavalla received the Texas Project Learning Tree Outstanding Educator award at Texas Forestry Association’s 101st annual convention held Oct. 21-23, 2015 at the Hilton College Station.
“To say that Rachel Collins, former Director of the Texas Forestry Museum, loves the outdoors would be an understatement,” said Misty Bowie, Texas PLT Co-Coordinator. “When she was introduced to forestry courtesy of the Teacher Conservation Institute, Rachel soaked up the forest conservation message and became passionate about sharing it.”
Collins left her job teaching in public school to found and operate the Lake Sam Rayburn Nature Center. She used her knowledge to create engaging exhibits and programs for the young and not-so-young to learn about the great outdoors. This experience led her to serve as a contract educator for the Texas Forestry Museum, running its summer camps for children.
Collins relied on her training in Project Learning Tree and Project WILD to develop a new summer camp curriculum and format that is still being used today. Shortly afterward, Rachel was hired as Director of the Texas Forestry Museum, and under her leadership the museum underwent major renovations. Rachel’s passion for promoting forestry inspired her to create many new exhibits, displays, and activities for the museum. During her tenure there she attended Teacher Conservation Institute Phase III.
Collins has returned to the classroom to teach seventh and eighth graders in several subjects.
“Her students will undoubtedly benefit from the training she received in PLT and, armed with that knowledge, they will be equipped to become responsible stewards of our forests,” Bowie said.
COLLINS PHOTO:
Rachel Collins accepts the Texas Project Learning Tree Outstanding Educator Award for her efforts in involving students and educators in forestry and conservation during Texas Forestry Association’s annual convention held at the Hilton in College Station, Texas, held Oct. 21-23, 2015. Presenting the award is Ron Hufford, TFA Executive Director, and John Boyette, Texas PLT Co-Coordinator.
ABOUT:
Texas Forestry Association, the voice for forestry for 100 years, promotes an economic, social and political climate that will advance forestry in Texas through education, political action and public relations, as well as serving the broad needs of the forest resource of landowners, producers and consumers, and to enhance and perpetuate the Texas forest resource.