LINCOLN, Nebraska – The Nebraska Forest Service (NFS) is proud to announce that Megan Grimes, Nebraska Association of Resource Districts public relations director, from Lincoln, Nebraska, has been recognized with an Excellence in Conservation & Environmental Education Award as the 2023 Outstanding Steering Committee Member. These awards recognize excellence in delivering Project Learning Tree and Project WET environmental education programs to educators, youth, and the public throughout Nebraska.

The Outstanding Steering Committee Member Award recognizes active members of the Nebraska Project Learning Tree and Project WET Statewide Steering Committee whose “part to play” goes above and beyond because of their “vision for the future” of conservation and environmental education in our state. Their advocacy for Project Learning Tree and Project WET workshops, integration of PLT/WET into other educational efforts, and promotion of quality environmental learning experiences for youth leaves a mark on the Nebraska program as well as expands the program into communities and professional audiences.

“Megan’s commitment toward environmental education does not go unnoticed,” said Lacey Sabatka, Lower Platte North NRD information coordinator, who is also a Project Learning Tree and Project WET certified educator. “Her hard work and dedication shows through successfully organizing and attending youth events across the state, taking photos behind the scenes, creating graphics for promotional materials for NRDs, or helping in any way she can. She recognizes and implements the meaning of the NRDs’ mission of protecting natural resources for the future generations.”

“Megan is an outstanding connector and advocate for high-quality environmental education and understands the power of professional development to empower educators of all types to incorporate nature-based activities,” said Jack Hilgert, Nebraska Forest Service conservation education coordinator and Nebraska state coordinator for Project Learning Tree and Project WET. “She helps facilitate environmental education information between Nebraska’s 23 Natural Resources Districts as well as being the statewide coordinator for Nebraska Envirothon. The Nebraska Envirothon competition gives hundreds of high school students the chance to take what they have learned in the classroom about natural resources and conservation and apply it in the real world.”

“The Nebraska Forest Service could not reach its conservation education goals without the vast network of partners who work together to meet the diverse needs of Nebraska’s schools, educators, and youth; while connecting them to the natural world,” said John Erixson, Nebraska Forest Service state forester.  

Project Learning Tree (PLT) uses trees as “windows to the world” to increase understanding of our complex environment. Project WET advances water education to understand global challenges and inspire local solutions. In Nebraska, both programs are coordinated by the Nebraska Forest Service but are supported by a wide network of more than 50 partner organizations including Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) who curate professional development experiences, youth festivals, and other resources to increase and elevate environmental literacy across the tree-planter’s state.

Learn more about Project Learning Tree and Project WET in Nebraska including upcoming educator workshops, Tree Trunk curriculum kits, field trip festivals, and other educational programs at nfs.unl.edu/education or by contacting Jack Hilgert, at jack.hilgert [at] unl.edu or 402-472-9727. 

From left, Marcia Lee, Central Platte NRD Information and Education Specialist, receives the PLT Outstanding Educator Award; Jack Hilgert, Nebraska Forest Service conservation education coordinator and Nebraska state coordinator for Project Learning Tree and Project WET; and Megan Grimes, Nebraska Association of Resources Districts Public Relations Director, recieves the PLT Outstanding Steering Committee Member Award.