KAEE Conference 2021: Full Schedule

The KAEE 2021 Conference Sched is sponsored by Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Kentucky. We are so thankful for their support of environmental education in Kentucky!

9:00am EDT

Communicating Equitably: Making Your Digital Materials Accessible for Everyone

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This workshop teaches you how to make digital materials accessible for everyone, including the 17% of Kentuckians who are disabled. To be equitable and inclusive, environmental education must be accessible. Workshop leaders will use interactive demos and activities to teach you how to make data visualizations, PowerPoints and Word documents more accessible. We’ll cover the basics of color and contrast for visual disabilities, writing “alt-text” for charts, maps, and other data visualizations, screen reader accessibility, and more! You’ll leave the workshop with how-to resources to continue your learning.

Speakers

Dr. Lauren E. Cagle

Department of Writing, Rhetoric, & Digital Studies, University of Kentucky

Lauren Cagle is an Assistant Professor of Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies at the University of Kentucky. Cagle researches and teaches environmental, technical, and scientific rhetoric in collaboration with environmental organizations.

Roberta Burnes

Environmental Education Specialist, Kentucky Division for Air Quality

I'm the Environmental Education Specialist for the Kentucky Division for Air Quality (DAQ), a certified KY Master Environmental Educator and Green Community Leader. Talk to me about indoor air quality, board games, sourdough, astronomy, nature journaling, Wales, gardening, birds... Read More →

Wednesday September 22, 2021 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 2 Sponsored by Kentucky Community & Technical College System

Equity & Inclusion

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1:00pm EDT

Using Technology to Deliver Environmental Education

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Maybe the single most encouraging thing about surviving a pandemic that shuts the world in for more than a year is the familiarity we all encountered with the video presentation. Whether it was a recorded presentation or a live video undertaking, we began to determine the differences between what we like and what we dislike. Join in this 1.5 hour session to learn about some techniques to help improve the quality of your videos from software, equipment, still photography inclusion, and a general lesson on composition.

Speakers

Eric Comley

4-H Youth Development Agent, Garrard County Cooperative Extension Service

Wednesday September 22, 2021 1:00pm - 2:30pm EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 3

eLearning

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1:00pm EDT

Constructive Connectivity: Perceiving Ecological and Social Networks

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Network thinking is crucial to personal and professional success. Understanding the flow and structure of networks deepens our understanding of both ecological and social issues. Yet how to understand and engage in networks is rarely covered in environmental education. Mitchell explores the concept of constructive connectivity and how to promote learning that enhances an understanding of social and ecological networks, demonstrates the relationships between the two, and stimulates creativity and innovation by building relationships among diverse network clusters. He explains the parallels between observing networks in the biosphere and social sphere, and provides several roadmaps for teaching about network visualization. Understanding the interpenetration of ecological and social networks is also crucial to awareness of cultural diversity and biodiversity. This workshop will consist of several activities. Participants will create both ecological and social network maps and then discuss them with each other. So be prepared with some drawing materials, your most creative thinking, and your wonderful imaginations!

Speakers

Mitchell Thomashow

Mitchell Thomashow is the author of four books, Ecological Identity, Bringing the Biosphere Home, The Nine Elements of a Sustainable Camus, and To Know the World, all published between 1995-2020 by The MIT Press. He devotes his life and work to promoting ecological awareness and citizenship... Read More →

Wednesday September 22, 2021 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 2 Sponsored by Kentucky Community & Technical College System

Equity & Inclusion

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9:00am EDT

Conference Welcome & KAEE Update

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Watch this session to hear updates from KAEE, thank our exiting board members, and welcome the incoming Board of Directors. This also serves as KAEE’s annual meeting.

Speakers

Blair Hecker

Blair Hecker is the project specialist for community engagement with the City of Frankfort. She is a recovered trash-talker, having spent the previous 5 years as the solid waste coordinator for Franklin County, and the 5 years prior to that as a dumpster-diving environmental educator... Read More →

Ashley Hoffman

Executive Director, Kentucky Association for Environmental Education

Ashley Hoffman has served as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education since 2010. She holds a B.S. degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation from the University of Florida and a Masters in Nonprofit Administration from North Park University... Read More →

Dan Pascucci

Family and Youth Program Manager, Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

Dan is the Family and Youth Program Manager at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. He is a passionate, award-winning environmental educator who strives to inspire and empower audiences to deeply connect with nature.

