The Land Trust of North Alabama is proud to announce that its PPG High School Environmental Education Program has been named the 2026 Best Environmental Education Community Project by the Environmental Education Association of Alabama (EEAA).

The award was formally presented at the 2026 EEAA and SEEA Conference in Gulf Shores, recognizing the program’s innovative approach to hands-on environmental learning for high school students across Madison County.

Made possible through the support of PPG Industries, the program brings real-world conservation science directly into classrooms. Students engage in a wide range of topics including water quality testing, biodiversity research, native planting, and campus conservation projects.

“This recognition affirms that we are on the right path and motivates us to keep growing,” said Laura Lambert, who leads the program. “It is incredibly rewarding to see the Land Trust’s conservation mission reach new audiences and help cultivate the next generation of environmental stewards in North Alabama”

Building Real-World Skills Through Conservation

Launched in spring 2025, the program was developed to address a gap in environmental education opportunities for high school students. What began with just two partner schools has quickly expanded.

This year, the program includes Bob Jones High School, James Clemens High School, Lee High School, Hazel Green High School, Buckhorn High School, and Huntsville High School, significantly increasing the program’s reach and impact.

Students across these schools are gaining hands-on experience in fieldwork, data collection, and environmental analysis through two primary focus areas: birding and water quality.

In the birding component, students learn to identify local bird species and understand their habitats while exploring ways to create more bird-friendly campuses. This includes developing plans for improvements such as applying bird-friendly window film to reduce collisions and enhance habitat safety.

In the water quality component, students conduct chemical and bacteriological testing on local water sources, building skills in environmental monitoring and stewardship while learning how data informs conservation decisions.

A Program Rooted in Mission

This initiative reflects the Land Trust’s CARE mission of conservation, advocacy, recreation, and education and represents a major step forward in its education efforts. The program was made possible through a $30,000 grant from PPG following conversations in 2024 about the need for more high school-focused environmental programming.

While many environmental education initiatives focus on younger audiences, this program gives high school students meaningful opportunities to engage in conservation and environmental advocacy.

A Recognition of Impact

In a letter announcing the award, EEAA praised the Land Trust’s work as a vital benchmark for excellence in environmental education across Alabama.

For Laura, the recognition is especially meaningful.

“Nearly two years ago, I left public education unsure how I would continue supporting students and teachers in STEM learning,” she shared. “Now, through this program, I’ve been able to reconnect with that passion in a whole new way.”

She added, “A huge thank you to our team, the PPG Foundation, and our partner teachers and students who are always willing to head outside and explore.”

This award highlights the growing impact of the Land Trust of North Alabama’s education initiatives and reinforces its commitment to empowering the next generation of environmental stewards.

To learn more about the program and how to get involved, visit landtrustnal.org.