College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

KAEE executive director Ashley Hoffman (left) presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Terry Wilson. (KAEE photo by Jennifer Meunier)

The Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) has recognized Dr. Terry Wilson with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Wilson recently retired as a professor and director of the Center for Environmental Education and Sustainability at WKU. He was one of five recipients of the KAEE’s Excellence in Environmental Education awards, which were presented Sept. 8 at the group’s annual conference in Berea.

“I am so thankful to KAEE for this amazing recognition, and I’m reminded that the work of educating people about and in the environment must continue with our new generation of environmental educators,” Dr. Wilson said.

The Excellence in Environmental Education awards are presented annually by KAEE to recognize those individuals and entities that best exemplify dedication, commitment, and influence in the field of environmental education. Recipients are nominated by colleagues, partners, KAEE members or the general public.

“It is an honor to have this opportunity to share the exceptional achievements of our award winners and the work they are doing to educate and provide a better future for all Kentuckians,” Ashley Hoffman, executive director of KAEE, said in announcing the awards.

Dr. Wilson spent most of his career specializing in teacher and leadership training in environmental education. Besides working with thousands of teachers in Kentucky and much of the United States, he has also conducted extensive international training in environmental education for educators and natural resource managers throughout North American, South America, Asia and Europe.

Born and raised in Ohio, Dr. Wilson became a teacher and director of the Outdoor Education Program for the Madison Local Schools (Mansfield) in 1970. This marked the beginning of a career developing and implementing science and environmental education programs which spanned 47 years.

Since moving to Kentucky in 1974, he has directed several environmental education programs for schools, universities, and government agencies. He served as the Environmental Education Coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Education and directed the Center for Environmental Education at Murray State University for 10 years.

Dr. Wilson has served on the board of directors for numerous state, national and international organizations involved in promoting environmental education, including three terms on the board of directors of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).  He served as President of NAAEE during 2002. 

In 2006, he was the recipient of the Walter Jeske Award, which is the field of environmental education’s highest honor, given each year by NAAEE.  He was the first recipient of the Kentucky Environmental Education College Teacher of the Year, given by the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE).  He also was elected president of KAEE and served two terms on their board of directors.

Dr. Wilson was the first college professor in the United States to receive the GREEN Educator Award, given by Earth Force, Inc. and the General Motors Foundation.  He also received the President’s Award for Sustainability at WKU in 2013.

About the KAEE: Since 1976, the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education has worked to build a sustainable environment through education.  KAEE initiates, leads, participates in and supports projects and programs that advance the role of environmental education in promoting systemic change in educational achievement and addressing natural resource management issues. KAEE is committed to ensuring that all Kentuckians have the opportunity to learn about and connect with the environment where they live and to actively participate in building healthy, sustainable communities. For information, contact Ashley Hoffman, Executive Director, at director@kaee.org

Contact: Ashley Hoffman, (270) 214-0587; or Terry Wilson at terry.wilson@wku.edu