Brittany Wray

Deputy Director, KAEE

Brittany has been working with the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education since 2016. Prior to working with KAEE, she was a formal educator, teaching sixth-grade math and seventh-grade science. She holds a B.S. degree in Middle Grades Education with a concentration in math... Read More →

Whitney Wurzel

Executive Director, New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future

Whitney Wurzel is the Executive Director of New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainability in rural communities through education, demonstration, and advocacy.She adores KAEE and is the board past-chair. Whitney has also served... Read More →

Friday September 24, 2021 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 1 Sponsored by Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest

EE in Practice

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10:00am EDT

Putting Energy Efficiency and Conservation into Practice

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Hands-on activities that equip students to understand their home and school as a system and to better conserve energy resources. We will discuss how students can be trained to gather basic energy-related data while tying the energy audit process to science, math, and language arts educational standards. Receive free sample energy management lessons and suggestions to get students energized about efficiency and conservation, both in the home and at school!

Speakers

Caryn Turrel

Curriculum and Training Associate, The NEED Project

Caryn Turrel is a Curriculum and Training Associate with The NEED Project and earned her Certified Energy Manager status to assist students and their teachers in basic energy audits of their school buildings.

Friday September 24, 2021 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 3

EE in Practice

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10:00am EDT

Wildlife, Trail Cam, Action!

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People are constantly surrounded by wildlife, no matter the location. Many students do not realize the abundance of life in and around their community. Luckily, there are innovative but simple ways students can observe and investigate local ecosystems. This session walks you through one elementary school’s implementation of a trail cam project. The presentation describes the equipment and processes used to engage students in learning about plants and animals in their area. Students’ exploration of local habitats will lead to deeper understandings and a great appreciation for environmental conservation.

Speakers

Sam Northern

Teacher-Librarian, Simpson County Schools

Sam Northern is a National Board Certified school librarian. Sam has voyaged to Antarctica as a Nat Geo Teacher Fellow and worked aboard a research vessel as a NOAA Teacher at Sea. As an NEA Global Learning Fellow, Sam will visit Peru in 2022.

Friday September 24, 2021 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 1 Sponsored by Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest

EE in Practice

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10:00am EDT

Got Stake? Developing Meaningful Stakeholder Engagement with Stressed Communities

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Stakeholder engagement is fundamental to any successful organization. However, when your mission does not clearly connect with the values of your targeted audience, they can be quickly labeled “hard to reach.” This session will explore strategies to invest in stressed communities before planning and expecting community investment in your mission.

Speakers

Akiima Price

Akiima Price is a creative thinker and doer who links people, places, and programs with stressed, underserved communities. A Washington, DC native, Akiima is a nationally respected thought leader at the intersection of social and environmental issues and the relationship between nature... Read More →

Friday September 24, 2021 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 2 Sponsored by Kentucky Community & Technical College System

Equity & Inclusion

Conference Feedback Survey https://forms.gle/spPFvx1eNLTUomiU8

11:00am EDT

Nature & Mental Health: A Natural Connection

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As environmental educators, we see the value of nature and the importance of connecting others to the great outdoors. Did you know that nature also offers an abundance of support for fostering greater mental health and overall well-being? Join us for an engaging session to explore the benefits of being outdoors along with ideas to inspire your work as an environmental educator in fostering this natural connection with the communities you support.

Speakers

Amanda Patrick

Scottsville Counseling Center

With 25 years in the field of environmental education, Amanda is a mental health therapist with passion and interest in connecting people with nature, through both educational and therapeutic activities.

Friday September 24, 2021 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 1 Sponsored by Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest

EE in Practice

Conference Feedback Survey https://forms.gle/spPFvx1eNLTUomiU8

11:00am EDT

Shared Birding Experiences in Preschool Classrooms

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In a collaboration between researchers, teachers, and children at urban and rural university-based early learning settings, Project FeederWatch was implemented in one preschool classroom at each center. Teachers and children chose classroom activities related to birds in addition to recording local bird counts. Children engaged in specific species research, compiled their observances via journals and art, and contemplated what diversity means in both the avian and human realms. Technology was used for children to communicate across classrooms and share their bird research, bird watch bingo results, and art projects.

