Rhode Island Environmental
Education Association

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.

2024 Environmental Education Awards Presented by SouthCoast Wind

Nominations are now being accepted for our 2024 Environmental Education (EE) Awards!

Click here or above for the nomination form, which is due by 5:00pm on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. We have created a scoring rubric that’s available for nominators so that our award decision-making process is transparent.

Each EE Award winner receives a certificate, monetary award, and RIEEA membership. We will celebrate the 2024 winners at a ceremony on Thursday, October 10, 2024, from 6:00-8:00pm at the Save The Bay Center. There will be lite fare served by a local caterer, live music, 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 or school) and a guest.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Save The Bay, Newport Vineyards, Long Live Beerworks, The Granny Squibb Company, Belmont Market
Sponsorship opportunities are still available! Click here to learn more.

Past Recipients:

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
Photo of 2023 Environmental Education Awardees

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.

2020 Award Winners

2020 Award Winners, above from left to right: Jo Ayuso of Organization of the Year Movement Education Outdoors, Informal Educator of the Year Bill Oakes, Teacher of the Year Jane O’Connell, and Student of the Year Willa Phillips.

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