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The Call for Nominations for NAAEE's 2026 Awards for Excellence Has Closed!
NAAEE is proud of the many accomplishments of our members and partner organizations. Each year, we present a variety of awards at our annual conference to highlight outstanding achievements in environmental education.
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Thank you for helping us celebrate the amazing contributions of individuals and organizations in environmental education by submitting nominations for NAAEE's Awards for Excellence. We look forward to recognizing the 2026 Awardees at our annual conference in Portland, Oregon, in October.
If you have any questions about the NAAEE Awards for Excellence, please contact Brenda Metcalf at Brendasmetcalf@aol.com.
This year, we accepted nominations for the following NAAEE Awards for Excellence:
- Walter E. Jeske Award
- Rosa Parks and Grace Lee Boggs Outstanding Service
- Outstanding Affiliate Organization
- Outstanding Service to EE (Individual or Organization)
- Outstanding Contributions to Research in EE
- Emerging Leader in Environmental Education Research (New this year!)
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Congratulations to the 2024 Awardees
Audrey Peterman, Heidi McAllister, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, The Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education, The National Center for Science Education, Sue McGuire, Kathryn Tate Stevenson, Stefan Moss, and Mary Ford. Read press release >
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Rosa Parks & Grace Lee Boggs Award
Award recognizing leadership in educating and promoting action.
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Outstanding Affiliate Organization
Award recognizing significant contributions to the field.
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Outstanding Contributions to Research in EE
Presented to individuals who make significant contributions to EE through research.
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Emerging Leader in EE Research (New!)
Award recognizing an early-career researcher whose work advances the field of environmental education.
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Director's Award
Presented to an individual or organization who has made a significant contribution to NAAEE.
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Pepe Marcos-Iga Award for Innovation in Environmental Education
Award recognizing achievements in using innovation to advance EE.
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Distinguished Leadership in Environmental Education
Presented to an individual who has created systemic change to strengthen the field of environmental education.
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Board Chair Award
Given at the discretion of the sitting NAAEE Board Chair to recognize exemplary achievements in the field of environmental education.
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Lifetime Achievement Awards
Presented in recognition of outstanding leadership in supporting environmental education and creating a more just and sustainable future.
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Other Awards for Excellence
These specific awards are not offered in 2026. If you would like to nominate a K–12 or higher education educator, please use the form for Outstanding Service to EE (Individual or Organization). Thank you!
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Higher Education Educator of the Year
Award recognizing efforts in promoting and using the environment as context for teaching.
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K–12 Educator of the Year
Presented to individuals for exemplary efforts promoting EE in classroom and engaging community organizations.