In recognition of its environmental education efforts at the local level, the Santa Clarita Environmental Education Consortium will be awarded the North American Association for Environmental Education Award for Outstanding Service to Environmental Education on Saturday, Oct. 22 at the association’s annual conference in Madison, Wis.

SCEEC is a sustainable, public-private initiative sponsored by College of the Canyons, Lockheed Martin, Sempra Energy, SCV Family of Water Suppliers, and other community stakeholders that promotes environmental literacy in the Santa Clarita Valley.

“It is an honor for the Santa Clarita Environmental Education Consortium to be recognized with this award for our efforts at the local level,” said Michael Haro, an environmental science adjunct instructor at the college who serves on the SCEEC board.

Haro, an environmental engineer at Lockheed Martin, will be accepting the award on behalf of the SCEEC board.

Through multiple environmental education projects, SCEEC has encouraged hundreds of K-14 students to practice and pursue sustainability.

The SCEEC also holds an annual Green STEM Summit to introduce students and educators to the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center.

The organization’s K-12 outreach efforts include the Bluebird Restoration Project, which has helped restore the community’s bluebird population by helping students set up bluebird boxes.

“SCEEC provides an engaging platform where students, the campus community, the local community, and industries come together to address environmental issues that our students and residents care about,” said Jia-Yi Cheng-Levine, director of International Services and Programs at the college and SCEEC member. “Four years into its existence, I cannot be more proud of SCEEC being recognized for our tireless efforts in promoting environmental sustainability.”

NAAEE is the premier Environmental Education organization in the United States. Each year, just one organization wins this award at the local level.

The SCEEC board is made up of different members of the Santa Clarita community, including members of COC, Hart District, Castaic Lake Water Agency, and Lockheed Martin.

Other members from COC and the William S. Hart Union High School District include Dr. Jerry Buckley, Dr. Mariane Doyle, Sue Reynolds, and Tim Honadel.

For more information about the SCEEC please call (661) 362-3188 or visit http://www.canyons.edu/Committees/SCEEC.