March 13, 2014

Martin conducted over 260 environmental education programs at the Kansas Wetland Education Center last year alone

GREAT BEND ­– The Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE) has announced the recipients of the 2014 Excellence in Conservation and Environmental Education Awards. Among the winners was Pam Martin, an environmental educator with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) stationed at the Kansas Wetland Education Center near Great Bend. Nominated by peers, awardees exhibit outstanding innovation, leadership and achievement, as well as collaboration and cooperation within and beyond the environmental education field.

“KACEE is pleased to honor these deserving individuals and organizations, who are so dedicated to environmental education in Kansas,” said KACEE President Jeff Severin, director of sustainability at the University of Kansas.

Martin was a recipient of the Rising Star Award. This award recognizes individuals who are new to the conservation and environmental education field in Kansas, but are already making an impact. The nomination for Martin states:

It is hard to label Pam as an ”up-and-coming” environmental educator as she has already done so much in the field; she seems much more like a seasoned veteran. In her five years of environmental education, Pam Martin has established an incredible program at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center that rivals any environmental education program in the region. Martin has worked at KWEC since the Center opened in 2009. For the first year and a half, Martin was the only educator on staff and was responsible for establishing the core foundations of the KWEC’s educational programs. Her passion and commitment to education is evidenced in the sheer volume of programs she does– In 2013 Martin conducted 264 environmental education programs. Martin provides education programming to area elementary students, as well as family programs, programs through the Great Bend Recreation Commission, Scouts programs, and festivals. One of her most impressive accomplishments is the relationship she has established with the USD 428-Great Bend school district. As a result of her efforts in working with the district administrators and the various science committees, Pam has been able to schedule programs with every K-6 classroom in the district. Martin’s work is helping to inspire and educate our next generation about the important role of wetlands in our state and KACEE is extremely proud to honor her with the Rising Star Award for Excellence in Conservation and Environmental Education.

Awardees will be recognized at an Awards Celebration hosted by KACEE on Friday, April 4, at Sunset Zoo in Manhattan. The event is sponsored by KACEE, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism and Sunset Zoo. Ticket information is available at www.kacee.org or by calling (785) 532-1902.

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