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2009 Conservation Teachers of the Year Honored

Mass Audubon Vice President Gary Clayton with (l to r) Polly Keller Vanasse, Marissa Thornton, and Bruce Palmer.

LINCOLN, Mass.-For their outstanding contributions to conservation, science and environmental education, three K-12 Massachusetts educators have been chosen as the 2009 Conservation Teachers of the Year. The annual awards, given by Mass Audubon and the New England Farm and Garden Association, honors elementary-, middle-, or high-school educators who exemplify excellence in teaching and creativity in environmental education. Nominees must tie educational programs to the Massachusetts State Curriculum Frameworks and extend student learning beyond the classroom to the local community.

The 2009 Conservation Teachers of the Year were chosen from many excellent nominees throughout the Commonwealth. The educators were recently honored at a luncheon, where each received a monetary award, a certificate and a signed book for their exceptional work.

Following are summaries of the award-winning projects developed by the educators.

Kindergarten/Elementary School: Marissa Thornton, kindergarten teacher, Philbrick Elementary School, Roslindale, Mass. 

Ms. Thornton demonstrates her commitment to conservation and place-based teaching both within and beyond the walls of her kindergarten classroom.  Her Ocean Studies unit takes students to nearby Carson Beach, where they not only gain valuable framework skills, but they also receive the foundation for future stewardship through deep, sustained nature experiences. Through her many out-of-classroom experiences, she leads her students to value the places and habitats in their own neighborhoods.

Middle School: Polly Keller Vanasse, seventh- and eighth-grade Service Learning Coordinator, Nashoba Brooks School, Concord, Mass.

Ms. Vanasse is a gifted teacher and a stalwart conservationist, who weaves together multiple causes, disciplines, and community organizations in ways that meaningfully impact everyone involved.  From participating in crop walks, to growing food for Open Table, to fundraising to raise awareness of climate change, learning goes beyond the textbook for Ms. Vanasse.  Her insightful, engaging, hands-on rubrics combine thoughtful and focused education with a pervasive awareness of connection to the big picture. 

Middle/High School: Bruce Palmer, science teacher, West Boylston Middle / High School, West Boylston, Mass.

Mr. Palmer shares his enthusiasm and knowledge of the natural world as the founder and advisor of the West Boylston Middle and High School Biodiversity Club.  The club is dedicated to observing and documenting local wildlife, providing resources for the public, as well as building partnerships with other local community environmental organizations.  Mr. Palmer's outstanding contribution to environmental education can be seen from the club's popularity (it has a waiting list) and its influence on its members, some of whom are already pursuing education and training in the field after graduation.

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Mass Audubon works to protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and wildlife. Together with more than 100,000 members, we care for 34,000 acres of conservation land, provide educational programs for 200,000 children and adults annually, and advocate for sound environmental policies at local, state, and federal levels. Mass Audubon's mission and actions have expanded since our beginning in 1896 when our founders set out to stop the slaughter of birds for use on women's fashions. Today we are the largest conservation organization in New England. Our statewide network of 47 wildlife sanctuaries welcomes visitors of all ages and serves as the base for our conservation, education, and advocacy work. To support these important efforts, call 800-AUDUBON (283-8266) or visit www.massaudubon.org.

During the past 90 years, New England Farm and Garden Association, Inc., has granted more than $1.3 million in scholarship aid to students majoring in agriculture, conservation, animal husbandry, horticulture, oceanography and related fields.