Awards for Excellence in Environmental Education
Each year the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) recognizes and honors individuals, organizations, and schools from around the state of Colorado for their innovation and dedication to moving the field of environmental and outdoor learning forward. We embrace and hope to celebrate the many related educational efforts that contribute to environmental and outdoor learning. Nominations are reviewed and selected by CAEE’s Award Selection Committee and approved by CAEE's Board of Directors. Award recognition takes place at the annual awards celebration event in the fall.
2023 Excellence in Environmental Education Award Recipients
- Enos A. Mills Award for Exemplary Contributions to Environmental Education:
- Loretta Pineda, Environmental Learning for Kids - Retired
- Loretta Pineda, Environmental Learning for Kids - Retired
- Innovative EE Programs:
- Butterfly Pavilion Nature Club - Butterfly Pavilion and City of Westminster
- Delta OUT - Colorado Parks & Wildlife and Friends of Youth & Nature
- Lafayette Birds - City of Lafayette
- The Water Cycle - Katherine Trudeau, Leah Weisman, Molly Delandsheer, Claire Woodward, Pamela Flores, Jenny Curtis, Rebecca Hagmuller
- Watershed PenPal Program - Roaring Fork Conservancy
- Butterfly Pavilion Nature Club - Butterfly Pavilion and City of Westminster
- Outstanding Environmental Educators:
- Jeff & Paige - Rainbow Socks
- Sheryl Horton - Yampatika
- Jeff & Paige - Rainbow Socks
- Outstanding Young Environmental Leader:
- Maya Ayres - Douglas High School
- Maya Ayres - Douglas High School
- Outstanding Retiring Educator Recognition:
- Linda Groat - Colorado Parks and Wildlife
See a list of past award recipients
View past award recognition booklets
Awards Celebration Event
Each year individuals and organizations from around the state of Colorado are recognized and honored for their hard work and dedication in the field of environmental education at an Awards Banquet. Awards honor and celebrate environmental education programs, the lifetime accomplishments of an individual in the field of environmental education, and retiring environmental educators.
This year's Awards Celebration Event will be held in conjunction with CAEE's annual Advancing EE Conference at the new CSU Spur Campus in Denver. The awards presentation will take place on Friday, September 29th, 2023 at 4:00pm followed by a reception at 5:00pm. The Awards Celebration is included in CAEE’s general conference registration (caee.org/conference) so you do not need to register separately if you plan to attend the full conference. If you plan to attend the Awards Celebration Event only, please register here by 9/26. Tickets will not be available at the door.
Nominate Excellent Environmental Education in Colorado
Nominations for the 2023 Awards for Excellence in Environmental Education are now closed. The next nomination period will be in early 2024.
CAEE's awards recognize excellent environmental education and the many related education efforts that contribute to environmental and outdoor learning in the following categories:
- Advancing Environmental Literacy Award
- Enos A. Mills Award for Exemplary Contributions to Environmental Education
- Innovative Environmental Education Program Award (formal and nonformal programs)
- Outstanding Environmental Educator Award (for formal, nonformal, volunteer educators)
- Outstanding Young Environmental Leader Award
- Outstanding Retiring Educator Recognition
Read more about the nomination process and criteria.
Help CAEE recognize outstanding environmental education in Colorado by joining the Awards Selection Committee! For more information please email [email protected].