PAEE AWARD CATEGORIES
The annual awards are an important way that environmental educators in Pennsylvania can recognize one another and celebrate the great work that is happening throughout the state. This year, the annual awards will be presented at the 2019 PAEE Conference on March 18 -19th in Philadelphia. Submit a nomination on behalf of the educators, programs, organizations and partners that are promoting excellence in environmental education. The deadline to submit nominations is Friday, February 8th.
The Keystone Award
This prestigious award recognizes an educator who has dedicated their life to advancing the quality and opportunity for environmental education in Pennsylvania. Recipients of this award display uncommon and exceptional understanding, passion and commitment to environmental education and serve as an inspiration to other environmental educators.
Daisy S. Klinedinst Memorial Award |
Outstanding Contribution to Environmental Education |
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The award recognizes an educator with fewer than five years of experience who shows dedication to expanding their involvement with environmental education.
Outstanding Environmental EducatorThis award recognizes an educator who has made a significant impact and contribution to the environmental education field in a formal or non-formal setting through innovative or inspiring teaching practices.
Outstanding Environmental Education ProgramThis award recognizes an exemplary or innovative environmental education program which could serve as a model of excellence for educators throughout the Commonwealth of PA.
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This award is presented to someone who has contributed to environmental education in a non-teaching area, such as publishing or research.
Business Partner AwardThis award recognizes a company, corporation or member of the business community that has made significant contributions that promote environmental education within the Commonwealth of PA.
Government Partner AwardThis award recognizes a government official who serves on a local, state or national level and has demonstrated significant support for environmental education within the Commonwealth of PA.
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2018 PAEE AWARD WINNERS
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Keystone Award
Fran Bires - Retired Director, McKeever Environmental Learning Center / Macoskey Center for Sustainable Education at Slippery Rock University
Fran was nominated by William F. Wasser, Park Manager for the Maurice K. Goddard State Park. Fran Bires has and continues to be a strong champion for the environment. Having dedicated more than 30 years of his life to environmental education and resources management, Fran has been an integral leader in catapulting environmental concepts and stewardship in Western Pennsylvania.
Throughout his career, Fran has been an active member in several environmental education organizations including serving as membership coordinator and trainer for the Institute for Earth Education, Board Member and non-formal Environmental Education Certification Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Association of Environmental Educators (PAEE), and Board Member and Treasurer for the Friends of Goddard State Park at Maurice K. Goddard State Park.
Outstanding Environmental Education Program
John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove
The John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove was nominated by Dr. Janet Samuels, Superintendent, for the Norristown Area School District. The mission of the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove (JJAC) is to educate and inspire people to cherish and protect the natural world, by preserving Audubon’s artistic, scientific, and historic legacy and celebrating the conservation movement he inspired while serving the mission of the National Audubon Society (NAS), “to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity.”
Outstanding Environmental Educator
Dr. Jerry Coleman - Assistant Professor of Biology, Montgomery County Community College
Dr. James Bretz, the Interim Dean of STEM at Montgomery County Community College nominated Dr. Jerry Coleman for the Outstanding Environmental Educator Award. Since 1999, Biology Associate Professor Jerry Coleman has been broadening the minds of students as well as the campus community at Montgomery County Community College by teaching them about the importance of caring for the environment and implementing sustainable practices.
Daisy S. Klinedinst Memorial Award
Tess Rubine – Environmental Science Teacher, Altoona Area High School
Tess Rubine was nominated by her colleague and Environmental Science Co-Teacher, Ms. Season Consiglio, from Altoona Area High School. Mrs. Rubine is the Environmental Science teacher at the Altoona Area High School. She has a teaching degree in Biology and has taken on all sections of the Environmental Science curriculum working with students who are from all different backgrounds, learning levels and socio-economic statuses. Many of these students are identified as special needs students who present with challenges. Mrs. Rubine has committed herself to finding ways to overcome these challenges in order to provide a first rate education to all of her students regardless of their abilities.
2017 PAEE AWARD WINNERS
Keystone Award
Ruth Roperti, Past PAEE President
This prestigious award recognizes an educator who has dedicated their life to advancing the quality and opportunity for environmental education in Pennsylvania. Ruth was nominated by her long-time colleague, Jane Conrad, for her commitment to environmental education as a classroom teacher, grant writer, longtime PAEE board member, and volunteer with the Moraine Preservation Fund and numerous other environmental organizations.
