PEEC Wins Outstanding Attraction Award, Raises Profile of Los Alamos

The Pajarito Environmental Education Center received statewide recognition November 21, 2025 when it was named Outstanding Attraction at the New Mexico Hospitality Association 2025 Top HAT Awards. PEEC is the operator of the Los Alamos Nature Center, and the award was accepted on the organization’s behalf by its executive director and a board member.

The accolade underscores PEEC’s 25 years of work educating residents and visitors about the Pajarito Plateau and the broader natural environment. The Los Alamos Nature Center’s planetarium and rotating exhibits have been central to that mission, drawing school groups, families and out of town visitors to programs that connect science, stewardship and the outdoors.

For Los Alamos County, the award matters for practical reasons and civic ones. Attractions that gain statewide visibility contribute to visitor traffic and local commerce, and they amplify the case for sustained public and private support for education and cultural programming. PEEC’s recognition also highlights how nonprofit institutions act as anchors for community learning and civic engagement, complementing municipal services and school curricula.

Institutionally, the award may prompt policymakers and funders to reexamine partnerships, programming support and facility investments that bolster local tourism and environmental literacy. Maintaining and expanding planetarium offerings and exhibit capacity requires ongoing resources, volunteer coordination and collaboration with schools and the Laboratory community. Those decisions will shape how effectively Los Alamos leverages PEEC to meet education goals and economic objectives.

PEEC describes its mission as connecting people to nature through education and stewardship, operating as a membership supported nonprofit that offers programs for all ages. Membership and donations support exhibits, planetarium shows and outreach. The community also celebrated the Los Alamos Arts Council, which received a separate Top HAT award for community engagement, signaling a broader regional strength in cultural and educational institutions.

Residents who value local learning resources and visitor attractions may consider membership, volunteer opportunities and continued civic support to ensure these institutions remain vibrant assets for the county.