Friday, September 17, 2010 - Kentucky Association for
Transcription
Friday, September 17, 2010 - Kentucky Association for
CONFERENCE SPONSORS AND EXHIBITORS— CONTACT INFORMATION Without the help of these people and organizations, this conference would not be possible. Please show your thanks by supporting them in their future endeavors. Acorn Naturalist ~ Jenny Rigby ~ 155 El Camino Road, Tustin, CA 92780 ~ emailacorn@aol.com ~ (714) 838-4888 ~ http://www.acornnaturalists.com/ Kentucky Environmental Literacy Plan Task Force ~ Melinda Wilder ~ 521 Lancaster Ave., 105 Case Ax., Richmond 40475 ~ Melinda.wilder@eku.edu ~ (859) 622.1476 American Cave Conservation Association ~ Peggy A. Nims ~ 119 East Main St. P.O.Box 409 Horse Cave, KY 42749 ~ pnims@glasgow-ky.com ~ (270) 678-9686 ~ http://cavern.org/ hrc/hrchome.php Kentucky NEED Project ~ Karen Reagor ~ PO Box 176055, Covington, KY 41017 ~ kreagor@need.org ~ (859) 578-0312 Cambellsville University ~ Kathleen Filkins ~ 1 University Drive, Campbellsville, KY 42718 ~ kmfilkins@campbellsville.edu ~ (270) 789 - 5504 Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge ~ Stacey Hayden ~ PO Box 89, Benton, KY 42025 ~ Stacey_hayden@fws.gov ~ (270) 527-5770 Dart Container Corp ~ Amanda Bishop ~ 975 S. Dixie, Horse Cave, KY 42749 ~ amanda_bishop@dart.biz ~ (270) 786-6402 David Sharpensteen ~ Graphic Artist (David designed the conference logo) ~ 224 Paddle Wheel Dr., Bowling Green, KY 42103 ~ david.sharpensteen@gmail.com Karen Angelucci ~ Author ~ 2908 Sweet William Ct., Lexington 40502 ~ (859) 338-7857 KY Green & Healthy Schools ~ Merin Roseman~ 500 Mero St. 2107 Capital Plaza Tower, Frankfort 40601 E~ merin.roseman@ky.gov ~ (800) 882-5271 ~ http:// www.greenschools.ky.gov/ Kentucky Department of Parks ~ Carol McMasters ~ 500 Mero Street, Capital Plaza Tower, 10th Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601 ~ 502-564-8110 Ext 249 ~ www.parks.ky.gov Kentucky Division for Air Quality ~ Roberta Burnes ~ 200 Fair Oaks Lane, 1st Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601 ~ (502) 564-3999 Roberta.burnes@ky.gov ~ www.air.ky.gov Kentucky Division of Compliance Assistance ~ Amanda LeFevre ~ 300 Fair Oaks Lane, Frankfort, KY, 40601 ~ Amanda.lefevre@ky.gov ~ (800) 926-8111 ~ www.dca.ky.gov/ Kentucky Waterways Alliance Inc. ~ Jennifer Milburn and Kelly Craig ~ 120 Webster St. Ste 217 Louisville, KY 40206 (502) 5898008 ~ jennifer@kwalliance.org KUPEE ~ The Kentucky University Partnership for Environmental Education ~ http://www.kupee.eku.edu/ Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass ~ Jane Ahrends ~ 570 Milner Road, Versailles, KY 40383 ~ jane@lacbg.com ~ http:// www.lifeadventurecenter.org/ Project WET, KEEC ~ Michelle Nevels ~ 500 Mero St. 2107 Capital Plaza Tower, Frankfort 40601 ~ michelle.nevels@ky.gov ~ (800) 882 -5271 Roundstone Native Seed ~ Chris Blackford ~ (270) 531-3034 ~ 9764 Raider Hollow Rd, Upton, KY 42784 ~ chris@roundstoneseed.com Sodexo ~ Christian Ryan-Downing ~ 1906 College Heights, Bldg. 11091, Bowling Green, KY 42101 ~ Christian.ryandowning@wku.edu ~ (270) 745-2508 Toyota Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. ~ Nila Wells ~ 1001 Cherry Blossom Way, Georgetown, KY 40324 ~ (502) 868-2097 nila.wells@tema.toyota.com ~ http://toyotageorgetown.com/ Watershed Watch in Kentucky ~ Joann Palmer ~ 200 Fair Oaks Lane, 4th Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601 ~ joann.palmer@ky.gov ~ (800) - 928 - 0045 Kentucky Down Under ~ Melissa McGuire ~ P.O. Box 189, Horse Cave, KY 42749 ~ (270) 786-2634 ~ www.kdu.com KY EXCEL ~ Kenya Stump ~ 300 Fair Oaks Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601 ~ Kenya.stump@ky.gov ~ (800) 926-8111 ~ http://www.dca.ky.gov/kyexcel/ Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery ~ Amanda Patrick ~ 50 Kendall Road, Jamestown, KY 42629 ~ amanda_patrick@fws.gov ~ (270) 343-3797 ~ http://www.fws.gov/wolfcreek/ 48 2010 Conference Cave City Convention Center Kentucky State Nature Preserves ~ Deborah White ~ 801 Schenkel Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601 ~ Deborah.white@ky.gov ~ (502) 5732886 Western Kentucky University - Office of Sustainability ~ Christian Ryan-Downing ~ 1906 College Heights, Bldg. 11091, Bowling Green, KY 42101 ~ Christian.ryan-downing@wku.edu ~ (270) 7452508 ~ http://www.wku.edu/sustainability/ Kentucky Environmental Education Council~ Michelle Nevels ~ 500 Mero St. 2107 Capital Plaza Tower, Frankfort 40601 ~ (800) 882-5271 ~ michelle.nevels@ky.gov Kentucky Association for Environmental Education Save The Date! KAEE's 35th Conference! September 16 and 17, 2011 Brown Hotel, Louisville KY BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH EDUCATION CONFERENCE PRESENTERS—CONTINUED KENTUCKY ASSOCIATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION President: Jenny Howard Owen Vice President: Sonya Wood Mahler Past President: Elizabeth Schmitz Treasurer: Jennifer Lyon Adler Secretary: Marc Johnson Board Members Serving through 2010 Jean Clement Jeanine M. Huss Christian Ryan-Downing Debra Spillman Melinda Wilder Serving through 2011 Chris Hunter Danielle Hutchins Sarah Talley Peggy Nims John LeFevre Advisory Members Jane Eller, Kentucky Environmental Education Council Cheryl Messenger, Mammoth Cave National Park Kate Shanks, Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet North American Association for Environmental Education Liaisons Jenny Howard Owen & Elizabeth Schmitz Executive Director Ashley Williams Webmaster Matt Coddington Conference Committee Co-Chairs: Peggy Nims Debra Spillman Jennifer Lyon Adler Roberta Burnes Jean Clement Chris Hunter 2 Jeanine M. Huss Danielle Hutchins Marc A Johnson Janet Kistler Steve Kistler John LeFevre Sonya Wood Mahler Jenny Howard Owen Christian Ryan-Downing Elizabeth Schmitz Sarah Talley Shannon Trimboli Melinda Wilder Ashley Williams KAEE IS A NONPROFIT 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION OF TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS, GOVERNMENT AND AGENCY PERSONNEL, BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES, AND PRIVATE CITIZENS INTERESTED IN PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.KAEE.ORG Carmen Thompson is an 8th grade teacher at Elkhorn Middle School in Frankfort, Kentucky. This is her second year of being involved in the program Project Citizen. Her students have greatly benefited from the program. Elkhorn Middle School, 1060 East Main Street, Frankfort, KY 40601. 502.695.6740. Carmen.thompson@franklin.kyschools.us Rebecca Todd is an adjunct instructor of web-based biology courses through Elizabethtown Community and Technical College and Bowling Green Technical College. She is a former secondary science teacher, holds a M.A. in Education from Lindsey Wilson College and is a Ph.D. candidate in School Administration from the University of Louisville/Western Kentucky University Cooperative Doctoral Program. She also facilitates Population Connection workshops. Population Connection, 378 Woodsbend Road, Elizabethtown, KY 42701. 270.765.4718. rtodd006@kctcs.edu Dr. Richard S. Toomey, III is Director of the Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning, a cooperative project of Western Kentucky University (WKU) and Mammoth Cave National Park. In this position, he promotes research at the park and improves public understanding of the cave and park. He is an adjunct professor in the Department of Geology and Geography at Western Kentucky University, has worked for the Arizona State Parks, and was a curator at the Illinois State Museum. His Ph.D. is in Geological Sciences from the University of Texas, Austin (1994). Mammoth Cave National Park, P.O. Box 7, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259. 270.758.2145. rick.toomey@wku.edu Shannon Trimboli is Education Program Specialist for the Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning. She has a B.S. in Wildlife Biology and a M.S. in Biology. Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning, Mammoth Cave National Park, P.O. Box 7, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259. 270.758.2422. Shannon_trimboli@contractor.nps.gov Teresa Viohl received her Environmental Education Endorsement from Eastern Kentucky University and has been teaching 4th/5th grade science for 11 years. Environmental-based education is used on a regular basis in her classroom to teach her students about the value of protecting our Earth. Eastern Kentucky University, Model Laboratory School, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. 859.622.2373. teresa.viohl@eku.edu Kim Weber is a National Board Certified science teacher who believes in marveling at the world with her students. She has been teaching for 12 years and currently works at T.K. Stone Middle School in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. 323 Morningside Drive, Elizabethtown, KY 42701. 270.862.2672. kim.weber@etown.kyschools.us Deborah White has worked as a botanist for 30 years, mostly at Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission. Much of this work has focused on rare plant and land conservation. She has been involved in numerous environmental education outreach efforts. Recently she published two books with coauthors on conservation in the commonwealth through University of Kentucky Press. She received degrees from Florida State and University of Florida. deborah.white@ky.gov David Wicks is director of the Kentucky School Garden Network. Recently retired from the JCPS Center for EE, Dr. Wicks is a past three-time president of KAEE. Kentucky School Garden Network, 6215 Deep Creek Court, Prospect, KY 40059. 502.671.3595. dwicks@bellsouth.net Melinda Wilder serves as Director for the Division of Natural Areas and professor in science education at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU). The Division of Natural Areas coordinates activities in resource management, ecological research and EE. Eastern Kentucky University, 105 Case Annex, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. 859.622.1476. melinda.wilder@eku.edu. Dr. Terry Wilson has been the director of Western Kentucky University’s Center for Environmental Education and Sustainability since 1989. He has conducted international training in environmental education for educators and natural resource managers in Asia, Russia, and throughout North America. In Kentucky, Dr. Wilson has directed several environmental programs for schools, universities and government agencies. He was the first recipient of the ―Environmental Education College Teacher of the Year,‖ given by KAEE ,and received the Walter E. Jeske Award from NAAEE in recognition of his 36 years of work in environmental education. Western Kentucky University, Center for Environmental Education and Sustainability, 1906 College Heights Blvd. #11098, Bowling Green, KY 42101. 270.745.4671. terry.wilson@wku.edu John Yakel is a local artist and guide at Mammoth Cave National Park. He was honored as the Guide of the Year at Mammoth Cave for the 2009 season. Mammoth Cave National Park, 5265 Whitney Woods Road, Cave City, KY 42127. 270.590.1011 jyakel@scrtc.com Thank you ! 47 CONFERENCE PRESENTERS—CONTINUED Amanda Patrick has spent her entire career close to home, promoting activities and programs that help others learn to better understand and conserve the wonderful natural resources found in the beautiful state of Kentucky. With over 13 years of experience in outdoor related programming through a career that spans work with a myriad of agencies and organizations, Amanda is the Environmental Education/Outreach Specialist for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife at Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery, 50 Kendall Road, Jamestown, KY 42629. 