Nominate Someone!
To nominate yourself or another individual for any of the awards described, please fill out the nomination form. Submission deadline is November 30.
Awards Information
The awards program exists to recognize and encourage excellence in the field of environmental education. Please take a moment to nominate a deserving fellow environmental educator for next year's awards.
Formal Environmental Educator of the Year
This award is presented for outstanding, ongoing efforts in infusing environmental education into the schools curriculum. Teachers from all subjects and grades are eligible.
Non Formal Environmental Educator of the Year
This award is presented for exhibiting innovative and exemplary effort in providing environmental education opportunities for general audiences. Professional and volunteer educators who teach in non-school settings are eligible (e.g. nature centers, zoos, museums, conservation or agriculture agencies, etc.).
Malcolm D. Swan Award for Outstanding Service
The Malcolm D. Swan Award is the Association’s most prestigious honor. This award is presented for long-term, outstanding service and contribution to the field of environmental education in Illinois. It is intended to recognize the efforts of those people who have had a large-scale impact in the field. These efforts may have taken the form of publications produced, legislation created, facilities developed, innovative curricula or programs developed, leadership provided to supporting organizations, funding acquired, or any other major contribution to the field.
All award winners are recognized at the EEAI annual conference, receive a one year paid membership to EEAI and an engraved plaque.
For further information, contact Richie Wolf at 217-423-7708 Ext. 132 or e-mail him at rwolf@maconcountyconservation.org.
Formal Environmental Educator of the Year
This award is presented for outstanding, ongoing efforts in infusing environmental education into the schools curriculum. Teachers from all subjects and grades are eligible.
Non Formal Environmental Educator of the Year
This award is presented for exhibiting innovative and exemplary effort in providing environmental education opportunities for general audiences. Professional and volunteer educators who teach in non-school settings are eligible (e.g. nature centers, zoos, museums, conservation or agriculture agencies, etc.).
Malcolm D. Swan Award for Outstanding Service
The Malcolm D. Swan Award is the Association’s most prestigious honor. This award is presented for long-term, outstanding service and contribution to the field of environmental education in Illinois. It is intended to recognize the efforts of those people who have had a large-scale impact in the field. These efforts may have taken the form of publications produced, legislation created, facilities developed, innovative curricula or programs developed, leadership provided to supporting organizations, funding acquired, or any other major contribution to the field.
All award winners are recognized at the EEAI annual conference, receive a one year paid membership to EEAI and an engraved plaque.
For further information, contact Richie Wolf at 217-423-7708 Ext. 132 or e-mail him at rwolf@maconcountyconservation.org.
2019 Award Recipient
Malcom D. Swan Award for Outstanding Service
Kathleen Gaare-Wiese
The Environmental Education Association of Illinois is pleased to announce the 2019 winner of the Malcolm D. Swan Award. Kathleen Gaare-Wiese, of Creal Springs, Illinois is this year’s winner. Kathleen has always had a personal passion for the natural world and science which she promoted with her students for over 30 years in a formal setting. She continues her passion through volunteer work with the general public, with fellow non-formal educators, and volunteers throughout southern Illinois. Her advocacy and outreach in environmental literacy and education is compounded when we consider all those she has mentored through her involvement in the Scouting community, the Master Naturalist program, the Illinois Science Teachers Association, and as a Project Learning Tree facilitator.
Our winner’s drive comes from recognizing the needs natural resource and environmental education organizations have and being devoted to the communities they serve. Her commitment to the field of science and environmental education through her involvement with them demonstrates her belief that it is her duty and privilege to help and lead where she can. She has a strong belief in the hands-on approach in outdoor education and has reached countless adults and children over her career and helped them see their place in the natural world.
Congratulations Kathleen Gaare-Wiese in receiving this most prestigious EEAI award!
Kathleen Gaare-Wiese
The Environmental Education Association of Illinois is pleased to announce the 2019 winner of the Malcolm D. Swan Award. Kathleen Gaare-Wiese, of Creal Springs, Illinois is this year’s winner. Kathleen has always had a personal passion for the natural world and science which she promoted with her students for over 30 years in a formal setting. She continues her passion through volunteer work with the general public, with fellow non-formal educators, and volunteers throughout southern Illinois. Her advocacy and outreach in environmental literacy and education is compounded when we consider all those she has mentored through her involvement in the Scouting community, the Master Naturalist program, the Illinois Science Teachers Association, and as a Project Learning Tree facilitator.
