Candace Lutzow-Felling
Director of Education
540-837-1758 Ext 230
Candace is a scientist, science outreach specialist, and an
educator; she has served as Blandy’s Director of Education since 2006. As the Director of Education at Blandy
Experimental Farm, she melds her science research and science education
experiences to create and administer environmental science education programs
for preK-12 teachers and students. Candace’s responsibilities include leading
the Blandy education team, developing and leading professional development
programs for preK-12 teachers and science communication programs for student
and professional scientists, and forming and nurturing partnerships with other
education institutions (such as local schools and school divisions; state,
federal and national agencies; and colleges and universities).
Candace earned B.A. and M.S. degrees in botanical science from
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and an ABD in Evolution, Ecology, and
Conservation Biology from the University of Hawai`i-Manoa. Prior to joining the Blandy faculty, Candace
researched botanical folklore and medicinal practices in the U.S. Virgin Islands,
southern Illinois, and Hawai`i; and analyzed botanical materials from
prehistoric and historic archaeological sites in the Midwest and Hawaiian
Islands. While studying at the University of Hawai’i, Candace expanded her
research focus to include conservation biology because she recognized that
conservation was key to preserving Earth’s biological and human cultural
diversity. Her knowledge of plants and
the process of science, in general, have offered Candace the opportunity to
work as:
- a hydrologist examining groundwater capacity in
the Virgin Islands,
- a succession ecologist in southern Illinois
exploring suitable trees to reclaim strip-mined lands,
- a laboratory chemist testing the impacts of
mining activity on freshwater resources,
- a horticulturalist and landscape designer
(because she loves to get dirty), and as
- an archaeologist specializing in the
identification of plant remains.
During her doctoral studies, Candace received a fellowship
from the National Science Foundation to participate in a program designed to
train scientists to share their knowledge and expertise with the K-12 education community. This fellowship changed the trajectory of
Candace’s career leading her to become the first Director of Education at
Blandy Experimental Farm. Candace draws on her diverse experience to
incorporate scientific research knowledge and skills into Blandy’s
environmental science programs for preschool through 12th grade
students and their teachers.
As Blandy’s Director of Education, Candace also is actively
involved in environmental education leadership at the local, regional, and
national levels. She has served on the
boards of the Virginia Science Education Leaders’ Association (2012-2017), the
Virginia Resource-Used Education Council (2007-2014), and the National Science
Teachers’ Association (2012-2015) and remains active in these and other
education organizations.
Candace loves to explore and expand her perspective on our
natural world by climbing trees (and sometimes reading while there), hiking and
kayaking, and collecting and examining found natural items. Another passion of
hers is learning about other cultures through their cuisines; she is an avid
cook and enjoys sharing what she learns about international food culture. |
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