Annual IMPACT Awards

Environmental Educators of the Year Award
This award, given annually, recognizes two outstanding educators, one instructor in a direct teaching role and one program leader in a management position (such as a coordinator, manager, or director) in the field of outdoor and environmental education. The awards are presented in the fall. Past awardees and instructions for nominating an outstanding environmental educator can be viewed below. 

Click here to see past Environmental Educator of the Year award winners and submit your nomination today!

The Lifetime Achievement Award – created in honor of Howard Bell, one of AEOE's founding members and an influential leader in the advancement of outdoor education in California – was established to recognize outstanding lifetime achievements and contributions in the area of environmental and outdoor education. Past honorees can be viewed by clicking the award links below. The award is presented at the annual Statewide Conference.

Click here to see past Lifetime Achievement award winners and nominate someone today!

Organization of the Year Award 

AEOE, in partnership with Ten Strands and the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI), is pleased to offer the Environmental Education Organization of the Year Award. This award, given annually, recognizes an outstanding organization that is advancing the impact of environmental and outdoor education in California in a meaningful way. These organizations offer innovative programs, follow research-based best practices, and promote equitable access to environmental learning. Please help us celebrate the organizations working to advance our field by sharing this opportunity and submitting a nomination. Award winner are recognized at the annual Statewide Conference.

Click here to read about past Organization of the Year award winners and nominate an organization today!