Speakers

Dr. Meg Gravil

Professor, University of Louisville

Dr. Meg Gravil teaches and conducts research in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisville. Her research interests include early science and nature-based learning and equity in access to nature.

Dr. Tamala North

Professor, Eastern Kentucky University

Tamala North is an assistant professor in Applied Human Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University. Her early childhood philosophy and educational framework is inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach and nature-based education in early learning settings.

Rebecca Crawford

Professor, Eastern Kentucky University

Rebecca Crawford is clinical faculty in Applied Human Sciences at Eastern Kentucky University. Dr. Crawford has experience as a preschool teacher and director of a childcare center. She advocates for early intervention and inclusion of all children.

Friday September 24, 2021 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 2 Sponsored by Kentucky Community & Technical College System

EE in Practice

Conference Feedback Survey https://forms.gle/spPFvx1eNLTUomiU8

11:00am EDT

iScience - Biodiversity Education using iNaturalist

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Learn about iScience, DLiA’s schoolyard biodiversity program in cooperation with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The program aims to increase awareness of and appreciation for the incredible biodiversity around us, as well as foster young people’s interest in STEM fields. This program uses the ATBI (All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory) model, bringing ATBIs to schoolyards within the TVA iScience Program Area. Students conduct ATBIs at their schools using iNaturalist, acting as citizen scientists and collecting real scientific data about their local biodiversity.

Speakers

Aurora Sarchet

Biodiversity Education Specialist, Discover Life in America (DLIA)

Aurora Sarchet is an AmeriCorps member serving as the new Biodiversity Education Specialist for Discover Life in America. Growing up in Western Washington, she's come to love the natural world through exploring mountains, forests, and the Pacific coast. She majored in English and... Read More →

Todd Witcher

Executive Director, Discover Life in America

Todd P. Witcher is the Executive Director of Discover Life in America (DLIA). DLIA is the non-profit coordinating the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Friday September 24, 2021 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 3

eLearning

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2:00pm EDT

Keynote - A Change of Heart: Looking Beyond Access in the Great Outdoors

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Hear from Nicole Jackson, environmental educator, birder, and park advocate in Columbus, Ohio, as she discusses the importance of inclusion and equity in the great outdoors. With her Black in National Parks Week initiative and consulting work with environmental non-profits, Nicole has continued to find joy and healing in connecting communities of color to the benefits of rebuilding a relationship with nature. During her presentation, she will share her journey of growth within the environmental education field and how she’s had to adjust to a more virtual form of networking since the start of the pandemic.

Speakers

Nicole Jackson

Founder/CEO, N Her Nature LLC

I'm an informal Environmental Educator that loves to connect and network with organizations that support getting children, families, and communities connected to nearby nature. I love having conversations about building community relationships, life long learning, green jobs, and... Read More →

Friday September 24, 2021 2:00pm - 2:50pm EDT
Large Zoom Meeting Room

Equity & Inclusion, Keynote

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3:00pm EDT

Take it Outside: Healthy Outdoor Meals

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Kentucky is an outdoor wonderland, with an estimated 61% of Kentucky’s residents participating in outdoor recreation each year (OIA). Spending time outdoors can boost mental health, and nutritious outdoor meals also improve physical health. In this session, participants will discover resources to make spending time outdoors enjoyable with tips for simple, family friendly meals. Spend more time on the trail or at the park by taking safe and tasty meals along. New resources from the Cook Wild Kentucky project will be featured. Participants will also have the option of “cooking along” to prepare a simple dish. Supply list will be available.

Speakers

Martha Yount

University of Kentucky

Martha Yount works with the University of Kentucky Nutrition Education Program, part of Cooperative Extension. She has 32 years of experience with Extension, is a Master Environmental Educator, and is enrolled in the KY Master Naturalist Program.

Friday September 24, 2021 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 2 Sponsored by Kentucky Community & Technical College System

EE in Practice

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3:00pm EDT

Engineering Like a Bird: An eLearning Unit for Elementary Science

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Participants will be introduced to the “Engineering Like a Bird” unit, which was developed to merge life science DCIs with place-based outdoor learning and engineering design, whether learning in-person or virtually. Students learn about adaptations of birds in their region for successful nesting, take a nature walk to observe bird behaviors, research native species, then complete an engineering design challenge – building their version of a bird nest using natural materials. Participants will gain access to instructional materials developed for the unit, and will learn about online tools that have been used to teach this unit virtually.

