The 2022 Awards Celebration is set for Friday, April 1, 2022 at Sunset Zoo in Manhattan, KS! Please join us in celebrating some of Kansas' leaders and innovators in environmental education! Register here.

KACEE hosts the Excellence in Environmental Education Awards Celebration each year to recognize and celebrate individuals and organizations who exemplify outstanding effort and achievement in the field of environmental education. Our Awards Ceremony is a great opportunity to learn more about the work that KACEE is doing in Kansas, meet passionate and motivated people, and learn about how you can get involved with environmental education in Kansas (We hope to see you at the event!).

We present awards from the following four categories

John K. Strickler Award: This award recognizes the lifetime achievements of the recipient in the field of conservation and environmental education (EE). The nominee must have a minimum of ten years’ involvement in the field of EE in general and if appropriate, involvement with KACEE as well, and have made and continues to make a significant contribution to EE in Kansas.

KACEE Awards: This award recognizes the outstanding achievements of individuals, organizations, agencies, community efforts, schools, and businesses in the field of environmental education (EE). The nominee must have a minimum of five years’ involvement in the field of EE, and have made and continue to make a significant contribution to EE in Kansas. Nominations may be made in the categories below:

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• PreK-16 Education: School or individual in a formal education setting

• Government: Individual or agency

• Community and Non-Profit Organizations: Individual or organization

• Agriculture: Individual or organization that leads/encourages programs that educate about agricultural best management practices

• Business/Corporate Sector: Individual, business, or corporation

Connie Elpers Rising Star Award: This award honors Connie’s legacy by recognizing those passionate individuals who are new to the conservation and environmental education field in Kansas, but are already making an impact. The nominee must have a minimum of two years’ and a maximum of five years’ experience in the EE field in Kansas. 

Kansas Green School of the Year Award: This award recognizes Kansas public and private schools that have demonstrated innovation, leadership, whole school involvement, and an integrated, holistic, and sustainable approach to implementing environmental projects (with a strong EE component) into their schools.

View past awardees here.

You can also help KACEE secure silent auction items, become a sponsor, or make an ask of a person/company/organization to sponsor the 2022 Excellence in Environmental Education Awards.