ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR
OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Each year, outstanding classroom and community educators are recognized for their unique and invaluable contributions to the field of Environmental Education.

Nominations for 2022 are now closed. Winners were announced at the Project Green Teacher Summit in June.

ELEMENTARY OR SECONDARY ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Teachers working in public or private schools.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR - 2022

LYNETTE WELLER

ELEMENTARY ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Lynette has been working with the city of Boise's naturalist Kristin Gnojeski to develop a pollinator Garden in Mariposa Park. Her students chose to help pollinators as their service project, because they are aware of the plight of bees and other pollinators. The students decided they wanted to use drought resistant Idaho native plants. This began a slew of activity. We first met virtually with a city naturalist. The students had many questions about what irrigation, signage, types of plants that are in the other sections of the garden, ground preparation, tool availability, plants available from the mother garden, and other pollinator gardens they could reference. They started research on types of Idaho native plants. There were over 75 plants that we were considering to put in the garden. They wrote letters to parents explaining the project. The students wrote scripts so they could make cold calls to local nurseries, and be able to explain what they were doing and ask for plant donations. They have taken photos to be used on our class Instagram to tag nurseries that have donated. They contacted a local printer to have t-shirts printed with their slogan " Saving pollinators one plant at a time" They care about each other and the planet :) Students have written thank you letters to nurseries that have donated. They have planted seeds that were donated from Snake River Seed Cooperative, so that the seedlings may be added to the garden either on the planting day or after. We have two 49ft square spaces in Mariposa Park, with the possibility to extend more next year! Because this is a fifth and sixth grade project, fifth graders may work on it again next year!

PAST AWARD RECIPIENTS

2021

Susan Wolfe Elementary

Jamie Brunnmeier Secondary

Elizabeth Dickey Non-formal

2020

Misha Smith Elementary

Ali Ward Secondary

Matt Podolsky Non-formal

Sandy Racine Volunteer

2019

Lauresta Welty Elementary

Melyssa Ferro Secondary

Stephanie Day Non-formal

Kimberly Semple Volunteer

2018

Debbie Bell Elementary

Steve Demers Secondary

Courtney Couch Non-formal

Jennifer Ellis Volunteer

2016

Amy Silver Elementary

Mary Engels Non-formal

Jane Matthews Volunteer

2015

Erin Stutzman Secondary

Tate Mason Non-formal

Denise Keyser Volunteer

Julie Scanlin Lifetime Achievement

2014

Sandy Kindt Elementary

John Schisel Secondary

Lori Adams Non-formal

Liana Litzsinger Volunteer

2013

Purley Decker Elementary

Arlene Wolf Secondary

Rena Ashton Non-formal

Ann Christensen Volunteer

2012

Sheryce Davis Elementary

John Hastings Secondary

Sara Focht Non-formal

2011

Cara Sonnemann Elementary

Clint Kennedy Secondary

Adare Evans Non-formal

2010

Sue Hansen Barber Elementary

Gina Lockwood Secondary

Michelle Youngquist Non-formal

2009

Dick Jordan Secondary

Dick McCloskey Non-formal

2008

Dan Hines Elementary

Gregg Losinski Non-formal

2007

Jane Thornes Elementary

Charlie Kator Secondary

Steven Hines Non-formal

2006

Christenia Coast Elementary

Carri Thomason Elementary

Diane Welch Elementary

Amy Luft Non-formal

2005

Molly Pannkuk Elementary

K.C. Jones Secondary

Alana Jensen Non-formal

2004

Renee McNally Elementary

Robert Beckwith Secondary

Greg Kaltenecker Non-formal

2003

Donna Kent Elementary

Doreen Beck Elementary

Jan Wathen Elementary

Darin Zarbnisky Secondary

Denise Burnett Non-formal

2002

Teri Burch Elementary

Kris Ablin-Stone Secondary