The Walter E. Jeske Award is NAAEE’s most prestigious award, given each year to recognize service to NAAEE and leadership within the field of environmental education. This award was established to honor Walt Jeske, Chief of the Education and Publications Unit with the U.S. Soil Conservation Service. Jeske was a dedicated member of the NAAEE Board of Directors, and an outstanding environmental educator until his death in 1981.
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2024 Walter E. Jeske Award Recipient
Sue McGuire, Executive Director, Wyoming Alliance for Environmental Education
Previous Winners
2022 Winner
Janet Ady, Retired, Bureau of Land Management
2019 Winner
Brenda Metcalf, Executive Director, Environmental Education Council of Ohio
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2018 Winner
Dr. Laura Downey, Executive Director, Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education
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2017 Winner
Susan Toth, Retired, Director of Education, Florida Atlantic University/Pine Jog Environmental Education Center
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2016 Winner
Thomas Hudspeth, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Studies & Natural Resources, UVM
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2015 Winner
Kay Antunez, Retired California Environmental Educator, Surprise Valley 4-H Volunteer
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2014 Winner
Diane Cantrell, Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University
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2013 Winner
Joe E. Heimlich, Principal Researcher; Professor Emeritus Ohio State University
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2012 Winner
Karen Hollweg, Colorado
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2011 Winner
Rosanne Fortner, North Carolina
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2010 Winner
Tom Marcinkowski, Florida Institute of Technology
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2009 Winner
Brenda Weiser, Associate Professor, Science Education, University of Houston-Clear Lake
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2008 Winner
Martha Monroe, University of Florida
2007 Winner
Joseph A. Baust, Sr., Murray State University
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2006 Winner
Terry Wilson, Professor, Western Kentucky University
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2005 Winner
Elaine Andrews, Director, Emeritus, University of Wisconsin Environmental Resources Center
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2004 Winner
Judy Braus, World Wildlife Fund
2003 Winner
Carol Fialkowski, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL
2002 Winner
Paul Hart, University of Regina
2001 Winner
Ted Mills, Oklahoma State University
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2000 Winner
Bora Simmons, Northern Illinois University Bora Simmons
1999 Winner
Trudi Volk, Southern Illinois University Trudi Volk
1998 Winner
Chuck Hopkins, UNESCO, Toronto, ON Charles Hopkins
1997 Winner
Kathy McGlauflin, Project Learning Tree
1996 Winner
Lori Mann, Coyote Point Museum & Talbert Spence, National Audubon Society
1995 Winner
Gus Medina, Environmental Education and Training Partnership (EETAP)
1994 Winner
John Judy, The Tennessee Valley Authority
1993 Winner
Rich Mrazek, University of Lethbridge
1992 Winner
Richard Wilke, University of Wisconsin Stevens-Point
1991 Winner
Joan C. Heidelberg, Brukner Nature Center
1990 Winner
Edward J. McCrea, US Fish & Wildlife Service
1989 Winner
Lillabelle Holt, University of Alaska
1988 Winner
Robert E. Roth, The Ohio State University
1987 Winner
William B. Stapp, University of Michigan
1986 Winner
Rudolph J. H. Schafer, California Department of Education
1985 Winner
David L. Hanselman, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
1984 Winner
John F. Disinger, The Ohio State University
1983 Winner
Harold R. Hungerford, Southern Illinois University
1982 Winner
Clay Schoenfeld, University of Wisconsin
Qualifications
- Active NAAEE member with at least five years of membership
- Occupied NAAEE leadership role and made leadership contributions to the field of EE emanating directly from salaried duties
- Received recognition of overall contributions among EE colleagues and within NAAEE
- Worked in the field of EE for at least 15 years