270.343.3797. amanda_patrick@fws.gov Brad Powell is currently the head animal keep at Kentucky Down Under (KDU). Brad returns to KDU after working as the Curator for Oak Tree Village in California. He has extensive experience with a wide variety of exotic animals, including hand-raising several kangaroos for Kentucky Down Under. In addition to his work with animals, Brad also works on interpretation training for the KDU staff and on program development. Kentucky Down Under, I-65 Exit 58, Horse Cave, KY 42749. 800.762.2869. www.kdu.com Karen Reagor has been associated with the NEED Project since 1988, when as a classroom teacher she sponsored the 5th grade environmental club at Farmington Elementary in Germantown, TN. In 1994, she became a staff member with NEED, coordinating the NEED program in the state of Kentucky. She continues to serve as the Kentucky State Director and, in 2009, also assumed the role of Southeast Regional Director. Her primary responsibilities include planning and facilitating professional development workshops for teachers and leadership development opportunities for students, working with sponsors to design and deliver effective programs, and facilitating national programs as part of NEED’s national facilitation team. Ms. Reagor is a member and regular presenter for NSTA and NAAEE. Kentucky NEED Project, P.O. Box 176055, Covington, KY 41017. 859.578.0312. kreagor@need.org Dale Reynolds is Green River Basin Coordinator for the Kentucky Division of Water. From technical assistance to educational activities, stream cleanups to stream bank restoration, funding assistance and more, Dale coordinates watershed management efforts throughout this important KY watershed. Dale.reynolds@ky.gov Susan Ryan is the Coordinator for Gifted Education at T.K. Stone Middle School, 323 Morningside Drive, Elizabethtown, KY 42701. 270.769.6343. susan.ryan@etown.kyschools.us Elizabeth Robb Schmitz has nearly ten years of experience as a non-formal environmental educator and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC). She is a certified Non-formal Environmental Educator. Elizabeth served on the KAEE Board of Directors for four years and is a past president of KAEE. Elizabeth graduated from the University of Oregon in 1998 with a BS in Geography and a minor in Environmental Studies. Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC), 21st Floor Capital Plaza Tower, Frankfort, KY 40601. 800.882.5271. elizabeth.robb@ky.gov Jake Schmitz, a geologist and sustainable agriculture aficionado, has worked in the field of Environmental Education and has transferred this knowledge to his current work with dairy farmers that are part of the Organic Valley Dairy Pool in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. Organic Valley/CROPP Cooperative, 110 Beechwood Avenue, Frank fort, KY 40601. 270.779.1526. jake.schmitz@organicvalley.coop 46 John Seymour is a Hart County native and attended Western Kentucky University. John is the president and co-founder of Roundstone Native Seed. What started as a small operation has now become one of the largest suppliers of native seeds and plant materials east of the Mississippi River. Roundstone Native Seed, 9764 Raider Hollow Road, Upton, KY 42784. 270.531.3034. John@roundstoneseed.com Carol Short takes her second grade students outdoors for learning as often as possible at Kit Carson Elementary School and isn’t afraid to get dirt under her fingernails. Kit Carson Elementary School, 450 Tates Creek Road, Richmond, KY 40475. 859.625.6103. carol.short@madison.kyschools.us Charlotte Smith recently completed her Environmental Education Endorsement at Eastern Kentucky University. She has been teaching third grade for 11 years. Environmental-based education continues to evolve in her classroom. Eastern Kentucky University Model Laboratory School, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. 859.622.1046. charlotte.smith@eku.edu Trish Sowell is Office Associate with the Western Kentucky University Center for Environmental Education and Sustainability. She facilitated the establishment of an outdoor wildlife habitat at Parker Bennett Curry Elementary School. Western Kentucky University, Center for Environmental Education & Sustainability, 1906 College Heights Blvd., #11098, Bowling Green, KY 42101. 270.745.4424. trish.sowell@wku.edu Dr. Steve Spencer and Dr. Tammie Stenger-Ramsey are currently in charge of the Outdoor Leadership Program at Western Kentucky University and are certified Outdoor Leaders and trainers with the Wilderness Education Association. Their respective qualifications include: Leave No Trace Master Trainer, American Canoe Association Instructor Trainer, Project Wild, Wild Aquatic, Wet Trainer and over 20 years in combined trip-leading experience. In addition to their status as professors at WKU, they have extensive educational and professional backgrounds in outdoor recreation, leadership training with many years experience in backpacking, rope courses, whitewater canoeing, kayaking, and camping. Western Kentucky University, Department of Kinesiology, Recreation & Sport, 1906 College Heights Blvd., Bowling Green, KY 42101 steve.spencer@wku.edu Kenya Stump is branch manager for the Environmental Assistance Branch within Kentucky’s Division for Compliance Assistance. She has experience working with a diverse group of industries and has particular expertise in air quality compliance, performance measurement outcomes and pollution prevention. Prior to moving to KY, she spent 7-1/2 years as an environmental consultant with the Kentucky Business Environmental Assistance Program. In 2005, she was the EPA Administrator’s award winner for outstanding state performance achievement. Kenya has master’s degrees in Environmental Science and Public Administration from Indiana University and UK, respectively; holds a post-graduate certificate in Environmental Systems and graduated from WKU with a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry. Kentucky Division of Compliance Assistance, 300 Fair Oaks Lane, Frankfort, KY 40601. 800.926.8111. Kenya.stump@ky.gov Peter Thiong is originally from Sudan and is now a United States farmer. He is currently teaching and working at YouthBuild to enable students to learn to grow their own food. His affiliation with farming and gardening started when he practiced garden-bed gardening in Africa. pandakthiong@yahoo.com PROGRAM INDEX Electronic Recycling Information 4 Welcome to the 2010 KAEE Conference 5 Event Locations and other General Information 6-7 KAEE Officer Candidates 8-9 KAEE Board of Directors Candidates 10-16 KAEE Excellence in Environmental Education Awards 17-18 KAEE Officer and Committee Reports 19-22 Invitation to KAEE 2011 conference and 23 NAAEE 2010 conference Detailed Friday and Saturday Schedules Centerfold 24-25 About our Guest Speakers 26-27 Authors’ Corner 28-30 Silent Auction Donators 30 Friday Session Descriptions 31-36 Saturday Session Descriptions 36-40 Our Sponsors 41-42 Presenters; Contact Information 43-47 Exhibitors’ Contact Information 48 Kentucky Association for Environmental Education P.O. Box 17494 Louisville, Kentucky 40217-0494 www.kaee.org (Continued on page 47) 3 CONFERENCE PRESENTERS—CONTINUED Electronic Equipment Recycling Free!! Located in the Parking Lot Friday and Saturday Equipment accepted includes: Almost anything with a plug. NO LARGE APPLIANCES OR WHITE GOODS. Televisions Computers Monitors Laptops Keyboards Mice Printers Scanners Modems Mainframes Hard Drives CD Roms Routers FAX Machines Printers Tape Players CD Players VCRs Elect. Games Telephones Cell Phones Sponsored By: Lions Club G & R Reclamation (www.GandRReclamation.com) Barren County Solid Waste Coordinator Barren County Middle School Beta Club Office Equip. Medical Equip. Radios Stereos Rechargeable Batteries Danielle Hutchins: Nelson County 4-H Agent for Youth Development. Current KAEE board member. Previously worked for Life Adventure Center. Danielle is a certified Environmental Educator and has worked with outdoor environmental education centers for 10 years. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service for 4-H Youth Development, Nelson County 4-H, 317 South 3rd Street, Bardstown, KY 40009. 502.348.9204. danille.hutchins@uky.edu Jackie Jones is the Kentucky Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program Coordinator with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Local Programs. The SRTS Program is designed to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school; to make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative; and to facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption and air pollution in the vicinity of schools. The national SRTS program is funded through the Federal Highway Administration and provides funding to each state for a wide variety of programs and projects, from building safer street crossings to establishing programs that encourage children and their parents to walk and bicycle safely to school. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, 200 Mero Street, 6th Floor East, Frankfort, KY 40622. 502.564.2060. Jackie.Jones@ky.gov Steven Kerlin, Ph.D. is an assistant professor of science education and the director of the Center for Environmental Education at Northern Kentucky University. Northern Kentucky University, Center for Environmental Education, BEP 160, Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099. 859.572.6380. Kerlins1@nku.edu Janet Kistler engages her third graders in many environmental activities, including using Journey North, Project Feederwatch, the class butterfly garden, and the school bluebird trail. She and her husband, Steve, are experienced botanists and birders. Janet was previously KAEE Board Treasurer. 1335 San Goodman Road, Munfordville, KY 42765 270.524.1095. kistlers@scrtc.com Steve Kistler is a Mammoth Cave guide and Hart County teacher. He engages students in environmental activities via Project Feederwatch and other outdoor activities. He also enjoys leading trips and doing environmental education as part of his duties at the national park. 1335 Sam Goodman Road, Munfordville, KY 42765. 270.524.1095. kistlers@scrtc.com Jennifer Lynn: UK Cooperative Extension Specialist for 4-H Youth Development. Involved with environmental education for 25 years. Has worked for 4-H for the past 20 years with the Environmental Camping Program. Past KAEE board member. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Youth Development, N.C. 4-H Camp, 260 Camp Drive, Carlisle, KY 40311. 859.289.5308. jlynn@uky.edu Sonya Wood Mahler is currently the Vice President of KAEE. She has been a teller of tales in Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Sonya is writing a book that includes stories about her family, her adventures and her work on the Gulf Coast. She and her husband, Larry, go on work mission trips each year to build schools, health clinics, libraries, and drinking water systems in Mexico and Guatamala. 144 North Tanyard Road, Cadiz, KY 42211. 270.584.4742. sonyawoodmahler@yahoo.com Becky McCane is an assistant professor at Bluegrass Community Technical College in Lexington, Kentucky. She teaches and coordinates Human Ecology classes at BCTC. She is also on the Board of Sustainable Berea and the Okela Schools Project as well as the U.S. Coordinator for Save China’s Tigers. Bluegrass Community & Technical College, 112 VanWinkle Grove, Berea, KY 40403. 