As part of the outdoor environmental education workshop for its Office of Environmental Education (OEE), the North Carolina Department of Environmental & Natural Resources (DENR) selected Penny Road Elementary as one of the primary field trips for DENR's OEE workshop held on Saturday, October 24. Penny Road Elementary principal Mark Barbar welcomed the workshop attendees, while PTA Buildings and Grounds Co-Chairs John and Ann Sykes provided an overview of the school's environmental education program.

The group learned about the solar-powered, wireless webcam birdhouse, wireless weather station, US Map Garden, rain barrel usage throughout the campus, NC Native Plant Garden, pond with amphitheater, fishing program, and the Leon Harkins 1.1 mile Educational Walking Trail. In addition, discussion was held on Penny Road Elementary science programs: container planting, composting (including vermicomposting), planting gardens (flower, native, vegetable), weather, and birding/nesting cycles. The participants were truly impressed with Penny Road Elementary's environmental education efforts and commended the school on its work.

Penny Road Elementary is excited to be one of the selected sites for this event as it recognizes our environmental education program. For more information on Penny Road Elementary's environmental education program and accomplishments, you can visit the Penny Road Elementary website and the NC DENR School Directory at: http://web.eenorthcarolina.org/net/org/info.aspx?s=61259.0.0.37430