John K. Strickler Award:
John K. Strickler
Former Acting Secretary of the Kansas Wildlife & Parks Department, retired Kansas State Forester, co-founder of KACEE, and KACEE's first executive director.

2000

Strickler Award:
Mary Clark, Dillon Nature Center

Mary has been delivering quality, non-biased and science-based environmental education to students in Central Kansas for years--she's reached literally thousands with her innovative environmental education. 

KACEE Award:
Kansas Forest Service
The Kansas Forest Service was responsible for helping to bring Project Learning Tree to Kansas and has supported environmental education for over 15 years.  They continue to be a strong partner with KACEE. 

2001

Strickler Award:
Connie Elpers Leger, Great Plains Nature Center
Connie is a naturalist at GPNC, and was instrumental in bringing Project Learning Tree to Kansas. She has served as co-state coordinator for PLT, and has served on KACEE's Education Committee and Conference Committee. She is also a facilitator for PLT, Project WET, and Project WILD.

KACEE Award:
Lee Richardson Zoo, Education Division
This zoo is under the auspices of the City of Garden City, and provides innovative environmental education programs in conjunction with other zoos in Kansas. The zoo's director serves on KACEE's board and the conference selection committee.

2002

Strickler Award:
Clark Duffy
Clark is currently the bureau director for the Bureau of Air and Radiation with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. He has also served as director of the Kansas Water Office, and has been a board member of KACEE.

KACEE Award:
Butler County Community College and Butler County Conservation District
These entities continue to co-sponsor one of the longest-running water festivals in Kansas.

2003

Strickler Award:
Gary Keehn
Until recently, Gary taught at Jackson Heights High School in Holton. He and his students have attended the Kansas Environmental Education Conference for several years, making presentations, showing exhibits, and assisting with the pre-conference workshop. Gary currently manages Banner Creek Wildlife Area and serves as the Archery in the Schools director for the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks. Gary also serves on KACEE's board.

KACEE Award:
Westar Energy Green Team
The Green Team consists of the employees of Westar Energy. It assists schools, nature centers, and wildlife areas in building outdoor habitat and trails. Westar has also been a longtime sponsor of the annual conference and other KACEE programs. The Green Team's leader, Brad Loveless, has been a KACEE board member for several years.

2004

Strickler Award:
Dr. Cindy Ford, Pittsburg State University
Cindy is a biology professor at PSU, and leads a field studies program outside the state each summer. She is also active with the Kansas Wildflower Society. Cindy is currently the president of KACEE's board of directors, and has served as program chair for at least five years. She is also a workshop facilitator for KACEE.

KACEE Award:
Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks
KDWP was the recipient of this award for its longtime support of KACEE and environmental and conservation education in Kansas. KDWP has supported KACEE financially as a conference sponsor since the beginning, and has been a partner in delivering Project WILD and WILD Aquatic. At least one KDWP staff person has served on KACEE's board for several years.

2005

Strickler Award:
Dr. Tom Eddy, Emporia State University
Tom is a founder of KACEE and served as KACEE's board president. He is a beloved instructor at ESU who brings the prairie to life in his classes. He now serves on the Awards Committee and is always in attendance at the annual conference, often as a presenter.

KACEE Award:
Hillsdale Water Quality Project, Inc.
HWQP is a non-profit organization working to improve water quality in the Hillsdale Lake area. Its volunteer-based programs provide information and have engaged landowners and stakeholders in activities to protect the watershed.

Rising Star Award:
Carly Adams
Carly is an environmental program coordinator with the City of Olathe. As an up-and-coming employee of the city, she has implemented several innovative programs to educate the public about water quality and provide teacher workshops.

2006-07

Strickler Award:
Roland Stein
Roland recently retired after many years with KDWP. In his position as education coordinator, he oversaw Project WILD and Project WILD Aquatic, as well as the Wildlife Education Service. Roland was a workshop facilitator, served on KACEE's board, and chaired KACEE's Education Committee.

KACEE Award:
Dr. Valerie Wright (PreK-16 Educator)
Valerie teaches at Kansas State University and runs the Konza Prairie Biological Station near Manhattan. A naturalist, she created the docent program at Konza and directs the Konza Environmental Education Program.

Kansas Accredited Zoo Educators (Community/Non-Profit Organization)
KZE is an informal organization consisting of seven Kansas zoos working to promote a unified voice in conservation. The group develops resources other organizations can utilize, and participates in one statewide event each year focusing on animals, nature, and culture.

Linda Phipps (Community/Non-Profit Individual)
Linda led the efforts to restore a WPA-era Boy Scout building at Schermerhorn Park in southeast Kansas and develop it into a stunning nature center. It is now a premiere destination for residents of four states. Linda is also a kindergarten teacher in the Galena School District, and is a longtime member of KACEE's conference committee.

Wichita Area Treatment, Education, and Remediation Center (The WATER Center) (Government)
The WATER Center was founded to remediate groundwater pollution in downtown Wichita and to educate the public about water issues. Education programs are offered, such as kits on topics including wetlands, geology, and rivers; and Family Adventure Packs that visitors may use as they explore the center. 

 

2008

Strickler Award:

Ron Klataske, Executive Director of Audubon of Kansas 
A leader in Audubon’s efforts to educate citizens about the ecological value and cultural settings of Kansas birding and nature trails, and was instrumental in developing the proposal that led to the establishment of the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Chase County.

KACEE Award:
 

Dr. Larry Erickson, K-State Chemical Engineering Department (KACEE PreK-16 Educator)
Larry has maintained an exemplary career in environmental education and service. He has taught over 1,000 chemical engineering students and has served as director of the Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Hazardous Substance Research Center since 1985. In 2007, he established the Consortium for Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability at KSU.

Great Plains Nature Center (Community/Non-Profit Organization)
Committed to the idea that only through the appreciation of nature will people see the necessity to conserve our environment, Great Plains Nature Center has spent the past 11 years introducing students, families, and community members to the natural heritage of Kansas. Its unique cooperative partnership provides a model for other organizations sharing compatible goals to educate our citizens.

The Kansas Chapter of the Nature Conservancy (Community/Non-Profit Organization)
Since 1989, the Kansas Chapter of The Nature Conservancy has been at the forefront of protecting the plants, animals, and natural communities of Kansas. By providing educational materials and programs and, in some locations, public access to natural areas, TNC plays a vital role in increasing the environmental literacy of Kansans.

Rising Star:

Andrea Johnson, Ernie Miller Nature Center
As a park naturalist and interpreter presenting 26 different programs at Ernie Miller Nature Center in Olathe, Andrea Johnson brings professionalism and dedication to every task. A certified challenge course facilitator, summer camp director, and president of the Kansas City Metro Interpretive Site Coalition, she shows her passion for environmental education every day.