Statewide Environmental
Annual Awards

Nominations open now through March 15th!
Receive $250 for your work in environmental education.

Please help MEEA recognize and celebrate the excellent environmental educators, programs, schools, students, and environmental education partners in Maine!

Nominations are open until March 15th, and awards will be presented on May 10th at MEANS Academy in Hinckley.

Winners receive a $250 honorarium and commemorative plaque.
Click here for more information and to submit a nomination.

Eberhard Thiele Environmental Educator Award

The Eberhard Thiele Environmental Educator Award is designed to recognize an environmental education professional who works either outside the formal classroom setting or as a classroom teacher who incorporates environmental education as integral to their pedagogical philosophy and practice. This award honors Eberhard Thiele, the first President of MEEA (1981), who served many years on the board and inspired many students as the Director of Environmental Studies at the University of Maine, Fort Kent.

Student of the Year

The Student of the Year Award is designed to recognize an outstanding Maine student (K-college) who has demonstrated leadership in their school and community by facilitating environmental actions such as spearheading sustainability efforts, environmental education, climate and environmental justice projects, etc. This student is passionate about the natural world and shares this passion with their community.

Excellence in Environmental Education Program Award

The Excellence in Environmental Education Program Award is designed to recognize an outstanding environmental education initiative that is innovative and positively enhances environmental awareness. Such programs include those that center youth engagement, equitable access, and/or expand the field of environmental education. Recipients for this award may include programs within organizations such as schools, nonprofits, land trusts, cities, and others.

School of the Year

The School of the Year Award is designed to recognize an outstanding public or private school that demonstrates an ongoing commitment to delivering environmental education that involves most staff, reaches a majority of students, and takes place year-round.

Environmental Education Partner of the Year Award

The Environmental Education Partner of the Year Award is designed to recognize an outstanding Maine organization or business that is committed to serving their community through prioritizing environmental education, equity, sustainability, and community connections.

2022-2023 Recipients

  • Patagonia

    Environmental Ally of the Year

  • Belfast Area High School Marine Institute

    Excellence in Environmental Education Program Award

  • Isaac Davis

    Eberhard Thiele Environmental Educator Award

  • Chloe Blanchard and Audrey Hufnagel

    Students of the Year

  • Meroby Elementary

    School of the Year

2019 Recipients

  • Auburn SHARECenter

    Environmental Ally of the Year

  • Old Orchard Beach Conservation Commission

    Excellence in Environmental Education Program Award

  • Tammi Matula (East Grand School)

    Eberhard Thiele Environmental Educator Award

  • Amara Ifeji and Melissa Tian

    Students of the Year

  • Emily Cohen (Vinalhaven School)

    Eberhard Thiele Environmental Educator of the Year

  • Anita Smith

    The Maine Environmental Education Association Lifetime Achievement Award

2018 Recipients

  • Pat Parent

    Eberhard Thiele Environmental Educator Award

  • St. George School

    School of the Year

  • Paige Nygaard

    Student of the Year

  • Ecology of Architecture Team

    Environmental Ally of the Year

Previous Recipients Include:

2017

The Dedham School: The Maine Environmental Education Association School of the Year

  • The Portland Water District: The Excellence in Environmental Education Program Award

  • Monica Wright: Eberhard Thiele Environmental Educator of the Year

  • Samar Ahmed: The Maine Environmental Education Association Student of the Year

  • Dorcas Miller: The Maine Environmental Education Association Lifetime Achievement Award

PREVIOUS STATE WINNERS

  • ReVision Energy: The Maine Environmental Education Association Business of Year

  • Bath Middle School: The Maine Environmental Education Association School of the Year

  • “Youth Programs” Cultivating Community: The Excellence in Environmental Education Program Award

  • Amanda Ripa and Michelle Broyer: Eberhard Thiele Environmental Educator of the Year

  • Alexandra Beatrice Trumann: The Maine Environmental Education Association Student of the Year

  • Peter Zack: The Maine Environmental Education Association Lifetime Achievement Award