Congratulations to the 2024 Awardees! Each of these winners exemplify dedication and commitment to environmental education and outdoor learning and recreation.
Katharine (Katie) Bowers, Teacher of the Year
Nicole DiPaolo, Environmental Educator of the Year
Enyu (Alaina) Zhang, Student/Youth of the Year
15 Minute Field Trips, Organization of the Year
We hope you will join us as we recognize and celebrate the winners at a ceremony presented by SouthCoast Wind on Thursday, October 10, 6:00-8:00pm, at the Save The Bay Center in Providence. There will be lite fare served by a local caterer, live music, and a short program in which the winners will accept their awards.
Tickets are limited. Purchase yours today!
Please see below or click here for the full press release.
***Media Advisory***
RIEEA honors environmental education leaders at Environmental Education Awards Ceremony presented by SouthCoast Wind
Annual event aims to recognize best practices and innovative approaches in environmental education
[Providence, RI] – Each year, the Rhode Island Environmental Education Association’s (RIEEA) recognizes educators, youth, organizations, and schools across Rhode Island who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and dedication to help their communities learn about the environment and engage in outdoor learning and recreation. Nominations are solicited from the community and a selection committee chooses the winners.
The organization will host a special ceremony which will include lite fare served by a local caterer, live music, and a short program in which the winners will accept their awards. Thanks to the presenting sponsor, SouthCoast Wind, and other sponsors including Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank and Save The Bay, tickets are being offered at a sliding scale to ensure everyone can access the event.
When: Thursday, October 10, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Save The Bay Center, 100 Save The Bay Drive, Providence, RI 02905
More info: Contact Jeanine Silversmith at 401-569-8758 or jsilversmith@rieea.org, or visit https://www.rieea.org/programs/environmental-education-awards/
–COVERAGE IS INVITED–
RIEEA congratulates its 2024 Environmental Education Awards recipients:
Katharine (Katie) Bowers, Teacher of the Year
Nicole DiPaolo, Environmental Educator of the Year
Enyu (Alaina) Zhang, Student/Youth of the Year
15 Minute Field Trips, Organization of the Year
Katharine (Katie) Bowers, Teacher of the Year: As the STEAM teacher for grades 6, 7, and 8 at Birchwood Middle School in North Providence, Katie launched the Get Food Smart composting and food waste reduction program in the fall of 2021. Birchwood became the first school in Rhode Island to implement a student-run lunchroom sorting station, diverting food waste and kitchen scraps for composting, redistributing surplus food, and reducing food waste per student. Since its launch, the program has diverted 13.3 tons of food waste, redistributed 1,141 lbs. of food to hungry students and families in the community, and reduced food waste per student by 39 percent with the goal of 50 percent by 2030. This initiative has also cut Birchwood’s carbon footprint by 23.3 metric tons of carbon dioxide (MTC02). Katie, a resident of Rumford, presented Get Food Smart’s success at the 2024 Compost Conference, and the USDA has since awarded the North Providence School District $82,585 to expand the program district-wide.
Nicole DiPaolo, Environmental Educator of the Year: Nicole DiPaolo of South Kingstown is a dedicated advocate for equitable access and economic participation in the clean energy sector for low-income and marginalized communities. As the Acting Director of Energy Justice at Roots2Empower, she leads initiatives that include organizing community dialogues and visioning sessions in Rhode Island’s urban core, ensuring that residents are actively involved in clean energy decisions. Nicole’s approach is both inclusive and empowering, focusing on building trust and fostering collaboration among community members. She also develops educational materials and workshops to prepare residents for clean energy careers. Additionally, Nicole works to overcome systemic barriers by advocating for policies that support equitable hiring and creating job placement, apprenticeship, and mentorship opportunities. Her comprehensive efforts have significantly enhanced community involvement and leadership in the clean energy industry, serving as a model for inclusive practices.
Enyu (Alaina) Zhang, Student/Youth of the Year: Portsmouth resident Alaina first gained recognition in her sophomore year at Portsmouth Abbey through her work with bioplastics, which she was formulating into colorful materials in an effort to make sustainable fashion. During her junior year, she worked in collaboration with her Green Chemistry class and Roger Williams University to design and deploy a kelp farm to test its effectiveness as a bioremediator. Alaina has since become a dynamic leader in the kelp farm’s development. She earned a summer research position with Dr. Emanuele Di Lorenzo at Brown University and was a proactive environmental advocate in the UN Ocean Decade Youth Advisory Council. Her accolades include awards at the 2024 Rhode Island Science and Engineering Fair and being named a National Finalist for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize. Recently, she secured a $4,800 grant from Brown University to advance the kelp farm project and is collaborating with local farmers to use climate models to help them combat climate change. Alaina’s dedication and innovative spirit promise a future of impactful contributions to environmental science and sustainability.
15 Minute Field Trips, Organization of the Year: 15 Minute Field Trips merges art, science, and environmental education to offer dynamic learning experiences. Combining her skills as an artist, educator, and Master Gardener, founder Melissa Guillet of Johnston along with the 15 Minute Field Trip board have developed innovative programs that emphasize justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, focusing on urban and BIPOC communities. Through collaborations with libraries, farms, and other non-profits, 15 Minute Field Trips reaches hundreds annually with programs, mini-camps, and events that blend art, science, and environmental advocacy. Notable collaborations include working with Maisie’s Tree Farm and Chariho School District to engage students with learning differences in immersive, nature-based learning and the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, planting two mini forests along the Woonasquatucket Greenway with help from Manton Heights residents and Citizens Bank volunteers. In addition to its free or low cost in-person programs, 15 Minute Field Trips offers a wealth of online resources, including tools for community science projects and information on a wide range of topics.
About the Rhode Island Environmental Education Association: RIEEA (www.rieea.org) is a collaborative network of professionals and organizations supporting and promoting high-quality environmental education throughout the state. They collaborate with all educators, students, and advocates to respond to community assets, needs, and aspirations. Their vision is a culture of environmental and social responsibility that drives equitable decision-making to create a healthy, safe, and just future for all Rhode Islanders.
About SouthCoast Wind: SouthCoast Wind (www.southcoastwind.com) is developing an offshore wind lease area with the potential to supply 2,400 megawatts of low-cost clean energy to electricity customers across New England, enough to power more than one million homes. SouthCoast Wind is committed to zero harm, innovation, industry development, and investing in local communities.
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