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.
EE Grant Opportunity
IdEEA is pleased to offer Environmental Education Grants to support environmental education for Idaho’s youth.
We invite proposals from formal/informal educators, parents, students, and student groups for projects that help youth learn more about environmental education and/or enhance their connection with nature. Grant funds can be used to develop or continue community or school environmental projects, for teachers to develop or purchase new materials, and more. Special consideration will be given to projects that provide hands-on learning opportunities for youth and can provide a resource for other educators.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATORS OF THE YEAR - 2022
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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
Jennie Rylee Non-formal