Mike Town, a teacher at Redmond High School, has received an award from the North American Association for Environmental Education (EE) for Outstanding Service to Environmental Education by K-12 Educator. The award is given each year to a formal educator in grades K-12 who has made a significant contribution to helping students learn about the environment.

Nominator Brenna Holzhauer, education coordinator at Earth Day Network, said, “Mike Town is a passionate educator whose dedication to environmental education has inspired countless students, teachers, and EE advocates around the country. We have been so pleased to support his successful initiatives through our Climate Change Educators grant program, and it is wonderful to see him being recognized at such a prestigious level.”

Town, who teaches AP Environmental Science, implements EE in his classroom and throughout the rest of Redmond High. As a believer that awareness through education is the key to meeting the demands of the environment, in 2007, Town started his Cool Schools Challenges, in which students become the school’s energy auditor. The program that has been nationally recognized and replicated in many schools around the region. As a result of overwhelming interest in Town’s class, Redmond High’s AP scores are well above the district and state levels and his efforts have led to Redmond High’s reputation as the greenest school in the country and a leader in environmental education.

Town received his award Oct. 10 while attending the NAAEE National Conference in Portland.

Town and previous award recipients are highlighted on the NAAEE Web site.