Groff Wins NWTF National Educator of the Year Award

“This is a real honor, and it’s really humbling,” Groff said. “I am excited to be able to put the NWTF grant money to good use. Although my name is on the award, it was a group effort, and I am grateful for such a supportive department.”

Groff has been a science educator for over 20 years, teaching at various educational levels, including middle school, high school and college. Groff is also a certified Michigan master naturalist and a Michigan conservation steward.

He is involved in various conservation organizations like the Huron River Watershed Council, Michigan Audubon, the National Wild Turkey Federation and the National Deer Association. He is a Wild Turkey Management Cooperator and Whitetail Deer Management Cooperator with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, contributing to the sustainable management of these species.

For the last 12 years, he has been at the Greenhills School District in Ann Arbor, Michigan, teaching courses such as natural history of living organisms, ecology and global sustainability, 9th grade introductory biology and others. At Greenhills, the science curriculum allows his students to explore the local ecosystem and engage in real-world environmental projects working with a tributary stream that connects to Fleming Creek, which then flows into the Huron River. This natural resource provides an invaluable hands-on learning opportunity for students.

He has led efforts to remove the invasive common reed, Phragmites australis, around his school's campus, engaging the student gardening club in an ongoing project for the Michigan Conservation Stewards program.

Greenhills School also places a strong emphasis on community service through programs like the Greenhills Civic Engagement Pathway Program, the environmental justice track that allows students to engage in meaningful environmental stewardship.

Working with the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, Groff is now planning to work with students at two sites. Parker Mill County Park and the adjacent Forest Nature Area, which are home to a small population of wild turkeys. At this site, Groff and his students plan to remove invasive shrubs and plant native trees and understory plants.

The project plans to restore native habitats, support the conservation of local wildlife, and provide educational experiences that inspire the next generation of environmental advocates.

He has dedicated his career to fostering a deep appreciation for the natural world and empowering the next generation to become active, engaged stewards of our environment. By blending hands-on learning, real-world applications and community engagement, he strives to inspire his students to become active participants in the conservation of the environment.

“Bringing conservation and the NWTF mission alive in the classroom is admirable, but doing it with such joy and enthusiasm is why Brandon is receiving our Educator of the Year Award,” NWTF co-CEO Kurt Dyroff said. “We are proud to recognize Brandon’s achievements and help fund his interdisciplinary efforts with the award’s accompanying grant.”

About the National Wild Turkey Federation

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.