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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. Is there someone you’d like to recognize? Information on how to nominate an individual or organization is posted here when the call for nominations opens.
The Call for Nominations for NAAEE's 2026 Awards for Excellence Opens Soon!
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Help us celebrate the amazing contributions of individuals and organizations in environmental education by submitting a nomination for one of NAAEE's Awards for Excellence. We'll recognize the 2026 Awardees at our annual conference in Portland, Oregon, in October. You or your co-nominator must be a current member of NAAEE, but Awardees do not need to be members. Thank you for helping us honor these outstanding individuals and organizations in the field. Responses are due by July 17.
How Do I Submit a Nomination for the NAAEE 2026 Awards for Excellence?
Click on the Award below to see the nomination form. Please copy or download, fill out, and email the completed form, along with any required additional documentation, to NAAEE at awards@naaee.org by July 17, 2026.
Please Note: Nominations may only be submitted by NAAEE members. Either you or your co-nominator needs to be a current member of NAAEE in order for your nomination to count. If you are interested in becoming a member, find information here. If you need technical support with this form, please email eepro@naaee.org. If you have any questions about the NAAEE Awards for Excellence, please contact Brenda Metcalf at Brendasmetcalf@aol.com.
This year, we are accepting nominations for the following NAAEE Awards for Excellence. The specific award nomination forms are linked to each title (coming soon!):
- 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 a young professional researcher whose research 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 Awards are no longer offered.
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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.