Awards
​​Each year, COEEA recognizes the hard work and dedication of deserving environmental educators and organizations that are advancing environmental literacy for all residents in Connecticut.
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​Award winners are usually announced and presented at our COEEA Annual Conference.
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Nomination inquiries and questions should be directed to the COEEA Awards Action Team at awards@coeea.org.
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Award Categories
Environmental Educator of the Year (EEY)
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Awarded to an Environmental Education professional or classroom teacher who, in 2023/2024, created diverse, inclusive, and equitable spaces to advance environmental literacy and education, promoted individual and societal environmental responsibility, and inspired others to take action through individual or group projects at a school or within the local community.
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Rubric for “Environmental Educator of the Year” award (EEY)
Nomination form for “Environmental Educator of the Year” award (EEY)
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Outstanding Organization of the Year (OOY)
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Awarded to a group or organization for exceptional advancement creating diverse, inclusive, and equitable spaces to advance environmental literacy and education in 2023/2024. The recipient will have mastered the use of the outdoors and natural world as a catalyst to strengthen the connection between all residents of Connecticut and their environment, inspiring individuals and other groups to take action and participate within their local community, with a broad understanding of how people and societies relate to each other and to natural systems.
Rubric for “Outstanding Organization of the Year” award (OOY)
Nomination form for “Outstanding Organization of the Year” award (OOY)
Excellence in Environmental Stewardship (EES)
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Awarded to an individual, group, or organization that has consistently over the years engaged and motivated the public to take action to protect the integrity of our land, water and air in recognition of our environment as the foundation for a healthy and resilient community. By participating in advocacy, research, education, political action, public outreach or similar work, the recipient will have made a strong impact in (i) creating diverse, inclusive, and equitable spaces to advance environmental literacy and education for all, (ii) fighting for environmental justice while addressing the systemic racism and injustices that plague black, indigenous and people of color communities, (iii) inspiring others to become stewards of the natural world, and (iv) providing leadership to the state of Connecticut and the COEEA community regarding environmental initiatives.
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Rubric for “Excellence in Environmental Stewardship” award (EES)
Nomination form for “Excellence in Environmental Stewardship” award (EES)
How to Submit a Nomination
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Current COEEA members may nominate individuals, groups or organizations for any of our awards. COEEA members can submit more than one nomination, but just one per award category. To verify membership status, please contact us at membership@coeea.org .
Although nominees do not need to be a current COEEA member, their environmental education work has to serve Connecticut residents and/or take place in the state.
While previous recipients of the “Environmental Educator of the Year” and “Outstanding Organization of the Year” awards are not eligible for nomination in those same categories, they can be nominated for the “Excellence in Environmental Stewardship” award as a consequence of their continued contribution to their communities. Previous recipients of the “Excellence in Environmental Stewardship” award, however, are not eligible for nomination in any category, as the Excellence award represents the epitome of our recognition for the continued contribution, most valuable work to their communities. See our list of previous COEEA Award winners above.
The Nomination Process
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Please review our updated Rubric for COEEA Awards Selection Process:
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Download the specific COEEA Awards Form:
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Rename the nomination form as “COEEA Awards Nomination - [Award category] - [Nominee’s Name]”
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The nomination form includes:
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A short narrative describing why the nominee should receive the award this year
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A detailed description of specific actions of the nominee that meet the award criteria, particularly how the nominee's actions have contributed to advancing environmental literacy for all residents of Connecticut, as identified within the Connecticut Environmental Literacy Plan
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A detailed description of specific actions about how the nominee's work, approach, and vision have ensured a diverse, inclusive, and equitable learning space for all and/or addressed systemic racism and environmental justice
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Supporting evidence, such as letters of support from school administrators, colleagues, parents and/or students, samples of handouts, newspaper articles, newsletters, or any other material that supports the nomination
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Email the nomination form as an attachment to the COEEA Awards Action Team at awards@coeea.org by the deadline
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Subject line should read “COEEA Awards Nomination - [Award category] - [Nominee’s Name]”
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Attach any letters of support or other evidence in the same message
The Selection Process
The COEEA Awards Action Team will review and evaluate each nomination and notify award winners. Awards will be based on the merit and specific actions that each nominee has contributed to in recent years that meet the award criteria. Please review our updated Rubric for COEEA Awards Selection Process.
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Award winners will be publicly announced and recognized at the COEEA Annual Conference.
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