Speakers

Sagan Goodpaster

Research Assistant, University of Kentucky

Dr. Sagan Goodpaster is a Graduate Research Assistant in STEM Education at the University of Kentucky. Her current research is focused on the use of outdoor instruction in elementary science.

Friday September 24, 2021 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 1 Sponsored by Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest

eLearning

Conference Feedback Survey https://forms.gle/spPFvx1eNLTUomiU8

3:00pm EDT

Rites of Passage – Cultural Partnerships Connecting Young Adults to Nature

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Everyone has a right to the natural commons. Across every culture there are traditional practices based in nature that signal to the community when individuals transition from youth to adulthood. Connecting young adults to nature during these transitional periods has the capacity to build lifelong connections to community and to the natural world. This session outlines a new effort between three organizations and community partners to connect Black youth ages 16-18 to their cultural and natural heritage across four domains: heritage, land, community, and self-determination.

Speakers

Stacy Bailey-Ndiaye

Executive Director, Bridge Kids International

Kristin Faurest

Director of Education, Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

Harrison P. Pinckney

Department of Parks, Recreation, & Tourism Management, Clemson University

Harrison Pinckney is an Assistant Professor of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management at Clemson University. For the past ten years, he has focused his research on the factors that contribute to the positive development of black youth. To this end, he has focused on the role of... Read More →

Melissa Rue

Coordinator, Chlldren at Play Network - Bernheim Arboretum

Melissa RueCoordinator, Children at Play NetworkAs an advocate for children and the environment, Melissa believes that children need nature and nature needs children who grow to become lifelong stewards of the earth. She has more than 20 years’ experience helping organizations in... Read More →

Claude Stephens

Facilitator of Outreach and Regenerative Design, Bernheim Arboretum

Claude Stephens is the Facilitator of Outreach and Regenerative Design at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest in Kentucky. He is also the director of the Children at Play Network which is an initiative of Bernheim to improve play regionally. He is currently working with the entire... Read More →

Kristen Williams

Executive Director, Play Cousins Collective

Friday September 24, 2021 3:00pm - 3:45pm EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 3

Equity & Inclusion

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9:00am EDT

Landscape Analysis of Environmental Education in the Southeast States

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Although there are numerous organizations providing high-quality EE programs across the southeast, most of these are operating independently of one another, and little is being done to harness the collective impact of these programs to create large-scale change in each state or throughout the region. Over the past year, KAEE has been working with the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance to embark on a brand new undertaking—a comprehensive landscape analysis of environmental education efforts in the eight southeastern states. Funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and Pisces Foundation, this project is looking at what environmental education is already happening on the ground, enabling the states involved to identify gaps and barriers to access. This initiative will allow us to see the current landscape of environmental education in the southeast and help us to focus on larger-scale, capacity-building initiatives that extend our impact beyond the local community. Learn more about how this project can help you as educators and organizations conducting environmental and conservation-related work in the southeast to address gaps, allocate resources more effectively, and, ultimately, meet the goal of increasing environmental literacy levels and stewardship behaviors.

Speakers

Ashley Hoffman

Executive Director, Kentucky Association for Environmental Education

Saturday September 25, 2021 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 2 Sponsored by Kentucky Community & Technical College System

EE in Practice

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9:00am EDT

Let's Get All Kentucky Students Outdoors

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Immersive outdoor experiences can transform students' lives, improving their wellbeing and their desire to protect the environment. Outdoor School for Everyone is a plan to provide these experiences to all Kentucky students. Find out what Oregon has already done to achieve this, how it can be implemented in Kentucky, and how you can participate. We need your input to make this program a reality. Getting all our students outdoors will take the cooperation of teachers, nonformal educators, parents, and political leaders. Still, the result will be a Kentucky where everyone has a connection to nature.

Speakers

Billy Bennett

Executive Director, Kentucky Environmental Education Council

Billy Bennett is the Executive Director of the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC). He previously served as the Chair and Vice-chair of KAEE. Billy is a Master Environmental Educator and was a certified teacher in KY.

