Awards

In the past, EENM recognized educators for excellence with annual awards:

  • The Outstanding Service to Environmental Education Award (selected by EENM’s Board of Directors)
  • Dr. Richard W. Becker Award of Excellence in Environmental Education
  • Outstanding Environmental Educator
  • Outstanding Environmental Education Organization
  • Rising EE Star

The Dr. Richard W. Becker Award of Excellence in Environmental Education

To make a contribution directly to the Dr. Richard W. Becker Award of Excellence in Environmental Education, please click here. Your donation is tax-deductible.

Award Overview and Criteria:

This award will recognize and honor 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 the following goals:

  • Advanced environmental literacy.
  • Advanced or engaged an audience in environmental stewardship, including service learning.
  • Engaged an audience through connections to the natural world leading to action in conservation or environmental stewardship.
  • Advanced environmental education or a program through collaboration.

About Dr. Richard Becker: With a love of the outdoors through hunting, fishing and wildlife photography, Dr. Richard 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. Please visit our page “Remembering Dr. Richard W. Becker” to learn more about his wonderful contributions to education and conservation.  

To make a contribution directly to the Dr. Richard W. Becker Award of Excellence in Environmental Education, please click here. Your donation is tax-deductible.

Please click here to download the 2019 Nomination form – Dr. Richard W. Becker award.

Additional Award Opportunities:

Outstanding Environmental Educator
Individuals may be either classroom teachers or non-formal educators who demonstrate the following traits:
  • Demonstrates ability to successfully implement environmental education activities
  • Encourages participants to make informed decisions about environmental decisions
  • Demonstrates innovate approaches to programming
  • Shows continued commitment to contribute to the field of environmental education
  • Shows a deep commitment to collaboration
  • Uses a lens of equity and inclusion when developing activities and programs in recognition of our diverse audiences in the Land of Enchantment
  • Makes an impact on curriculum standards, proficiencies, or policies
Outstanding Environmental Education Organization
Groups such as nonprofit organizations, government agencies, Tribal governments, and businesses who demonstrate the following traits:
  • Demonstrates continued commitment to collaboration and partnerships
  • Shows innovation and creativity in environmental education
  • Contributes to elevating the field of environmental education in New Mexico
  • Measures impact in programs and activities through assessment, evaluation, or some other means
  • Continues to promote equity and inclusion for our diverse audiences in the Land of Enchantment
Rising EE Star
Individuals may be educators who have been working or volunteering as environmental educators for less than ten years and demonstrate the following traits:
  • Shows a passion and commitment for environmental education along with integrity and a strong work ethic
  • Innovates environmental education activities and programs
  • Contributes to furthering the field of environmental education in New Mexico
  • Seeks opportunities for partnerships and collaborations
  • Uses a lens of equity and inclusion when developing activities and programs in recognition of our diverse audiences in the Land of Enchantment

Previous Winners

Outstanding Service to Environmental Education

  • 2018 Paul Mauermann, Sandia Mountain Natural History Center
  • 2017 Molly Madden, EEANM, Friends of the Whitfield
  • 2017 Jamie Radenbaugh, EEANM, Fenton Ranch, Manzano Day School
  • 2016 Kathryn Venzor, Albuquerque BioPark
  • 2015 Barbara Garrity, EEANM
  • 2014 Dr. Elaine Hampton, STEM Education Consultants
  • 2013 Becky Kerr, Four Corners School of Outdoor Ed, Bioregional Outdoor Education Project
  • 2012 Kim Scheerer, Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program
  • 2012 Amy Landers, Albuquerque BioPark
  • 2010 Christy Tafoya, New Mexico State Parks
  • 2009 Harlow Pinson, InDepth Learning
  • 2009 Colleen Welch, New Mexico Game and Fish
  • 2009 Kevin Holladay, New Mexico Game and Fish
  • 2008 Dana Vacker Strang, Audubon New Mexico
  • 2007 Dr. Debra Thrall, Albert I Pierce Foundation
  • 2002 Lisa Ellis, Tish Morris, Mary Stuever, Rebecca Tydings

Dr. Richard W. Becker Award of Excellence in Environmental Education

This award was named in memory of Dr. Richard W. Becker starting in 2011. Dr. Becker was a passionate outdoorsman, conservationist and environmental educator. Before 2011, EEANM awarded an Outstanding Environmental Educator Award.

  • 2019 Mollie Parsons, Santa Fe Botanical Garden
  • 2018 Beth Dillingham, NM State Parks, retired
  • 2017 Selena Connealy, NM EPSCoR
  • 2016 Steve Glass, CNM
  • 2016 Siobhan Niklasson, Pajarito Environmental Education Center
  • 2015 Stephanie Haan-Amato, Asombro Institute for Science Education
  • 2015 Joe Garcia, La Plazita Institute
  • 2014 Dr. Chuck Buxbaum, Sandia Preparatory School
  • 2013 Colleen Langan-McRoberts, Bernalillo County Open Space
  • 2012 Christina Selby, Earthcare International, Santa Fe
  • 2011 Tish Morris, NM Museum of Natural History and Science
  • 2011 Eileen Wood, Mountainview Elementary School, Edgewood
  • 2010 Jeremy Marley, Jemez Valley Middle School
  • 2009 Elaine Smith, Santo Domingo Middle School
  • 2009 Debaura James, Aldo Leopold Charter High School, Silver City
  • 2008 Julie Hall, Albuq. Public Schools at Sandia Mountain Natural History Center
  • 2008 Mary Erwin, Bandelier Elementary School, Albuquerque
  • 2007 Donna Schmidt, Farmington High School

Outstanding Environmental Educator

  • 2019 Sally Anderson, Sol Forest School
  • 2018 Matthew Farley, Rio Rancho High School
  • 2017 Kelly Steinberg, Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program

Outstanding Environmental Education Organization

  • 2019 Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, Cedar Crest
  • 2019 Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, Albuquerque
  • 2018 Asombro Institute for Science Education, Las Cruces
  • 2017 Pajarito Environmental Education Center, Los Alamos

Rising EE Star

  • 2018 Liz Douglas-Gallagher, Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program
  • 2017 Hannah Perry, Sandia Mountain Natural History Center

Outstanding Project Learning Tree Educator

  • 2014 Taylor Mayer, Sandia View Elementary School, Rio Rancho
  • 2013 Noel Chilton, Coronado Elementary School, Albuquerque
  • 2012 Carolyn Nesbitt, Manzano Day School, Albuquerque

Read more about  our award winners: