NAEP 2026 Award Winners

Zirzow Student Award

The Zirzow Award was established in honor of Charles F. Zirzow, one of the founding members of NAEP, who passed away in 1997. He strongly believed that environmental education was a continuing and lifetime process.

Natalie Hunter
University of Alaska, Anchorage 

Emerging Environmental Professional Achievement Award

Alejandro Alvarez, M. SC., EIT 

President's Award

NAEP President's awards are awarded by the NAEP President to members for their service and contribution to the association.

Rona Farley

Jim Roberts Scholarship Recipient

This scholarship was created in 2008 to memorialize Jim Roberts contributions to NAEP and the environmental profession in general.

Environmental Excellence Awards

Each year, NAEP seeks nominations for our annual National Environmental Excellence Awards. Applicants who are eligible to win represent a national or major achievement involving national organizations, Federal, State, tribal, or local agencies or companies; achieve a national or international contribution to the environment with verifiable results and evidence, and achieve innovation in compliance methodology and/or integration of decision-making with environmental regulatory processes.

2026 Categories & Winners

• Public Involvement and Education Award
• Winner: Texas Department of Transportation
• For: Oak Hill Parkway Project
• Best Available or Innovative Technology Award
• Winner: Matrix New World Engineering
• For: In Situ Bioremediation of Chlorinated Solvents and Emerging Contaminants
• Environmental Management, Stewardship, Conservation and/or Protection Award
• Winner: McMillen, Inc, & Klamath River Renewal Corporation
• For: Klamath River Renewal
• NEPA and/or Planning Integration Award
• Winner: California Department of Transportation, Division of Environmental Analysis
• For: Environmental Staff Development & Strategic Direction (S2) for NEPA Assignment Training