Inside our parks Sheila McCartan, visitor services manager and ranger at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, was honored recently with the 2012 Sense of Wonder Award. The Rachel Carson Sense of Wonder Recognition Program recognizes outstanding contributions in interpretation and environmental education within the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. McCartan was recognized as an employee who has designed, implemented and/or shown visionary leadership in interpretive or environmental education programs, said a department news release. These programs foster a deeper connection to the natural world and enhances public stewardship of wildlife heritage.

The award noted McCartan’s dedication, enthusiasm and successful accomplishments in environmental education. Of the many programs and events she produced, she consistently excelled in reaching more than 10,000 students and teachers in the Puget Sound region; facilitating Growing Up Wild teacher workshops; building and sustaining education partnerships; and building and implementing an environmental education center and outdoor nature explore area at the refuge.

NEW OLYMPIC MOVIE

A new movie from Crest Productions, “Out of the Mist – Olympic Wilderness Stories,” will be shown Monday in Bremerton.

This is the third feature-length film from Northwest filmmaker Robert Chrestensen and continues his effort to promote wilderness preservation through movies that foster respect and appreciation for the natural world.

The film chronicles the lives of Dave Skinner, Harvest Moon, Dane Burke and Tim McNulty as they explore, discover and grow to love and respect the Olympic wilderness.

“Out of the Mist” was filmed over several years of hiking and backpacking in some of the peninsula’s most remote wilderness areas.

The Bremerton showing, sponsored by The Peninsula Wilderness Club, will be at the Kitsap Unitarian Fellowship Church, 4418 Perry Ave. NE. Doors open at 7 p.m. Refreshments will be served. DVDs of the movie will be available for purchase.

Showings also are planned for Jan. 18 in Tacoma and Feb. 6 in Olympia.

You also can purchase the movie at crestpictures.com/mist.