859.246.6442. Becky.mccane@kctcs.edu Doug McCoy is the Assistant Curator of Education at the Louisville Zoo and Adjunct Instructor for Elizabethtown Community & Technical College. He has been a KAEE member since 1993 and a previous KAEE Board member and Vice President. The Louisville Zoo & ECTC, 190 Stoneridge Court, Fisherville, KY 40023. 502.477.2999. wdmccoy@insightbb.com Karen McGinn is a Graduate Gemologist, GIA, NIA. She is an awardwinning artist in multiple mediums who has been filmed twice by CNN. In addition to a background in jewelry design and benchwork, Karen has experience in computer science and geology. She lectures at schools, museums and other organizations. Karen shares her passion for the arts and nature by teaching students of all ages. Presently, she is the co-owner and operator of the Heritage Arts Center and Gallery Bakery, 107 Water Street, Horse Cave, KY 42749. 270.786.4502. genesaps@aol.com Cheryl Messenger is the Environmental Education Coordinator at Mammoth Cave National Park. A KAEE member since 1992 and Board member since 2004, she has served as board advisor, conference co-chair and chair of the Awards and Nominations Committee, Professional Development Committee, and conference Sessions Committee. She currently serves on the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC) Advisory Board, is a member of the National Association for Interpretation and a graduate of the Kentucky Non-Formal Environmental Education Certification program. Mammoth Cave National Park, P.O. Box 7, 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259. 270.758.2441. Cheryl_Messenger@nps.gov Peggy A. Nims serves as the education director for the American Cave Conservation Association (ACCA), Horse Cave, KY. ACCA’s national headquarters is located at the American Cave & Karst Center where Peggy facilitates hands-on learning centers and off-trail Hidden River Cave tours that focus on cave conservation and karst ecosystems. She is currently a Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) board member. American Cave Conservation Association, P.O. Box 409, 119 East Main Street, Horse Cave, KY 42749. 270.786.1466. pnims@glasgow-ky.com Rick Olson is the Ecologist at Mammoth Cave National Park. Mammoth Cave National Park, P.O. Box 7, Mammoth Cave, KY 42259. 270.758.2138. rick_olson@nps.gov Ashley R. Osborne is the UK Cooperative Extension Associate for Environmental and Natural Resource Issues. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, N122 Ag Science North, Lexington, KY 40546-0091. 859.257.2505. ashley.osborne@uky.edu Joann Palmer has been involved with Watershed Watch since 2000 and has trained hundreds on how to perform water monitoring. She has worked with the Division of Water and been in charge of the Watershed Watch program since 2007. Kentucky Division of Water, 200 Fair Oaks Lane, 4th Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601. 800.928.0045. JoAnn.Palmer@ky.gov (Continued on page 46) 4 45 CONFERENCE PRESENTERS—CONTINUED Dan Carey, geologist in the Communications and Outreach Section at the Kentucky Geological Survey, has taught graduate courses in Geographic Information Systems and Environmental Systems at the University of Kentucky. carey@uky.edu Christy Cornaby, Intermediate Resource teacher, GREEN Team, Co -leader of CHIEFS Club, Wingo Elementary School, Wingo, Kentucky. Wingo Elementary School, 449 Lebanon Street, Wingo, KY 42088. 270.705.5461. christy.bell-cornaby@graves.kyschools.us Sarah Lynn Cunningham directs the Louisville Climate Action Network. She is a licensed environmental engineer and certified environmental educator. Her two interdisciplinary degrees from the University of Louisville include an MS in environmental education and environmental history. Via www.theclimateproject.org, she is licensed to use Al Gore’s ―An Inconvenient Truth‖ and subsequently issued materials. Louisville Climate Action Network, 1711 Edgeland Avenue, P.O. Box 4594, Louisville, KY 40204. 502.451.2665. info@louisvillecan.org Aloma Dew is an associate regional representative and organizer with the Sierra Club Water Sentinels program and has worked for Sierra Club for 11 years primarily on water and agricultural issues. Much of her work deals with Food and Climate Change, energy, and Water issues. Dew taught history classes at Kentucky Wesleyan College for more than 20 years. One of the classes she taught was Kentucky History. She also taught history, English and journalism on the high school level for several years in Michigan and Kentucky. Dew is the former chair of the Kentucky Environmental Quality Commission and is presently chair of the Kentucky Commission on Women. Sierra Club Water Sentinels, 2015 Griffith Place East, Owensboro, KY 42301. 270.685.2034. Aloma.dew@sierraclub.org Jim Embry is director and founder of Sustainable Communities Network in Lexington, KY. Since founding Sustainable Communities Network in 2006, Jim has guided the development of 30+ community garden projects and has spent over 40 years working and nurturing young people as social change agents. Often called an ―eco-activist,‖ Jim is known for thinking ―out-of-the-barn.‖ His current work and writings seek to unify spirituality and quantum science as a guide to creating a socially just, sustainable, peaceful society that reflects and share the highest ideals of being human. embryim@gmail.com Dr. R. Andres Ferreyra is the Coordinator of Research and Development of Ag Connections, Inc., an agricultural software company based in Murray, KY. He holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from the University of Florida, and a M.S. in Agrometeorology from the National University of Cordoba, Argentina. In recent years, he has developed and taught a 500-level course on Agricultural Information Management and Regulatory issues at Murray State University. Ag Connections, Inc., P.O. Box 978, Murray, KY 42071. 270.227.0778. andres.ferreyra@agconnections.com Steve Gentry has been caving for twenty-seven years. He is a life member of the National Speleological Society (NSS) and the Kentucky Speleological Survey, a NSS Fellow, and an active member of the Louisville grotto, the Cave Research Foundation (CRF) and the American Cave Conservation Association (ACCA). Steve has facilitated educational cave tours for the Boy Scouts of America, the Girls Scouts of America, school groups of various ages, and the Louisville Science Center. For many years, he has been instrumental in organizing the annual Kentucky Speleofest. 110 Beechwood Lane, Mt. Washington, KY 40047 SGentry177@aol.com 44 Nancy Givens, M.S., B.A. is Sustainability Programs Development Coordinator at Western Kentucky University. She has previously worked in health and wellness promotion and leadership and management training and alternative energy promotion. Western Kentucky University, Center for Environmental Education & Sustainability, 1906 College Heights Blvd., #11098, Bowling Green, KY 42101. 270.745.2842. Nancy.givens@wku.edu April Haight earned a MBA and MS from Morehead State University. She is a certified environmental educator and is certified in several nationally-recognized environmental education programs. Haight, Director of Morehead State University’s Environmental Education Center, is a member of NAAEE, KAEE and KUPEE. She has 16 years of environmental education experience. Morehead State University, LC, 101 A, Morehead, KY 40351. 606.783.2455. a.haight@moreheadstate.edu Dr. Timothy S. Hare, Director of the Kentucky Center for Geospatial Education, Research, and Outreach (KCGERO), manages the Kentucky Height Modernization Program, which is updating Kentucky’s spatial data infrastructure and providing training and support for state and educational institutions and businesses. Morehead State University, College of Business and Public Affairs, Institute for Regional Analysis and Public Policy, 100L Combs Bldg., Morehead, KY 40351. 606.783.9436. t.hare@morehead-st.edu Stacey Hayden is the Visitor Services Specialist at Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge in Benton, Kentucky. Born and raised in western Kentucky, she enjoys educating others about the wildlife and resources in the area. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Clarks River National Wildlife Refuge, 91 US Hwy. 641 N, Benton, KY 42025. 270.527.5770. Stacey_hayden@fws.gov Jenny Howard Owen is President of KAEE and was previously Environmental Education Specialist for the KY Division of Water (DOW). Prior to working with DOW, she served Lake Barkley State Resort Park as Naturalist and Recreation Supervisor; held the position of Assistant to the Director at Murray State University’s Center for Environmental Education; worked as a Wildlife Interpretive Specialist at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Outer Banks, NC; and offered three years to the Peace Corps in Gabon, Central Africa. Jenny, a Kentucky Certified Environmental Educator, holds a Mater’s degree in Education with specialization in environmental education. ky_jenny@hotmail.com Robin Hume earned a BS degree in Elementary Education from Western Kentucky University in 2007 and is currently working toward a Master of Arts in Education with an endorsement in Environmental Education. She has been the Program Coordinator for the Center for Environmental Education & Sustainability at WKU since 2008. Hume is a member of NAAEE and KAEE. Western Kentucky University, 1906 College Heights Blvd. #11098, Bowling Green, KY 42101. 270.745.4687. Robin.hume@wku.edu Dr. Jeanine Huss teaches pre-service elementary science students at Western Kentucky University. She is a Project WILD, WET, and PLT facilitator. She also is a GLOBE facilitator. She has served on the KAEE board the past three years and is a 2010-12 Board candidate. Western Kentucky University, 260 Rosie Street, Bowling Green, KY 42103. 270.745.2293. Jeanine.Huss@wku.edu (Continued on page 45) Welcome to the 34th annual conference of the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education! This conference is designed as a forum for both formal and non-formal educators to network and learn from each other as a means of professional development. Formed in 1976, KAEE is one of the country’s oldest associations supporting environmental education and the first affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education. This year’s conference theme is ―Telling Our Story.