The Hazard Education, Awareness, and Resilience Task Force (HEART Force)—an award-winning collaboration between the NOAA Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) and Climate Adaptation Partnership (CAP) partner Western Water Assessment—has been recognized as a Colorado Water Education Exemplar.

HEART Force engages rural Colorado middle and high school students, teachers, and communities to take proactive steps in preparing for and responding to natural hazards.

The Water Education Exemplar Award recognizes outstanding programs and resources that advance youth development and water education in alignment with the Colorado Water Plan. It highlights exemplary contributions that support statewide goals for accessible, high-quality water education and capacity-building

HEART Force’s innovative work continues to strengthen water and hazard education across Colorado. Congratulations to the CEEE curriculum developers and all partners whose efforts earned this distinguished recognition.