Award Overview and Criteria
The Dr. Richard W. Becker Award of Excellence in Environmental Education recognizes and honors annually an outstanding individual that has influenced students through the field of environmental education or service learning in New Mexico. The individual selected as the recipient of this award will have excelled in one or more of these areas:
- Advancing environmental literacy
- Advancing or engaging an audience in environmental stewardship, including service learning
- Engaging an audience through connections to the natural world leading to action in conservation or environmental stewardship
- Advancing environmental education or a program through collaboration
Who is eligible?
Educators working in the field of environmental education and/or environmental service learning in New Mexico. An educator may be a formal or non-formal educator.
Who can make a nomination?
Nominations are welcome from teachers, principals, superintendents, non-profit and government agency staff, students, parents and community members. Self-nominations are not accepted without references.
How do I nominate someone?
The form will be posted here when nominations are open. Nominations are due by August 15 each year. The nomination form includes the following:
- Nominee and nominator’s name and contact information
- A narrative describing the educator’s qualifications in meeting the criteria listed above and the actions the nominee has taken to support the criteria and his/her commitment to environmental education (700 word max.)
- Attachments: Two letters of reference to support your nomination
- Optional attachments: Supporting materials such as articles, photos, or other awards.
About the Award
The recipient of this award will receive a $250 cash award to be used toward their environmental education initiatives. The award is presented at EEANM’s Annual Meeting, usually held during the fall conference.
About Dr. Richard Becker
With a love of the outdoors through hunting, fishing and wildlife photography, Dr. Becker passionately participated in conservation efforts across New Mexico and beyond. He volunteered for many conservation organizations and was an active environmental educator. Always cheerful, Dr. Becker generously shared his knowledge about conservation, service learning, environmental education and the importance of Aldo Leopold’s land ethic while emphasizing partnerships and collaboration. This award reflects Dr. Becker’s commitment and passion to conservation, education and service learning.
Photo: Rio Grande Turkey by buckvalleyranch/Flickr.