HAYS, Kan. — The Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE) recently announced the recipients of the 2025 Excellence in Conservation and Environmental Education Awards.
“KACEE is very pleased to honor and celebrate the work of these outstanding individuals and organizations for their amazing contributions to environmental education in Kansas,” said KACEE President Marcel Harmon.
This year, in the category of Community/Non-profit, KACEE recognized FHSU’s Kansas Wetlands Education Center Director, Curtis Wolf. In a press release from KACEE they noted:
Curtis Wolf, Kansas Wetlands Education Center:
The Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC) in Great Bend has expanded its environmental education efforts despite recent staff shortages, thanks to the dedication of Director Curtis Wolf. Traditionally serving in an administrative role, Curtis has stepped in as an educator, delivering 83 programs to 1,718 participants in 2024 alone. His hands-on approach, from teaching preschoolers about plants to leading bird identification workshops, has enriched KWEC’s programming and ensured its mission continues to thrive.
Beyond the center, Curtis is a tireless advocate for Cheyenne Bottoms and Kansas wetlands. He presents to community groups, hosts a monthly radio segment, and collaborates with the City of Great Bend and the Convention and Visitors Bureau to promote ecotourism. As chairman of the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway Committee, he works to attract visitors to the region, furthering appreciation for Kansas’ largest marshland. He also leads birding tours, engages with conservation organizations, and mentors future environmental professionals, fostering a new generation of conservation leaders.
Curtis has been instrumental in enhancing KWEC’s exhibits, including the 2024 addition of Melody Marsh, an outdoor musical play area designed to inspire curiosity and engagement with nature. His leadership and commitment to high-quality environmental education make him a cornerstone of KWEC’s success and a deserving candidate for recognition by the Kansas Association of Conservation and Environmental Education.
Curtis was recognized at the Awards Celebration hosted by KACEE on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Sunset Zoo in Manhattan, Kansas. The event is sponsored by KACEE, the Kansas Department of Wildlife & Parks, Sunset Zoo, Knork, CivicPlus, Franklin County Conservation District, In Honor of John K. Strickler, Kansas Association of Conservation Districts, Kansas Forest Service, Bill and Erma Riley.
“I am humbled by being chosen for this award,” Wolf said. “I appreciate all the people who have helped me professionally and personally in the past 15 years, including family, coworkers, and other mentors. This award is a direct reflection of those hundreds of people.”
About the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE): One of the first and largest conservation and environmental education organizations in the nation, KACEE is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established in 1969. KACEE’s mission is to accelerate environmental literacy and conservation in Kansas through non-biased, science-based environmental education. KACEE also coordinates the Kansas Green School Network. Learn more about KACEE and Kansas Green Schools at: www.kacee.org and www.kansasgreenschools.org
About the Kansas Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC): KWEC, affiliated with FHSU’s Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics, is located 10 miles northeast of Great Bend at the Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area. More information can be found at www.wetlandscenter.fhsu.edu
