Environmental Education Awards
Proudly celebrating leaders in environmental education throughout Minnesota
About MAEE Awards
Each year, individuals and organizations from across Minnesota are recognized and honored for their hard work and dedication in the field of environmental education at our Excellence in Environmental Education Award Ceremony. Awards honor and celebrate environmental educators, lifetime accomplishments, young environmental leaders, and outstanding partner organizations. Award categories and detailed criteria described below.
We invite you to help recognize this important work by submitting a nomination of a deserving educator, student, or partner making a difference in your community.
2025 Awardees
Early Childhood Environmental Educator Award
Duluth Preschool
Lifetime Achievement in Environmental Education
Janine Kohn
Formal Environmental Educator of the Year
Erin Schmidt
Non-formal Environmental Educator of the Year
Maria Dahmus
Student Environmental Stewardship Award
Marina de Albuquerque Marcon
Partner of the Year Award
Hamline University’s School of Education and Leadership
Learn more about our award categories
Formal Environmental Educator of the Year
This award is presented for outstanding, ongoing efforts in infusing environmental education into school 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 audiences outside the formal school system.
Professional and volunteer educators who teach in non-school settings are eligible.
Student Environmental Stewardship Award
This award is presented for exhibiting innovative and exemplary effort in the practice of environmental stewardship at the nominee’s school or community.
Students in grade school through college level are eligible for this award.
Lifetime Achievement in Environmental Education
This award is presented for long-term, outstanding service and contribution to the field of environmental education in Minnesota.
Intended to recognize the efforts of individuals who have had a large-scale, long-term impact in the EE field.
Partner of the Year Award
This award is presented to a partner organization that has made significant contributions in advancing environmental education efforts in Minnesota.
Schools, government agencies, tribal communities, non-profits, and businesses are all eligible for this award.
Early Childhood Environmental Educator Award
This award is presented for providing outstanding contributions to the advancement of early childhood environmental education in Minnesota.
Both environmental educators and organizations are elgible for this award.
