Michigan Alliance for Environmental & Outreach Education
2007 AWARDS

Each year, MAEOE takes the time to acknowledge and celebrate individuals who have made outstanding achievements in environmental or outdoor education within Michigan. We believe in nurturing excellence. Every year, the awards are presented at our Annual Conference. Keep reading to learn more about the individual awards, as well as how you can nominate some one for an award!

Would you like to nominate someone for an award? Nominations are open
for the 2010 MAEOE Awards - download the form here. Nominations must be received by September 10, 2010.

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Congratulations to our 2007 recipient of the
Willam B. Stapp Award Dorothy McLeer!

Dorothy McLeer, University of Michigan Dearborn
Longtime dedicated environmental educator and former MAEOE board member -- Dorothy has devoted all her waking moments of her life – 7 days a week – to environmental education, since I have known her (since 1997).   If she is not taking school groups through the environmental interpretive center in Dearborn; she is attending class, working on her Master’s degree doing wolf research and giving programs in the field throughout Michigan and Wisconsin.  She is devoted and tireless, and her teaching methods are meticulous and engaging.

WILLIAM B. STAPP AWARD

Awarded to an individual who:

• has made outstanding contributions to environmental education.
• exemplifies the best in the field of EE (i.e., service, research, teaching, administration).
• demonstrates a lifestyle of devoted service.
• has spent at least 5 years working in Michigan.

Past recipients include:

2005 – Ranger Steve Mueller, Wittenbach/Wege AgriScience/Environmental Center; 2004 – Dr. Victoria Swensen, Cornerstone University; 2003 – Toni O’Neil, Harbor Beach Community Schools

2002 – Linda Humphries, Environmental Education Coordinator, MDEQ; 2001 – Dr. Orin Gelderlose, University of Michigan – Dearborn; 2000 – Mike Krebill, Whitmore Lake; 1999 – Bruce Patterson; 1998 – Gary Dunn, Director of the Young Entomologists Society (YES); 1997 – Dennis Laidler, Michigan United Conservation Clubs; 1996 – Beth Clawson, Golightly Elementary School, Detroit; 1995 – Tom Hodgson; 1994 – Randall Raymond; 1993 – No record; 1992 – Dr. Glenn Dudderar; 1991 – Dr. Marty Hetherington

Congratulations to our 2007 Recipients of the Julian Smith Award: Shari Dann and Mark Stephens, Project FISH!

Is awarded annually to an individual who: exemplifies the best service, research, teaching and/or administration in the field of outdoor education; has been recognized as a leader by associates and peers; has made outstanding and noteworthy contributions to outdoor education; and has recently worked with a Michigan agency (i.e. school, college, community program, etc.) for at least five years.

Past recipients include:*

2006 – Not Presented; 2005 – Gary Williams, Michigan State University Extension; 2003 – Not Presented; 2004 – Not Presented; 2002 – Del Becker, Director of Battle Creek Outdoor Education Center; 2001 – Mary Jane Dockeray, Blandford Nature Center; 2000 – Kenneth Kuester; 1999 – Dr. Betty Vander Smissen; 1998 – Alan Somerville, Central Michigan University; 1997 – Charles Blackman – Michigan State University (retired); 1996 – Ron Bacon, Okemos Schools; 1995 – Jo Burgess, Utica Schools; 1994 – Eunice Hendrix, Ann Arbor; 1993 – Not Presented; 1992 – Walter & Myrna Beriet, Jackson Community College; 1991 – H. Lewis Batts, Jr., Kalamazoo Nature Center; 1990 – John Schimmel, Lansing Public Schools; 1989 – Dr. Ruth Jacquot, Chippewa Nature Center; 1986-88 – No records; 1985 – Shirley Brehm, Michigan State University; 1984 – Bob Bolger, Hartley Outdoor Ed Center; 1983 – Mike Mansour, Pontiac Schools; 1982 – Barb Garbutt, Walled Lake Schools; 1981 – Don Maxwell, Oakland Schools; 1980 – Bob Copland, Haslett Schools; 1979 – Jack Wykoff, Battle Creek Outdoor Center; 1978 – Robert Grimes, Waterford Schools; 1977 – Al Lockman, Traverse City Public Schools; and 1976 – Don Hollums, Bloomfield Hills Public Schools

*MOEA presented this award between 1976 and 1986.

Congratulations to our 2007 Recipients of Recognition Plaques!

2007 - Kathy Fischer, Binder Park Zoo
Educator with the Binder Park Zoo.  Kathy has been a long-time MAEOE member providing leadership to the Board of Directors.   Kathy has also been collaboratively active and involved in increasing the role and investment of the Project Learning Tree (PLT) program in Michigan. Project Learning Tree (PLT) uses hands-on, interdisciplinary activities to provide students with opportunities to
investigate environmental issues and encourages them to make informed, responsible decisions. Kathy has also been involved in training teachers and educators through various partnerships with other agencies, organizations, and curricular partnerships.
 
2007 - Tracy Meisterheim, MSU Extension, 4-H Youth
Tracy has devoted 2 years to the Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council as a regional advisor for the North MSU Extension region.  Regional advisors are asked to work with a team of five youth (ages 13-19) as they select a Michigan Conservation issue, research the issue, attend state meetings and regional meetings for the purpose of preparing testimony of possible solutions and concerns for action to resolve the conservation issue to the Senate Committee of Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.  Tracy has not only provided outstanding guidance as a mentor for the youth, she has contributed to the overall M4-HYCC program management offering specialized teen advisor facilitation skills training.
 

