FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Public Lands Alliance (PLA) proudly announced the recipients of its 2026 Partnership Awards during a special ceremony held on February 23 at the PLA Convention and Trade Show in Daytona Beach, Florida. These annual awards recognize outstanding individuals, organizations, and collaborations that exemplify excellence in preserving public lands and enriching visitor experiences across the United States.
This year’s awards celebrated nine winners across seven categories, highlighting innovative partnerships, impactful programs, and inspiring leadership within the public lands community. The 2026 ceremony also marked the debut of the inaugural Trail of the Year Award, underscoring the importance of volunteer-driven stewardship and access to outdoor spaces.
“Each year, the Partnership Awards shine a light on the extraordinary work being done across our public lands,” said PLA President and CEO, Andrea Ketchmark, “From groundbreaking collaborations to creative visitor engagement, this year’s recipients demonstrate the power of partnership to achieve lasting impact.”
2026 Partnership Award Winners
Agency Leadership Award
This award recognizes a land management agency employee for outstanding accomplishments in championing, cultivating, and leading a partnership.
- Aleta Eng, Partnership Specialist, U.S. Forest Service
Recognized for 25 years of leadership fostering meaningful collaborations among federal agencies, Tribes, nonprofits, and communities.
Corporate Stewardship Award
This award recognizes a company that has demonstrated exceptional achievement to enhance the quality of the visitor experience in America's public lands.
- Progressive Insurance and American Park Network
Honored for their life-saving support of the Army Corps of Engineers Life Jacket Loaner Program, including providing over 5,000 life jackets across 25 states.
Public Lands Partner Award
This award recognizes an exemplary partnership for its stunning achievements to protect and preserve public lands and enhance the experiences of visitors. The award is presented to both the nonprofit organization and its agency partner for their shared achievements.
- Grand Teton National Park Foundation and Grand Teton National Park
Celebrated for their successful partnership to protect the Kelly Parcel, securing 640 acres of critical wildlife habitat.
Publication of the Year
This award recognizes a book or other publication created in partnership by a nonprofit organization and a public land that embodies innovation in educating and interpreting public lands to its readers and impacts a substantial audience.
(Organization Revenue Under $1.5M)
- “Geology Road Guide: Cottonwood Canyon” — Glen Canyon Conservancy
Recognized for its innovative approach to interpreting Utah’s Grand Staircase landscape.
(Organization Revenue Over $1.5M)
- “Natural Inquirer” — FIND Outdoors
Honored for more than 27 years of delivering accessible environmental education to students nationwide.
Outstanding Public Engagement
This award recognizes exemplary products, displays, programs or services created in partnership by a nonprofit organization and public lands that advance meaningful and sustainable connections between individuals and America's public lands.
(Program or Service)
- The National Park Experience at the Tucson Festival of Books — Western National Parks
Recognized for connecting diverse audiences with national parks through 15 years of immersive programming.
(Product or Display)
- Zaagiing Mural — Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, Hadassah Greensky, and International Wildlife Refuge Alliance
Celebrated for a powerful artistic collaboration that enhances interpretation and visitor engagement.
Innovative Product of the Year
This award recognizes an interpretive product of any medium created in partnership by a nonprofit organization and land management agency that embodies a path-breaking approach to achieve a public lands mission.
- Passport to Your National Parks Scrapbook Kit — Eastern National
Recognized for reimagining visitor engagement through hands-on, screen-free experiences.
Trail of the Year (Inaugural Award)
This award recognizes a trail that has been created or modified to significantly improve the visitor experience.
- Mount Vernon Trail — Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail
Honored for transformative volunteer-led improvements enhancing safety and accessibility along the Potomac River.
Celebrating the Power of Partnership
From protecting critical wildlife habitat to expanding educational access and improving visitor safety, the 2026 award recipients reflect the breadth and depth of innovation across the public lands community. Collectively, their work demonstrates how partnerships can drive meaningful, measurable outcomes that benefit both people and the landscapes they cherish.
PLA extends its gratitude to this year’s award sponsors, Mount Rushmore Society and Eagle River Designs, as well as the PLA Board of Directors and Awards Committee for their dedication to reviewing submissions.
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About Public Lands Alliance
Public Lands Alliance (PLA) has been connecting, strengthening, and representing the nonprofit partners of America’s public lands since 1977, in pursuit of a world where public lands are valued, preserved, and enjoyed by all. Its members are nonprofit organizations with formal partnerships with land management agencies to support parks, forests, wildlife refuges, cultural sites, and other public lands sites. PLA members serve over 700 sites nationwide and raise $250 million annually to support those lands.