Lincoln, Neb. —Nebraska Forest Service Conservation Education Coordinator Jack Hilgert has been selected for the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)'s EE 30 Under 30 Award. He is the first and only Nebraskan to be recognized. Jack graduated with a degree in Fisheries & Wildlife from the School of Natural Resources in May 2020.
Since 2016, NAAEE's EE 30 Under 30 program has recognized 241 individuals from 47 countries who are making a difference through environmental education. EE 30 Under 30 celebrates the unique and passionate leadership of talented young leaders around the world and gives them a professional boost to increase their impact.
Under Jack’s leadership last year, the Nebraska Forest Service and its network of statewide partners trained 1,500 educators to utilize conservation education curriculum with over 50,000 students. More than one in ten Nebraska youth was educated about their local trees and environment.
“We all stand on the shoulders of giants,” Hilgert said. “I greatly appreciate the many amazing individuals who contribute to my success today as well as those whose past work paved the way for these outcomes."