Excellence in EE Awards
Award Nominations
Who rises to the top of your list of EE all-stars? 2026 Nominations are now open!
The KAEE Excellence in Environmental Education Awards recognize outstanding individuals, organizations, agencies, community efforts, schools, and businesses for their meaningful contributions to environmental education in Kentucky. Nominees should demonstrate strong and ongoing involvement in the field and have made significant, lasting impacts on environmental education in the state.
Individual Award Categories
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Rising Star
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M.K. Dickerson Outstanding Educator
Group Award Categories
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Business
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Community Partner / Government Agency
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Kentucky Green School of the Year
Congratulations, 2025 Excellence in EE Award Winners!
We had such a special moment last year in Owensboro, KY, celebrating these amazing educators at the annual KAEE Conference. Their work continues to inspire, uplift, and make a lasting difference in environmental education.
Joseph Baust
Lifetime
Achievement
Wesley Bullock
M.K. Dickerson Outstanding Educator
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Willa Dawn Bayne
Rising Star
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Lewisburg School
Kentucky Green School of the Year
Salato Wildlife Education Center
Outstanding Community Partner
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FoodChain
Outstanding
Business
The Stories Behind the Impact
Award Descriptions
The Kentucky Association for Environmental Education's Excellence in Environmental Education Awards are presented by KAEE to recognize those best exemplifying dedication, commitment, and influence in the field of environmental education (EE). Nominations may be made in the following categories:
Award Categories
Group Award Categories
Individual Award Categories
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Rising Star
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M.K. Dickerson Outstanding Educator
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Business
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Community Partner / Government Agency
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Kentucky Green School of the Year
Nomination Criteria
Long-term dedication and service to environmental education (e.g., curriculum, research, programs, policy)
Creating a workplace that supports environmental education (e.g., sustainability practices, partnerships, funding)
Demonstrated leadership and meaningful contributions to advancing environmental education
Nomination Process
Submit a Nomination Form with a narrative (up to two pages) that highlights:
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The nominee’s contributions to environmental education in Kentucky
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Their long-term service through their organization and community
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How they’ve incorporated environmental education into their work environment
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Any additional supporting information within the page limit
Additional Awards Detail
This award recognizes individuals who are new to the environmental education field in Kentucky, but are already making an impact. The nominee must have a minimum of one year and a maximum of five years of experience in the EE field in Kentucky.
The Rising Star Award
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Developing and/or implementing at least one ongoing EE program in Kentucky
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Innovative and enthusiastic use of EE tools or best practices
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Sharing ideas and techniques with colleagues
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Collaborating with the broader EE community
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Demonstrating outstanding action, contribution, and leadership in supporting EE
The nominee should be recognized for one or more of the following:
To nominate someone, submit:
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A resume or CV (max two pages)
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A Nomination Form with a narrative (max two pages) that may include:
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Description of the program the nominee developed or implemented
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Examples of innovation and effective use of EE tools or practices
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How the nominee shares ideas and collaborates with the EE community
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The impact of their contributions on colleagues, workplace, and other organizations
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Any additional supporting information within the page limit
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Kentucky Green School of the Year
This award will be presented to the school with a green team that has gone above and beyond to complete one or more investigations and implement action projects to benefit their school and those who attend and work there.
The nominee should be known for one or more of the following:
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Registered in the Kentucky Green School program
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Formed a green team
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Completed one or more of the KGS Investigations
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Developed an action plan based on the results of their investigation
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Submitted the KGS recognition form
School administrators, staff, or community members aware of a Kentucky Green School that has completed the above requirements are invited to submit a nomination today. Members of a green team or the participating teacher are welcome to submit a self-nomination!
Award History
2025 Award Winners
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Lifetime Achievement Award: Joseph Baust
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M.K. Dickerson Outstanding Educator: Wesley Bullock
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Rising Star: Willa Dawn Bayne
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KY Green School of the Year: Lewisburg School
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Outstanding Community Partner: Salato Wildlife Education Center
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Outstanding Business: FoodChain
2025 Award Winners at KAEE's Annual Conference in Owensboro.
2024 Award Winners
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Lifetime Achievement Award: David Wicks
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M.K. Dickerson Outstanding Educator: Roberta Burnes
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Rising Star: Rachel Young
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KY Green School of the Year: Community Montessori
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Outstanding Community Partner: Legacy Greenscapes
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Outstanding Business: Forest Pals, LLC