‖ Learn how to effectively communicate the importance of environmental education to people of all ages. With the current development of a state environmental literacy plan and the ensuing changes, communication will be essential to the future of environmental literacy for generations to come. KAEE is pleased to have Brian Day, Executive Director of NAAEE, as this year's keynote speaker. The title of Brian’s presentation will be ―Helping to Tell the EE Transformation Story‖. It is our hope that, through plenary speakers like Brian and the array of concurrent sessions, you will gain new skills and techniques to add to your education toolkit. Non-formal educators should come away with a better sense of the needs and challenges that formal classroom teachers face. Formal educators can learn that teaching about, and even within, the local environment can help them meet state learning standards. The Board of Directors wants to make this an outstanding conference for all please do not hesitate to ask questions or tell us if your needs aren't being met. Though the Board works extremely hard, we can do much more with our members' help! Please join us on Friday at 4:30 p.m. for KAEE Voices Heard, where members’ voices and opinions have priority. Without your support, and the generosity of our donors, sponsors, and volunteers, this conference would not be possible. Thanks to all who helped to make this conference possible! Cave City Convention Center Keynote speaker Brian Day Story Tellers: Roger Brucker, Sonya Wood Mahler, David Benning, Emilee Seaman, Virginia Moore Our skilled Session Presenters Our diverse Exhibitors Our generous Sponsors All of the Silent Auction contributors and bidders! And the many volunteers who helped in so many ways! 5 EVENT LOCATIONS AND GENERAL INFORMATION Everything you need to know! For additional questions, stop by the registration desk located in the lobby of the Convention Center. You can also find a board member, identified by a yellow ribbon on their nametag, or a conference committee member, identified by a pale blue ribbon on their nametag. Annual Meeting — The annual meeting of the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education, as required by the constitution, is held during the annual conference. Several activities throughout the conference will provide opportunities for members to learn more about the Association, as well as contribute ideas for the future. Be sure to attend KAEE Voices Heard, at 4:30pm on Friday, in the Auditorium. Elections — Elections will be held for President, Vice President, Secretary, and seven board members. Nominees will wear purple ribbons on their name tags so you can easily spot them and get them talking about themselves! Voting members will receive a ballot in their conference registration packet. Ballots must be placed in the Ballot Box located at the elections table in the conference registration area by 12:15 p.m. on Saturday. Please sign the voting verification sheet on the elections table when you place your ballot in the box. Information about the nominees is available on pages 8-16 and at the display on the elections table. Results of the election will be announced during the Awards Luncheon on Saturday. Exhibit Fair — Front Lobby & Auditorium — Visit the exhibitors to discover answers to the Exhibit Exploration Experience questionnaire in your conference registration packet. Turn it in at the registration area by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday to be entered in a drawing for a special exhibitor prize, donated by our exhibitors. KAEE Books & More Store – Sun Room — Visit the KAEE Books & More Store for those must-have educational resources, books, KAEE shirts, stickers, water bottles, and other items. Show your support for KAEE while picking up some great buys. The Store accepts cash, checks and Visa or MasterCard. The Books & More Store opens on Friday at 8 a.m. and closes at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday. Meals and Special Event Tickets —Tickets for Friday lunch and dinner and Saturday lunch are included with registration for those days. Extra tickets can be purchased at the registration desk. All meals will be served in the Auditorium. 6 Registration — The registration area is located in the lobby of the Convention Center. Someone will be available to assist you throughout the conference. Look for conference committee members wearing the pale blue ribbons if you need assistance. Your Conference Registration Fee — Conference registrations include one KAEE membership for Oct. 1, 2010-Sept. 30, 2011. Note: All four people enrolled under a group membership (Family, Institutional, and Corporate) receive member benefits, including voting privileges. Friday: All sessions (some special sessions require an additional fee), Lunch, Exhibit Fair, Dinner, Storytelling and after dinner reception. Saturday: All sessions (some special sessions require an additional fee, Exhibit Fair, Awards Luncheon (sponsored by Toyota), KEEC-sponsored plenary session and snack. CONFERENCE PRESENTERS & THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION We would like to thank the following people for presenting at this year’s conference. Jennifer Lyon Adler is a Kentucky Certified Environmental Educator with a background in biology and ecology. She is happy to link her love of caving and environmental education to encourage more Kentuckians to protect and enjoy caves and their inhabitants. Jennifer has served on the KAEE Board of Directors for three years and is currently Board Treasurer. 1448 Cypress Street, Paris, KY 40361. 859.577.1953. kingfisher@bellsouth.net Mark Adler is the Director of the Paris-Bourbon County Library and has been a caver since his youth. He has edited four SpeleoDigests, the yearly publication of the National Speleological Society (NSS). Mark enjoys taking new people caving as often as possible and insisted his daughter become an NSS member within a week of being born. 1448 Cypress Street, Paris, KY 40361. 859.577.1953. kycaver@bellsouth.net Hazel A. Barton, Ph.D. is the Ashland Endowed Professor on Integrative Science at Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, Kentucky. North Kentucky University, SC 204D, Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41076. 859.572.5303. bartonh@nku.edu Cheryl Bersaglia: For the last ten years, Cheryl has been the Education Program Coordinator for the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District in Louisville, Kentucky. As a certified Environmental Educator, she has helped thousands of students learn more about their environment through experiential learning in the outdoors. Teaching children who rarely, if ever, spend much time outside was a challenge; through her research into the acclimatization process, Cheryl has devised simple and straightforward strategies for getting children and adults over their fears. Cheryl has been a local coach and facilitator for Envirothon for the last six years and assists the Division of Conservation with promoting the program statewide. She was coach of the 2006 Kentucky Envirothon State Winner and continues to have high-placing teams. Jefferson County Soil & Water Conservation District, 4233 Bardstown Road, Ste. 100-A, Louisville, KY 40218. 502.262.0803. cheryl.bersaglia@ky.nacdnet.net Ashley Bowen is an Environmental Inspector II for the Division of Air Quality in Ashland, Kentucky. Ashley educates people of all ages about the importance of air quality and how we can do our share for cleaner air. Ashley is a certified Non-formal Environmental Educator. Kentucky Division for Air Quality, 1550 Wolohan Drive, Suite 1, Ashland, KY 41102. 606.929.5285. Ashley.bowen@ky.gov Dr. Joe Baust is the director for the center of Environmental Education at Murray State University and a faculty member in the Department of Early Childhood and Elementary Education. He served on the Board of NAAEE from 1998-2006 and was president of the organization in 2005. Dr. Baust is a recipient of NAAEE’s Walter E. Jeske Award and the Kentucky Environmental Quality Commission’s Earth Day Award. Under his leadership, Murray State University was the first university center to by approved by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board to offer a teaching endorsement in environmental education. Murray State University, College of Education, 321 Alexander Hall, Murray, KY 42071. 270.762.2595. joe.baust@murraystate.edu Vivian Bowles teaches fourth graders science, both indoors and outdoors, at Kit Carson Elementary School in Richmond, KY and sponsors the school’s ecology club. Kit Carson Elementary School, 450 Tates Creek Road, Richmond, KY 40475. 859.625.6103 vivan.bowles@madison.kyschools.us Liability Waiver — By submitting your conference registration, you confirm that you participate in all KAEE Annual Conference activities at your own risk. Accordingly, you agree to hold the KAEE Board, contractors, and agents harmless against all injury that you might suffer at any time during the conference. Beth Bell has twenty years experience developing and delivering outreach education on many environmental topics, such as energy, water quality and solid waste/recycling. She currently works for the Kentucky NEED Project, assisting teachers and students in developing student energy teams. She has a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Studies from Florida International University and a Masters of Education in Science (Environmental) Education from Lynchburg College in Virginia. Kentucky NEED Project, P.O. Box 176055, Covington, KY 41017. 812.725.0312. bbell@need.org Roberta Burnes is a certified Non-formal Environmental Educator with a B.S. with Distinction in Environmental Education from Ohio State University (1986). She has worked as a non-formal environmental educator for nearly 30 years in Ohio, Tennessee, Nevada, and Kentucky. Roberta currently serves as the Environmental Education Specialist for the KY Division of Air Quality. Kentucky Division for Air Quality, 200 Fair Oaks Lane, 1st Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601. 502.564.3999 Ext. 4403 roberta.burnes@ky.gov Photography Agreement — In submitting your conference registration and attending the KAEE Annual Conference, you understand that photographs may be taken during the conference in which you are included and that these photographs may be used by KAEE for promotional purposes in print and on the World Wide Web. Billy Bennett is the Director of Eastern Kentucky University’s ( EKU) Center for Environmental Education and an adjunct professor at EKU. He chairs the Kentucky University Partnership for Environmental Education. Eastern Kentucky University, 105 Case Annex, 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. 859.622.1476. william.bennett@eku.edu Name Badges — Your name badge is your passport to all conference activities. Please wear your name badge during the conference and return the holder to the conference registration area ―Badge Box‖ before you leave. The special ribbons on the name badges will help you identify current and past KAEE officers and board members, as well as nominees for election to the board, presenters, exhibitors, award winners, and special guests. New members have a book on their badge. Please help them to feel welcome! Nakia Brown, 6th grade Science/Language Arts teacher, Environmental Education and Gifted/Talented Endorsed Coordinating Teacher for Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools and Earth Force, Co-leader of CHIEFS Club, GREEN Team., Wingo Elementary School, Wingo, Kentucky. Wingo Elementary School, 449 Lebanon Street, Wingo, KY 42088. 270.705.3379. nakia.brown@graves.kyschools.us Shane Butler is a native of Hart County. He graduated from Western Kentucky University with a BS in agriculture and a MA in middle school education. While teaching middle school science and math, Shane became involved with Roundstone Seed first as a producer. Shane joined Roundstone Seed as an employee in 2010. Roundstone Native Seed, 9764 Raider Hollow Road, Upton, KY 42784. 270.531.3034. Shane@roundstoneseed.com (Continued on page 44) 43 Meeting Room Locations — Kentucky Environmental Literacy Plan Task Force Silent Auction — Back of Auditorium Donations for the Silent Auction may be brought to the registration desk. If desired, a receipt for your item will be provided, as donations may be tax deductible. Minimum bids are posted for some items, and bids must be made in increments of whole dollar amounts. Bidding opens at 9:00 a.m. on Friday and closes at 5:00 p.m. SHARP on Saturday. Winning bids will be posted and items will be released at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Payment in the form of a check, cash, Visa or MasterCard is due when you pick up your items. You, or your authorized representative, must be present to pay for and claim your silent auction items. All proceeds from the auction go to support KAEE programs. Mystery Table – Lobby Items from Kentucky are displayed on the table. Use the entry form in your packet and identify each item. If you need help identifying an item, you may find help in the Books and More Store! Turn in your completed entry form at the registration table by 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Entries with the most correct answers will be placed in a drawing for a prize. The Mystery Table opens on Friday at 7:30 a.m. and closes at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Graduate Credit & Professional Development — Stop by the conference registration desk to have documents signed or pick up a certificate of participation. You will receive credit only for time spent in sessions at the conference. 