Our winner’s drive comes from recognizing the needs natural resource and environmental education organizations have and being devoted to the communities they serve. Her commitment to the field of science and environmental education through her involvement with them demonstrates her belief that it is her duty and privilege to help and lead where she can. She has a strong belief in the hands-on approach in outdoor education and has reached countless adults and children over her career and helped them see their place in the natural world.
Congratulations Kathleen Gaare-Wiese in receiving this most prestigious EEAI award!
Past Award Recipients
Malcolm D. Swan Award for Outstanding Service
2015 Recipient: Cindy Harn, Forest Preserve District of Will County
2014 Recipient: Jan Lindenmier, Rockford, IL
2013 Recipient: Michael Jeffords and Susan Post, Illinois Natural History Survey
2012 Recipient: Don Miller, Severson Dells Nature Center
2011 Recipient: Sarah Livesay. EEAI Projects Coordinator
2010 Recipient: Steve Kolsto, Coordinator of Education, Surface Water Section, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
2009 Recipient: Judy Miller, Environmental Programs Manager, Anita Purves Nature Center
2008 Recipient: Robert L. Carter, Instructor-Department of Teaching and Learning-Northern Illinois University
2006 Recipient: Nan Buckardt - Environmental Education Manager, Lake County Forest Preserve District - Deerfield, IL
2005 Recipient: Angela Smith- Director & Naturalist Sugar Grove Nature Center - McLean, IL
2004 Recipient: Mary Rice, Environmental Education Coordinator and Naturalist Schaumburg Park District's Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary.
2003 Recipient: Kathy Andrews, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL.
2001 Recipient: Suzanne Saric, US EPA Region 5 Environmental Education Program Manager, Chicago. IL
Formal Environmental Educator of the Year
2017 Recipient: Janet Beach Davis, Heartland Community College
2016 Recipient: John Murray, Clinton Rosette Middle School
2015 Recipient: Sandra Perkins, Triad High School
2014 Recipient: Deborah Perryman, Elgin High School
2013 Recipient: Kristen Camp, K-12 Science and Health Curriculum Coordinator for the Champaign Unit 4 School District
2012 Recipient: Diane Kane, Belvidere School District
2011 Recipient: Caitlin Bouse, Atelierista & Nature Curriculum Specialist for Elmhurst Academy
2010 Recipient: Dr. Jeffrey T. Hoyer, Deerfield High School
2008 Recipient: David E. Brown, 5th Grade Teacher, Baldwin Intermediate School-West
2006 Recipient: Dr. Marylin Lisowski - Professor, Eastern Illinois University, College of Education - Charleston, IL
2005 Recipient: Renae Frigo - Naturalist Supervisor/Interpreter St. Charles Park District
2004 Recipient: Jill Carter, Instructor and Science Department Chair Pekin Community High School.
2002 Recipient: Anita Scott, Teacher/Director Friendship Corner School- Schaumburg, IL
2001 Recipient: Rick Livesey, Herscher High School, Herscher, IL
Non-Formal Environmental Educator of the Year
2018 Recipient: Laura Hall, Juricha-Suchy Nature Museum
2017 Recipient: Patti Brown, The Nature Institute
2016 Recipient: Susan Dombro, Forest Preserves of Cook County
2015 Recipient: Dawn Kovarik, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
2013 Recipient: Stacey Clementz, Champaign County Forest Preserve District
2011 Recipient: Joyce Mitchell, Volunteer at the Wildlife Prairie State Park
2009 Recipient: Pat Sullivan, Owner of the Peace of Earth Environmental Learning Center
2008 Recipient: Lara Darling, Environmental Educator and Volunteer Coordinator,Vermilion County Conservation District
2006 Recipient: Tara Wisnewski - Environmental Education Specialist, Forest Preserve District of Will County - Mokena, IL
2005 Recipient: Sally Patterson- Education Coordinator & Naturalist Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden - Springfield, IL
2004 Recipient: Janet Hawes-Davis, Environmental Education Coordinator Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