Wesley M Bullock

Environmental Education Specialist, Kentucky Environmental Education Council

Wesley Bullock is the Environmental Education Specialist for the Kentucky Environmental Education Council

Saturday September 25, 2021 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 1 Sponsored by Bernheim Arboretum & Research Forest

EE in Practice

Conference Feedback Survey https://forms.gle/spPFvx1eNLTUomiU8

9:00am EDT

The Educational Outcomes of An After School Hydrology Program

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After school programs hold a lot of potential for reinforcing material learned during the school day. An environmental education program focusing on hydrology was adapted from Project WET and EnviroScape activities was delivered to learners in grades 6-8. This session will present the program’s development, implementation, and evaluation to gauge its effectiveness at improving environmental literacy.

Speakers

Ed Wilcox

Watershed Research and Extension Associate, Kentucky State University

Ed Wilcox is the Watershed Research and Extension Associate at Kentucky State University. Ed uses a variety of hands-on educational experiences such as to help learners understand how land use affects water quality.

Saturday September 25, 2021 9:00am - 9:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 3

EE in Practice

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10:00am EDT

LFUCG EE Program: Implementing a Countywide EE Program

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Lexington Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) provides significant funding and support for environmental education programs about waste management and water quality, including stormwater and sanitary sewers/wastewater treatment. This session will share more information on the innovative new partnership between KAEE and LFUCG to advance environmental education efforts for K-12 public and private schools within Lexington-Fayette County and how other counties or regions can take similar steps to implement comprehensive environmental education programs.

Speakers

Danny Woolums

Environmental Education Coordinator, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

Danny Woolums serves as the Environmental Education Coordinator for the Live Green Lexington Environmental Education team. He has 10 years of experience in environmental education and is a certified professional environmental educator accredited through the North American Association... Read More →

Ashley Hoffman

Executive Director, Kentucky Association for Environmental Education

Saturday September 25, 2021 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 2 Sponsored by Kentucky Community & Technical College System

EE in Practice

Conference Feedback Survey https://forms.gle/spPFvx1eNLTUomiU8

10:00am EDT

Using Quantitative Biology to Incorporate Relevant Environmental Data into Lessons

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Environmental educators are awash with data sets that can tell powerful, factual stories. But often, students (and sometimes biology educators!) are intimidated by the analysis, interpretation, and display of this data. The NSF grant-funded "Quantitative Biology @ Community Colleges" is helping to alleviate that discomfort one Open Educational Resource (OER) at a time! A team of biology and math professors develop these OERs which are also appropriate for secondary education classrooms. Participants will review the OERs, dive deep on a couple of them, and learn how to adapt them to their own pertinent data sets.

Speakers

Jennifer Lyon Adler

Associate Professor of Biology, Maysville Community and Technical College

Jen is an Associate Professor of Biology at Maysville Community & Technical College. She is a Facilitator for the 'Quantitative Biology at Community Colleges' network and is certified in Kentucky as a Master Environmental Educator.

Saturday September 25, 2021 10:00am - 10:45am EDT
Zoom Meeting Room 3

EE in Practice

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11:00am EDT

Keynote: To Know the World: A New Vision for Environmental Learning

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Please join us for a lecture and discussion with Mitchell Thomashow, a former university president, and author of four groundbreaking books about environmental learning. This presentation will be a synthesis of his latest book. In To Know the World, Thomashow proposes that we revitalize, revisit, and reinvigorate how we think about our residency on Earth by understanding how the major challenges of our time such as migration, race, inequity, climate justice, and democracy, connect systemically and ecologically to our biosphere. Mixing memoir, theory, mindfulness, pedagogy, and compelling storytelling, Thomashow discusses how to navigate the Anthropocene's rapid pace of change without further separating the psyche from the biosphere. Thomashow invites us to participate as educational explorers, encouraging us to better understand how and why environmental learning is crucial to human flourishing.

Speakers

Mitchell Thomashow

Saturday September 25, 2021 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Large Zoom Meeting Room

Equity & Inclusion, Keynote

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12:00pm EDT

Closing Credits

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Thanks for joining us! See you next year at Jenny Wiley State Park, September 15-17, 2022. Stay up to date at kaee.org/conference.

Speakers

Brittany Wray

Deputy Director, KAEE

Ashley Hoffman

Executive Director, Kentucky Association for Environmental Education

Saturday September 25, 2021 12:00pm - 12:15pm EDT
Large Zoom Meeting Room

EE in Practice

Conference Feedback Survey https://forms.gle/spPFvx1eNLTUomiU8