Edith Stevens Groundwater Educator Award
Award Background
In 1997, the Groundwater Foundation established an award to recognize groundwater educators who understand the importance of groundwater, motivate others to protect groundwater, and lead by personal example. Edith Stevens of Cresco, Pennsylvania, received the first award at the 1997 “Priming the Pump” water educators conference in Chicago, Illinois. Edith is one of Pennsylvania’s strongest citizen advocates for protecting and preserving groundwater. Her involvement in groundwater education includes many years of service with the League of Women Voters in Pennsylvania and Water Resources Education Network (WREN). In addition, she co-directed a successful Groundwater Policy Education Project that provided small grants for local groundwater education and outreach efforts and wrote Groundwater: A Primer For Pennsylvanians. Edith’s outstanding work for groundwater education will stand as a touchstone of the award named in her honor.
Goals of the Edith Stevens Groundwater Educator Award
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Spread the word about groundwater
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Inspire others to become involved in groundwater education
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Provide educators with a successful role model
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Promote education as an effective groundwater protection method
Selection Criteria
The award winner will:
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Understand and appreciate the vital importance of groundwater
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Believe in education as a powerful force for positive change
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Motivate, mentor, and connect citizens in order to protect groundwater locally
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Lead by personal example
Areas of achievement may include:
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Advancing groundwater education in formal education settings
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Initiating and implementing informal or enrichment groundwater education programs
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Promoting understanding about groundwater among professional audiences
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Connecting diverse interest groups in order to enhance public understanding about groundwater
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Recognizing the importance of, and providing programming to, underserved audiences
Eligibility
Anyone actively involved with the implementation and delivery of groundwater education programs is eligible for this award. Individuals honored through this award have made a substantive contribution to groundwater stewardship through their educational efforts.
