To celebrate UL's 125th Anniversary, UL and NAAEE are recognizing six non-profit organizations for the difference they are making in their communities by advancing environmental education through STEM. 

This year's grand prize winner and recipient of $100,000 is Pine Jog Environmental Education Center of Florida Atlantic University. Through 14 core programs, Pine Jog Environmental Education Center is dedicated to developing, researching, and disseminating environmental education programs and services for students and community members of all ages.  

The Tier II winners, who will receive $50,000 each each, are Career Clue of Solar One (New York) and E4 STEM - Environmental Tribal Youth Camps of Flower Hill Institute (New Mexico).

• Career Clue is a unique summer program that blends career exploration with service learning within the green jobs sector.
• E4 STEM seeks to increase the scientific knowledge and engagement of Native American youth in E-STEM in order to advance stewardship in their ancestral lands.

The Tier III Winners, who will each receive $25,000, are Maine Environmental Changemakers Network (MECN) of the Maine Environmental Education Association, Wings Over Water of the Montana Natural History Center, and Youth Energy Squad of EcoWorks Detroit.

• The MECN is connecting young Mainers from various backgrounds who have an interest in environmental education with professional mentors and resources needed to implement environmental action in their communities.
• Wings Over Water is a joint program between the University of Montana and the Montana Natural History Center. The program engages high school students in study of local Ospreys and ecosystems by using STEM and conservation research and tools. 
• Youth Energy Squad is leading the next generation of green leaders in Metro Detroit to address place-based sustainability issues while exploring green careers.

We are beyond thrilled to welcome these six incredible programs to the ULIEA cohort! To learn more about their program and the UL Innovative Education Award, visit https://ulinnovationeducation.naaee.net/. Read the full press release here.