Outstanding Educator
Jacelyn Downey
Jacelyn Downey is a senior community naturalist with Audubon Wyoming in Moorcroft who brings PLT to diverse audiences through environmental education across the state.
Nonformal
Outstanding Educator
A Small Project Inspires Students to Tackle Bigger Challenges
After completing a self-guided Meditation Nature Trail, high school students took on a bigger project. They created a permanent, interactive station to teach visitors about interconnectedness in nature.
Why Teach Outside?
Nature helps children’s development–intellectually, emotionally, socially, spiritually, and physically. Studies show that teaching outdoors produces student gains in social studies, science, language arts and math.
Leadership, Teamwork, and Volunteerism Learned through PLT Activities
Project Learning Tree activities are excellent tools to teach life skills. At a summer leadership camp in Georgia, students learned about leadership, teamwork, and volunteerism.
Outstanding Educator
Reeda Hart
Reeda Hart, a science outreach specialist at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights, Kentucky, helped develop PLT’s Early Childhood curriculum.
Outstanding Educator
Susan Cox
Susan Cox, a conservation education coordinator for the U.S. Forest Service in Durham, New Hampshire, forges partnerships between natural resource professionals and educators.
Outstanding Educator
Schanee’ Anderson
Schanee’ Anderson, Curator of Education at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas, uses PLT to teach students who visit the zoo.
Outstanding Educator
Melissa Eldridge
As the District Manager for Ionia Conservation District in Ionia, Michigan, Melissa Eldridge helped restore a local nature trail and promotes PLT activities.
Outstanding Educator
Laura Beiser
Laura Beiser is an environmental administrator with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality in Jackson who works with nonprofits that do watershed environmental education.
Outstanding Educator
Laurie Root
Laurie Root, a naturalist with South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks in Rapid City, is a hub connecting environmental educators in South Dakota.