Jeffco Schools’ Outdoor Lab and Robb Gneiser honored with 2024 Awards for Excellence in Environmental Education |
The Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) awarded Outdoor Lab with the 2024 Advancing Environmental Literacy Award. In addition, Robb Gneiser—former principal at Windy Peak Outdoor Lab—received the Outstanding Retiring Environmental Educator Award. Recipients of the 2024 Awards for Excellence in Environmental Education were recognized last week at CSU Spur in Denver as part of CAEE’s Annual Advancing Environmental Education Conference.
For more than 6o years, Jefferson County Outdoor Education Laboratory Schools has taught stewardship of self, community, and environment to the sixth-graders of Jefferson County Public Schools. |
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Robb Gneiser dedicated over three decades to environmental education, with the last 14 years spent as principal at Windy Peak Outdoor Lab in Bailey, Colorado. He has welcomed more than 40,000 sixth graders to the 200-acre property, leaving an immeasurable impact on students, interns, and staff alike. Recently recognized with multiple awards for his contributions to outdoor education, Robb leaves behind a legacy of compassion and dedication that has profoundly impacted countless lives. |
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Katie Navin, CAEE’s Executive Director, highlighted the impact of the awardees, stating, “These innovative environmental educators and programs are energizing learning and equipping communities with the knowledge and skills to care for and sustain our world for future generations. They set a new standard for environmental and outdoor learning in their communities.”
Founded in 1989, CAEE works to enhance environmental and outdoor learning in Colorado through initiatives like the Certified Environmental Educator program and the Colorado Environmental Education Plan. CAEE is the state affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education. |
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The Outdoor Lab Foundation was founded in 2003 with a mission to inspire community support for, and advocate on behalf of, Jeffco’s Outdoor Lab Program. The Foundation delivers resources to the school district and Outdoor Lab’s two mountain campuses so that every student growing up in Jeffco has a welcoming, fun, inspiring, and impactful experience in the outdoors. Last school year, the Foundation made combined contributions in excess of $420,000 to ensure Outdoor Lab remains a point of community pride.
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In addition to Outdoor Lab and Mr. Gneiser, CAEE is awarding the following for bringing innovative, inclusive and cross-sector environmental education to Colorado: |
Advancing Environmental Literacy Awards |
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Seal of Climate Literacy – Mary Seawell and Lyra Colorado, Representative Barbara McLachlan, Senator Chris Hansen
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Innovative Environmental Education Program Awards |
- Wildlife Education and Public Speaking Program – Nature's Educators
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Colorado Envirothon – Colorado Association of Conservation Districts
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Outstanding Environmental Educator Awards |
- Isis Rivera Lopez – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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Outstanding Retiring Environmental Educator Awards |
- Jaymee Squires – Walking Mountains Science Center
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Outstanding Young Environmental Leader Awards |
- Destiny Morales – The Greenway Foundation
- Daquan Brown – Groundwork Denver
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Thank you to CAEE for honoring Outdoor Lab and Mr. Gneiser, and for putting on a wonderful conference and award dinner for environmental educators. |
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Please remember us in your will or estate plan. |
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