J.B. Butler Science Grant

In 1992, AWRA Florida created the J.B. Butler Science Grant in honor of our colleague and former Section President, J.B. Butler, to provide educational materials to environmental centers and educators that teach grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12. The grant money is awarded to educators to promote water resources educational units. Each year, up to six (6) $1,000 grants are awarded (NOTE: the award amount was increased from $500 to $1,000 in 2020). Applications must be received by Friday, April 11, 2025.

2025 Application forms are now available and due by Friday, April 11, 2025. Click here to download the application.

2024 Recipients

Shannon Dack - Florida Oceanographic Society, Stuart
Shannon has worked in the marine science education field since 2003. Prior to joining FOS, Shannon held positions at Sea World San Antonio, Rainforest Cafe, Palm Beach Zoo, and Oxbow Eco-Center. Shannon is FOS’s first Education Manager. Shannon also serves as Camp Director and Education Department Volunteer Coordinator. On any given day, Shannon can be found leading a field trip, guiding a nature trail program, facilitating an educational beach walk, or giving one of the 1,500 on-microphone public presentations that Florida Oceanographic holds annually, inspiring more than 65,000 guests – all with a smile on her face. FOS will be purchasing buckets, nets, fishing tackle and other reusable equipment for surveying fish, squid, and other marine life in their summer camps.

Jimmy Waldron - Dinosaurs Will Always Be Awesome, Orlando
Jimmy is the founder of Dinosaurs Will Always Be Awesome (DWABA) - a nonprofit mobile dinosaur museum dedicated to bringing paleontology experiences to underserved communities.  He previously served as President of the Florida Fossil Hunters and is a former paleontologist for Orlando Science Center. Jimmy is building hands-on discovery kits to explore the importance of water in paleontology. The kits will be available to schools and educator programs across the state of Florida! With #DWABA, Jimmy combines interviews with scientists about paleontological discoveries, hands-on activities, and STEM career skills to bring dinosaur news to the modern world. He refuses to grow out of his dinosaur phase. Jimmy’s favorite dinosaurs are Tyrannosaurus rex, Olorotitan, and the Cassowary.

Heidi Alves - Flagler County Education Foundation, Bunnell
Heidi is a Teaching and Learning Specialist for Flagler County Schools. She has teamed up with the Everglades Foundation to create new Water Teaching Modules to explore the states of water for her district’s schools. FL AWRA will be funding the equipment for these reusable modules including rain gauges, hot plates, melting blocks, and thermometers.

Past Recipients

2023
Leif Mieras - Indian River Charter High School, Vero Beach
Gloria Del Gaudio - Biscayne Nature Center for Environmental Education, Key Biscayne
Lance Cutrer and Hailey Miller - Museum of Discovery and Science, Ft. Lauderdale

2022
Lisa Andrews - Big Cypress Preserve, Ochopee
Rebekah Jenkins - Starkey Environmental Education Center, Land O' Lakes
Jennifer Bachtel - Buckhorn Elementary School, Valrico
Louise Kowitch - Friends of Lover’s Key, Inc., Ft. Myers Beach

2021
Allison Mesang - Forest Hill High School, West Palm Beach
Erin Nocera - Forest Hill High School, West Palm Beach
Matthew Tye - PSI High at Seminole High School, Sanford
Rita Velasquez - Independence Classical Academy, Fort Pierce

2020
Lisa Andrews - Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee
Jerome Delacruz - Episcopal Day School of Christ Church Parish, Pensacola
Zoe Morales - Wesley Matthews Elementary School, Miami
Julie Ross - Lehigh Senior High School, Lehigh Acres
Chris Rusnak - Nature's Classroom, Thonotosassa
Somer Sutton - University High School, Orlando

2019
Tonya Belvin - Anderson Middle School, Stuart
Emily Floore - St. Johns Riverkeeper, Jacksonville
Chris Rusnak - Nature’s Classroom, Thonotosassa
Lori Shaw - Cape Coral High School, Cape Coral

