ROBIN DUNBAR DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION OF THE ELIZABETH RIVER PROJECT, NORFOLK
Nominated by The Elizabeth River Garden Club.
Leading the education and outreach division of the Elizabeth River Project since 2000, Dunbar has focused on river ecology, conservation and the restoration of the Elizabeth River. One of her compelling ideas is the Learning Barge, a 120’ x 32’ vessel that serves as the world’s first wetlands classroom and has benefitted over 54,000 students. When the pandemic shut down this unique learning center, Dunbar pivoted and created the Learning Barge on Wheels, a colorfully painted van that went into neighborhoods and school parking lots to reach children in an outdoor setting. Robin also developed the River Star Schools Program that leads the Wetlands in the Classroom initiative where students grow native wetland trees, grasses Photos courtesy of Robin Dunbar and The Big Water Visitor Education Center at Kiptopeke State Park Meet this year’s two recipients: and wildflowers from seed, which they later transplant to restoration sites around the river. The impact of her devoted work in developing, implementing and overseeing the Elizabeth River Project’s education work in conservation and river restoration is significant.
THE BIG WATER VISITOR EDUCATION CENTER KIPTOPEKE STATE PARK, CAPE CHARLES
Nominated by The Garden Club of the Eastern Shore.
The Big Water Visitor Education Center, opened in 2020 with the help of a Centennial Grant from the Garden Club of Virginia, is an interactive environmental education center that focuses on conservation, ecological research on native species, as well as local history and land use. The interpretive displays represent the richly diverse landscape planted with native trees, shrubs and perennial species, creating a natural area which attracts native species for visitors to observe. There is a maritime forest display, exhibits for pollinators and raptors, as well as interpretation of the bluffs and Chesapeake Bay. Aquariums and terrariums provide live animal displays and an up-close encounter of native fish and invertebrates. The Visitor Center serves the community through school field trips, meeting and presentation space for local organizations and educational programs and speakers throughout the year.
