We can't think of a better way to round out Environmental Education Week than by announcing our 2024 National Educator Award for Outstanding Environmental Stewardship! Jim Vail, a 4th-grade teacher at Hammond Elementary School (IL), has worked with our #BuddyBison School Program since 2015 to encourage his students to discover the outdoors. The award—also known as “The Buddy”—recognizes an educator who has significantly impacted their students’ understanding of the importance of protecting our nation’s treasured parks, public lands, and waters. He works inside and outside of the classroom to connect 4th-grade students annually with our nation’s parks, public lands, and waters. During his tenure, he has spearheaded the organization of excursions to local parks across Illinois and orchestrated virtual programs to bring the wonders of the outdoors directly to his school. The award presentation caught Mr. Vail by surprise as he was leading a trip he had arranged for 4th-grade students t...