VAEE’s Excellence in EE Awards

Each year, the Virginia Association for Environmental Education (VAEE) recognizes and honors individuals and organizations from across Virginia for their innovation and dedication to the field.

Join us in congratulating our 2024 award winners and consider nominating a deserving individual or organization for the Excellence in EE Awards to be presented at the 2026 VAEE Annual Conference in Richmond, Virginia.

📅 Nomination deadline: Friday, December 19, 2025

Submit Nomination

Environmental Education Program of Excellence Award

This award recognizes outstanding and innovative environmental education programs, organizations, centers, etc., in both formal and non-formal settings over the course of the last year that have demonstrated consistent excellence in educational programming and that incorporate EE best practices.

Page Hutchinson Outstanding Environmental Educator of the Year Award

Named after past VAEE Board Member and former Virginia Project Learning Tree State Coordinator Page Hutchinson, this award recognizes the exceptional achievements and contributions made by an individual in environmental education over the course of the last year. Both school-based formal educators and community-based nonformal educators are eligible for this award.

The person must have made significant contributions to EE in one or more of the following ways:

  • Demonstrated innovation in incorporating EE into programming or lesson plans

  • Demonstrated the ability to link formal and non-formal education to advance environmental education

  • Demonstrated leadership in mentoring colleagues to use the environment as a context for learning

Exemplary Service to EE Award

This Award recognizes exemplary leadership within the field of environmental education that increases the strength of the field and encourages long-term growth and sustainability. Both individuals and organizations are eligible for this award.

Nominees for this award help to strengthen the field of EE in one or more of the following ways:

  • Advocating for best EE practices and programs

  • Building and supporting sustainable programs

  • Securing support to enable EE for organizations, programs, and/or resources (fundraising, facilitating sponsorships, donor cultivation, policy and advocacy support, etc.)

VAEE Under 25 Award

This Award recognizes a young leader under the age of 25 and their exceptional contributions in environmental education. The award recipient must demonstrate outstanding leadership and service in environmental education.

Please note: This leader must be under the age of 25 at the end of the 2025 calendar year.