2007 - Karen Fortelka, Jewett Elementary School, Mesick
Karen Fortelka is a 4 th grade teacher at Floyd M. Jewett Elementary School in Mesick, Michigan.  She is a veteran teacher with 16 years, that I know of, devoted to the value of environmental and outdoor education.  Karen has provided leadership over the past 16 years to ensure every Mesick third, fourth, and seventh grade student has a quality environmental and outdoor education (EOE) experience.  The third grade students attend a one-day field trip in May and the fourth grade students enjoy a three-day overnight program in October, both held at Kettunen Center.  The 7 th grade students use the local forest and Manistee River for hands-on E&O education.  Karen strives with her programming to address the Michigan Science Standards and benchmarks and integrates pre- and post- field trip activities to enhance the students learning experience. Karen has had many challenges over the years sustaining the Mesick Public Schools EOE program.  The challenges include budget cuts, staff changes, and the task of recruiting high school students as counselors and teachers as instructors.   After severe budget cuts two years ago, an anonymous donor is providing funding for the 3 rd and 4 th grade programs.  I am sure it is because of the positive impact the program has had on Mesick youth and the passion Karen has for the EOE and the well-being of children and the environment.

Congratulations to our 2007 Recipient of the
President’s Award: Pam Schmidt!

2007 - Pam Schmidt, MAEOE Secretary & Volunteer Webmaster

President Bruce Patterson presented Pam with this award for all of her assistance with maintaining the MAEOE website and list-serve, as well as for stepping in to edit the MAEOE-gram.

President’s Awards

This award is given to an individual each year who has contributed to the success of the organization through assistance to the MAEOE president.

Past Recipients Include: 2005 – Lynn Dominguez, outgoing MAEOE Past President & longtime officer; 2004 – Jay Potter, MAEOE Membership Chair; 2003 – Kathy Fischer, MAEOE Treasurer; 2002 – Shari Dann, outgoing MAEOE Past President; 2001 – Lynn Dominguez, outgoing MAEOE Secretary & Kevin Frailey, outgoing MAEOE Past President; 2000 – Mary Riley, MAEOE Membership Coordinator; 1999 – Ray Rustem, outgoing MAEOE Past President; 1998 – Mike Klepinger, outgoing MAEOE Past-President; 1997 – Barbara Pepper, MAEOE –gram Coordinator; 1996 – Randy Wright, MAEOE Membership Chair & Conference Registrar.

RECOGNITION PLAQUES

Awarded to TWO individuals who:

-have made significant contributions to the fields of environmental and outdoor education in a specialized area (i.e., journalism, photography, curriculum development, interpretation, the arts, etc.)

Past Recipients Include: 2004 – Dave Kronk, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore; 2004 – Bertha Daubendiek, Michigan Nature Association; 2003 – Mike George, Huron-Clinton Metropark Authority; 2003 – Dave Szczygiel, Education Consultant for Ann Arbor Public Schools; 2001 – Bob Wilson, Senate Majority Policy Office Staff Member; 2001 – Barbara Jean Pepper and Diane Valen; 2000 – Chris Temple, Gander Mountain Summit Place Location; 2000 – Beth Duman, Howell Nature Center; 1999 – Lynn Mailer, Michigan Department of Natural Resources; 1998 – Linda Lenar, Harbor Beach Community Schools; 1996 – Doug Lantagne, MSU Forestry Department; 1996 – Valerie Blaschka, Bay City Park DNR

APPRECIATION PINS

Awarded to a maximum of TEN individuals who:

-have taken exemplary steps to initiate successful environmental or outdoor education programs where they live.

-enthusiastically promote the goals of outdoor and environmental education.

Past Recipients Include: 2000 – Veronica and Terry Ellenwood; 2000 – Nadine Cain, Superintendent of Les Chenaux Schools in Cedarville, MI; 1999 – Ann Hesselsweet, Purple Loosestrife Project; 1998 – MSU Extension Agents Joe Bixler (St. Clair County); Joyce Jenks (Mecosta County); and Dee Williams (Wexford County); 1998 – Gayle Miller, Clinton County Department of Waste Management; 1997 – Eve Rolandson & Ron Spitler, Michigan DNR Fisheries & Wildlife Division; 1996 – Daniel Farmer, Seven Ponds Nature Center

VOLUNTEER SERVICE AWARDS

Awarded to a maximum of FIVE individuals who:

-volunteer their time and skills for more than one year to a Michigan school, college, outdoor education center, nature center, zoo, etc.

-work toward the goals of environmental and outdoor education with enthusiasm.

Past Recipients Include: 2005 – Lisa Campion, Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council; 2004 – Darren Bagley and Brian Gardner, Michigan State University Extension; 2004 – Heather VanDenBerg, Clinton River Watershed Council; 2004 – Bonnie Haller, Federated Garden Clubs of Michigan; 2001 – Sue Quellmaiz, Michigan 4-H Youth Conservation Council; 1997 – Bud Schultz, Kettunen Center; 1996 – Bob & Louise O’Connell, Lloyd Stage Outdoor Center; 1996 – Barry Johnson & Bill Snelling, Greening of Detroit