EE Awards
Excellence in Conservation and Environmental Education Awards
The Awards program began in 1999 with the John K. Strickler Award. In 2000, the KACEE Award was added. The Rising Star Award began in 2005. In 2006-07, the KACEE Award changed to encompass several categories, and 2009 marked the first year of the Kansas Green School of the Year Award (presented in conjunction with KDHE). These awards are presented annually by KACEE to recognize those best exemplifying dedication, commitment, and influence in the field of conservation and environmental education (EE).
See below for the 2011 Awardees!
John K. Strickler Award
Criteria: This award recognizes the lifetime achievements of an individual in the field of EE. The nominee must be a current KACEE member with a minimum of five years’ involvement in the field of EE in general and with KACEE specifically, and have made and continues to make a significant contribution to EE in Kansas.
KACEE Award
Criteria: This award recognizes the outstanding achievements of individuals, organizations, agencies, community efforts, schools, and businesses in the field of EE. The nominee must have a minimum of five years’ involvement in the field of EE, and have made and continues to make a significant contribution to EE in Kansas. The nominee does not have to be a current KACEE member.
Nominations for the KACEE Award are in one of the following categories. While nominations in all categories are accepted, awards in all categories may not be given every year.
- PreK-16 Education: School or individual in a formal education setting may be nominated.
- Government: Individual or agency may be nominated.
- Community and Non-Profit Organizations: Individual or organization may be nominated.
- Agriculture: Nominee is an individual or organization that leads/encourages programs that educate about agricultural best management practices.
- Business/Corporate Sector: Individual, business, or corporation may be nominated.
Rising Star Award
Recognizes individuals who are new to the EE field in Kansas, but are already making an impact. The nominee must have a minimum of two years’ and a maximum of seven years’ experience in the EE field in Kansas. Current KACEE membership is not required.
Kansas Green School of the Year Award
This award recognizes Kansas public and private schools that have demonstrated innovation, leadership, whole school involvement, and an integrated, holistic, sustainable approach to implementing environmental projects with a strong environmental education component into their schools. Individual schools nominated for this award must be members of the Kansas Green Schools Network (registration is free and can be attained at www.kansasgreenschools.org). Current KACEE membership is not required.
To Make a Nomination:
1. Review the award categories and criteria for each category.
2. Complete the online nominations form by January 13, 2012 at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/KACEEAwards2012
3. For more information and to request or submit a nomination form, contact Laura Downey, KACEE, 2610 Claflin, Manhattan, KS 66502-2743; phone (785)532-3322; e-mail ldowney@kacee.org. E-mail nominations will be accepted provided all information requested is included. Please do not fax nominations. Incomplete nominations will not be considered.
2011 Kansas Excellence in Conservation and Environmental Education Awardees
John K. Strickler Award
Schanee’ Anderson, Sedgwick County Zoo, Wichita
Through her years as a zoo educator, Schanee’ has worked to incorporate environmental stewardship throughout the programming offered to children and adults. She has been actively involved with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for many years, serving on the Conservation Education Committee. Schanee’ has also been involved with the Paraguay Conservation Action Partnership, and has served on KACEE’s Board of Directors and as board president from 2008-2010.
KACEE Awards
PreK-16 Education: Dr. Cynthia Annett
Dr. Cynthia Annett’s dedication to her students, her work, and to Friends of the Kaw knows no bounds. She has taught at the University of Kansas, Haskell Indian Nations University, and Kansas State University, and mentored many undergraduate and graduate students. With a Ph.D. in zoology, she has taught numerous courses on environmental issues and environmental justice. Dr. Annett has also served as Science Advisor to Friends of the Kaw, taking the lead in designing its website.
PreK-16 Education: 21st Century Geosciences Program, Olathe North High School
Launched in Fall 2002, this elective program is for students interested in environmental science, marine biology, meteorology, geology, and other related fields. Students complete a target curriculum, participate in field trips and workshops, and educate local elementary students and community members about what they are learning through presentations. Geoscience students also teach the community about stormwater management through rain barrel and rain garden projects.
Community/Non-Profit: Blue River Watershed Association (BRWA)
BRWA focuses its efforts in three areas: community education, environmental stewardship, and strategic partnerships. The organization educates Kansas City-area residents about watershed concerns such as flooding and water quality, and engages the community in addressing these issues. BRWA also works with school districts, and during the 2009-10 school year approximately 3,000 Kansas students participated in the T.R.U.E. Blue program (Teaching Rivers in an Urban Environment).
Community/Non-Profit: Heather Loewenstein, StoneLion Puppet Theatre
As Founder and Artistic Director for StoneLion Puppet Theatre, Heather is the guiding force behind the company’s amazing performances. She has written, designed, performed, produced, and/or directed more than 75 different productions focused on environmental education. StoneLion uses multiple styles of puppetry to teach environmental concepts such as stormwater management, endangered species, and healthy habitats. Heather also teaches EE classes and creates art and sculptures with environmental themes.
Business/Corporate Sector: Lattner Family Foundation, Inc.
This Florida-based foundation has generously supported many conservation and environmental education programs in the Wichita area. It has funded Great Plains Nature Center programs such as “Linking Children to Nature,” which is geared to getting Kansas kids (especially at-risk youth in urban Wichita) interested in the out-of-doors; and publication of the book “Kansas Critters: Mammals,” which was written and illustrated by Kansas kids. The foundation has also funded programs at The WATER Center and Chaplin Nature Center.
Rising Star: Brian Pekarek, Superintendent, Clifton-Clyde USD 224
Visitors to the Clifton-Clyde School District can’t help but notice all of the environmental stewardship projects accomplished during the past two years. If they’re lucky, they will learn about these projects through a presentation by students. The driving force behind the “green” changes is district superintendent Brian Pekarek. Through his leadership, teachers, staff, and students have focused on communication with the community, fundraising, and achieving academic excellence through becoming more green! Clifton-Clyde High School was one of the 2010 Kansas Green Schools of the Year.
Kansas Green School of the Year: Hesston Elementary School, USD 460
Hesston Elementary School has made great strides this year in becoming a “Kansas Green School.” Paper recycling takes place in classrooms, with students collecting the recyclables weekly. The “Worm Team” collects leftover food from the cafeteria to feed the worms, and the compost will be used in the school’s rain/butterfly garden. Local church groups help prepare and plant the garden. During Red Ribbon Week the school hosted a recycling relay day, teaching students how to recycle at home. Students also created a “recycling rap” in music class.
Kansas Green School of the Year: Prairie Moon Waldorf School/Okanis Garden, Lawrence
Prairie Moon Waldorf School incorporates the environment into everything the school teaches. Through a Green Schools Grant, the school designed a Waldorf-inspired environmental education curriculum and built a system for rainwater harvesting and storage. The system waters the Okanis Garden, an organic market garden that involves students, teachers, and volunteers in fruit, flower, herb, and vegetable production. The school works in cooperation with the adjacent new native plant medicinal garden established by the University of Kansas and the Kansas Biological Survey.
Kansas Green School of the Year: Tomahawk Elementary School, Shawnee Mission USD 512
Tomahawk Elementary has been working toward a significant reduction in waste for several years. Great strides have been made during the past school year, with a 92% decrease in solid waste trash through composting of lunch waste and recycling efforts. In addition, paper usage declined by 14% and electricity usage decreased by 28% since 2008. Students receive an enriched science and energy education through these projects, and also help their school and families reduce energy costs and become smarter consumers. The after-school environmental club (the “HiP” Club) has expanded greatly this school year.
