The Brandwein Medal, established in 2006, is bestowed upon individuals and/or organizations whose focus is in keeping with Paul and Mary Brandwein’s commitment to education, life-long learning, nature, and community. The awardee receives a Bronze Medallion engraved with the likeness of Paul Brandwein.
John Burroughs Association Receives 2024 Brandwein Medal
The Paul F-Brandwein Institute presents the 2024 Brandwein Medal to the John Burroughs Association at their Literary Awards Celebration and Luncheon on April 1, 2024 at the Yale Club in New York City. The event honors the best in nature writing. The Medal is awarded in recognition of the Association’s work to elevate the relevance of the writings and perspective of naturalist and author John Burroughs through experiential learning and nature writing today. Jack Padalino, Brandwein Institute’s director emeritus and John Burroughs Associati
on president emeritus, has been a member of JBA for 40 years and nominated the group for this award, recognizing their outstanding record of connecting people with nature.
Sussex County Bird Club Honored with 2023 Brandwein Medal for Leadership in Environmental Education
The Paul F-Brandwein Institute presents the 2023 Brandwein Medal to the Sussex County Bird Club at their 70th anniversary celebration in April, 2023. The event features a gala celebration, program presentation, dinner and silent auction. The Medal is awarded in recognition of SCBC’s work to inspire new generations, regardless of age, to experience, embrace and love nature firsthand. Jack Padalino, Brandwein Institute’s Director Emeritus, has been a member of the Sussex County Bird Club for 60 years and nominated the group for this award, recognizing their outstanding record of connecting people with nature. The Sussex County Bird Club, established in 1953, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that encourages the study and appreciation of birds and other forms of nature and furthers the cause of conservation of our natural resources.
Pocono Environmental Education Center Receives 2022 Brandwein Medal at 50th Anniversary Event
PEEC is located within the 77,000 acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, along the Delaware River, and is within 
a short driving distance of New York City & Philadelphia. The mission of PEEC is to advance environmental education, sustainable living, and appreciation for nature through hands-on experience in a national park. PEEC is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with nearly a half century as the education partner of the National Park Service. Since 1972, over 1 million visitors have come to PEEC at an average of 25,000 per year.
Walter Bogan and Talbert Spence Awarded 2022 Brandwein Medals
Walter Bogan and Talbert Spence each received a Brandwein Medal. The Medals are awarded in recognition of their work to inspire new generations, regardless of age, to experience, embrace and love nature firsthand. Their leadership has reached millions of people, especially the young, inspiring them to take environmental action.
Walter Bogan
Walter Bogan began his career as a science teacher and later became Executive Director of the Scientists’ Institute for Public Information in Manhattan. He was the first director of the Office of Environmental Education in Washington, D.C. In 1980, he moved to the American Association for the Advancement of Science AAAS where he developed a Center for Education on Global Climate Change. In 1997, he became Director of Education for University Heights Science Park.
Talbert Spence
Talbert B. Spence has had a long career in leadership positions and professional relationships to advocate for sustainable public understanding of science programs and the natural world. He began as a science teacher in the Toledo Public Schools and served in high-level positions on the staffs of numerous universities and NGOs including the State University of New York, the University of Michigan, National Audubon Society, New York Academy of Sciences, and American Museum of Natural History.
Dr. Margaret Otieno is Awarded the 2021 Brandwein Medal
Dr. Margaret Otieno
Dr. Otieno is an environmental educator with PhD in Climate Change and Education for Sustainable Development and an MSC in Environment and Development. With over 20 years in the environmental education field, she is currently the National Coordinator of the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya.
Dr. Otieno reaches thousands of school children, youth, and communities with conservation knowledge and has inspired many upcoming youngsters to take up environment conservation as a career. She sits on the Boards of AFEW (Kenya) Ltd and Elsa Conservation Trust.
Dr. Otieno was originally scheduled to receive the award at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in June 2020. Because of the pandemic, the congress was postponed, and Dr. Otieno received the award by mail.
