The Wilderness Education Association (WEA) was founded in 1977 as a means to train outdoor leaders to safely lead and teach the public about appropriate use of wilderness areas. Each year, the WEA recognizes and acknowledges outstanding achievements in outdoor leadership with the Paul K. Petzoldt Award.
Paul Petzoldt was a well-known mountain climber and outdoor leader. He was a member of the first American party to attempt climbing K-2 the second highest mountain in the world located in the Himalayas. He made his first ascent of the Grand Teton in 1924 at the age of 16. Petzoldt and a partner were possibly the first climbers ever to traverse the Matterhorn twice in one day. During World War II, Petzoldt served in the U.S. Army's 10thMountain Division. He was the Chief Instructor of the first Outward Bound program in the United States and later the creator of NOLS, The National Outdoor Leadership School in Lander, Wyoming. He also co-founded the Wilderness Education Association.
The following individuals have been honored with the Paul Petzoldt Award for excellence in wilderness education:
1991 No Award
2010 John Gookin
