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COEEA Award Recipients

Below is a list of the most recent Award recipients. Scroll a bit farther to read more about why these individuals and organizations deserve our recognition. Thank you to those of you who submit award nominations! 

2024

Audra Leach

Environmental Educator of the Year

2024

Timothy Goodwin

Environmental Educator of the Year

2023

Lauren Little

Environmental Educator of the Year

2023

Sarah Breznen

Environmental Educator of the Year

2022

Gamaliel ‘Gammy’ Moses

Environmental Educator of the Year

2022

The New Haven Climate Movement

Outstanding Organization of the Year

2024 Awardees
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Environmental Educator of the Year

Audra Leach

Audra Leach, an environmental and agricultural educator with over 15 years of teaching experience, inspires students through hands-on learning that integrates science, nature, and community. She has led award-winning Envirothon teams, developed innovative curricula aligned with educational standards, and collaborated with community partners to create real-world opportunities for students. With a deep passion for environmental stewardship, Audra connects with students and communities alike, fostering critical thinking and a commitment to preserving the natural world for generations to come.

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Environmental Educator of the Year 

Timothy Goodwin

Timothy Goodwin, Executive Director of Community First School, has advanced environmental literacy through his leadership and collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including the Friends of Keney Park and Ebony Horsewomen. By engaging students in hands-on exploration of Keney Park’s ecosystem, he has cultivated respect for nature and inspired community-wide stewardship. Notably, Timothy spearheaded the revitalization of the Keney Park Nature Trail, transforming it into a nearly 2 mile educational resource. His efforts have united the community in preserving this natural gem for future generations.

2023 Awardees
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Environmental Educator of the Year

Lauren Little

Lauren Little is an urban farmer, educator, and activist. She has worked in education for over 16 years in order to gain insight into the minds and imaginations of children. Lauren has found a way to share her love of nature, farming and learning with children across the Hartford area. Through her lessons, she shows people how to connect with nature, how to care for land, and how to create a healthy diet through gardening. Lauren's passion for this work is infectious, just watch a few of her Instagram posts with the children to witness her impact on their lives. In her work as an Urban Farmer, she managed 60 school farm plots, taught over 5500 students how to grow food, and fed more than 100 families throughout the Greater Hartford area. At the core of Lauren's work, she is building future environmental stewards that are informed, and also have built affection for Hartford to care for it. Lauren sees access as key in her environmental education work, she moves to meet communities in their neighborhoods. She also is intentional about managing gardens in locations that are accessible to BIPOC and urban communities.

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Environmental Educator of the Year 

Sarah Breznen

As a thoughtful and sensitive educator and inspiring leader to her peers, Sarah Breznen exemplifies what it means to be a teacher: she is knowledgeable and passionate, humble and kind in a manner that captivates others and inspires action. At Woodcock Nature Center, Sarah is responsible for more than 3,000 pre-school & elementary students visiting the Nature Center through field trips annually, which are designed to meet Connecticut’s Core Science Curriculum and Next Generation Science Standards while also embracing environmental literacy principles. She has expertly designed these programs to cover a range of topics that enhance classroom curricula while building awareness and understanding of local environments. Sarah has established ongoing partnerships with two Title I schools in Danbury, which have provided field trip and programming at no cost to the schools or students, including bus transportation when they were able to participate live. Sarah’s volunteer work on invasive management in Norwalk encourages audiences of all ages to get involved, in an underserved urban area with higher-than-average asthma rates, limited access to green spaces, and depleted tree canopy. She seamlessly nurtures connections between the community, schools, and the valuable resources at Woodcock Nature Center. She provides classroom teachers with resources for integrating environmental concepts and through her community work is igniting a passion for nature that will be long-lasting.

2022 Awardees
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Environmental Educator of the Year

Gamaliel ‘Gammy’ Moses

Gammy has worked all over New Haven and Connecticut, is currently working at Common Ground, and he brings his rich experiences as a musician and nonviolence educator to his role as outdoor educator. Gammy works to center children from marginalized communities and he knows the importance of connecting these children with the healing power of nature. Weather, budget, and even COVID were no match for Gammy’s dedication. Most importantly, he brings his complete self to his work, giving voice to the Dominican people and culture, nonviolent communication, music and more and this makes him a magnet for children and others who want to learn more about stewardship and the environment. He continues to dream and works toward a day that all children will have access to meaningful and diverse outdoor experiences.

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Outstanding Organization of the Year 

New Haven Climate Movement

The New Haven Climate Movement is an inter-generational grassroots coalition of residents that works to push for strong action on climate change in New Haven. Through outreach, advocacy, public education, and creating public art, NHCM mobilizes community residents and local organizations to learn about the climate emergency and fight for government policies and investments that will restore a safe climate and create a just future for all. NHCM members recurrently testify at Board of Education meetings, pushing the Board to declare a climate emergency and improve climate education and mobilization efforts throughout New Haven Public Schools, demands that are joined by teachers, parents, students, organizers, and residents.

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Excellence in Environmental Stewardship

Friends of Keney Park

Since 1988, the Friends of Keney Park, a volunteer grassroots organization, has been promoting the responsible use of Keney Park and activities that create a more inviting atmosphere for Park users. The FOKP refurbished over 15 miles of hiking and multipurpose trails, affording opportunities for the Park River Greenway and trail links to regional community areas, parks, schools, churches and elderly centers. The Keney Park Sustainability Project was launched out of this trails project and has gone on to launch urban farming projects, gardening classes and syrup harvesting. The FOKP has been a catalyst in providing environmental awareness programs to its neighboring communities and residents statewide through partnerships and deep and lasting relationships with residents.

2021 Awardees
2020 Awardees
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