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Download the current Paul F-Brandwein Institute brochure here.

Conservation Learning
Summit: Feeling the
Spirit in Film

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The Paul F-Brandwein Institute, Inc. is a nonprofit organization. To perpetuate the work of Paul F-Brandwein, the Institute is dedicated to the education of all learners in recognition of their interdependence with nature and responsibility for sustaining a healthful and healing environment. This site is both a showcase for the Institute's activities, and a working environment for ongoing collaboration and dialog among the institute's fellows, staff, and board members.

Check out our current programs:
Conservation Learning Summit, Lecture Series, Herbarium, Conservation Award


Contribute to the Mary Brandwein Trust Fund

Brandwein Nature Learning Trails

Currently, the major focus of the Brandwein Institute is to establish several interpretive trails on the Brandwein-Morholt Trust property (Rutgers Creek Wildlife Conservancy). Once constructed, the trails will used by local school students and club members to perform field studies. Click here for a map of the proposed trails. Virtual investigations will also encouraged so that students around the country can participate in the trails activities in their communities and share data with their counterparts. Click here to download the draft proposal outlining the plan for the trails development. The proposal was prepared by Jerry Schierloh, consultant, formerly with the New Jersey School of Conservation. Phase One of three phases of the project will begin in spring 2010.  A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place in July 2010.

2010 Brandwein Lecture

Lynne CherryLynne Cherry, award-winning children's book author and illustrator, will speak about "Young Voices on Climate Change" and share amazing success stories of kids reducing their carbon footprints.  Her most recent book is How We Know What We Know about Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming, written with Gary Braasch. Her other best sellers include The Great Kapok Tree: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest, A River Ran Wild, and The Armadillo from Amarillo.  Her books teach children a respect for the Earth and how they can make a difference and change the world. She advocates that using nature to integrate curriculum makes a child's learning relevant. The lecture will be presented at the 2010 NSTA Annual Meeting on Science Education in Philadelphia, on Saturday, March 20, at 11am.

The Brandwein Medal

The Brandwein Medal, established in 2006, is bestowed upon individuals whose lifework is in keeping with Paul and Mary Brandwein's commitment to education, life-long learning, nature, and community. The award includes a bronze medallion and an expense-paid trip to receive the award. For a list of medal recipients, read more.

Katalin Czippan Receives Brandwein Medal

Katalin Czippan

On October 10, 2008, a Brandwein Medal was presented to Katalin Czippan by Brandwein Institute President Keith Wheeler, at the World Conservation Conference in Barcelona, Spain. Ms. Czippan received the award for her pioneering efforts in conservation and nature education in the newly emerging democracies in Central and Eastern Europe. She is a Programme Leader in the Sustainable Development Programme Office at Eötvös Lorand University (ELTE) and is based in Budapest, Hungary.  Read more...


Brandwein Institute Partners with the Architectural Foundation of San Francisco

At its June 2007 five-year planning meeting, the Paul F-Brandwein Institute (PFBI) Board of Directors voted to form strategic partnerships with organizations that were doing important work in conservation education.  The first such organization to receive the Institute's support is the Architectural Foundation of San Francisco (AFSF), whose "Build San Francisco" program is a model for business/industry collaboration. Based on the PFBI's ability to catalyze, convene, and communicate with influential groups, PFBI will assist AFSF to replicate programs similar to Build San Francisco in other cities across the nation. For information about the Build San Francisco program, go to http://www.afsf.org/program_buildsf.htm.

Rodger Bybee

Rodger Bybee and Toyota are Recipients of 2008 Brandwein Medals

Two Brandwein Medals were awarded at the Brandwein Lecture, March 29, 2008, at the NSTA Annual Meeting in Boston.  Rodger Bybee, the 2003 and 2008 Brandwein Lecturer, has been a teacher and administrator in science education for the past 40 years.  He recently retired as Executive Director of the Biological Curriculum Studies (BSCS).  Dr. Bybee was a leader in the development of the National Science Education Standards and served as chair for the content working group. He also served as chair of the Science Forum for the 2006 Program for International Student Assessment. Dr. Bybee is receiving the Brandwein Medal for his lifetime achievement in furthering conservation Education.

ToyotaToyota received the Brandwein Medal for its corporate commitment to sound environmental practices.  Through its sponsorship of the Toyota Tapestry program, the Brandwein Summer Leadership Institutes, and numerous other environmentally-friendly programs throughout the country, Toyota has demonstrated its ongoing support of conservation education for teachers and students.  Rhonda Glasscock, Corporate Communications Manager, Toyota Motor Sales, accepted the Medal on behalf of Toyota.  Ms. Glasscock has worked with the Toyota Tapestry program as well as with the Brandwein Summer Leadership Institutes.  She is a former elementary school teacher.

Richard Louv at the 2007 NSTA Annual Meeting

Richard Louv, 2007 Brandwein lecturer, spoke to a standing-room-only crowd at the NSTA Annual Meeting in St. Louis on March 31.
View the "Leave No Child Inside" lecture video
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Conservation Challenge: A Re-Commitment to the Future

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Diverse Groups Join Together to "Leave No Child Inside"
Press Event, April 24, 2006

Fungal Inventory Finds New Species