42 Evaluations — Evaluation forms are in your registration packet. Turn in your evaluation form at the conference registration area by 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. When you turn in your form, please sign the signature sheet. Doing so will enter your name into the drawing for a complimentary registration to the 2011 KAEE Conference to be held at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, KY. If you forget to turn in your evaluation, mail it to Peggy Nims, 1439 Glenview Dr., Glasgow, KY 42141. You won’t be eligible for the drawing, but we still value your comments! Electronics Recycling, Reducing, & Reusing — G & R Reclamation is coordinating recycling of numerous items in the parking lot. These items include almost anything with a plug, used eyeglasses, and cell phones. Turn in your name badge for reuse next year. To help reduce waste, bring (or buy from the Books & More Store!) and use a reusable coffee mug, water bottle, and tote bag. Conference materials were printed on recycled paper. Contact information for exhibitors, presenters and conference attendees — Contact information for all presenters, exhibitors, and sponsors registered by August 31st are on pages 43-48. Contact information for conference attendees (who chose to participate) will be e-mailed or mailed to all attendees after the conference. 7 CANDIDATES FOR KAEE’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS Elections will be held for President, Vice President, Secretary, and five board members. Voting members will receive a ballot in their registration packet. Place ballots in the Ballot Box located at the elections table in the registration area by 12:15 p.m. on Saturday. Please sign the voting verification sheet on the elections table when you place your ballot in the box. Results of the election will be announced during the Awards Luncheon on Saturday. KAEE CONFERENCE SPONSORS The generosity of these sponsors, especially in budget-crunching times like we’re facing now, is immensely appreciated! Many of our sponsors are also exhibiting this year. Please visit their booths for valuable resources and to share your support. If you would like to support next year’s conference and see your logo here, please contact us at conference@kaee.org. We’d love to hear from you! Officer Candidates John LeFevre- President John LeFevre serves as Program Manager for energy education projects for the Department for Energy Development and Independence (DEDI) an agency within Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet. His project partners include the Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools Program administered by the Kentucky Environmental Education Council, the Kentucky National Energy Education Development Project, Warren and Kenton County Public Schools, the Kentucky Energy Education Program for Schools administered by the Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center at the University of Louisville, and the School Energy Managers Project administered by the Kentucky School Boards Association. Before joining DEDI John served an Educational Financial Analyst for the Kentucky Department of Education. Additionally, he served with the Kentucky Environmental Education Council and helped coordinate many agency initiatives and projects, including Kentucky’s Nonformal Certified Environmental Educator Program and Project WET. Prior to his employment with state government, John held various positions with Forcht Bank, BB&T, and Prudential. John is a graduate of Brescia College with a degree in Finance and Economics and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Western Kentucky University. Danielle Hutchins– Vice President Growing up in Rural Kentucky, Danielle Hutchins learned to love the outdoors at an early age. Conserving the family’s well water during drought and spreading coffee grounds and egg shells over the soil in her grandmother’s garden brought Danielle a deeper understanding of her impact on the environment around her. Danielle graduated from U.K. with a degree in Agricultural Public Service and Leadership and is pursuing her non-formal environmental education certification. Although a Kentucky native, she has followed her passion for experiential education across the country, working in various adventure and environmental education programs in Colorado, Alabama, and Tennessee. After returning home to Kentucky, her love of adventure and environmental education 8 41 Saturday Sessions September 18, 2010 tion records. However, agricultural education includes little material on the multiple sources of value of managing agricultural production information, and many farmers are ill-prepared for these new challenges. Ag Connections is currently involved in multiple projects in the USA and abroad where the ideas of reflection, sustainability, principled assessment, and emphasis on on-farm production records are being applied. Our experiences are reflected in an innovative 500-level course. 3:30 p.m. — 4:15 p.m. YouthBuild: Teaching Sustainable Farming in Africa and Beyond Peter Thiong: West Hall B The target audience is those who are associating with the environment, environmentally friendly folks, farmers, and those who want to learn about conservation or sustainable farming. Discussion will include raised garden beds in Sudan and YouthBuild, which teaches students how to grow their own food. Includes hand-outs for participants. 3:30 p.m. — 4:15 p.m. Backyard Burning Relay Race Ashley Bowen: Kentucky Room A Open burning of household trash is a long-standing cultural tradition in Kentucky, yet one that is illegal and dangerous for human health and the environment. Teaching students about the effects and alternatives to open burning is a first step toward ending this practice and protecting air quality. Participants will engage in a backyard burning relay race that presents this information in a fun and kinesthetic way. Participants will receive a written copy of the activity, appropriate for elementary/middle school students and correlated to core content. 3:30 p.m. — 4:15 p.m. Kentucky School Garden Network Research Project David Wicks, Kate Shields: West Hall C The Kentucky School Garden Network sponsored research to identify area needs and to develop a data base of school gardens to be used as a base line to assess our work. This presentation will describe the results of 350 respondents who participated in the 2010 school garden survey. 4:30 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. Wrapping It Up! Environmental Education Legislative Update Jenny Howard Owen and Elizabeth Schmitz: Auditorium Jenny Howard Owen, KAEE President, and Elizabeth Robb Schmitz, Immediate Past President, will share information about pending legislation, such as the No Child Left Inside Act, and other pertinent news on environmental education, both locally and nationally. KEEC will provide snacks to tide you over before your drive home or dinner with new and old friends. Silent Auction winners will be announced following this session. Support Environmental Education! No Child Left Inside (NCLI) updates: http://nclicoalition.org NCLI Act Updates: http:// www.govtrack.us/ via S. 866 and H.R. 2054 brought Danielle to Life Adventure Center of the Bluegrass (LAC) in Versailles. It was during this time that she became a member of KAEE. In fall 2009, Danielle became a UK County Extension agent in Nelson County, allowing her to work where she lives. When not working in the woods, you can find Danielle hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, or in her kayak. She is a Wilderness First Responder, lifeguard, and has been trained in many other aspects of safety and rescue. Danielle is a member of several conservation organizations and a member of KRPS. She is a Project Learning Tree, WET, Wild, and Wild Aquatic Facilitator Trainer. Danielle loves to share new and exciting ideas with others in the environmental education community and has presented workshops on teambuilding and leadership development, low ropes, and outdoor environmental education at local, state and regional conferences. Jean Clement– Secretary Jean Clement’s first career passion is teaching. However, for the past ten years, her second passion has been environmental education. She has participated in a host of EE workshops including Land Between The Lakes, Mammoth Cave, Green River, Clay Hill Memorial Forest, KAEC, NEED Summer Energy Tours, KSU summer workshops, STEM, and most recently, the Bregenz, Austria tour. She volunteers for Kentucky Water Watch and as a greeter at the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery visitors’ center and helped develop the BiT (Biologist in Training) curriculum now used nationally at fish hatcheries. Last spring, she received her non-formal environmental educator’s certificate through KEEC. She is a member of KAEE and NAAEE. Currently, Jean teaches eighth-grade science and supplemental reading at Russell County Middle School in Russell Springs, KY. She has been in the education field since 1979 serving in various capacities in many different geographic locations and in different types of schools. Jean says she is “frustrated” in the classroom because she has a heartfelt desire to help students become environmentally literate, but there is not enough time to do it all. Ten years ago she founded and maintains a PRIDE club which meets after school weekly. Their mission is to develop a “personal responsibility in a desirable environment” through educational activities and projects. One of their “shining star” projects has been starting and maintaining a schoolwide comprehensive recycling program and improving their county-wide recycling program as well. She has received the Rogers-Bickford Environmental Education Leadership award, and her PRIDE club has received the PRIDE Middle School Campus of the Year award and was named finalist for the same award two other times. This year she is organizing a student-based energy management team in hopes of decreasing the energy consumption in her school district. By serving on the Board of Directors for KAEE, Jean hopes to bring a teacher’s perspective to the table and to improve environmental education in our schools. Board Member Candidates—continued on next page 40 9 BOARD MEMBER CANDIDATES Saturday Sessions September 18, 2010 Jimena Bertschi--Board of Directors Jimena (often called Jimmie) was born in Argentina and raised in Buenos Aires, a city of 10 million inhabitants. Her parents taught her and her siblings to respect and value nature. In the early 90's, when the decrease of ozone layers in the atmosphere talks began, her mom talked to them about the human impact on nature. To improve her English, she was given the opportunity to learn English as a Second Language at the