The Environmental Educators of North Carolina are pleased to announce that Blair Ogburn, senior naturalist and education coordinator at the Balsam Mountain Trust at Balsam Preserve in Jackson County, is the winner of the 2010 Outstanding Newcomer Award from The Environmental Educators of North Carolina.

Ogburn serves on the EENC Board as the education chair and is being recognized for creating new outreach and education displays for EENC.

Each year EENC publically recognizes environmental educators, EENC members, organizations, and partners for their valuable contributions to environmental literacy, the field of environmental education, the EENC organization, and environmental well being of North Carolina.

Ogburn has been an active member of the organization and plans regional gatherings, which bring educators in WNC together for professional enrichment.

The Balsam Trust operates independently of Balsam Mountain Preserve — where it is located — and has continued its programming while the real estate development has changed ownership and experienced other problems. To contact the Balsam Mountain Trust executive director Michael Skinner call 828.631.1062 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..