2007 EE Awards

Environmental Educators of the Year 2007 Go back

The Idaho Environmental Education Association (IdEEA) has selected three Idaho educators as “Environmental Educators of the Year.”

The 2007 Awardees are:

Elementary Environmental Educator of the Year - Jane Thornes, 4th Grade Teacher
Heyburn Elementary School, St. Maries, Idaho

Jane and her forester husband, Jim, own, manage and live on Pettis Peak Tree Farm south of St. Maries and she makes full use of her home in the forest as an outdoor classroom. Her fourth grade students are frequent visitors to this 270-acre working forest. So are youth from numerous other local and regional schools, Girl and Boy Scout groups, and a church Bible School.

Jane uses Project Learning Tree and other environmental education outdoor activities on the tree farm to give all her visitors a better understanding of a well managed forest, and the need to care for our environment.

Jane Thorne’s commitment to quality education for her students is impressive. At a time when many teachers have surrendered to the pressures of high-stakes testing, Jane Thornes continues to offer her students real, meaningful education. She’s a truly dedicated and outstanding environmental educator.

Secondary Environmental Educator of the Year - Charlie Kator, Science Teacher
Soda Springs High School, Soda Springs , Idaho

Charlie Kator was nominated for the enthusiasm he instills in his students for wildlife and its habitat. He has supported his instruction with hands-on opportunities to improve habitat, such as establishing osprey platforms and re-vegetation of riparian areas to support moose populations.

He was also commended for his early and frequent participation in the Idaho Fish and Game “Wild About” series of education offerings. This continuing education assures that his high school classes offer the freshest and most current scientific understanding of wildlife biology.

He continually endeavors to bring the outside word into his classroom. Charlie also makes sure every lesson comes alive for his students, as he ensures his students comprehend the real world issues facing the environment.

Professional Organization Environmental Educator of the Year -
Steven L. Hines, Natural Resources Camp (NRC)

Steve Hines was nominated for his dedication and commitment to educating and serving the youth of Idaho at the Natural Resources Camp (formerly the Natural Resources Workshop, held annually at the Central Idaho 4-H Camp north of Ketchum). For the last 7 years Steve has been instrumental in organizing and training Idaho’s youth in supervisory leadership roles at the NRC through the Boys Camp Counselor position. Steve has succeeded in influencing hundreds of youth aged 12-18 in good decision-making and leadership skills in this critical and difficult period of adolescence. His tireless efforts have made a significant contribution to the NRC and most importantly to the future citizen stewards of Idaho’s natural resources.

Steve is currently University of Idaho Extension Educator/Ag at the Twin Falls County Extension Office, Twin Falls, Idaho. He was formerly UI Extension Educator for Lincoln County, Idaho; UI Extension Educator for Valley County, Idaho; and agriculture science and technology instructor and FFA advisor at Castleford High School, Castleford, Idaho.

IdEEA would like to thank the Idaho Conservation League for providing the framed wildlife art for each of the recipients.