University of Kentucky. Later, this opportunity extended to attaining her Bachelor's Degree in Arts in Telecommunication with a Cum Laude status. The opportunity to live in Kentucky gave her distinctive views in understanding culture, people, decision making, and values. Her transition to EE was right after Jimmie graduated from the University of Kentucky when she served as the environmental counselor for the North 4-H camp in Nicholas County. Here, Jimmie learned more about the role of education, environmental practices, and impact. She realized environmental education was her calling. She obtained the non-formal environmental education certification in 2008. Since then, Jimmie has been working at a not-for-profit organization who serves at-risk urban youth, 16-24 year-olds, to develop an environmental program that helps the youth for green jobs and the future. She has been a member of NAAEE for three years, and due to travels outside of the United States, only 1 year as a member of KAEE. Nonetheless, Jimmie has stayed active learning about the goals and efforts of the organization. For instance, she presented her work at last year's conference at NAAEE and KAEE because she realized the need of more EE efforts with the population she served. Furthermore, Jimmie believes Kentucky's EE family needs to develop more efforts and strategies to reach a growing Spanish community. Her diverse background, language skills, work with under-served cultural diverse youth, her high values on education, and deep respect for the Tbilisi agreement on EE approach, provides a unique view and skills to KAEE. Moreover, Jimmie appreciate the opportunity to put into service her skills and knowledge. She also sees this as an opportunity to say thank you and to give back to this country and state, who have given her so much. Roberta Burnes – Board of Directors Bring your sense of adventure and hiking shoes for this exciting workshop. During this session, you will learn how to use hand -held GPS technology to create geo-caching activities that enhance environmental and leadership curricula. GPS units will be available for participants to use. 1:30 p.m.— 3:15 p.m. Connecting the Various Fields of Science and Environmental Literacy Doug McCoy: Kentucky Room A This session will deal with the interconnectedness of various fields of science and environmental literacy. Through a variety of hands-on, participatory activities and group discussion, the session will take an EE approach to connecting scientific disciplines including chemistry, geology, biology, meteorology and more. Why weren’t we taught this way? 1:30 p.m. — 4:15 p.m. Kentucky Barrens: A Service Learning Opportunity Shannon R. Trimboli and Rick Olson: Off site session. Meet in Front Lobby (right side). Roberta Burnes is a certified Non-formal Environmental Educator with a B.S. with Distinction in Environmental Education from Ohio State University (1986). She has worked as a non-formal environmental educator for nearly 30 years in Ohio, Tennessee, Nevada, and Kentucky. Roberta has been deeply immersed in Kentucky EE since 1993, coordinating education programs at Lexington’s Living Arts & Science Center and The Arboretum. In addition, Roberta has served as a speaker with the KY Humanities Council and is a Music Interpreter at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. In her current position as Environmental Education Specialist with the KY Division for Air Quality, Roberta develops and presents a wide range of EE programs across the Commonwealth. 10 1:30 p.m. — 4:15 p.m. Geocaching Leadership Adventure Danielle Hutchins: Farmer’s Market in front of the Convention Center Take a hike and learn about Kentucky’s once common barrens habitat, barrens plants, and Mammoth Cave National Park’s restoration efforts. After our hike, participate in a service project eradicating invasive species. Closed toed shoes and long pants are recommended. (Continued on next page) 2:30 p.m. — 3:15 p.m. Water, Water Everywhere, and Not a Drop to Drink: Integrating Water into the Classroom Aloma Dew: West Hall C Discussion of the importance of water to Kentucky’s history, culture, economy, and environment. We will discuss the importance of clean water and what teachers and students can do on water issues. Included will be the effects of coal, agriculture, industry, and climate change on Kentucky’s water and future. Will give examples of work Sierra Club Water Sentinels are doing/have done with students on water issues, including our fishing rod program, the importance of food choices on water, how water issues can be used in many ways in the curriculum. Will have hand-outs and stickers. This discussion will be useful to teachers in several disciplines and will fit well with outdoor classrooms. Kentucky’s water and its role is very much a part of telling our story. 2:30 p.m. — 3:15 p.m. Sustainability Leadership Conference Planning Nancy Givens: West Hall A Experience with planning for a Sustainability Leadership Conference for Gatton Academy for Mathematics and Sciences will be used as a template for planning for sustainability leadership training with high school and college students, schools, and communities. Key themes, activities, materials will be reviewed and organizational steps explored. 3:30 p.m. — 4:15 p.m. Teaching Sustainability in Agriculture: The Time is Now! Ag Connections R. Andres Ferreyra: West Hall A The environmental implications of agricultural management decisions can be monumental. There is an accelerating trend to promote reflection in agricultural production decision-making, and to evaluate the sustainability of agricultural systems using metrics that draw heavily from the farmers’ produc- 39 Saturday Sessions September 18, 2010 10:30 a.m. — 11:15 a.m. The KUPEE Energy Initiative: An Environmental Service Learning Project Terry Wilson, Joe Baust, Billy Bennett, and April Haight: West Hall C The Kentucky University Partnership in Environmental Education (KUPEE) is partnering with Earth Force, a national service learning provider, to integrate service learning into the environmental education endorsement programs at four universities across the Commonwealth. Teachers and other educators taking the EE endorsement courses are using service learning to assess and reduce energy use in public buildings on campus and in their own schools and communities. Come learn about how you can get involved in this exciting process. 10:30 a.m. — 11:15 a.m. Citizen Participation in Solving Community Problems from a Student’s Perspective Carmen Thompson: Kentucky Room B Come see how middle school students have learned to not only participate in our own governance but also why they should participate in order to become a new generation of citizens involved and committed to civic participation through the use of Project Citizen. This presentation is for anyone that wants to make a difference in our world. The format involves hands-on demonstration by the classroom teacher and the students, as well as a discussion time. This session will enable you to become a more actively – involved citizen in civic affairs. 1;30 p.m.— 2:15 p.m. School Gardening Becky McCane: West Hall C This session provides participants with information needed to establish a school or community garden. Gardening provides an excellent opportunity to grow safe, healthy food, as well as teach students about water/soil conservation, pesticide alternatives, insect 38 life cycles, and much more. Participants will receive a plethora of instructional materials and some goodies to help them get started gardening. 1:30 p.m. — 2:15 p.m. Kentucky’s State Environmental Literacy Plan Drs. Melinda Wilder and Billy Bennett: West Hall A This session is designed to solicit input from interested stakeholders on the development of the state environmental literacy plan. This is a plan that provides the framework for Kentucky schools to expand and improve environmental education. It is required by the federal government in order to be eligible for NCLI funds. 1:30 p.m. — 3:15 p.m. Climate Change Experiments for the Classroom Roberta Burnes and Elizabeth Schmitz: Kentucky Room B Participants will gain hands-on experience conducting simple but effective experiments that illustrate the concept of greenhouse gases; demonstrate sources of carbon in the atmosphere; and explore the relationship between albedo and climate. Participants will receive write-ups of activities conducted in this session: best-suited for grades six - university. 1:30 p.m. — 3:15 p.m. Southern Region 4-H Water Ambassadors Program Ashley R. Osborne: West Hall B Come and get your feet wet! Learn all about the new 4-H Water Ambassador Program! This program includes four units, each of which focuses on a specific question related to watersheds and water quality. Each unit includes hands-on, investigative activities that can be done in a variety of classroom, club and after-school settings. BOARD MEMBER CANDIDATES ~ CONTINUED Roberta is passionate about incorporating art, science, music, and story into the EE experience. She understands the challenges facing educators who must come up with meaningful activities and interactive displays on a shoe-string budget, and would like to see more professional development opportunities to address these challenges. She’s also interested in developing a mentorship program for those new to EE in Kentucky. Roberta has been a member of KAEE since 2004. She is also a member of the North American Association for Environmental Education, the Cave Research Foundation, and the Lexington Singers. Roberta enjoys using art to interpret the natural world and is an illustrator, quilter, and fiber artist. She lives in Lexington with her husband John, son Gareth, and five chickens, six cats, snake, and salamander. Eric Comley – Board of Directors Eric grew up in the Elkhorn Creek. His earliest memories of being outdoors are his grandmother pulling him behind her in an inner -tube telling him about the different fish, trees, and animals they were seeing. He would watch his grandfather from a distance, because he was a more serious angler, and marvel at him in the creek. He never lost his balance. The water never seemed to break around him. He was as much a part of the environment as the trees, rocks, or fish. This is when Eric fell in love with being outside. Eric works in Fayette County as a 4-H Youth Development Agent, specializing in environmental and outdoor education programming. He has been involved in 4-H for more than 25 years, participating primarily in the summer camping program as a camper, teen and adult volunteer, the summer nature instructor for five years, the summer camp manager for two years, and the canoeing instructor for one summer camping season. In addition to his responsibilities in the county, Eric serves as the Natural Resources curriculum contact for his district, instructor-trainer for the 4-H summer camp nature instructor program, and a general resource person regarding environmental education for Kentucky 4-H Agents. Eric received his B.A. in English (non-teaching) at Eastern Kentucky University, and he is currently attending EKU again as a graduate student seeking a M.S. in Applied Ecology with an emphasis in Botany. His thesis project is a complete vascular flora of the Cumberland Falls State Nature Preserve. He received the non-formal environmental educator’s certificate through KEEC, and has held facilitator certifications in Project WET, Project WILD, and Project Learning Tree. Eric has been a member, off and on, of KAEE for the last seven years. He is also a member of NAAEE, the Southern