Excellence needs to be recognized as a way to encourage conservation education in Iowa. Through a cooperative awards program with the Iowa Association of Naturalists (IAN), ICEC recognizes outstanding classroom teachers, naturalists, business leaders, youth, non-profit groups, and other people and programs dedicated to environmental education.

2006 IAN/ICEC Conservation and Environmental Education Award Excellence Award Winners

Request for Nominations for the 2007 State Conservation/Environmental Education Awards sponsored by IAN and ICEC.
Nominations are being accepted for the Iowa Association of Naturalists and ICEC’s 2007 Conservation and Environmental Education Excellence Awards Program.  The Awards Programs serves to recognize efforts to promote conservation and environmental education, reward those involved, and publicize and expand awareness of the excellent programs happening across the state.  It’s useful in gaining local support and recognition as well as self-promotion.

Award Categories:
• Aldo Leopold EE Award:  For an individual or organization’s lifetime achievement in EE excellence and leadership.  Describe exemplary service and include number of years, accomplishments, and service.
• Sylvan Runkel EE School Award:  For outstanding whole-school EE program.  Describe the overall program, including cross-disciplinary approach, support by administration and staff, innovative uses of outdoor classrooms, how the program benefits the community, and student involvement.  
• Outstanding County Conservation Board EE Program (pop < 35,000 or pop > 35,000):  Describe examples of effective programs uniquely suited to the local EE needs within the county.   
• Frederic Leopold EE Award:  For outstanding EE efforts by business, industry, or labor.  Describe the EE efforts including benefits to the community, the goals of programs, and why educational efforts were initiated. 
• Ada Hayden Conservation Education Award:  For outstanding efforts to educate about preservation, land management, or natural resource conservation.  Describe the efforts involved in educating others including the purposes, future plans, and target audiences.
• Bohumil Shimek Environmental Educator Award:  For outstanding efforts by a formal or non-formal environmental educator.  Describe overall  involvement and performance beyond job requirements.
• Chris Holt Youth EE Award:  For outstanding EE program for or by youth.  Describe program’s uniqueness, benefits to youth and community, and student involvement.
• “Ding" Darling EE Award:  For outstanding EE program or event which informs and educates the general public.  Describe program and how it was particularly creative and effective, how it was evaluated, and number of individuals reached.
• Outstanding Interpretive Print Media Award:  This award may be presented to an individual or an organization for the development of newsletters, brochures or trail guides. Descrive the goals and purpose of the project and how it was particularly creative and effective. Describe how the project was evaluated including the number of individuals reached. Please include an example of the project with submission.
• Outstanding Interpretive Non-Print Media Award:  This award may be presented to an individual or an organization for the development of websites, podcasts, or film/video. Describe the goals and purpose of the project and how it was particularly creative and effective. Describe how the project was evaluated including the number of individuals reached. Please include an example of the project with submission.

Nomination Form (pdf) download, print and mail

Name of Nominee ________________________________________________
Company/Organization _____________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________
City ________________________________ State __________ ZIP_________________
Work Phone _____________________ Home Phone_____________________
Email___________________________________________________________
Primary local newpaper or publicity outlet, name and address of contact person:
 

This nomination is submitted by ______________________________________
E-mail ___________________________

Category entered:  _______________________________________________

Individuals may nominate themselves or another individual or organization for any award.  Award forms should not exceed three pages and may include one support item (such as a guide, video, or photograph).  The supporting item should not be a substitute for required information.  Electronic submissions are encouraged.  Materials will not be returned.  Please submit a separate form for each nomination.  All nomination information will be kept confidential except for winner notification and publicity purposes.  

Nomination deadline is December 1 of each year. Winners will be notified by early January.

Contact Heidi Anderson, Polk County Conservation Board, 11407 NW Jester Park Dr.; Granger, IA 50109; 515/323-5300; handers@co.polk.ia.us

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes seeks nominations for its 2007 awards. The Barron Prize recognizes young people ages 8 to 18 who have shown leadership and courage in public service to people and our planet. Half of each year's winners are chosen for their work to protect the environment. Winners receive $2,000 to support their service work or higher education. Nomination deadline is April 30, 2007. For more information and to nominate, visit www.barronprize.org.