Jennifer Hubbard-Sánchez has been awarded the 2019 Outstanding Service to Environmental Education Award at the Local and Regional Level by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). Sánchez was recognized for her work as the Recreation Manager at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, her contributions to climate change research at Kentucky State University and her leadership roles with regional and state environmental education associations. Sánchez places equity and inclusion at the forefront of her work, including facilitating Kentucky’s only bilingual Project Learning Tree trainings. She is a certified Kentucky Professional Environmental Educator and has served on the national stage on NOAA’s Climate Stewards Program and NAAEE’s climate change panel. “What has inspired me is working with and learning from so many dedicated young people who are beyond just educating the public, but really working toward getting folks to understand the ‘why’ of environmental programming and the call to action to get engaged and involved in making our world a bit better each day,” said Sánchez. NAAEE began awarding the Outstanding Service to Environmental Education Award in 1974 to recognize environmental educators and advocates who have made notable contributions to the field. Individuals and organizations at the global, regional, national and local levels are eligible. “Jennifer Hubbard-Sánchez's contributions to environmental education have been remarkable and she serves as a model for so many people inside and outside Kentucky,” said Judy Braus, Executive Director for NAAEE. “She is one of the most creative and thoughtful leaders in the field and has helped strengthen environmental education through her passion, creativity and dedication to building a more equitable and sustainable society.” Jennifer has served on the board of the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education since 2013. She has been at the forefront of the organization for the past seven years, most recently as chair. She has lived and studied in Spain, México, and Costa Rica, and has implemented youth development programming in México and Honduras. Her diverse career path, education and training, volunteer experience, and professional passion have provided her with experience not only in the environmental education field, but in sustainability, diversity, and climate change education. She is a visionary, yet highly action-oriented individual. She has a love and determination that cannot be beaten and has earned the respect of everyone in the environmental education field.
STORY BY NAAEE STAFF