BOTTINEAU, N.D. – A longtime advocate for environmental education in North Dakota is receiving national recognition for her contributions to sustainability and forest literacy. Angie Bartholomay, a professor of science at Dakota College at Bottineau (DCB), has been named a recipient of the Project Learning Tree (PLT) Leadership in Education award.
PLT, an initiative of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), honors educators who demonstrate exceptional leadership in environmental awareness and green career pathways. Bartholomay, who started teaching PLT in her rural classroom over 30 years ago, now plays a key role in expanding environmental education across the state.
“Angie is a pillar in the **North Dakota PLT** program. As a facilitator and educator, she has worked with Project Learning Tree and state partners to promote environmental stewardship through education. She is integral in nurturing the next generation of environmentally literate educators and students across the state,” said Beth Hill, the North Dakota PLT State Coordinator at the **North Dakota Forest Service**. “Angie is always intentional in providing environmental education opportunities to diverse audiences, such as Indigenous and rural K-12 schools**.”**
Bartholomay leads numerous initiatives, including teacher training workshops, career fairs, and hands-on student education events such as the DCB Water Festival, STEM Day, and Science Olympiad. She also spearheaded the “Natural Resource Institutes,” a series of summer workshops where educators engage with experts on topics like soil health, conservation, and drone technology in resource management.
“Angie’s passion for improving access to environmental education is one of the things that truly makes her stand out. Oftentimes, students in rural areas don’t have access to events or resources, so Angie hosts education days in the heart of the communities where she helps connect students from rural and tribal schools to nature. She wants to ensure _everyone_ can learn about and enjoy the environment,” says Josh Brankman, VP of Education at SFI/PLT. “We are pleased to honor Angie for her leadership and dedication in environmental education in North Dakota, and we know her passion for the environment and youth education will be felt for years to come.”
Bartholomay will be honored alongside two other educators—Butch Bailey of Mississippi State University Extension Service and Susan Cox of the USDA Forest Service—at the 2025 PLT Annual Conference in Clemson, South Carolina, March 10-14.
Since its founding in 1976, PLT has trained over 765,000 educators and reached 145 million students with its programs. The organization provides resources and training to help students develop a deeper understanding of environmental issues and sustainability.
For more information about Project Learning Tree, visit [www.plt.org](https://www.plt.org).
