top of page
kaee site photos (3).png

Excellence in EE Awards

Announcing the 2024 Excellence in EE Award Winners

Through the Excellence in EE Awards, KAEE recognizes those best exemplifying dedication, commitment, and influence in the field of environmental education. The 2024 award recipients embody the true spirit of dedication, commitment, and influence. They have made remarkable contributions to the advancement of environmental education in Kentucky, and their impact is still ongoing. Their efforts inspire us at KAEE to continue our mission of fostering environmental stewardship and creating a sustainable future.

​

​

KAEE was pleased to recognize the 2024 Excellence in EE Award winners at the KAEE Conference in Morehead. Learn more about each of the winners in the 2024 Award Winner series of posts.

The KAEE Excellence in EE Awards recognizes the outstanding achievements of individuals, organizations, agencies, community efforts, schools, and businesses in the field of environmental education (EE). 

 

The nominee must have an earnest involvement in the field of EE, and have made (or continue to make) significant contributions to EE in Kentucky. 

2023 Award Winners at KAEE's Annual Conference

Individual Award Categories

  • Rising Star

  • M.K. Dickerson Outstanding Educator

  • Lifetime Achievement

Group Award Categories

  • Community Partner / Government Agency

  • Business

AWARD DESCRIPTIONS

description

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:

Individual Award Categories

  • Rising Star

  • M.K. Dickerson Outstanding Educator

  • Lifetime Achievement

Group Award Categories

  • Community Partner / Government Agency

  • Business

The nominee should be known for one or more of the following:

  • Dedicated current and long-term service in the field of EE (e.g., developed curriculum, research, innovations, publications, programs, legislation, etc.)

  • Creating a work environment that incorporates EE (e.g., volunteerism by employees, using recycled and environmentally-friendly products, collaboration and/or funding of EE initiatives outside the organization)

  • Outstanding action, contribution, and leadership in supporting EE

  • See alternative/additional criteria below for the EE Rising Star and Lifetime Achievement in EE Awards

 

To make a nomination for this award in any of the categories, submit the Nomination Form, including a narrative of no more than two pages that can include the following information:

  • Contributions the nominee has made to the field of EE in Kentucky

  • The nominee’s long-term service in the field of environmental education through their organization and community involvement

  • How the nominee has created a work environment that incorporates environmental education​

  • Any additional information you would like to include that supports your nomination within the required page limitation

Tree Texture

Additional Awards Detail

Lifetime Achievement Award
This award recognizes the lifetime achievements of the recipient in the field of conservation and environmental education. The nominee must have a minimum of ten years of involvement in the field of EE in general and, if appropriate, involvement with KAEE as well. The nominee must also have made and continue to make a significant contribution to EE in Kentucky. 

The nominee should be known for one or more of the following:

  • Dedicated current and long-term service in the field of EE in general and/or as a KAEE member (e.g., developed curriculum, research, innovations, publications, programs, legislation, etc.)

  • Outstanding action, contribution, and leadership in supporting EE


To nominate a person for this award, submit the Nomination Form and a narrative of no more than two pages that includes the following information:

  • Contributions the nominee has made to the field of EE in Kentucky and, if appropriate, to KAEE

  • The nominee’s long-term (at least ten years) service in the field of environmental education through their profession/organization and community involvement

  • How the nominee’s contributions have impacted their colleagues, workplace, and other groups and organizations

The Rising Star Award

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 nominee should be known for one or more of the following:

  • Developed and/or implemented at least one ongoing EE program in Kentucky

  • Innovative and enthusiastic application of EE tools or best practices

  • Shares ideas and techniques with colleagues

  • Collaborates with the greater EE community

  • Outstanding action, contribution, and leadership in supporting EE


To nominate a person for this award, submit a resume or vitae for the nominee that does not exceed two pages, and the Nomination Form including a narrative of no more than two pages that can include the following information:

  • A description of the program the nominee has developed or implemented

  • How the nominee exhibits innovation and enthusiastic application of EE tools or best practices

  • How the nominee shares ideas and techniques with colleagues and collaborates with the greater EE community

  • How the nominee’s contributions have impacted his/her colleagues, workplace, and other groups and organizations

  • Any additional information you would like to include that supports your nomination within the required page limitation

