CALS entomologist John Meyer honored as top Envirothon mentor
Dr. John Meyer, professor of entomology in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, N.C. State University, has been named the 2011 Envirothon Mentor of the Year by the Wake County Soil and Water Conservation District. He was recognized at the district’s 46th Annual Conservation Awards Celebration, an event that spotlights Wake County citizens’ exemplary efforts in natural resources conservation, communications and education.
Meyer was honored for his outstanding mentoring in preparing teams of high-school students for the Envirothon, an academic competition that tests students’ knowledge in the areas of soil and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife and current environmental issues.
Meyer has worked with the Envirothon for more than five years, conducting study sessions to help participants understand aquatic entomology and appreciate of the life forms that inhabit local freshwater creeks, streams, lakes and rivers.
“Dr. Meyer is a master teacher,” said Sheila Jones, Wake District Environmental Education specialist. “He … is refreshingly skillful in making abstract concepts fun, meaningful and relevant to teens.”
Added Thomas Dean, chair of the Wake District Board of Supervisors, “Dr. Meyer has been instrumental in helping our Wake County Envirothon teams achieve phenomenal success at the regional, state and national levels. Great football teams have great coaches. Successful Envirothon teams have dedicated mentors.”
Wake County Envirothon teams are coached and sponsored each year by Wake Soil and Water Conservation District. For more information on the Envirothon program, contact the Wake District at 919-250-1065 or sbjones@wakegov.com.
