Huntsville Green Team Honors Students, Educators at 2026 Green Ambassador Awards
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The City of Huntsville Green Team hosted its annual Green Ambassador Awards Ceremony in May 2026, recognizing outstanding students, educators and schools for their commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability education across the community.
More than 35 schools participated in the 2025-2026 Green Ambassador Program, engaging thousands of students in hands-on environmental projects, conservation initiatives and sustainability-focused learning experiences throughout the school year.
The Green Ambassador Program, coordinated by the City’s Green Team, encourages students and educators to take active roles in protecting natural resources and improving the local environment through education, service projects and community partnerships.
During the ceremony, City officials and community partners celebrated the collaborative efforts that made the program successful, including support from the Solid Waste Disposal Authority, ReWorld, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, Lockheed Martin, Leidos and the National Environmental Education Foundation.
“We are incredibly proud of the work accomplished this year,” said Brian Walker, Director of Landscape Management. “Programs like this only succeed when a community comes together behind a shared mission, and tonight is a celebration of that collective effort.”
The ceremony highlighted exceptional achievements by students and educators across elementary, middle and high school programs.
Green Guardian Awards
The Green Guardian Awards honored educators who demonstrated extraordinary leadership in environmental education and student engagement. Organizers recognized teachers who introduced innovative sustainability projects, including recycled art initiatives, invasive species removal projects, environmental science activities and school conservation efforts.
- Kevin McDonald (Lee High School)
- Jaida Allen (Academy for Science and Foreign language)
- Mattie Yound (Monte Sano Elementary School)
Green Leader Awards
Student leaders were also recognized through the Green Leader Awards, which celebrate initiative, creativity and environmental advocacy among participating students.
Additional honors included Arbor Day Poster Contest recognition, with two Huntsville students placing at the statewide level, as well as Good Citizen Awards recognizing students who created meaningful environmental experiences and service opportunities for others.
- Kennedi Norwood
- Gatlin Gilliam
Green Ambassador School Awards
Schools across Huntsville were recognized as Green Ambassador Schools for their collective environmental action and participation in sustainability education initiatives throughout the academic year. Elementary, middle and high school finalists were also honored for exemplary campus-wide environmental programs, outdoor learning initiatives, conservation projects and STEM-based environmental education activities.
1st Place Awards
- Highlands Elementary
- Montessori School of Huntsville
- New Century Technology High School
- Lee High School
2nd place awards
- Academy for Science and Foreign language
- Goldsmith Schiffman Elementary School
- Morris Middle School
- Jemison High School
3rd place
- Ridgecrest Elementary School
- Chapman Middle School
- St. John Paul II Catholic High School
Closing the ceremony, Green Team representatives encouraged participating schools and students to continue expanding the program’s impact in the years ahead.
“The Green Ambassador Awards are about more than recognition,” said Joel Donelan, Green Team Environmental Education Coordinator. “They’re about building a network, strengthening community and continuing the work of making our city and planet better.”
Participating Schools
Academy for Academics and Arts Elementary
Academy for Academics and Arts Middle School
Blossomwood Elementary School
Challenger Middle School
Challenger Elementary School
James Dawson Elementary School
Farley Elementary School
Grace Lutheran School
Grissom High School
Holy Spirit Regional Catholic School
Huntsville Junior High School
Jones Valley Elementary School
Lakewood Elementary School
Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School
McDonnell Elementary School
Mountain Gap Middle School
Montview Elementary School
Monte Sano Elementary
Morris Elementary
Providence Elementary School
Rolling Hills Elementary School
McNair Junior High School
Union Chapel Christian Academy
Williams Elementary School
Williams Middle school
