David Wicks, an Environmental and Outdoor Educator, is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Environmental Education.
Dr. Wicks' career in environmental education spans over three decades, beginning in 1979 with a groundbreaking program that would change the lives of countless students across Jefferson County Public Schools. His vision started with Project Innovative Diversion, an Outward Bound-style initiative designed to engage at-risk students through hands-on outdoor experiences. Dr. Wicks spent up to 150 nights a year camping with students in the breathtaking Red River Gorge, guiding them not just through nature but through life-changing challenges.
As the program grew, it expanded into other environmental education (EE) initiatives based at the Blackacre State Nature Preserve and Otter Creek Park. These programs reached as many as 10,000 students annually, fostering a deep connection to the environment. They also provided professional development for JCPS teachers, helping to spread Dr. Wicks’ passion for nature-based learning across the region.
Dr. Wicks' influence extended beyond the classroom. In the late 1980s, as president of the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE), he played a key role in submitting the landmark proposal, "This Uncommon Opportunity: An Environmentally Literate Kentucky." This proposal laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC), ensuring that environmental literacy would remain a priority in the state’s educational system for generations to come.
Today, Dr. Wicks continues to be a force for environmental education and community engagement. He now leads the boards of two 501(c)3 organizations—River City Paddle Sports and Payne Hollow on the Ohio, both of which are dedicated to connecting people with the natural world in meaningful ways.
Dr. Wicks' legacy is a testament to the power of outdoor education and the lasting impact it can have on both students and communities. His work has inspired generations of Kentuckians to not only appreciate nature but to become active stewards of it.
