“Nature brings people together,” says Charity Siebert, program director at Pinecrest Camp & Retreat Center. “Every day that I’m out there connecting people with nature, I am always thinking how lucky I am that I get paid to do this, and it really makes a difference.”
With a ton of experience and a deep connection to nature, Siebert leads by example, inspiring students and families alike to embrace the wonders of the natural world. Right after college, still unsure of her future, Siebert worked as an environmental educator (EE) with the Catskill Outdoor Education Corps, a program of AmeriCorps. “While working with a group of students in a park, the mayor came by and said what a great thing we were doing and that I was pretty good at leading the kids,” Siebert says. “By this time, I had been doing EE programs casually for a few years, but those simple words stayed with me and led me to find more paid gigs, eventually becoming my career.”
Siebert’s encounter with blue ghost fireflies, in her early years at Pinecrest, stands out as a transformative experience, leading her to become the first to officially document these remarkable creatures in the Mid-South. “It was in early May, and just under the tree line along a field, my family and I had a jaw-dropping experience,” Siebert says. “We were witnessing blue ghost fireflies!” This discovery inspired her to organize events like the Blue Ghost Festival and the Snappy Sync Hike, celebrating the beauty of fireflies and raising awareness about protecting nocturnal habitats.
Courtesy of Charity Siebert
Charity Siebert
The Director’s innovative spirit is evident in creating and implementing new programs at Pinecrest. “Recently, I created a new program at Pinecrest called Walk in the Watershed,” Siebert says. “The inspiration for this program was watching my own son play in the sand.” Inspired by these moments of serendipity and observation, she developed immersive experiences that impart scientific knowledge and encourage a deeper understanding of ecological concepts and land stewardship. This infectious enthusiasm, coupled with a commitment to meeting learners at her level, ensures that participants of all ages and backgrounds engage enthusiastically with the educational programs offered at Pinecrest.
One of Siebert’s favorite activities is using the format of the Beetles Project’s “I Notice, I Wonder, It Reminds Me Of.” The final prompt of this activity gives each person the space to freely express their memories. “Nature is connected to everything and everyone, and here we are connecting with each other,” she says. Sharing memories, like a leaf evoking ancestral food served on a banana leaf, helps deepen understanding and empathy.
“I am also able to customize the experience for those with a variety of learning differences, special needs, and differing abilities,” adds Siebert. Pinecrest provides Grit Chair, an off-road wheelchair with mountain bike treads, for children to access compass courses and trails.
The Tennessee Environmental Education Association (TEEA) is a vital networking platform for local environmental education organizations, educators, and administrators, offering valuable insights into regional trends. “It’s been an honor working on the board [TEEA] with the other hard-working educators from around Tennessee,” says Siebert. “Maintaining the balance between the existing programs and new ideas can be challenging.” Similar to building a new trail, implementing new ideas involves multiple seasons of planning, redesign, and the involvement of dedicated support staff or volunteers to bring ideas to fruition.
“She loves teaching children about the wonderful things that nature is and does for us,” says one parent. Another adds, “Hard worker who rolls up her sleeves, applies elbow grease, and leads by example.” Many of her students and parents describe Siebert as an inspirational and dedicated educator who has made a significant difference in connecting people with the natural world and encouraging a deeper appreciation for environmental stewardship.
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