Central ND News

Dakota College's Angie Bartholomay has been recognized for her contributions to environmental education by Project Learning Tree (PLT), a program under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. The Leadership in Education award is given to educators who significantly contribute to PLT and youth environmental education within their state.

Beth Hill, the North Dakota PLT State Coordinator at the North Dakota Forest Service, praised Bartholomay: “Angie is a pillar in the North Dakota PLT program. As a facilitator and educator, she has worked with Project Learning Tree and state partners to promote environmental stewardship through education.” Hill highlighted Bartholomay's commitment to providing educational opportunities for diverse audiences, including Indigenous and rural K-12 schools.

Bartholomay began teaching PLT over 30 years ago and now serves as a science professor at Dakota College in Bottineau. She hosts workshops for teachers and preservice students, focusing on topics such as soil health, drone technology, forest inventories, and conservation tree production. Her initiatives include career fairs and events like the DCB Water Festival, STEM Day, Science Olympiad, which aim to highlight green career pathways.

Josh Brankman from SFI/PLT commended Bartholomay’s efforts: “Angie’s passion for improving access to environmental education is one of the things that truly makes her stand out... We are pleased to honor Angie for her leadership and dedication in environmental education in North Dakota.”

Since its inception in 1976, PLT has engaged 145 million students and trained 765,000 educators. It aims to develop students' awareness of complex environmental issues while encouraging informed decision-making regarding sustainability.

Bartholomay will be honored alongside other recipients at the 2025 PLT Annual Conference in Clemson, South Carolina.

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