Environmental educators, students, conservation leaders, businesses, nonprofits and public officials from across South Carolina gathered this week at the University of South Carolina Upstate for the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina's (EEASC) annual conference, where the state's highest environmental education honors recognized outstanding leadership in conservation, sustainability and environmental literacy.
The annual awards celebrate individuals and organizations that are helping South Carolinians better understand, appreciate and protect the state's natural resources through innovative education, conservation and community engagement.
"Environmental education changes the way people see the world around them," Keith Willoughby, EEASC executive director said. "This year's recipients remind us that meaningful learning happens everywhere—in classrooms, parks, nonprofits, businesses and communities—and that one person's passion can inspire lifelong stewardship in countless others."
EEASC also recognized outstanding schools and educators through its Green Step Schools (GSS) program, South Carolina's statewide environmental education recognition initiative.
During the 2025–2026 school year, Green Step Schools reached a record 363 projects across 63 schools in 24 counties.
Annual awards recognize excellence in resource conservation, pollution prevention, habitat restoration and overall environmental leadership.
Green Step Schools 2026 Awards
GSS Mentor of the Year: Kassidy Roof – Lexington Soil & Water Conservation District
Kassidy Roof was honored for her leadership supporting Green Step Schools throughout Lexington County. A former agriculture teacher and FFA sponsor, Roof now serves as county coordinator for 15 schools, recruiting and mentoring educators, supporting school projects and organizing an annual Green Step Schools Recognition Ceremony before Lexington County Council.
GSS Conserve School of the Year: Pleasant Hill Elementary School (Lexington County)
Pleasant Hill Elementary earned top honors for its long-standing commitment to waste reduction and recycling. Students recycle everything from cafeteria trays and batteries to plastic bags while transforming recycled materials into "plarn" sleeping mats for individuals experiencing homelessness. Led by teacher Maura Farley, the school's efforts have also resulted in 11 recycled plastic benches through the NexTrex Challenge, teaching students that conservation begins with everyday actions.
GSS Protect School of the Year: Aiken Elementary School (Aiken County)
Led by Dr. Angela Clifford and a dedicated team of educators, Aiken Elementary was recognized for hands-on environmental learning that includes rain barrel gardens, student-created environmentally friendly cleaners and campus litter prevention projects. This marks the school's fourth Green Step Schools superlative award, placing it among an elite group of schools recognized for sustained excellence in environmental education.
GSS Restore School of the Year: St. Matthews K-8 School (Calhoun County)
Students at St. Matthews K-8 School were honored for habitat restoration, composting, pollinator conservation and edible gardening projects that teach environmental stewardship alongside valuable life skills. Mary Dixon of the Calhoun Soil and Water Conservation District serves as the school's Green Step Schools mentor.
GSS School of the Year: Brockman Elementary School (Richland County)
Brockman Elementary received the program's highest school honor for consistently implementing innovative environmental education projects, including Adopt-A-Stream monitoring, storm drain painting, hydroponics, weather monitoring and student-led stewardship initiatives that engage the entire school community. Dr. Sarah Burnham regularly pilots new Green Step Schools projects with her Upper Elementary Montessori students.
2026 Environmental Awards
EEASC also presented awards recognizing excellence in youth leadership, environmental education, conservation, business, nonprofit leadership and public service.
Outstanding Youth Award: Melaina Dickinson
Melaina Dickinson recently graduated from Riverside High School in Greer, where she distinguished herself as a student leader, environmental advocate and volunteer. Nominated by teacher Mary Beth Adams, Dickinson was recognized for her dedication to South Carolina Adopt-a-Stream as a volunteer water quality monitor and for her leadership in her school's Good for Green Club, where she helped educate fellow students about environmental stewardship and sustainability. This fall, she will attend the University of Colorado Boulder to study Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.
