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'Tis the Season… to Celebrate Environmental Excellence

by
Sarah Brzezinski

‘Tis the season… to celebrate exemplary environmental educators and student advocates around the Chesapeake Bay Watershed! Here are some great award programs with upcoming application deadlines that seek to recognize those hardworking, passionate individuals we all know and love:

2011-2012 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators

As discussed in the “America’s Great Outdoors: A Promise to Future Generations” report, in order to make environmental stewardship and conservation relevant to young Americans, environmental and place-based, experiential learning must be integrated into school curricula and school facility management across the country. This program, administered by White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), recognizes outstanding K-12 teachers who employ innovative approaches to environmental education and use the environment as a context for learning for their students. Two teachers from each EPA Region will be selected to receive this award. The awardee teacher will receive an award of $2,000, to be used to further the awardee’s professional development in environmental education, as well as a commemorative plaque. An award of $2,000 will also be given to the awardee’s local education agency to fund environmental educational activities and programs which support the awardee teacher. Applications must be submitted by December 30, 2011, 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time. Learn more HERE.

Chesapeake Bay Trust Awards

The Chesapeake Bay Trust is currently soliciting applications for its 2012 Awards Program. All applications must be received by 5:00 pm on Friday, December 16, 2011 to be considered and must be completed online. These awards will only be given to Maryland residents and for projects that occurred in Maryland. The following Awards are being offered:

  • Teacher of the Year Award: A $2,500 award will be given to the winner’s school to fund Trust approved environmental field trips and/or outdoor education work.
  • Student of the Year Scholarship: A $5,000 scholarship will be given to a Maryland high school or college student who has shown an outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship, Chesapeake Bay restoration and community involvement.
  • Honorable Arthur Dorman Scholarship: A $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to a Maryland high school or college student who demonstrates a commitment to improving the health of the environment and the Chesapeake Bay and who, as a student of color, exhibits exemplary leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion in his/her school and broader community.
  • Ellen Fraites Wagner Award: This Steward of the Year award recognizes an individual who has shown exceptional commitment to the Chesapeake Bay and leadership in the Bay community.
  • Melanie Teems Award: This Grant of the Year award recognizes an exemplary project funded by the Chesapeake Bay Trust that engages Maryland students or citizens in Bay education or restoration work.