2024 Award Winners at KAEE's Annual Conference in Morehead.
2023 Award Winners at KAEE's Annual Conference in Cave City
2023 Award Winners
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Lifetime Achievement Award: Karen Reagor
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M.K. Dickerson Award: Dan Pascucci
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Rising Star Award: Kaitlyn Goottee
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Outstanding PreK-12 School Award: Robert D. Johnson Elementary School
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Outstanding Community Partner Award: Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery
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Outstanding Business Award: Treehouse Compost, LLC
2022 Award Winners
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Lifetime Achievement Award: Peggy Nims
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M.K. Dickerson Award: Rachel Patton
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Rising Star Award: Pony Meyer
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Outstanding PreK-12 School Award: Mary Hogsett Primary School
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Outstanding Community Partner Award: New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future
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Outstanding Business Award: Geomancer Permaculture
2022 Award Winners at KAEE's Annual Conference
2021 Award Winners
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Lifetime Achievement Award: Jane Eller
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M.K. Dickerson Award: Natasha Parsons
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Outstanding PreK-12 School Award: Red Oaks Forest School
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Outstanding Community Partner Award: Floracliff Nature Sanctuary
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Outstanding Business Award: Nature Reliance School
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Rising Star Award: Erin Kinnetz
2020 Award Winners
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Lifetime Achievement Award: Vivian Bowles
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M.K. Dickerson Award: Anna Wiker
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Rising Star Award: Maddy Heredia
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Outstanding PreK-12 School Award: Richardsville Elementary School
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Outstanding Community Partner Award: West Kentucky Community and Technical College
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Outstanding Business Award: Service One Credit Union (Bowling Green)
2019 Award Winners
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Lifetime Achievement Award: Lee Newbury
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M.K. Dickerson Award: Carmen Agouridis
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Rising Star Award: Ashley Mike
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Outstanding PreK-12 School Award: Highlands High School
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Outstanding Community Partner Award: Louisville Olmsted Parks Conservancy
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Outstanding Business Award: Maker's Mark Distillery
National Award Winners
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NAAEE Higher Educator of the Year: Dr. Melinda Wilder
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NAAEE Outstanding Service to Environmental Education Award at the Local and Regional Level: Jennifer Hubbard
2018 Award Winners
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Lifetime Achievement Award: Terry Wilson
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M.K. Dickerson Award: Tracy Knowles
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Rising Star Award: Zach Mullins
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Outstanding PreK-12 School Award: Cassidy Elementary
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Outstanding Community Partner Award: Northern Kentucky University’s Center for Integrative Natural Science and Mathematics
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Outstanding Business Award: Paladin Engineers
Explore Our Full History
2017 Award Winners
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Lifetime Achievement Award: Frances Carter
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M.K. Dickerson Award: Vivian Bowles
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Rising Star Award: Olivia Kaiser
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Outstanding PreK-12 School Award: Cassidy Elementary
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Outstanding Business Award: Catlettsburg Refining, LLC
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Outstanding Government Agency Award: Floyd County Conservation District
2016 Award Winners
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Lifetime Achievement Award: Horace Brown
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M.K. Dickerson Award: Kathy Miller
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Rising Star Award: Trevor Claiborn
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Outstanding PreK-12 Educator Award: Jennifer Pecco
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Outstanding Community Partner Award: Jefferson Memorial Forest
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Outstanding Business Award: Thermal Equipment Sales
2015 Award Winners
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Lifetime Achievement Award: Melinda Wilder
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Outstanding Individual Award: Mary Kate Dickerson
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Rising Star Award: Jennifer Beach
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Outstanding PreK-12 School Award: Yealey Elementary
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Outstanding Government Agency Award: Woodlands Nature Station, Land Between the Lakes
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Outstanding Community Partner Award: KET Education and Production Team
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Outstanding Business Award: CDP Engineering
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President’s Choice Award: Michelle Shane
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Project Learning Tree 2015 Outstanding Educator Honoree: Jennifer Hubbard
2014 Award Winners
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Individual Award: Leslie Meredith
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Program Award: Appalseeds Heirloom Seed Starting Workshop
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Organization Award: Eastern Kentucky University’s Division of Natural Areas
2013 Award Winners
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Individual Award: Nakia Brown
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Program Award: The Food Literacy Project
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Organization Award: Montessori Middle School of Lexington
2012 Award Winners
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Individual Award: Darleen Horton
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Program Award: Youthbuild Louisville
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Organization Award: KidsGrowKentucky
2011 Award Winners
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Individual Award: David Roberts
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Program Award: Fayette County Schools E=USE2
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Organization Award: Fayette County Schools
2007 Award Winners