Outstanding Youth Award: Jack Wrigley
Jack Wrigley, a Cub Scout and student at Heathwood Hall in Columbia, helped make South Carolina history this spring by successfully advocating for the Prothonotary Warbler to become the state's official migratory bird. Known as the "swamp canary" for its brilliant yellow plumage, the species migrates thousands of miles each year between South America and South Carolina's wetlands. Jack's passion for birds and conservation demonstrates how young people can make a meaningful impact on protecting the state's natural heritage.
Outstanding Youth Award: Heath Wenger and Andrew Brannon
Selected as senior engineering interns at the Center for Advanced Technical Studies (CATE Center), Heath Wenger and Andrew Brannon secured grant funding to design and build four greenhouse kits equipped with solar-powered ventilation fans and gravity-fed rain barrels. Partnering with Leaphart Elementary School, a Lexington County Green Step School, they planned and led environmental and engineering lessons for four fourth-grade classes. Under their guidance, students assembled the greenhouse systems while learning how sustainable technologies benefit the environment and strengthen engineering and problem-solving skills. The project also helped the CATE Center become a certified Green Step School, with hopes of expanding the student-led model to schools across South Carolina.
Environmental Educator of the Year: Cathy Taylor
Throughout her distinguished career, Cathy Taylor dedicated herself to helping South Carolinians discover the wonder of the natural world. As Interpretive Ranger at Paris Mountain State Park, she developed and led hands-on environmental education programs for generations of students, with a special focus on second and fifth graders, teaching them about habitats, wildlife and the importance of protecting South Carolina's natural spaces. Beyond leading programs, Cathy created interpretive exhibits, conducted historical research and developed educational materials that enriched the park experience for countless visitors.
Writer of the Year: Glenis Redmond
Award-winning poet, educator and South Carolina Poet Laureate Emerita Glenis Redmond received EEASC's Writer of the Year Award for using storytelling and poetry to deepen public appreciation for South Carolina's landscapes, history and natural beauty. Her celebrated work—including two poetry collections inspired by visits to every South Carolina state park—demonstrates the powerful role storytelling plays in environmental education. Earlier this year, Redmond received South Carolina's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Edward Donovan
Dr. Edward P. Donovan received EEASC's Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 55 years of excellence in science, STEM and environmental education. A retired adjunct science education professor at USC Upstate and NASA Educator, Donovan has presented more than 400 workshops and professional development programs for educators, inspiring generations of teachers and students across South Carolina and beyond.
Green Business of the Year: Junk King
Junk King of Spartanburg was recognized for its commitment to sustainability through recycling, reuse and waste diversion. Since opening in 2025, the company has recycled more than 150 tons of scrap metal while donating and repurposing reusable materials that might otherwise enter local landfills. Through its work, Junk King also promotes responsible waste management and environmental stewardship throughout the community.
Nonprofit of the Year: Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE)
The Spartanburg Area Conservancy (SPACE) was recognized for its outstanding commitment to land conservation, environmental education and community engagement. Through protected natural areas, trails, volunteer stewardship opportunities, school partnerships and public programs, SPACE connects people of all ages with the outdoors while fostering environmental literacy and a lifelong commitment to conservation across the Spartanburg community.
Elected Official of the Year: Mayor Jerome Rice, City of Spartanburg
Mayor Jerome Rice was honored for his leadership in advancing environmental stewardship through community partnerships, sustainability initiatives and public engagement. From supporting Arbor Day, Earth Day and Plastic Free July to championing the Sparkle A City Street program, Rice has helped make environmental responsibility a shared community priority while fostering collaboration among local government, nonprofits, educators and residents.
Each year, EEASC's annual conference brings together classroom teachers, naturalists, park rangers, nonprofit professionals, state agency staff, higher education faculty and community leaders to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships and advance environmental education across South Carolina. The annual awards celebrate the individuals and organizations whose work is helping build a more environmentally literate and engaged state.
For more information about the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina or the Green Step Schools program, visit www.eeasc.org or contact communications@eeasc.org.
