Environmental Education Awards
Each year, RIEEA recognizes educators, youth, organizations, and schools across Rhode Island who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and dedication to help their communities learn about the environment and engage in outdoor learning and recreation. Nominations are solicited from the community each summer and we celebrate the winners in the fall.
Nominations are now being accepted!
RIEEA invites you to nominate a person, organization, or school for a 2026 Environmental Education Award.
Nominations are due by 5:00pm on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. We will notify you of our decision by Friday, August 28.
Each award winner receives a certificate, monetary award, and RIEEA membership. We will celebrate the winners at the RIEEA EE Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, October 21, from 6:00-8:00pm at the Save The Bay Center. There will be lite fare served by a local caterer, an open bar, and a short program. Winners will be invited to attend to accept their award and registration will be complimentary for them (or for one representative if it is an organization) and a guest.
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors!
Sponsorship opportunities are still available to help offset the cost of this annual event and to allow RIEEA to offer tickets at a sliding scale to ensure everyone can attend regardless of their financial circumstances. Contact us to learn more.
Past Recipients:
2025
- Student/Youth of the Year: James Pastor Tzul
- Teacher of the Year: Natalie Tarr
- Environmental Educator of the Year: Eli Nixon
- Organization of the Year: Chariho Regional School District
2024
- Student/Youth of the Year: Enyu (Alaina) Zhang
- Teacher of the Year: Katharine (Katie) Bowers
- Environmental Educator of the Year: Nicole DiPaolo
- Organization of the Year: 15 Minute Field Trips
2023
- Student/Youth of the Year: Maggie Lauder
- Teacher of the Year: Adrienne Buckley
- Environmental Educator of the Year: Lizz Malloy
- Organization of the Year: Wild Lives
2022
- Student/Youth of the Year: Fiona Brand
- Teacher of the Year: Stacy Gale
- Nonformal Educator of the Year: Tracey Hall
- Organization of the Year: The Greene School
2021
- All Rhode Island Teachers in recognition of all of their hard work in 2020 – and beyond – to keep our children healthy, safe, and academically engaged, many times outdoors!
2020
- Student of the Year: Willa Phillips
- Teacher of the Year: Jane O’Connell
- Informal Educator of the Year: Bill Oakes
- Organization of the Year: Movement Education Outdoors
2019
- Student of the Year: Brendan Peck
- Teacher of the Year: Doreen Schiff
- Environmental Educator of the Year: Kimberly Sullivan
- Program of the Year: The Empowerment Factory
2018
- Teacher of the Year: Kerri Withrow Valentine
- Environmental Educator of the Year: Lisa Maloney
2017
- Teacher of the Year: Holly Emery
- Environmental Educator of the Year: Molly Allard
2016
- Teacher of the Year: Ray Allsworth
- Environmental Educator of the Year: April Alix
2025 Award Winners, above from left to right: Student/Youth of the Year James Pastor Tzul, Environmental Educator of the Year Eli Nixon, Teacher of the Year Natalie Tarr, Gina Picard and Michael Comella of Organization of the Year Chariho Regional School District.
2024 Award Winners, above from left to right: Environmental Educator of the Year Nicole DiPaolo, Student/Youth of the Year Enyu (Alaina) Zhang, Teacher of the Year Katharine (Katie) Bowers, Melissa Guillet of Organization of the Year 15 Minute Field Trips.
2023 Award Winners, above from left to right: Teacher of the Year Adrienne Buckley, Alex and Lumen Hornstein of Organization of the Year Wild Lives, Environmental Educator of the Year Lizz Malloy, Student/Youth of the Year Maggie Lauder.
2022 Award Winners, above from left to right: Student of the Year Fiona Brand, Teacher of the Year Stacy Gale, Nonformal Educator of the Year Tracey Hall, and Founder/Board Chair and Students of Organization of the Year, The Greene School.