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 education forward. 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.
2021 Excellence in Environmental Education Award Recipients
- Enos A. Mills Lifetime Achievement Award:
- Innovating EE Program Awards:
- Outstanding Environmental Education Program Awards: Covid-19 Response
- Nature's Educators
- Outside Classroom, Catamount Institute
- Colorado Native Plant Society Webinars
- Outstanding Environmental Educator Award Recipients:
- Joey Kellner, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Volunteer
- Keith Bruno, Audubon Rockies
- Outstanding Youth Environmental Leadership Award:
- Abigail Watry, Estes Park Middle School
- Outstanding Retiring Educator Recognition:
- David Eick, Cheyenne Mountain Junior High
- Larry Colbenson, Boulder County Parks & Open Space
- Richelle Gittens, Catamount Institute, Queen Palmer Elementary School, Colorado Springs School District 11
- Angel Tobin, Colorado Parks and Wildlife - Roxborough State Park
View the 2021 Awards Booklet - coming soon!
See a list of past award recipients
Read more about past award recipients in yearly 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.
Help us honor and celebrate the 2021 Excellence in Environmental Education Awards recipients at the annual Awards Celebration Event either in-person or online!
In-Person Event:
Thursday, November 4th
2:00-4:30 p.m.
American Mountaineering Center, Golden
If you are joining us in person, we kindly request that you are vaccinated against covid-19 AND that you wear a mask during the indoor awards program. The program will last approximately 1 hour and will be followed by an outdoor reception with food and beverages.
Virtual Option:
2:00-3:15 p.m.
Watch the presentation of awards via Zoom
Nominate Excellent Environmental Education in Colorado
Nominations for the Awards for Excellence in Environmental Education are currently closed. Nominations for the 2022 awards will open in spring 2022.
CAEE's awards recognize excellent environmental education in the following categories:
- Advancing Environmental Literacy Award
- Enos A. Mills Lifetime Achievement Award
- 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 awards@caee.org.