SSBA is proud to continue recognizing environmental education efforts by area residents who are making a positive difference for birds through their teaching, and so we are soliciting nominations for the 2026 Dave McNett Environmental Educator of the Year Award. The award will be presented at the SSBA Annual Picnic in June 2026. The deadline for nominations is April 15, 2026.
The nomination criteria for this award are:
* Nominees collaborated with others toward the educational goals of informing the public about an aspect of our natural world pertaining to bird habitat or conservation
* Their work has been inspirational to those they have worked or taught with
* Work need not have been done on a volunteer basis, but did involve volunteers or one’s own volunteer time
* Nominees can be professional environmental educators, but need not be
* Nominees have worked in the field for at least two years
* Work has generally been within the SSBA geographical base (Thurston, Mason, and Lewis counties)
* Nominees may be members of SSBA, but don’t have to be
The award is intended for persons who have not previously received it.
Your nomination should include a brief narrative that addresses the above criteria. You can either email your completed nomination to education@southsoundbirds.org or send it through regular mail to: South Sound Bird Alliance, PO Box 2524, Olympia WA 98507. Please remember that members of the Education Committee will begin our review process on April 15, 2026.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Photo credit: 1923 Crisco Advertisement, Public Domain.