While President of PAEE, she was instrumental in expanding the reach of the Project WET & Project Learning Tree programs, and growing PAEE's networks through partnerships with various regional, state and national organizations including the North American Association for Environmental Education, Mid-Atlanic Regional Assessment, & EE Capacity Project. Ruth remains a steady force to promote and advance environmental education opportunities throughout Pennsylvania.
Outstanding Environmental Educator
Jennifer Brooks, Berks County Parks and Recreation Department
This award recognizes an educator who has made a significant impact and contribution to the environmental education field in a formal or non-formal setting through innovative or inspiring teaching practices. Jennifer has been working for the Berks County Parks & Recreation Department since 2009. She is currently stationed at the Angora Fruit Farm at Antietam Lake Park, which is situated in the middle of 665 acres of protected parkland. She has developed the site from scratch, tailoring it to their education departments’ needs. What once was an old, overgrown orchard with over 2,000 fruit trees, is now an amazing outdoor classroom with a butterfly house, organic children’s vegetable garden, natural play area, floating wetlands, and an “enchanted forest”. She offers hands-on programs to the public, as well as to public, private schools, and other groups.
Outstanding Environmental Education Program
'Wild about Learning' Program, Wildlands Conservancy
This award recognizes and exemplary or innovative environmental education program, which could serve as a model of excellence for educators throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 'Wild about Learning' was nominated for it's nature-based, in-school program, that runs bi-weekly from October to June and includes 15 school visits and 2 field trips to the Pool Wildlife Sanctuary. First grade classrooms in each of the United Way's Priority Schools receive this grant funded program that combines hands-on discovery, field experiences, wildlife presentations and nature-themed books. This approach links nonfiction themes and fictional materials to enhance concepts and understanding and, ultimately, improve reading skills.
Daisy S. Klinedinst Memorial Award
Jenni Urban, Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve at Saint Vincent College
The award recognizes an educator with fewer than five years of experience who shows dedication to expanding their involvement with environmental education. Jenni has been a work study and an intern at Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve (WPNR) for the past 3 years. When Jenni is not studying for her Environmental Science degree or working at WPNR, she also interns at the Pittsburgh Zoo, and PPG Aquarium, in their education department and volunteers at Wildlife Works Animal Rehabilitation Center, caring for the animals and training and using their educational animals for outreach. Jenni is constantly finding ways to involve herself in the EE field. She is a kind, caring, compassionate young woman whose future is bright in EE.
2016 PAEE AWARD WINNERS
Keystone Award
Roger L. Spotts, Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center
Roger was nominated by his long-time colleague, Karen Boyle, of the Monroe County Conservation District’s Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center. As the Environmental Education Coordinator, Roger has been a driving force for environmental education in Monroe County and throughout the state, and has been a mentor to thousands of educators at conservation districts and other organizations throughout the state. In her nomination, Ms. Boyle described Roger as having a ‘passion for educating people of all ages, which inspires, motivates, and energizes those who interact with him no matter the context.’
Outstanding Environmental Education Program
Family Nature Night, Briarbush Nature Center
Family Nature Night was nominated for the Outstanding Environmental Education Program award for their use of innovative practices to reach diverse and underserved audiences, specifically individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The program shows a strong commitment to working within a community to identify needs and to deliver a high quality experience to connect people with nature.
Outstanding Environmental Educator
Kathy Uglow, Crawford County Conservation District
Kathy was nominated by Wendy Kedzierski, Project Director at Creek Connections of Allegheny College. In her nomination, Wendy noted the diversity of Kathy’s programs and an exceptional passion that she brings to her work. Kathy is highly valued as partner and collaborator in her community, with a strong commitment to working with other educators and organizations.
Daisy S. Klinedinst Memorial Award
Melissa Eldridge, Briarbush Nature Center
Melissa was nominated by Greta Brunschwyler, Executive Director of the Briar Bush Nature Center. Through her work as an educator and program coordinator, Melissa has shown great dedication to the programs she develops, to the audiences she serves, and to her own learning.
