The Appalachian Laboratory of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) is currently seeking nominations of individuals or organizations for the 2025 Richard A. Johnson Environmental Education Award. Recipients of the award receive a monetary prize to advance the environmental education efforts of their choice and a plaque commemorating their achievements during a special event in August. Nominees are limited to those who have made a noteworthy impact on environmental education in Allegany and Garrett Counties.
The Richard A. Johnson Environmental Education Award honors those who mentor and inspire our citizens and future leaders in environmental science and stewardship; recognizes excellence in environmental education and in the research and public service that supports environmental education; and enhances environmental education opportunities for students of all ages.
Recent past winners of the Richard A. Johnson Environmental Education Award include Marie Miller, Annie Stark, Francis “Champ” Zumbrun, Craig Hartsock, and Liz McDowell. Learn more about their environmental education contributions and those of other past winners at www.umces.edu/past-johnson-award-recipients.
To nominate an individual, organization, or project, please describe (in 200 words or less) why your nominee is deserving of the Richard Johnson Environmental Education Award. Nominations can be submitted online via our web form at www.umces.edu/al/RAJ-nomination-2025 or emailed to rschwinabart@umces.edu.
The deadline for submission is 5:00 PM on Friday, April 4.
Following the submission process, nominators (or an alternate familiar with the nominee) will participate in a 15-minute, in-person meeting with the award selection committee at the Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg in mid-April. Nominators will be contacted in early April to schedule their time with the committee.
For more information about the Richard Johnson Environmental Education Award, visit www.umces.edu/al/johnson-environmental-education-award or contact Rhonda Schwinabart, Coordinator of External Relations, at 301-689-7102 or rschwinabart@umces.edu.