Edward O. Wilson
E.O. Wilson
E. O. Wilson received the 2020 Brandwein Medal remotely due to the pandemic. The medal is given in recognition of his lifetime of inspiring new generations to experience, embrace, and love nature. E.O. Wilson 2017 short bio.
Press Release March 28, 2020: “Brandwein Institute Awards Brandwein Medal to E.O. Wilson Remotely”
Peter Raven
Peter H. Raven
Peter Raven, Professor Emeritus, Missouri Botanical Garden, received the 2019 Brandwein Medal for his many contributions to botanical research, conservation, education, and horticulture.
New York Outdoor Education Association
The Brandwein Institute presented the Brandwein Medal to the New York Outdoor Education Association (NYOEA) on September 22, 2018 at its 50th anniversary conference. The award honors NYOEA for promoting life-long learning about the outdoors and inspiring appreciation of the environment.
The award was presented to NYSOEA Co-Founder Jerry Passer and President Eric Powers by Brandwein Institute President Keith Wheeler and President Emeritus John (Jack) Padalino. The award is in recognition of the 50 years of outstanding work inspiring new generations, regardless of age, to experience, embrace and love nature first hand. NYSOEA has reached tens of thousands of New Yorkers, especially children and youth, leading them to take environmental action.
In addition to the Medal, the Brandwein Institute also presented NYSOEA with a check for $1,000 to help further its endeavors for the next 50 years.
Robert Bateman
Robert Bateman
Artist and naturalist Robert Bateman received the 2017 International Brandwein Medal at the Children & Nature Network International Conference on April 21 at 8:30am. Brandwein Board of Directors William Hammond, Cheryl Charles, and Bradley Smith presented the Medal at the Westin Bayshore Conference Centre, Vancouver, BC. Bateman is known as one of the foremost artists depicting the world of nature, and he has become a spokesperson for many environmental and preservation issues. Books about his life and art have sold over a million copies. See Robert Bateman’s Bio.
Kartikeya Sarabhai
Kartikeya Sarabhai
The 2016 International Brandwein Medal was presented to Kartikeya Sarabhai at the World Conservation Congress in Hawaii, September 1-5. Mr. Sarabhai is one of the world’s leading environmental educators and a dedicated community builder as well a an astute and well-regarded industrialist. He is founder and director of India’s Centre for Environmental Education, headquartered in Ahmedabad. Mr. Sarabhai was among the founders of the South and Southeast Asian Network for Environmental Education, and he is currently the editor of the Journal of Education for Sustainable Development. See Kartikeya Sarabhai’s Bio.
Park Directors Alan Latourelle and Jon Jarvis Receive Brandwein Medals at ING Summit in 2015
Alan Latourelle, Nik Lopoukhine, Jon Jarvis, and Jack Padalino at ING Summit Brandwein Medal ceremony.
The Brandwein Institute bestowed its highest award, the International Brandwein Medal, to Alan Latourelle and Jonathan B. Jarvis at the Inspiring a New Generation North American Summit in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, on November 7, 2015. Nikita Lopoukhine, Chair Emeritus, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Commission on Protected Areas, presented the Medal to Alan Latourelle, CEO (retired), Parks Canada. Alan was selected for his dedicated work in protecting the special places of our planet and inspiring new generations of people to experience, embrace, and love nature firsthand. Read the press release.
2014: Nikita Lopoukhine Received Brandwein Medal at IUCN-World Parks Congress
Nik Lopoukhine
Nik Lopoukhine, Chair Emeritus, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Commission on Protected Areas, received the Brandwein Medal at the IUCN-World Parks Congress at the Inspiring a New generation Stream Closing Session on November 18, 2014. The award was given in recognition of Nik’s lifetime work in protecting the special places of the planet and inspiring new generations of people to experience, embrace, and love nature firsthand. Read Nik’s Bio. Read Press Release. Read Nik’s opinion piece “Top 10 issues an environmentally responsible party needs to address in the next election.”
Dick Arnold
Richard Arnold Received the Brandwein Medal at NSTA Annual Meeting, 2015
Richard (Dick) Arnold, formerly a scientist with the Soil Conservation Service, received the Brandwein Medal at the NSTA Annual Meeting in Chicago. The award was presented at the Brandwein Lecture on March 14, 2015. Dr. Arnold was honored for his years of being a world leader in soil science pedagogy and an inspiration to young people to get involved in conservation efforts. Read Dick’s Bio.
