HAWKQUEST awarded for programs

The HawkQuest raptor education program based in Parker was among 10 recipients of a 2003 award for excellence in environmental education from the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education.

The award recognizes leadership in developing effective, cooperative, cross-sector environmental education programs. The recipients represent an array of education programs that increase environmental awareness and conservation.

In addition, Shawna Crocker has been chosen as this year's recipient of the Enos Mills Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding, long-term individual achievement in environmental education.

The award is named in honor of Enos Mills, whose passion for environmental protection and education was largely responsibility for the establishment of Rocky Mountain National Park.

In addition to HawkQuest, the program award recipients are the Great Sand Dunes National Monument and Preserve in Mosca; the CalWood Education Center's School Program in

Boulder; Butterfly Hope in Denver, Eco-Justice Ministries in Denver, Denver Zoo's Community Leadership Project in Denver, the Eldorado Canyon State Park Junior Ranger Program in Eldorado Springs; the Field School at the Plains Conservation Center in Aurora; the Fort Lewis College Environmental Center in Durango; and earth studies at the Mountain Park Environmental Center in Beulah.

All recipients will be showcased at the alliance's annual fund-raiser and awards celebration November 7 at the Colorado Mountain Club in Golden.

The banquet is open to the public. Reservations can be made by calling (303) 273-9527.

The Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and enhancing environmental education through a balanced and collaborative approach.

A comprehensive electronic clearinghouse and resource directory for environmental education is available on the organization's Web site, www.caee.org.