Calling for Nominations

In the fall of 2011, Westcave Preserve will host The 2011 Celebration of Children in Nature Awards. The centerpiece of this program is the celebration of extraordinary work in the Central Texas Community to inspire joy and wonder by getting our children out into nature. We will recognize four individuals or organizations who demonstrate the very best in connecting kids to the natural world.

We are seeking the nominations of children, adults, organizations or groups of individuals who are doing exciting, innovative, successful work to offer solutions to the problem of "nature deficit disorder" — a term coined by bestselling author Richard Louv in his book Last Child in the Woods: Saving Your Children from Nature Deficit Disorder.

Categories

E. Lee Walker Award for Community Collaboration: This child, adult, group or organization will have demonstrated the value of working with partners to create opportunities for kids to get out into nature regularly.

John Covert Watson Award for Vision: This child, adult, group or organization has had a far reaching vision for a future that embraces the importance of children reconnecting to the natural world.

John Ahrns Award for Environmental Education: This child, adult, group or organization will have innovated curriculum and integrated the natural world, and perhaps their schoolyard, into their classroom so that their students are inspired to become explorers of the natural world on their own time.

Westcave Preserve Award for Enduring Dedication: This child, adult, group or organization has a significant history of getting kids out into nature.

» More information about the awards and last year's winners

How to Submit a Nomination

Nominations may be submitted by the nominee or by any individual or organization who wishes to recognize a child, adult, group or organization for their work on behalf of children and nature.

Download an application »

Deadline

The open nominations process begins January1 and will remain open through April 1, 2011. Selection of the winners will be made by a panel of children and nature-related volunteers and professionals. Award winners will be announced no later than May 15, 2011.