Mr. Matthew Tiller, Environmental Science, Wisconsin Ecology and Integrated Science teacher at Verona Area High School, has been named the Conservation Teacher of the Year by the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD).

NACD, cosponsor of the award with Zeneca Ag Products, is a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization representing nearly 3,000 local conservation districts (land conservation departments here in Wisconsin) and their state associations. The Conservation Teacher of the Year award recognizes the outstanding conservation education efforts of our nation's elementary and secondary teachers. Judging of the nominations is based on how the teacher has shown concern, scope and originality in incorporating natural resource conservation into their curricula.

Mr. Tiller works closely with conservation and environmental professionals to achieve his goal of giving students a realistic view of what it is like to be a natural resource manager. He teaches that science is a process, that the Earth is one interconnected system, and that humans alter natural systems. The history of conservation, restoration ecology, soil resources and Wisconsin ecology are all topics covered in Mr. Tiller's curriculum. Help Our Planet Earth (HOPE), a student club, evolved from students who wanted to continue their involvement with the projects after they had completed their class with Mr. Tiller.

Matt Tiller is no stranger to citizens of Verona, the community where he teaches. He and his students are featured regularly in the Verona Press, sharing information with the community about their projects. Mr. Tiller's students learn environmental science, ecology and natural resource concepts through hands-on research that they use to develop restoration projects for woodlands, prairies, and wetland ecosystems. The students' projects make a positive impact in their hometown while providing a community service through their learning experiences.

In the nomination, the teacher must describe their program for involving students in the betterment of natural resources by describing how the areas of study incorporate conservation education program; assistance received from organizations, resource specialists. Nominees are required to explain how the program is extended to other grades and the community, and document how their students have applied their knowledge of natural resource conservation to projects.

Some of Mr. Tiller's accomplishments include:

• development of the Environmental Science program at VAHS
• development of HOPE
• advisor for Land Rovers, a club that explores natural areas through canoeing, backpacking, and rock climbing
• co-coaches VAHS's Science Olympiad team
• co-founded the Verona Habitat Restoration Workgroup
• taking students on an annual trip to Trees for Tomorrow's outdoor education center
• working closely with the City of Verona Parks Department on restoration projects
• pairing his students with younger kids to teach them prairie related concepts
• helping his students prepare a newsletter for high school parents and residents living near the nature center

To be eligible to win this award, the teacher must first win at the local and state level. The Dane County Land Conservation Committee and Department supported Matt Tiller's nomination at the local level last June. His nomination then went on to the Wisconsin Land and Water Conservation Association (WLWCA) where he was named the statewide secondary (7-12) Conservation Teacher of the Year by their Board of Directors. Mr. Tiller was honored at WLWCA's annual meeting in Wausau, Wisconsin on December 7th where he received his state and local awards. Only one winner from each state goes on to the national level. Tiller won the first place national award that includes $1,000 and travel expenses to NACD's 2001 Annual Meeting in Fort Worth, TX. NACD will be judging state entries to determine the national winners later in December. The first place winner at the national level will receive a $1,000.00 cash award, a prestigious plaque, and travel expenses to NACD's Annual Meeting (in Texas this year), where he or she will be invited to speak. If you happen to cross paths with Mr. Tiller, be sure to congratulate him on this achievement!

Link to NACD's description of Matt's award

Contact the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association at:
207 East Main Street • PO Box 314 • Mount Horeb, WI 53572
Phone: (608) 437-7707 • Email: execdr@usrwa.org

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This page last updated August 25, 2003