Appalachian Botanical Society, the Kentucky Native Plant Society, and the Kentucky Society of Natural History. Eric hopes to provide leadership and creative thinking regarding the direction of KAEE given the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors. He feels confident in his qualifications, and is anxious about the chance to work with this Board, and the entire membership, to develop growth opportunities for all Kentuckians regarding environmental education. Environmental education has its roots in multiple levels of learning and application, and Eric hopes everyone can find that child-like sense of wonder for our natural resources and the environmental issues that surround our community. (Continued on next page) 11 BOARD MEMBER CANDIDATES ~ CONTINUED Angela Dossett – Board of Directors Though she will confess to being a native of the Buckeye State, Angela Dossett is a Kentuckian at heart. Therefore, she is thrilled to be back in the Bluegrass working as Sustainability Coordinator for Transylvania University. After nearly three years away, Angela and her family moved back to Lexington in September last year. Even before she had officially moved, Angela had registered to participate in the 2009 KAEE conference as a way of quickly reconnecting with the environmental education community in the Commonwealth. Angela earned her B.S. in Natural Resource Conservation and Management from the University of Kentucky. She served as the Fayette County Conservation District’s first Education Outreach Coordinator for two years before leaving Kentucky to work as an educator for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for one season. Angela returned to Central Kentucky to serve as Bluegrass PRIDE’s Executive Director. She held that position for nearly five years before leaving to pursue an M.A. in Communication at Ohio State University. She began her position at Transylvania in January of this year. Through these positions, she has developed, led and managed environmental education programs for populations ranging from pre-K through adult. Angela’s involvement with KAEE dates back to 2001, and includes service on the Board of Directors in 2004-2005. She obtained the Kentucky non-formal environmental educator’s certificate through KEEC, and is also a certified facilitator in Project WILD, WILD Aquatic, WET, Learning Tree, and Food, Land and People. While organizations are constantly undergoing change, KAEE was in an especially intense period of change when Angela moved in 2006. She is thrilled with the opportunity to serve on the Board to help KAEE continue to promote environmental education in Kentucky through formal and non-formal avenues. Kandy Fear – Board of Directors Kandy is an elementary school teacher in Bowling Green, KY and the Science Lab teacher at her school. She has assisted WKU’s Center of Environmental Education and Sustainability with workshops and has facilitated the Early Childhood Connections for Land Between the Lakes Summer Institute. Kandy is active in KEA by serving as an officer for her local association and participates in the Green Chalice, which connects Christian faith, spiritual practice and environmental consciousness. Kandy has also been a member of KAEE for two years. She is a graduate of Austin Peay State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education /Early Childhood. She has a Master’s degree from Murray State University with an emphasis on Environmental Education. She has completed her Environmental Education Endorsement at WKU and will complete a Rank 1 status this year. 12 (Continued on next page) Saturday Sessions September 18, 2010 8:30 a.m. — 11:15 a.m. Telling Your Community’s Story Through Maps Timothy Hare, April Haight: West Hall A Online mapping is a powerful way to share one’s story of environmental exploration. First, we demonstrate ways of learning about one’s community and natural environment. Second, participants receive hands-on experience with creating story-telling maps. Third, we connect stories with PLT, WET and Flying WILD activities and core content. 8:30 a.m. — 10:15 a.m. Citizen Science and Climate Change: Phenology Roberta Burnes: Kentucky Room B Phenology — the science of first appearances, such as buds, blooms, and fruit — can help all ages gain insight into earth’s changing climate patterns. Learn how you can engage your students in citizen science data collection by closely observing the natural world and reporting their findings to the scientific community. Plan to go outside for some hands-on practice that will sharpen your phenological observation skills. Participants will receive sample activities from Project BudBurst. 8:30 a.m. — 11:15 a.m. Meet Happy Cows! Organic Dairy Farm Tour Jake Schmitz: Off-site Session. Pre-registration required: Max 20. $10 fee Meet in Front Lobby (left side). If you are interested in learning more about what organic agriculture is and what it looks like in practice, this off-site session is for you! Get out on a real organic and pasture-based dairy farm, pet happy cows, and sample organic milk and cheese produced the way nature intended. Participants on this trip will be invited to bring their students back to the farm—an experienced that’s appropriate for all ages and especially relevant to disciplines of science, agriculture and social science. Bring shoes that can get wet or muddy; come prepared for the weather; we will be outside. 8:30 a.m. — 11:15 a.m. Getting to Know Kentucky Plants Steve Kistler & Janet Kistler: Off site session; Front Lobby (right side). You don’t need to study the rain forest to get your kids excited about nature. Get them outside! In this session, two experienced teachers and lifelong naturalists will introduce you to some of the more common plants of the Kentucky forest. We will walk a trail in Mammoth Cave National Park, discussing the ecology of the forest along with the individual species we encounter. 9:30 a.m.— 11:15 a.m. Sustainability Education in a World of Seven Billion Rebecca Todd: Kentucky Room A Discover interdisciplinary, hands-on activities to help students understand the connections between human population growth, resource consumption and sustainable ecosystems and communities. Participants will engage in role-playing simulations, games, and problem-solving challenges to build students’ human ecology knowledge. Participants will receive a free CD of activities appropriate for classrooms and nature centers. 10:30 a.m. — 11:15 a.m. Conservation Through the Arts! — Kentucky Junior Duck Stamp Program Amanda Patrick, Stacey Hayden; West Hall B Founded by Dr. Joan Allemand and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Kentucky Junior Duck Stamp Program offers an engaging avenue for teaching kids about conservation . . . through art! Learn how this program offers students in grades K through 12 an opportunity to observe waterfowl and better connect with nature while creating their own original artwork. 37 BOARD MEMBER CANDIDATES ~ CONTINUED Friday Sessions September 17 , 2010 3:45 p.m. — 4:30 p .m. Safe Routes to School and Environmental Quality Jackie Jones: West Hall C This session will include a demonstration and discussion focusing on an overview of Safe Route to School (SRTS), how it relates to environmental concerns, and how to incorporate the SRTS curriculum into your educational programs. Participants will be provided with the KY SRTS curriculum, which follows the KY Core Content. The SRTS program is a new direction for environmental educators to follow to reach children, parents, teachers, and members of the community. The target audience is individuals who work with children in primary & middle school. 3:45 p.m. — 4:30 p.m. A Journey through the Carbon Cycle Roberta Burnes: Kentucky Room B The complex nature of the carbon cycle makes it a challenging topic to teach and learn. In this kinesthetic activity, participants become carbon atoms traveling through the pre-and post-industrial carbon cycle. Participants will experience this activity firsthand, then receive a CD-ROM with activity images and instructions for use with upper elementary/middle school students. 4:30 p.m.—5:00 p.m. KAEE Voices Heard! KAEE Board Members: Auditorium KAEE Members Matter! This is an informal networking time with the organization’s current President and Board members to discuss the on-going programs and long-range goals of KAEE. This brainstorming session is an ideal way for you to help improve our organization, expand EE throughout the Commonwealth, and be more engaged in EE in KY. We’ll wrap it up with food & drink! 36 Saturday Sessions September 18 , 2010 7:00 a.m. — 8:00 a.m. Bird Walk with Steve Kistler Enjoy an early morning walk and bird watching in the green space near the Cave City Convention Center. Meet at the flagpole, front of Convention Center. 8:30 a.m. — 10:15 a.m. Living the Learning: Citizen Science in Action Jenny Howard Owen and Shannon Trimboli: West Hall B Citizen science provides non-scientists of all ages the opportunity to help professional scientists conduct research and answer important scientific questions. Citizen science projects cover a wide variety of topics and can be international, national, regional, or local in scope. Associated educational resources, including activities or lesson plans, are often available for each citizen science project. Some even provide access to the databases so anyone can analyze the data to answer their own questions. Citizen science projects are a tool we can use to connect our audiences to the resources and move them towards action. Additionally, these hands-on, minds-on, investigative projects offer true scientific method exploration, while empowering learners with a sense of place and their connection to the natural and social community. 8:30 a.m. — 10:15 a.m. Energizing Student Energy Teams! Beth Bell and Karen Reagor: West Hall C Using curriculum and activities from the National Energy Education Development (NEED) Project, participants will take away ideas and resources for developing, motivating and leading student energy teams in their schools and communities. Find ways to integrate energy conservation into existing environmental/science clubs. See how Kentucky students are practicing their knowledge and skills through real-world experiences. Kandy desires to be a member of KAEE’s board so that she can help other elementary teachers and students experience the joy of environmental education throughout the curriculum. She knows the importance of experiences gained by her education so that all involved in the educational process are more responsible in the preservation of our Earth. She would like to share ideas and experiences with other KAEE Board Members and assist with any environmental education issues throughout our Commonwealth. Robin Hume – Board of Directors As Program Coordinator for the Center for Environmental Education and Sustainability at Western Kentucky University, Robin works with college students as well as pre-service and in-service teachers. She facilitates many of the workshops the Center hosts for both formal and non-formal educators. Robin has been a member of both KAEE and the North American Association for Environmental Education for two years. She is a graduate of Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and will complete her Master’s degree in December 2010, with an emphasis in environmental education. Robin desires to be a member of KAEE’s board for these reasons: “I would like to share my experience with the other KAEE Board Members as a way to disseminate insight, teaching skills and practical exercises