Outstanding Environmental Educators Honored
The Arkansas Environmental Education Association (AEEA) recognized three educators at the AEEA Environmental & Outdoor Education Conference held at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville on March 7 and 8.
Each year AEEA recognizes individuals who have made an impact in environmental and outdoor education. These individuals facilitate participant leadership and involvement, promote hands-on learning, promote critical and creative thinking in students, partner with others, address real world problems, and develop and implement innovative programs and projects. There are three Outstanding Environmental Educator Award categories: formal, non-formal, and lifetime achievement. For award details, visit https://arkansasee.org/awards/.
The 2025 Outstanding Environmental Educator in formal education is Carly Wise. Carly is a teacher at Bryant Elementary. For over the past decade, she has led Bryant Elementary’s Green Team and been an energetic leader of Recycle Saline’s Youth Environmental Ambassadors (YEA!) team since it began in 2014. She is often looked to for advice from other Saline County schools about recycling.
The 2025 Outstanding Environmental Educator in non-formal education is Liz Hill. Liz is the Education and Community Program Manager at Ozark Natural Science Center (ONSC) in Huntsville. She has worked extensively in environmental education and conservation for 25 years, getting her start in high school at a summer camp at ONSC.
The 2025 Robert McAfee Lifetime Service Award recipient is Dr. Curtis Varnell, Science Specialist and Adjunct Professor, a life-long educator with more than 25 years of experience in the public school classroom. For the past 15 years, he has served as the science specialist of the Guy Fenter Education Service Cooperative where he provides professional development for teachers as well as providing assistance to classroom teachers by modeling lessons, developing curriculum, and implementing best educational practices. Dr. Varnell has worked tirelessly to bring science education to students across the state. He is often invited to visit schools across the state, and he has presented at more than 30 state, national, and one international conference.
“Recognizing these educators for their dedication to education and impact in their communities allows AEEA to thank them for their hard work and shine a spotlight on some very positive and important work around the state,” said Sophia Stephenson, AEEA Executive Director. “They make a lasting impression that benefits us all.”
Each educator will be featured here in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to learn and be inspired!
The beautiful awards pictured above were created by Kassy Samples (@thearkansonianart on Instagram).