Patti Dugan Henricksen
The recipient for the 2009 NH Environmental Educator of the Year Award for the non-formal category is a true partner in environmental education. In her work with the Girl Scouts, Patti Dugan Henricksen has made a lasting impact on countless girls and women from northern NH. Patti promotes individual and social responsibility in use of natural resources through her use of the Leave No Trace principles and responsible use of forest resources. She has engaged girls in camping trips, community service projects, and HikeSafe programs, all of which get girls outside to experience and interact with the environment in ways that build strong relationships with the earth and each other.
In the tradition of girl scouting, Patti has enabled girls to take on leadership roles through implementing new projects that meet a community need. These have included creating informational materials on waste recycling, community mapping projects and developing survival packs for backwoods safety. The partnerships that she has developed with the White Mtn. National Forest and NH Fish & Game have provided girls with unique opportunities such as, experiencing science and career explorations in the field of Archeology. Several of the girls that Patti has worked with have gone to college to pursue degrees related to the work she has done with them.
Patti’s is also a PLT facilitator and works with numerous schools through the Forest Field Day programs. She goes above and beyond to connect with participating teachers to design curriculum that will meet their educational goals. She utilizes the NAAEE guidelines for excellence and aligns her materials with state standards, illustrating her understanding of the needs of her diverse constituencies.
In the North Country Patti is known as a connection conduit, a wealth of knowledge and a committed environmentalist. We are thrilled to highlight her accomplishments for the rest of the state and thank her for her efforts in environmental education.