AWARD HISTORY

2023 Award Winners at KAEE's Annual Conference in Cave City

2023 Award Winners

  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Karen Reagor

  • ​M.K. Dickerson Award: Dan Pascucci

  • Rising Star Award: Kaitlyn Goottee

  • Outstanding PreK-12 School Award: Robert D. Johnson Elementary School

  • Outstanding Community Partner Award: Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery

  • Outstanding Business Award: Treehouse Compost, LLC

2022 Award Winners

  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Peggy Nims

  • ​M.K. Dickerson Award: Rachel Patton

  • Rising Star Award: Pony Meyer

  • Outstanding PreK-12 School Award: Mary Hogsett Primary School​

  • Outstanding Community Partner Award: New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future

  • Outstanding Business Award: Geomancer Permaculture

2022 Award Winners at KAEE's Annual Conference

2021 Award Winners

2020 Award Winners

2019 Award Winners

​

National Award Winners

2018 Award Winners

  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Terry Wilson

  • ​M.K. Dickerson Award: Tracy Knowles

  • Rising Star Award: Zach Mullins

  • Outstanding PreK-12 School Award: Cassidy Elementary

  • ​Outstanding Community Partner Award: Northern Kentucky University’s Center for Integrative Natural Science and Mathematics

  • Outstanding Business Award: Paladin Engineers

2017 Award Winners

  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Frances Carter

  • ​M.K. Dickerson Award: Vivian Bowles

  • Rising Star Award: Olivia Kaiser

  • Outstanding PreK-12 School Award: Cassidy Elementary

  • ​Outstanding Business Award: Catlettsburg Refining, LLC

  • Outstanding Government Agency Award: Floyd County Conservation District

2016 Award Winners

  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Horace Brown

  • ​M.K. Dickerson Award: Kathy Miller

  • Rising Star Award: Trevor Claiborn

  • Outstanding PreK-12 Educator Award: Jennifer Pecco

  • Outstanding Community Partner Award: Jefferson Memorial Forest

  • Outstanding Business Award: Thermal Equipment Sales

2015 Award Winners

  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Melinda Wilder

  • Outstanding Individual Award: Mary Kate Dickerson

  • Rising Star Award: Jennifer Beach

  • Outstanding PreK-12 School Award: Yealey Elementary

  • Outstanding Government Agency Award: Woodlands Nature Station, Land Between the Lakes

  • Outstanding Community Partner Award: KET Education and Production Team

  • Outstanding Business Award: CDP Engineering

  • President’s Choice Award: Michelle Shane

  • Project Learning Tree 2015 Outstanding Educator Honoree: Jennifer Hubbard-Sánchez

2014 Award Winners

  • Individual Award: Leslie Meredith

  • Program Award: Appalseeds Heirloom Seed Starting Workshop

  • Organization Award: Eastern Kentucky University’s Division of Natural Areas

2013 Award Winners

  • Individual Award: Nakia Brown

  • Program Award: The Food Literacy Project

  • Organization Award: Montessori Middle School of Lexington

2012 Award Winners

  • Individual Award: Darleen Horton

  • Program Award: Youthbuild Louisville

  • Organization Award: KidsGrowKentucky

2011 Award Winners

  • Individual Award: David Roberts

  • Program Award: Fayette County Schools E=USE2

  • Organization Award: Fayette County Schools 

2007 Award Winners

  • Individual Award: Doug McLaren

  • Program Award: Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest/Training for Naturalists Program

  • Organization Award: Catlettsburg Refining, LLC for the Savage Branch Wildlife Reserve 

2006 Award Winners

  • Individual Award: Evelyn Morgan

  • Program Award: The Louisville Science Center, “The World Around Us” Exhibit

  • Organization Award: The American Cave Conservation Association 

2005 Award Winners

  • Individual Award: Regina Sizemore

  • Program Award: The Kentucky Bluebird Society Outdoor Classroom Enrichment Program

  • Organization Award: Sanitation District #1 - Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties

2004 Award Winners

  • Individual Award: Beverly McDavid

  • Program Award: Blackacre Environmental Education Program

  • Organization Award: The Laurel Gorge Cultural Heritage Center

2003 Award Winners

  • Individual Award: Mike Broderick

  • Program Award: Kentucky National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project

