Denny Wilcher Award for Young Environmental Activists
This award acknowledges one senior in high school who has made significant contributions to their communities and who seek solutions to environmental problems and issues. Wilcher award recipients act as positive forces in their communities and have demonstrated, through their school and extracurricular activities, their care and deep concern for the environment. The award is accompanied by a cash prize to assist the student in future endeavors. Since this award recognizes service rather than academic achievement, it is not a scholarship, but students are encouraged to use the award to further their education. This award is made in honor of ACF's founder, James D. "Denny" Wilcher, and reflects his lifelong commitment to protecting the wild places on earth.2008 Award Recipient
Bryce Timm of Ketchikan, Alaska
Bryce became involved with AYEA at the young age of fourteen, while still in the eighth grade. He attended AYEA's Civics and Conservation Summit in Juneau in 2003 and then served as a Peer Leader for the annual training for three years. Bryce has been on the AYEA Statewide Advisory Group for three years. He recently graduated. He is currently an Assistant Crew Leader with the Youth Employment in Parks (YEP) program, a partnership between AYEA and Anchorage Parks and Recreation. Bryce is an avid athlete, serving on both the high school wrestling and football teams. He plans to attend university in Indiana (his home state) and then return to work in Alaska after college. He says the cross-cultural experiences have been the most influential aspects of his involvement in AYEA.
2007 Award Recipient
Cheryl “Charlee” Lockwood of St. Michael, Alaska
Charlee grew up in the village of St. Michael, Alaska, located on Norton Sound, and attended Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka. Upon attending a youth summit sponsored by Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) in 2003, Charlee became involved in environmental issues that face teens in southeast Alaska. From 2003 to 2005, she was very active in Mt. Edgecumbe's AYEA chapter, where she volunteered with youth-led recycling projects and outreach. She eventually became a global warming activist, having witnessed firsthand in her hometown the drastic effects that global warming can have. Since then, she has been in the forefront of Alaskan youth activism—she helped gather 5,000 teen signatures on a petition, which she presented to Congress members in Washington, DC, and has spoken to communities across Alaska about the dire effects of global warming. She currently lives at home with her family, enjoying a wide range of outdoor activities.
2006 Award Recipient
Kasey Aderhold
When Kasey attended her first Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies Junior Naturalist Camp at age 9 she got hooked on learning about the flora and fauna of Alaska. Later she graduated to the Pratt Museum’s Summer Adventure Program and took the Natural Resources class offered at Homer High School. As an active member of the Homer chapter of the Future Farmers of America, Aderhold’s team won the 2005 and 2006 Alaska State Association of Conservation District’s statewide Envirothons, going on to represent Alaska in the national competition. This fall, Aderhold will go on to pursue a double major in Environmental Science and Chemistry at Colorado College, but we look forward to her return to Alaska.
2005 Award Recipient
Abigail Turner
Abby grew up commercial fishing with her family, developing a love for the oceans and a strong conservation ethic. Abby is currently serving as the youth representative on the Alaska Marine Conservation Council board of directors and was a founding member of the Homer chapter of Alaska Youth for Environmental Action.
2004 Award Recipient
Verner Wilson III
Verner Wilson is the son of Verner Wilson of Dillingham and Jackie Wilson from Savoonga/Nome. He first became involved in environmental issues through an Alaska Youth for Environmental Action-sponsored trip to Juneau. Since then, his infectious spirit has inspired others to become involved and aware of environmental health in his Dillingham community. Verner launched the Dillingham AYEA chapter. He has received statewide recognition of his efforts, including a 2003 Spirit of Youth Award for his efforts to maintain a healthy environment where Alaska Natives can continue their cultural traditions. He spoke on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) as a youth panelist at the Alaska Native Health Board in 2003. At the conference, he stated: “To continue our traditional ways and to pass them on to our children . . . we must protect our environment, our animals and their habitat. By protecting these things, we are protecting our tradition, culture, and way of life.”