2002 Recipient: Sarah Livesay, Champaign County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD)-Champaign, IL.
2001 Recipients: Jill Stites and Char Heckel of the Crane Chronicle Development Team, Lake County Forest Preserve District, Deerfield , IL
2001 EEAI Outstanding Service Award:
Cathy Cunningham, Champaign, IL
2015 Recipient: Cindy Harn, Forest Preserve District of Will County
2014 Recipient: Jan Lindenmier, Rockford, IL
2013 Recipient: Michael Jeffords and Susan Post, Illinois Natural History Survey
2012 Recipient: Don Miller, Severson Dells Nature Center
2011 Recipient: Sarah Livesay. EEAI Projects Coordinator
2010 Recipient: Steve Kolsto, Coordinator of Education, Surface Water Section, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
2009 Recipient: Judy Miller, Environmental Programs Manager, Anita Purves Nature Center
2008 Recipient: Robert L. Carter, Instructor-Department of Teaching and Learning-Northern Illinois University
2006 Recipient: Nan Buckardt - Environmental Education Manager, Lake County Forest Preserve District - Deerfield, IL
2005 Recipient: Angela Smith- Director & Naturalist Sugar Grove Nature Center - McLean, IL
2004 Recipient: Mary Rice, Environmental Education Coordinator and Naturalist Schaumburg Park District's Spring Valley Nature Sanctuary.
2003 Recipient: Kathy Andrews, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Springfield, IL.
2001 Recipient: Suzanne Saric, US EPA Region 5 Environmental Education Program Manager, Chicago. IL
Formal Environmental Educator of the Year
2017 Recipient: Janet Beach Davis, Heartland Community College
2016 Recipient: John Murray, Clinton Rosette Middle School
2015 Recipient: Sandra Perkins, Triad High School
2014 Recipient: Deborah Perryman, Elgin High School
2013 Recipient: Kristen Camp, K-12 Science and Health Curriculum Coordinator for the Champaign Unit 4 School District
2012 Recipient: Diane Kane, Belvidere School District
2011 Recipient: Caitlin Bouse, Atelierista & Nature Curriculum Specialist for Elmhurst Academy
2010 Recipient: Dr. Jeffrey T. Hoyer, Deerfield High School
2008 Recipient: David E. Brown, 5th Grade Teacher, Baldwin Intermediate School-West
2006 Recipient: Dr. Marylin Lisowski - Professor, Eastern Illinois University, College of Education - Charleston, IL
2005 Recipient: Renae Frigo - Naturalist Supervisor/Interpreter St. Charles Park District
2004 Recipient: Jill Carter, Instructor and Science Department Chair Pekin Community High School.
2002 Recipient: Anita Scott, Teacher/Director Friendship Corner School- Schaumburg, IL
2001 Recipient: Rick Livesey, Herscher High School, Herscher, IL
Non-Formal Environmental Educator of the Year
2018 Recipient: Laura Hall, Juricha-Suchy Nature Museum
2017 Recipient: Patti Brown, The Nature Institute
2016 Recipient: Susan Dombro, Forest Preserves of Cook County
2015 Recipient: Dawn Kovarik, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
2013 Recipient: Stacey Clementz, Champaign County Forest Preserve District
2011 Recipient: Joyce Mitchell, Volunteer at the Wildlife Prairie State Park
2009 Recipient: Pat Sullivan, Owner of the Peace of Earth Environmental Learning Center
2008 Recipient: Lara Darling, Environmental Educator and Volunteer Coordinator,Vermilion County Conservation District
2006 Recipient: Tara Wisnewski - Environmental Education Specialist, Forest Preserve District of Will County - Mokena, IL
2005 Recipient: Sally Patterson- Education Coordinator & Naturalist Abraham Lincoln Memorial Garden - Springfield, IL
2004 Recipient: Janet Hawes-Davis, Environmental Education Coordinator Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
2002 Recipient: Sarah Livesay, Champaign County Forest Preserve District (CCFPD)-Champaign, IL.
2001 Recipients: Jill Stites and Char Heckel of the Crane Chronicle Development Team, Lake County Forest Preserve District, Deerfield , IL
2001 EEAI Outstanding Service Award:
Cathy Cunningham, Champaign, IL