David Engleson Award
Al Stenstrup, Our First Garden
Al Stenstrup first joined WAEE around 1975. Al was instrumental in establishing Wisconsin’s Green & Healthy Schools Program before moving to the national nonprofit Project Learning Tree (PLT) where he established GreenSchools! He designed a grant program that awarded funds for “ Kids Teaching Kids” to develop youth leadership in environmental projects and a youth advisory board. Al is member of the Leadership Council of the International School Grounds Alliance and the International Union for Conservation of Nature Task Force on Nature-based Education, and received NAAEE’s Outstanding Service to Environmental Education at the Global Level award in recognition for his service to the EE field.
Earthguard Award
Chippewa Falls Green Team - Ellie Crosby, Zoey Eckwright, Chloe Johnson
Chippewa Falls Green Team, led by juniors Ellie Crosby, Chloe Johnson, and Zoey Eckwright, has been recognized for their exemplary student leadership in environmental education. As participants in the Renew Our Schools competition, they won a KEEP energy innovation grant, enabling the procurement of smart power strips that will reduce energy consumption and save the district both energy and costs. Their innovative approach to education includes creating instructional videos for teachers, speaking at public events and attending conferences, demonstrating their commitment to mentorship and collaboration. The team’s efforts culminated in winning the KEEP Renewable Schools competition, making them the youngest team to do so, and earning $2,000 to initiate a solar project at Chippewa Falls High School.
Eco-Justice Award
Lael Pascual, Dane County Parks
In 2019, Lael Pascual, then Heritage Center Manager for the Dane County Land and Water Resources Department, sought to address historical inequities in outdoor access. Collaborating with Elsa Caetano, director of the Bridge Point Lake Winona Community Center, they launched the “Get Outside” program, aimed at fostering relationships with youth from diverse backgrounds through safe and hands-on nature experiences. Fully funded by grants and donations, the program now serves six community centers, providing over 800 youth experiences annually. Lael, now the Engagement and Visitor Services Manager, continues to lead the program, focusing on equity and inclusion, and has secured resources like an All Terrain Wheelchair to enhance accessibility for all.
Educator of the Year–Administrator
Andy Weiland, Business Manager, Oregon Area School District
Andy Weiland, the Business Manager of the Oregon Area School District is the visionary behind Forest Edge Elementary, the first net-zero energy school in Wisconsin. Andy empowers other districts to follow his lead, offering numerous tours and formal talks as an advocate for environmental education, environmental stewardship and climate action at many levels, including a talk at the White House in 2024 to help national policy makers understand the local case for school-based environmental action.
Educator of the Year–Formal
Matthew Tiller, Verona Area High School
As the Verona Area School District School Forest Coordinator and a high school science teacher, Mathew Tiller created hands-on experiences that inspire students to connect with nature. His innovative courses, including Field Biology and AP Environmental Science, engage over 300 students yearly in active environmental stewardship. Mr. Tiller's visionary leadership led to the development of Stewart’s Woods, a 50+ acre outdoor laboratory adjacent to the new high school. His collaboration with educators, creation of a School Forest Education Committee, and community initiatives have promoted sustainability and educational excellence across the district. Matthew's work has fostered a culture of environmental stewardship among students, teachers, and the wider community, encouraging them to appreciate and protect our natural resources.
Educator of the Year–Nonformal
Catherine Koons-Hubbard, Camp Fire
Catherine Koons Hubbard has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to environmental education over her remarkable 30-year career. As the National Manager of Outdoor Education for Camp Fire, Catherine has pioneered inclusive and engaging outdoor experiences that connect youth to their environment, fostering a love for nature and lifelong learning. Not only is she an influential leader in the field, but she is also a committed mentor and coach, shaping the next generation of environmental educators. Her recent publication, "Partnering with Nature in Early Childhood," co-authored with Patti Bailie, exemplifies her dedication to translating theoretical concepts into practical applications in early childhood education.
Students of the Year
Hadley Stang, Dane County Youth Environmental Committee Co-President
Hadley Stang is a senior at Oregon High School where, according to her nominators, “Hadley is an enthusiastic example of what youth advocacy looks like.” She demonstrates academic excellence while also making substantive contributions as an environmental educator and activist, and participates at all levels of influence. From her position as Co-President of the Dane County Youth Environmental Committee to her local role as student representative on her village's Ad Hoc Sustainability Committee, she inspires interest and action among her peers as well as the adults she works alongside.
Nina Zhu, Citizens' Climate Lobby
A junior at Vel Phillips Memorial High School in Madison, Nina Zhu is articulate and passionate in her concern for the environment. She was described as, “exactly the sort of student that we all hope will embrace environmental issues because she has the skills and passion to inspire interest and action among her peers.” Since joining the Madison chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby, Nina has lobbied in Washington DC, taken on leadership of the CCL Youth Action Team, stepped into a leadership role for the Dane County Youth Climate Conference, and has more projects to come.
