Leadership: Awards for Excellence

Award logo with three overlapping circles in blue, green, and yellow with the NAAEE logo in each circle. Text in the center says, "For Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Education. Our Honorees."

Congratulations to the Winners of the NAAEE 2026 Awards for Excellence!

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. 

Graphic promoting the 2026 NAAEE Awards for Excellence, featuring circular photos of award recipients and organizational logos against a sunset landscape of mountains, a city skyline, and evergreen trees. The NAAEE logo appears in the bottom-left corner.

Congratulations to the 2026 Awardees

A huge round of applause for Brock Adler, New Hampshire Environmental Educators (NHEE), Michael Reed, Alberto Arenas, Christopher Jadallah, Laura Jackman, Kim Alvin De Lara, The Marine Mammal Center and NNOCCI, Taiwan Ministry of Environment, Queta González, Ian Humphreys. Thank you for helping us celebrate their achievements at NAAEE 2026 in Portland, Oregon!

osprey landing on water

Walter E. Jeske Award

NAAEE’s most prestigious award.

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Rosa Parks & Grace Lee Boggs Award

Award recognizing leadership in educating and promoting action.

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Affiliates group photo Tucson 2022

Outstanding Affiliate Organization

Award recognizing significant contributions to the field.

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Outstanding Service to EE

Awards recognizing individuals and organizations.

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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

Pepe Marcos-Iga Award for Innovation in Environmental Education

Award recognizing achievements in using innovation to advance EE.

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landscape river through bog

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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Oregon swallowtail wing.

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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young students working with teacher in classroom

K–12 Educator of the Year

Presented to individuals for exemplary efforts promoting EE in classroom and engaging community organizations.

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