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Individual Award: Doug McLaren
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Program Award: Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest/Training for Naturalists Program
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Organization Award: Catlettsburg Refining, LLC for the Savage Branch Wildlife Reserve
2006 Award Winners
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Individual Award: Evelyn Morgan
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Program Award: The Louisville Science Center, “The World Around Us” Exhibit
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Organization Award: The American Cave Conservation Association
2005 Award Winners
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Individual Award: Regina Sizemore
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Program Award: The Kentucky Bluebird Society Outdoor Classroom Enrichment Program
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Organization Award: Sanitation District #1 - Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties
2004 Award Winners
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Individual Award: Beverly McDavid
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Program Award: Blackacre Environmental Education Program
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Organization Award: The Laurel Gorge Cultural Heritage Center
2003 Award Winners
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Individual Award: Mike Broderick
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Program Award: Kentucky National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project
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Organization Award: Adventures in Water, Louisville Water Company
2002 Award Winners
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Individual Award: Doug Travis
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Program Award: Kentucky State Fair Board – “A Water Odyssey” and 2002: “A Land Odyssey” - Environmental Education Exhibits
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Organization Award: Sanitation District #1 of Northern KY
2001 Award Winners
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Region 1: Johnny Herndon
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Region 2: Merri Hinton
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Region 3: Louisville Nature Center
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Region 4: Reeda Hart
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Region 5: Adventures in Learning Programs in Science (ALPS)
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Region 6: Judy Lynn Adkins
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Region 7: Glenna Perkins
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Region 8: Sheila Varney and Robert Osborne
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Statewide Media: Lexington Herald
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Statewide Individual: Jennifer Turner
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Statewide Program: Kentucky Forest Leadership Program University of Kentucky Extension Program
2000 Award Winners
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Region 1 / 2: West Kentucky Corporation
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Region 3: Hess, Westport Middle School
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Region 4: Iris Brown
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Region 5: Judy Creech
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Region 6: Jim Hayes
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Region 8: S. T. A. R.’ s students
1999 Award Winners
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Region 1: A. B. Chandler Elementary School, Corydon
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Region 2: Environmental Education Staff, Mammoth Cave National Park
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Region 3: Vera Y. Prater
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Region 4: Dr. William S. Bryant
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Region 5: Ken Cooke
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Region 6: Debbie Liford
1997 Award Winners
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Teachers: Caryn Walker, Lee Newbury, Billy Shaw Blankenship, Russ Barnett, and Emily Thomas
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Public Official: Jane Wilson
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Nonformal Education: Kurt Mason
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Organization: Americorps, McKee, Jackson
1996 Award Winners
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Teachers: Ronetta Alcorn, Kevin Welch, Lucian Doyle, Dr. Steven Spencer, and Katherine Swagger
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Administrator: Cloyd J. Baumgardner
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Public Official: Mike McCombs
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Nonformal Education: Bryan Thompson, Barbie Bruker, Kentucky Resource Council
1995 Award Winners
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Teachers: Rhonda Hale, Bonnie Swaim, Janice Straw, Susan Robinson, Stephanie Wyatt, Dr. Richard Shore, and Jennifer Schwager
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Administrator: Jim Fegenbush
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Public Official: Rodney Hitch
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Nonformal Education: Steven Bonney
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Organization: Louisville Gas & Electric
1994 Award Winners
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Teachers: Claudia George, Sheila Yule, Sandy Kissling, Allan Dittmer, and Becky Hufft
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Public Official: Gordon Gardner
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Nonformal Education: John Tierney
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Organization: Blackacre State Nature Preserve
1993 Award Winners
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Teachers: Cathy Duncanson, Kathy Wigginton, Anna Bruce Kostelnik, Debbie Boyken, Thom Hall, and Sharon Knight
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Administrator: Mary Kathryn Schwanholt
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Nonformal Education: Trista Claxon
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Organization: Environmental Quality Commission
1992 Award Winners
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Teachers: Don Wigginton, Tim Brennan, Sandy Kissling, Ruth Jacquot, and Dr. Tom Crawford
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Nonformal Education: Lynn Garrison
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Public Official: Ann Seppenfield
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Organization: Casey Co. Wildlife Conservation Club
1991 Award Winners
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Teachers: Mary Holden, Donna Keller, Maxine Rudder, Terry Wilson, and Deborah Williamson
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Nonformal Education: Karen Armstrong-Cummings
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Public Official: Susan Stokes
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Organization: Louisville Nature & Cons. Center
1990 Award Winners
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Public Official: Senator Gerald Neal, Ky Senate, 33rd District
1989 Award Winners
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Teachers: Shaw Blankenship, Jan Wolanin, Dr. Glenn Crumb
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Nonformal Education: Townley Bergman