Named in memory of Dr. Richard Johnson, a distinguished local surgeon and naturalist, the 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 support environmental education; and enhances environmental education opportunities for students of all ages.
Recent winners of the Richard A. Johnson Environmental Education Award include Matt Kline (2025), Marie Miller (2024), Annie Stark (2023), and Francis “Champ” Zumbrun (2022). 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 https://www.umces.edu/al/johnson-environmental-education-award or emailed to rschwinabart@umces.edu.
The deadline for submission is 5:00 PM on Friday, April 10.
Following the submission process, nominators (or an alternate familiar with the nominee) will participate in a 15-minute, in-person, informal conversation with the award selection committee during their annual meeting 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 Affairs, at 301-689-7102 or rschwinabart@umces.edu.