  • Organization Award: Adventures in Water, Louisville Water Company

2002 Award Winners

  • Individual Award: Doug Travis

  • Program Award: Kentucky State Fair Board – “A Water Odyssey” and 2002: “A Land Odyssey” - Environmental Education Exhibits

  • Organization Award: Sanitation District #1 of Northern KY

2001 Award Winners

  • Region 1: Johnny Herndon

  • Region 2: Merri Hinton

  • Region 3: Louisville Nature Center

  • Region 4: Reeda Hart

  • Region 5: Adventures in Learning Programs in Science (ALPS)

  • Region 6: Judy Lynn Adkins

  • Region 7: Glenna Perkins

  • Region 8: Sheila Varney and Robert Osborne

  • Statewide Media: Lexington Herald

  • Statewide Individual: Jennifer Turner

  • Statewide Program: Kentucky Forest Leadership Program University of Kentucky Extension Program

2000 Award Winners

  • Region 1 / 2: West Kentucky Corporation

  • Region 3: Hess, Westport Middle School

  • Region 4: Iris Brown

  • Region 5: Judy Creech

  • Region 6: Jim Hayes

  • Region 8: S. T. A. R.’ s students

1999 Award Winners

  • Region 1: A. B. Chandler Elementary School, Corydon

  • Region 2: Environmental Education Staff, Mammoth Cave National Park

  • Region 3: Vera Y. Prater

  • Region 4: Dr. William S. Bryant

  • Region 5: Ken Cooke

  • Region 6: Debbie Liford

1997 Award Winners

  • Teachers: Caryn Walker, Lee Newbury, Billy Shaw Blankenship, Russ Barnett, and Emily Thomas

  • Public Official: Jane Wilson

  • Nonformal Education: Kurt Mason

  • Organization: Americorps, McKee, Jackson

1996 Award Winners

  • Teachers: Ronetta Alcorn, Kevin Welch, Lucian Doyle, Dr. Steven Spencer, and Katherine Swagger

  • Administrator: Cloyd J. Baumgardner

  • Public Official: Mike McCombs

  • Nonformal Education: Bryan Thompson, Barbie Bruker, Kentucky Resource Council

1995 Award Winners

  • Teachers: Rhonda Hale, Bonnie Swaim, Janice Straw, Susan Robinson, Stephanie Wyatt, Dr. Richard Shore, and Jennifer Schwager

  • Administrator: Jim Fegenbush

  • Public Official: Rodney Hitch

  • Nonformal Education: Steven Bonney

  • Organization: Louisville Gas & Electric

1994 Award Winners

  • Teachers: Claudia George, Sheila Yule, Sandy Kissling, Allan Dittmer, and Becky Hufft

  • Public Official: Gordon Gardner

  • Nonformal Education: John Tierney

  • Organization: Blackacre State Nature Preserve

1993 Award Winners

  • Teachers: Cathy Duncanson, Kathy Wigginton, Anna Bruce Kostelnik, Debbie Boyken, Thom Hall, and Sharon Knight

  • Administrator: Mary Kathryn Schwanholt

  • Nonformal Education: Trista Claxon

  • Organization: Environmental Quality Commission

1992 Award Winners

  • Teachers: Don Wigginton, Tim Brennan, Sandy Kissling, Ruth Jacquot, and Dr. Tom Crawford

  • Nonformal Education: Lynn Garrison

  • Public Official: Ann Seppenfield

  • Organization: Casey Co. Wildlife Conservation Club

1991 Award Winners

  • Teachers: Mary Holden, Donna Keller, Maxine Rudder, Terry Wilson, and Deborah Williamson

  • Nonformal Education: Karen Armstrong-Cummings

  • Public Official: Susan Stokes

  • Organization: Louisville Nature & Cons. Center

1990 Award Winners

  • Public Official: Senator Gerald Neal, Ky Senate, 33rd District

1989 Award Winners

  • Teachers: Shaw Blankenship, Jan Wolanin, Dr. Glenn Crumb

  • Nonformal Education: Townley Bergman

KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Serving and connecting educators since 1976

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn

Sign up for KAEE news and updates!

Thanks for joining us!

© 2023 Kentucky Association for Environmental Education

bottom of page