We are honored to celebrate Susan Cox as the recipient of the NHEE Legacy Award—an honor reserved for individuals who have made extraordinary, long-term contributions to environmental education in New Hampshire.

For decades, Susan has been a cornerstone of the environmental education (EE) community, embodying the very best of the field. Her work reflects the core tenets of EE—lifelong learning, equity and inclusion, sound science, interdisciplinary thinking, and a deep commitment to place-based, experiential learning. Through her leadership, collaboration, and vision, Susan has helped shape and strengthen environmental education not only in New Hampshire, but across the entire northeastern United States.

In her role as Conservation Education Coordinator with the U.S. Forest Service, Susan built lasting connections between educators and natural resource professionals across a 20-state region. She created opportunities for teachers to learn directly from scientists and to bring that knowledge back to their classrooms through meaningful, hands-on experiences. From forestry tours and watershed institutes to the Forest for Every Classroom program, Susan has empowered educators to teach in ways that inspire curiosity, deepen understanding, and connect students to the natural world.

Susan’s impact extends far beyond individual programs. She has played a key role in advancing environmental literacy at both the state and national levels—contributing to the development of New Hampshire’s Environmental Literacy Plan, supporting the integration of EE into science standards, and helping shape national best practices through her work with the North American Association for Environmental Education’s Guidelines for Excellence. Her leadership has also guided numerous organizations, including NH Project Learning Tree, NHEE, and the New England Environmental Education Alliance.

At the heart of Susan’s work is collaboration. She has a remarkable ability to bring people together—connecting organizations, ideas, and individuals in ways that elevate everyone’s contributions. Whether in meetings, on the landscape, or alongside educators and learners in the field, Susan leads with kindness, generosity, and a deep belief that the outdoors should be accessible to all as a place of learning and connection.

For so many in this community, Susan is not only a respected leader, but also a trusted colleague, mentor, and friend. Her career reflects a lifelong dedication to strengthening environmental education and ensuring that future generations have the knowledge, skills, and connection to care for the world around them.

Congratulations, Susan, on receiving the NHEE Legacy Award. Your legacy of collaboration, leadership, and unwavering commitment to environmental education will continue to inspire for years to come. 🌎🌲