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 money is awarded to educators to promote water resources educational units. Each year, up to six (6) $1,000-$2,000 grants are awarded (NOTE: Award Maximum was increased from $1,000 to $2,000 based on merit and impact for 2026). Applications must be received by Friday, April 17, 2026.

2026 Application forms are now available and due by Friday, April 17, 2026. Click here to download the application.

2025 Recipients

KATHERINE BERO- BIOLOGY & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE, BISHOP KENNY HS, JACKSONVILLE, FL

Funds allocated from this grant will be used to purchase materials and equipment for students enrolled in the Bishop Kenny (BK) and Think Green Network (TGN) environmental science classes, clubs, and Green Teams who will be hosting river cleanups and assisting with local water testing for the St. Johns River Keeper over the 2025-2026 school yea.

Impact – up to 175 students

DAVID CROLL- BIOLOGY, SEMINOLE RIDGE HS, LOXAHATCHEE FL
This grant will provide: water quality testing tools to enhance hands-on learning about local waterways and human impact. Students will analyze various water parameters in local bodies of water and compare results with statewide government data. Students will monitor in-class aquariums, which serve as controlled ecosystems for studying native and nonnative species, the nitrogen cycle, as well as nutrient uptake by plants. 130+ students annually will gain experience conducting real-world water quality assessments in both controlled and natural environments.

Honor Edmands- SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR, MARINE RESOURCES COUNCIL

PALM BAY, FL 

Funds will be used for equipment and development of an educational board game for children. Digital microscopes for visual exploration. Low Impact Living checklists.  Board game to teach students how pollution enters our waterways through stormwater, and how we can reduce and stop this pollution

Impact – up to 1,000 children

EMILY HOWARD- MS SCIENCE, THE PINE SCHOOL, HOBE SOUND, FL 
6th grade students collaborated with Emily on an environmental civic action project. They took water quality measurements from the lake on campus to assess ecosystem health. Due to high phosphates, they created a mitigation plan. FL AWRA will be funding equipment needed for restoration project including buffer plants water quality monitoring supplies 

Impact - up to 90 students

FRIENDS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY- POLLUTION PREVENTION COALITION, BOYNTON BEACH, FL
P2 runs an annual contest during the PB School’s Engineer-It competition. Students 4th-12th grade compete in designing a water filter for turbid water Volume and turbidity are graded FL AWRA will be finding a new Turbidity Meter, new glassware, and supplies for making the turbid solution

Impact up to 150 students

Dr. Brian Ogle- Director of Conservation Learning, Brevard County ZooBrevard Zoo offers multiple learning experiences for students across Central Florida dedicated to water resource and water habitat conservation. Additionally, Brevard Zoo offers a unique teacher professional development where teachers work alongside the Zoo’s conservation team to see how science is applied in the field. FL AWRA funds will; purchase of permanent field equipment to increase the capacity and expand these learning experiences.

Impact - Over 10,000

Shannon Rivard- Youth Education Teacher, Sanibel Sea School
Shannon Rivard is a marine science educator and conservationist. She holds both a BS in Marine Science and Biology and an MS in Marine Conservation from the University of Miami. FL AWRA is funding: Purchase of new plankton tow nets and replacement parts, which are essential to Sanibel Sea School’s immersive, field-based marine science programs

Impact – up to 5,000 children

Past Recipients 

2024

Shannon Dack - Florida Oceanographic Society, Stuart

Jimmy Waldron - Dinosaurs Will Always Be Awesome, Orlando

Heidi Alves - Flagler County Education Foundation, Bunnell

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