Long-time Nature-based Educator Wins O'Neill Award

Glen Arm resident Monica Wiedel-Lubinski received quite an honor at Irvine Nature Center’s annual Nature Preschool Conference on June 9, 2017. She was named the sixth recipient of the Margaret O’Neill Award which recognizes outstanding contributions made by nature-based early childhood educators.

Wiedel-Lubinski is a vocal advocate for nature-based early childhood education. She was the founding director of Irvine Nature Center’s licensed, NAEYC-accredited nature preschool. She was also spear-headed the nature preschool conference – the first of its kind – now held all over the U.S. In 2016, Wiedel-Lubinski founded the Eastern Region Association of Forest and Nature Schools (ERAFANS) which creates networks and training opportunities for nature-based early childhood educators across the Eastern region of the U.S. Wiedel-Lubinski does national advocacy work through the Natural Start Alliance, a project of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), serving on the Advisory Board. She is also writing guidelines to establish national best practices for the field.

Several staff members at Irvine Nature Center nominated Wiedel-Lubinski stating, “she has inspired not only thousands of children and their parents to embrace nature but also touched a multitude of aspiring and experienced educators across the country and around the globe.”

Established in 2012, the O’Neill award honors of Margaret (Peggy) O’Neill, former Executive Director of Irvine Nature Center. O’Neill launched The Nature Preschool and Nature Preschool Conference at Irvine in support of Wiedel-Lubinski’s vision, among others. O’Neill empowered those she mentored and this national award continues in that spirit. It celebrates and empowers educators in nature-based early childhood education.

The O’Neill Award is especially sweet for Wiedel-Lubinski. O’Neill was a mentor to Wiedel-Lubinski during their shared time at Irvine Nature Center. Wiedel-Lubinski offers, “I am grateful to countless people who help me on this journey. This award is a touching reminder that we shouldn’t be afraid to act on our dreams, especially when it is for the benefit of healthier, happier children.”