2018
Lisa Andrews - Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee
Rae Burch - Sebastian Charter Junior High, Sebastian
Marsha Ellis - Varsity Lakes Middle School, Lehigh Acres
Stacy Graison - Naples Zoo, Naples
Scott Keddy - South Fork High School, Stuart
Greta Owens - Ambleside School of Ocala, Ocala
Chris Rusnak - Nature's Classroom, Thonotosassa

2017
Jessica Arnold - James A. Long Elementary School, Palatka
Megan Baker - Jacksonville Museum of Science and History, Jacksonville
Anne-Marie Davis - Oasis Elementary School, Cape Coral
Chris Rusnak - Nature's Classroom, Thonotosassa
Somer Sutton - University High School, Orlando

2016
Lisa Andrews - Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee
Heather Culp - Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute, High Springs
Jessi Drummond - CREW Land and Water Trust, Estero
Katherine Roberts - Palm Beach Gardens High School, Palm Beach Gardens
Christopher Rusnak - Nature's Classroom, Thonotosassa
Somer Sutton - University High School, Orlando

2015
Marilyn Pedek-Howard - Alexander W. Dreyfoos, Jr. School of the Arts, West Palm Beach
Susan R. Shepard - Jupiter Community High School, Jupiter
Lisa Andrews - Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee
Elizabeth Fahy - New River Middle School, Fort Lauderdale
Jessi Drummond - CREW Land and Water Trust, Estero
Dustin Angell - Archbold Biological Station, Venus

2014
Patsy Howell - Engineering is Elementary Program - 3 Oaks Elementary School, Fort Myers
Harbordale School Association - Harbordale Elementary, Fort Lauderdale
Janet Nadolna - Flagler Montessori, West Palm Beach
William Bianco - Rymfire Elementary School, Palm Bay

2013
Victoria Menszak - The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, Fort Myers
Lisa Andrews - Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee
Christine Voigt - J.D. Floyd K-8 School of Environmental Science, Spring Hill
Judith Weaver - High Springs Community School, High Springs

2012
Jessica Butts - Daniel Jenkins Academy, Haines City
Rachael Nicholson - Frostproof Middle/Senior High School, Frostproof
Victoria Schmitt - Bishop Kenny High School, Jacksonville
Somer Sutton - Heritage High School, Palm Bay
Sara Chang - Pineview Elementary, Tallahassee
Janet Sweat - Richardson Middle School, Lake City
Lisa Andrews - Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee

2011
Philip Gravinese - Heritage High School, Palm Bay
Adrienne Thieke - Lincoln Middle School, Gainesville
Somer Sutton - Heritage High School, Palm Bay
Sara Chang - Pineview Elementary School, Tallahassee
Harry Rotter - Pace Secondary School, Tallahassee
Lisa Andrews - Big Cypress National Preserve, Ochopee

2010
Cheryl Paradis - Springs Coast Environmental Education Center, Weeki Wachee
Vickie Ressel - Southwest Florida Christian Academy, Fort Myers
Les Ogden - Pasco High School, Dade City
Gevonne Blum - Sabal Elementary, Melbourne
Shawn Walker - Gulf Coast Academy of Science and Technology, Brooksville
Christy Mauer - Jacksonville Country Day School, Jacksonville

2009
Laura Sessions - South Florida Science Museum
Brenda Thomas - Corkscrew
Lisa Andrews - Big Cypress National Preserve
William Keele - Kinnan Elementary School

2008
Christine Voight
Debbie Medellin
Deborah McGuire
Jan Pearce
Joceyln O'Neil
Jonathan Benskin
Judy Black
Ashley McElligot
Cheryl Smith

2007
Richard Thomas
Lisa Andrews
Suzy Williams
James Barella
Cynthia Sepulueda
Jessica Goodman
Bryce Forrester
James Lis
Sarah Charbonnet
Sidonia Todd

2006
Sarah Charbonnet
Melissa Henkel
Allan Phipps
Suzanne Hall
Big Cypress National Preserve
ZoEllen Warren

2005
Carolyn Schultz
Martin C. Roberts
Tina Sargent

2004
Sherri Henley
Art Wyckoff
Michael Malinka
Cathy Hagberg