Terry Ippolito
Teresa (Terry) Ippolito was awarded a Brandwein Medal, at the Brandwein Nature Learning Preserve Dedication Ceremony on October 8, 2012, Terry has recently retired as the EPA Environmental Coordinator for New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In her EPA capacity, Terry coordinated EPA’s programming in environmental education which included administering the agency Environmental Education Grants Program in the region. Read more about Terry Ippolito.
Wendy Goldstein
Wendy Goldstein received the 2012 International Brandwein Medal at the IUCN (Internation Union for Conservation of Nature) World Conservation Congress in Jeju Korea on September 6th. Jack Padalino, President Emeritus of the Brandwein Institute, presented the award that is given every four years in partnership with IUCN-CEC (Commission on Education and Communication). Wendy Goldstein is a lecturer in the Graduate School of the Environment, Macquarie University, Sydney (2005 to present), where she is program director for the awards in Environmental Education and Sustainable Development. Her interest is in how to engage people and work with them to bring about change for sustainable development. Read more about Wendy Goldstein.
Bill Aldridge
Bill Aldridge received the 2012 Brandwein Medal for his lifetime achievement in promoting science education and teacher professionalism. Bill served as NSTA Executive Director from 1980-1995. Under his leadership, many programs, including Toyota Tapestry, were implemented to benefit science educators. Prior to coming to NSTA, he served as a program officer at the National Foundation for three years. Bill is the author of numerous textbooks, monographs, and published papers. He has an M.S. in evaluation and an M.S. in physics from the University of Kansas and MEd in science education from Harvard University. In 1995, NASA awarded Bill its Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest honor NASA awards to a non-NASA individual.
Jerry Schierloh
Jerry Schierloh was the recipient of the 2010 Brandwein Medal, presented at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Brandwein Nature Learning Preserve. Jerry is an environmental education professional who retired in 1999 from a 32-year career as Associate Professor of Environmental Studies with the New Jersey School of Conservation, Montclair State University. He has designed a system of trails for the Brandwein Nature Learning Preserve and is currently working with the Brandwein Institute Board of Directors to plan and complete construction of the site. Learn more about Jerry Schierloh’s professional experiences and qualifications.
Dan Bisaccio
2009: Dan Bisaccio, 1997 Brandwein Fellow, received a 2009 Brandwein Medal, presented at the Brandwein Lecture, March 21, at the NSTA Annual Meeting in New Orleans.After spending many years as a high school teacher, Dan now directs Secondary Science Education at Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island. Dan is recognized for his ongoing field research studies in biodiversity. Read more.
Katalin Czippan
2008: Katalin Czippan, Programme Leader in the Sustainable Development Programme Office at Eötvös Lorand University (ELTE), Budapest, Hungary, received a Brandwein Medal on October 10, 2008, 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. Read more.
2008: Toyota received a 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. Rhonda Glasscock, Corporate Communications Manager, Toyota Motor Sales, accepted the Medal at the Brandwein Lecture at the NSTA Annual Meeting in Boston on March 29, 2008.
Rodger Bybee
2008: Rodger Bybee, former Executive Director of the Biological Sciences Curriculum Studies (BSCS), was a leader in the development of the National Science Education Standards and served as chair for the content working group. Dr. Bybee received the Brandwein Medal at the NSTA Annual Meeting in Boston on March 29, 2008, for his lifetime achievement in furthering conservation education.
David Brown
2007: David Brown, 2001 Brandwein Fellow and fifth-grade teacher, Baldwin Intermediate School-West, Quincy, Illinois, was selected to receive the Institute’s first Brandwein Medal. The directors awarded the first Medal to a practicing elementary educator who has exemplified outstanding achievement in engaging students in conservation and outdoor learning. Mr. Brown received the award at the Brandwein Lecture at the National Science Teachers Association Annual Meeting in St. Louis, on March 31, 2007. Read more.