Joseph Winters considers himself lucky to have a job he loves doing - acquainting Western Maryland students with their natural environment. Mr. Winters was the Coordinator of Hickory Environmental Education Center for nearly 25 years.

Under his leadership, the program became a significant resource for science education and served more than 75,000 elementary, middle and high school students. During his tenure, he instituted a daily weather data resource for teachers -- RainWise Weather Station, began an annual Arbor Day celebration for Garrett County elementary students, and established Hickory as a monitoring site for the University of Maryland Blacklight and Allison Pike insect trap program.

Mr. Winters is also involved with the Maryland Fur Trappers Association, Western Maryland Consortium Summer Youth Employment Program, Maryland High School Forestry and Natural Resources Resident Program, Northern High School Envirothon Team, and Project Learning Tree. He is also a charter member of the Appalachian Laboratory Citizens Advisory Board.

Mr. Winters was awarded the 2002 Richard A. Johnson Environmental Education Award in recognition of his outstanding efforts in environmental education and his work in providing opportunities for students of all ages.