International Paper and The Conservation Fund will provide national recognition and $10,000 cash grants to two conservation/environmental education leaders at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., this summer.

Award nominations are being accepted through April 17.

The International Paper Conservation Partnership Award, in its 18th year, is presented annually to an individual who has achieved significant results in the protection of habitat through a cooperative relationship with a business or company.

By demonstrating that a healthy environment and a healthy economy are not mutually exclusive, this person leads in a conservation effort benefiting the environment and encourages others to form similarly productive alliances with businesses.

Nominees must have achieved significant results in the protection of terrestrial or wetland habitats in the United States and demonstrated the positive value of cooperative partnerships between business and the conservation community.

Last year's 2005 IP Conservation Partnership Award went to Alan Hutchinson. Since 1997, Alan has led the Forest Society of Maine, located in Bangor, Maine, in the development of conservation projects protecting nearly 400,000 acres of the state's forests. His ability to bring diverse interests together in a true sense of partnership to achieve conservation goals is having a lasting impact.

The International Paper Environmental Education Award, in its 12th year, is presented annually to an educator who has developed an innovative approach to environmental education that significantly improves student comprehension of environmental issues, fosters an understanding of the link between environmental protection and economic growth, demonstrates leadership and inspires achievement.

Potential candidates are elementary or secondary school educators or university faculty or staff members.

Last year's 2005 IP Environmental Education Award went to Mike Town. Through his leadership at Redmond High School in Duvall, Wash., Mike established an interdisciplinary study program for 10th and 11th grade students performing at low levels. The unique program, now known as Pathfinder, provides meaningful learning experiences for students with learning disabilities. Under Mike's leadership, graduation rates of pathfinder students doubled from previous rates.

For more information, visit the online Award Nominations webpage.

3/3/2006