In 2016, we are celebrating EEANM’s 20th anniversary. Be a part of the best year yet for EE in New Mexico!
Join the Celebration
- Donate to ensure that EEANM’s legacy continues for 20 more years!
- Celebrate EE Week with us April 17-23 and send letters of support for designating an official New Mexico EE Week.
- Sponsor a new member and help us grow!
- Explore 20 years of EEANM in the timeline below.
- Send us your own stories or memories of EEANM and environmental education around New Mexico.
Formation of EEANM
In 1991, a group of environmental educators formed the Environmental Education Association of New Mexico. That same year, Tree New Mexico, NM Forestry Camp, and Sandia Discovery Day started.
Summit in Socorro
The New Mexico State Land Office and EEANM organized the NM Summit on Education for the Environment. Almost 200 people from schools, government agencies, ranching and agriculture businesses and non-profit organizations gathered at New Mexico Tech in Socorro on December 3rd and 4th, 1993.
It’s Official!
In 1996, EEANM was recognized as a national non-profit, getting its official 501(c)(3) documentation. Our non-profit status has helped us create a solid foundation for future work.
EEANM Gets a Website
In 1998, EEANM’s first website went live. It was originally located at www.eea.nm.org.
NAAEE Conference in Albuquerque
EEANM was the local host for the NAAEE conference in Albuquerque in the fall of 2005!
EEANM’s First Hire
In August 2007 , EEANM hired Barbara Garrity as our first Executive Director. Thanks to a grant from Albert I. Pierce Foundation, the Board of Directors was able to hire Barbara, who served as the E.D. until 2015. Hiring a staff person allowed EEANM to gather even more momentum.
New Mexico Master Naturalist Program begins
The Bernalillo County Open Space Master Naturalist Program aims to instill the pursuit of lifelong learning and promote environmental stewardship. Participants are actively engaged through education and service dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources on Open Space properties.
Richard W. Becker Award for Excellence in Environmental Education
The first Dr. Richard W. Becker Award of Excellence in Environmental Education was announced at the Leopold Education Project’s Conference in Albuquerque in July 2011. Dr. Becker was a champion of conservation, environmental education and service learning across the state of New Mexico and beyond.
Opening of the Bachechi Environmental Education Building in Albuquerque
Purchased in 1999, the Bachechi property is 27 acres of fertile valley farmland located at 9521 Rio Grande Blvd. NW, just south and east of the adjacent 8-acre Alameda Open Space that is owned and operated by the City of Albuquerque Open Space Division.
Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights
EEANM along with partners, Wild Friends and Leave No New Mexico Child Inside Coalition, worked tirelessly in 2012 to support the passage of the New Mexico Children’s Outdoor Bill of Rights at the New Mexico Legislature.
EEANM Launches Environmental Literacy Planning
On January 5, 2013, EEANM co-hosted a meeting with the NM State Land Office to launch the Environmental Literacy planning process. More than a dozen statewide meetings with stakeholders followed as the first draft of the report was crafted.
First Environmental Literacy Summit
The first draft of New Mexico’s Environmental Literacy Plan was presented at the summit in September 2013.
ELP Round 2
In March 2015, stakeholders gathered for the presentation of the second draft of New Mexico’s Environmental Literacy Plan at an Environmental Literacy Summit at the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park. Classroom teachers, informal educators, and decision makers gathered to chart a path forward for building support.
EE Certification Pilot Program
In 2015, we welcomed the first group of candidates for New Mexico’s Environmental Education Certification Program. We also started an EE Certification Mentorship Program to provide additional support for candidates from underserved communities.
EEANM’s 2nd Executive Director
After laying important groundwork for EEANM, Barbara Garrity retired at the end of 2015 and handed the torch over to EEANM’s second Executive Director, Eileen Everett, in January 2016.
EEANM Celebrates 20 years!
EEANM celebrates the 20 year anniversary of receiving 501(c)(3) non-profit status!
Importance of EE Joint Memorial
In February 2016, the EE Joint Memorial passes unanimously at the NM Legislature. This bill recognizes the importance of EE along with asking for specific actions like the declaration of an EE Week in New Mexico.
Do you know more EEANM history or have memories to share?