National Environmental Education Foundation Seeks Environmental Educators for National Prize

National Environmental Education Foundation Seeks Outstanding Environmental Educators for National Prize
2011 Bartlett Award will recognize outstanding middle school teachers

WASHINGTON, D.C.The National Environmental Education Foundation this week announced it will seek applications from middle school teachers across the country with a demonstrated passion for environmental education.

The Richard C. Bartlett Award, made possible through the generous support of Baxter Healthcare Corp., has for the past four years recognized the best in environmental education teachers who inspire not only their students, but their colleagues and their communities. Bartlett winners successfully integrate environmental education into their curriculum and engage students in interdisciplinary solutions to environmental challenges.

One national winner will receive the $5,000 award and two merit winners $750 each. Award winners will be announced during Teacher Appreciation Week, the first week in May.

Bartlett Award winners represent the best in environmental education and demonstrate what is possible when teachers challenge their students, colleagues and communities to find solutions to real-world environmental challenges, said Jennifer Tabola, senior director of NEEFs education programming. They integrate environmental learning across their curriculum, supporting their students to draw upon diverse subject areas in order to think creatively about issues that capture their attention every day.

For more than 40 years, Richard C. Bartlett has been inspiring environmental educators nationwide. While serving as president and CEO of Mary Kay, the company received numerous environmental awards. Mr. Bartlett serves on the board of a number of environmental organizations, including the Nature Conservancy, the National Council on Science and the Environment, the Aldo Leopold Foundation and the Center for Big Bend Studies. He is cofounder of the Thinking Like a Mountain Foundation, which offers grants to thinkers and artists in residence at an environmental ethics resources center, library and observatory in Texas.

This year, middle school teachers (instructing grades 5-8) are eligible for consideration.

Nominations for the Richard C. Bartlett Environmental Education Award are due March 14, 2011.

To read about past award winners, click here.

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THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) provides knowledge to trusted professionals who, with their credibility, amplify messages to national audiences to solve everyday environmental problems. Together, we generate lasting positive change.

NEEF partners with professionals in health, education, media, business and public land management to promote daily actions for helping people protect and enjoy the environment. Through our primary programs — Classroom Earth, National Public Lands Day, National Environmental Education Week, Business and Environment, Earth Gauge and Health & Environment — we offer Americans knowledge to live by. To learn more, visit www.neefusa.org.