Diane was hired in 1979 to develop an Environmental Education program at Rock Eagle 4-H Center. With six months and an annual budget of $300.00, Diane created the classes, secured the resources and served as instructor, administrator and promoter for nine years. The Environmental Education Program is now the largest of its kind and is considered a national model. Since 1979, the program has served over 900,000 students and produced over 50 million dollars in revenue for the five Georgia 4-H Centers. As a result students have shown greater effective and cognitive gains which translate into higher student achievement and students being more responsive to learning because of their personal experience.
One of Diane’ dreams was a Museum of Natural History at Rock Eagle 4-H Center to enhance the outdoor environmental education program. After Diane and Tom Rodgers solicited donations from the Cecil B. Day Foundation for the construction, it opened in 1990. Diane worked with others to secure gifts to enhance other facilities at Rock Eagle and the other 4-H Centers. This included working with Arch Smith, then Associate State 4-H Leader, on the Wildlife Ecology and Woodruff Aquatic Buildings and developing ropes courses at Rock Eagle and Wahsega 4-H Centers. After retiring, Diane started a pottery business, and with several friends began what is now ‘ at the Rock.’ a juried art show at Rock Eagle with over 50 artists.
