Passion Begun In The 60’s Culminates With Environmental Educator of the Year Award
Phil Weinrich caught the “bug” at Pine Jog Environmental Center way back in 1967. As a young college student he helped guide school groups on field trips through the woods and he initiated Pine Jog’s first Summer Day Camps. A graduate of Forest Hill High School and the University of Florida, Mr. Weinrich has been the Ecology and AP Environmental Science teacher at Jupiter High School’s Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy (JERFSA) since its inception in 1993. He recently received the Pine Jog Environmental Education Green Gala Award for Environmental Educator of the Year.
Mr. Weinrich has earned many environmental education awards over the years and has been the driving force in the many awards earned by JERFSA. As “Envirothon” Adviser he has won more “Envirothon” competitions than any teacher in the state of Florida with his students winning the State competition three times and placing as high as 6th at a National level.
“For the past eighteen years, Mr. Weinrich has provided students with the most passionate Environmental education experiences possible. He makes the Jupiter Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy what it is today. I think our students would say he is the Environmental educator of at least the decade because there is not a word for 18 years,” said Neal White, Jupiter High Choice Program Coordinator.
The Jupiter High Environmental Research and Field Studies Academy was also honored as the Environmental Education Program of the Year at the 2011 Pine Jog Environmental Education Center’s Green Gala. Mr. White, who has dedicated his career to the development of this very successful environmental education Program of Choice, accepted the award.
JERFSA is a four year course of study designed to meet the needs of talented and motivated students who wish to pursue a rigorous academic curriculum with an emphasis on environmental studies. JERFSA program activities include: a core selection of courses for each grade level, environmental service projects with area agencies, instruction in field study skills, data collection technique training, environmental outreach through recycling and children’s literature projects, college classes, research project development and implementation, teamwork and leadership training, and career information seminars.
For more information please contact Mr. White, Choice Programs Coordinator Jupiter High School at (561) 743-6014 or whitene@palmbeach.k12.fl.us .