which they can, in turn, take to their respective workplaces. Education regarding environmental issues is key to the preservation and ongoing health of our planet for generations to come.” Jeanine Huss – Board of Directors Jeanine Huss has lived in Kentucky the past five years, has enjoyed being a member of KAEE for the past four years and on the board the past three years. One thing she enjoys about being on the KAEE board is getting to know about the resources and events that are happening around the state. KAEE does a great job of encouraging others to join their ranks through events that happen around the state. It always warms her heart when she can travel across the country for the North American Association of Environmental Education Conference and see so many people from Kentucky! She believes that one way that KAEE could improve is through increasing membership of university students and teachers. Dr. Huss encourages her preservice elementary students at Western Kentucky University to learn more about environmental education. She teaches them Project WILD and Population Connection during their elementary science methods class. She also offers workshops like WET or PLT to them as well. This year will be the second year of a grant that enables WKU preservice elementary teachers to go to Mammoth Cave for two full days. These students are provided WET training among other things. Some students are most definitely in their comfort zones and others are really stretching themselves. Jeanine thinks this is a valuable undertaking for future teachers. Through this encounter with caves and the national park, students are (Continued on next page) 13 BOARD MEMBER CANDIDATES ~ CONTINUED Friday Sessions September 17, 2010 becoming more comfortable with environmental education and teaching outside of the classroom walls. She encourages them to join KAEE after their experiences in class. Jeanine sees serving the board as a unique opportunity to spread the word about this organization. 2:30 p.m. — 3:15 p.m Energy Currents Beth Bell, Karen Reagor: West Hall B Ashley Osborne – Board of Directors Ashley Osborne is an Extension Associate for Environmental and Natural Resources Issues with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. As an associate, Ashley assists county extension agents and other formal and nonformal educators with environmental programming. She is responsible for maintaining two websites, coordinating the Environmental and Natural Resources Issues Task Force newsletter, facilitating in-service training and youth events, and developing education materials. Ashley received her B.S. in Agriculture from Eastern Kentucky University and M.S. in Plant and Soil Science from the University of Kentucky. In addition, she is a certified non-formal environmental educator. Currently, Ashley is a member of the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals and Kentucky Women in Agriculture, Inc. Ashley has been a member of KAEE for more than two years and would love the opportunity to work more closely with the organization and its members. Merin Roseman – Board of Directors Merin graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with two Bachelor’s degrees in English: Technical Writing and Geography: Natural Resources. She has a background in geographic information systems (GIS) and has been in the field of environmental education for 4 years. After graduation, Merin worked at the Eastern Kentucky University Center for Environmental Education and truly enjoyed working with students and conducting outdoor, hands-on lessons. She now coordinates the Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools program for the Kentucky Environmental Education Council. In this position, Merin assists students making improvements toward sustainability and energy efficiency at their schools. She also organizes the annual summit and awards ceremony that hosts 350 students, teachers and government officials from across the state. Both positions have been very rewarding and have offered her the opportunity to make a positive difference in the environment and the education of K-12 students in Kentucky. Merin is a native Kentuckian and grew up in the Inner Bluegrass Region. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, camping, rock climbing, and various crafts including soap making. Her latest project is the conversion of her backyard to an all Kentucky native landscape. Merin has been a member of KAEE for 3 years and would like to be more involved in the future of environmental education in Kentucky. She cares deeply about environmental education, and would like to do her part to help further the profession and programming for our state. 14 (Continued on next page) Gain an understanding of trends in energy consumption, energy resources and energy conservation in the United States, as well as a close-up of Kentucky, through a snap shot of the most recent statistical information and scientific research in the field. Participants will increase their content knowledge and be able to locate the most current data on energy using NEED materials. Updated annually, these materials provide educators with current, sciencebased data that engage students at all levels. 2:30 p.m.—3:15 p.m. Citizen Water Monitoring and How You Can Make a Difference Jo Ann Palmer; Kentucky Room B Ever wonder what’s in our waterways? Seeking hands-on, real-life teaching tools? Learn how to sample water and perform basic field chemistry. Engage students or program participants with water sampling through stream strolls, crosscurricular connections, ―backyard‖ stewardship. Info provided on becoming a KY Watershed Watch volunteer. Through the WW program, learn about aquatic critters, statewide water quality, and a statewide water network. 2:30 p.m.– 3:15 p.m. N a t u r e P r e s e r ve s Deborah White: Kentucky Room A The concept of biodiversity is the idea that all life, from plants and fungi to the most minute animals, is connected. This broad concept is an umbrella for much information on species and ecosystems and is also a platform from many interdisciplinary studies (science, math, history, etc.) can be developed. This session will focus on a new publication that explores Kentucky’s biodiversity and its use in teaching and in teacher education. The text, pictures and particularly the graphics were developed for a general audience and for use in education. It provides background not only on the commonwealth’s biology but the influences of geology, climate, and even human history. What better way to teach about the environment than using examples from Kentucky? The session will review possible applications of the material in the book with classroom curricula. 3:45 p.m. — 4:15 p.m. Developing Environmental Stewardship Young People Charlotte Smith & Teresa Viohl: West Hall A. in Ever wondered how to get your students to care about the environment? Join us as we take you through an investigative unit that will get your students motivated and involved in being stewards for our environment. We will lead you through a unit that incorporates the skills and strategies needed for children to become life-long advocates for the environment. 3:45 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. When Good Bugs Go Bad Hazel A. Barton, Ph.D.: West Hall B While it is often difficult to see evidence of microscopic life in caves, microorganisms play critical roles in the cave environment: from influencing the creation of stalactites and stalagmites to maintaining clean drinking water. Once in a while, microorganisms can also have a detrimental effect on the animals that call these cave systems home. White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is an emerging infectious disease that is decimating bat populations throughout the Eastern United States. If unchecked, this syndrome will have caused the largest decline in wildlife in living memory and threatens almost a quarter of North American mammal species. Yet, where WNS came from and how it kills remains a mystery. 35 Friday Sessions September 17, 2010 cuss karst ecosystems and share the incredible story of Hidden River Cave’s transformation. A collaborative teaching model for environmental science classes will be previewed. This session will also include a hands-on introduction to cave surveying. 12:30 p.m. — 3:30 p.m. History of Roundstone Native Seed and Its Benefits to the Environment John Seymour, Shane Butler: Off site. Meet in Front Lobby-right side. By sharing the story of Hidden River Cave’s tragic demise and amazing recovery, ACCA educators seek to increase the community’s awareness of environmental concerns and the need for working together to solve current problems and prevent new ones. Founded by a father-son team, Randy and John Seymour, Roundstone Native Seed grew out of their desire to establish native Kentucky grasses on their Upton, Kentucky farm. Participants in this session will learn about restoration and mitigation practices as well as grazing, harvesting, cleaning, marketing, and planting native grasses, wildflowers, legumes, and cane. The session will include a tour of production facilities, fields, and operations. Handouts and information will be provided along with a full field trip. 12:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Kentucky Down Under: Exploring the Important Connections Between Man and Nature Brad Powell: KY Room B Kentucky Down Under uses live animal interactions to show the important connections between man and nature. Australia, a once isolated continent, developed amazing examples of flora and fauna. But, the Age of Exploration by Europeans brought an end to isolation and caused major cultural and environmental impacts to a fragile ecosystem. The lessons learned from the adaptations and survival of that ecosystem are universally applicable. 12:30 p.m. — 3:15 p.m. Using Fl ying WILD to Engage Students in Conservation April Haight and Robin Hume: Pre-registration required: Max 12. Farmer’s Market in front of Convention Center. Flying WILD is a middle-school based curriculum that focuses on utilizing birds to engage students in hands-on activities, conservation efforts for birds, and service learning projects. You will participate in a sampling of Flying WILD activities geared toward encouraging students to participate in conservation efforts in their communities and school grounds. All participants will receive a copy of the Flying WILD curriculum guide and a certificate of completion. 34 12:30 p.m. — 3:30 p.m. Inquiry Science at the Great Onyx Cave Cheryl Messenger and Dr. Jeanine Huss: Off site. Pre-registration required. Meet in Front Lobby—left side. Western Kentucky University and Mammoth Cave National Park received a three year National Parks Foundation Grant to fund overnight trips for pre-service elementary teachers. Participants will be led in an inquiry experience using their observation skills of the Great Onyx Cave. Must wear appropriate shoes, clothing. 2:30 p.m. — 3:15 p.m. Designing Environmental Education Improvement Plans Steve Kerlin, Ph.D.: West Hall C A model for designing environmental education improvement plans with teacher-developed examples will be discussed for practicing teachers and organizations that support schools. The model and examples may be used to help others incorporate more EE practices and outdoor learning spaces in their instruction. BOARD MEMBER CANDIDATES ~ CONTINUED Debra Spillman – Board of Directors Debra has been a member of KAEE since 1996. She has been a member of the KAEE Board of Directors since 1998. She is a graduate of Western Kentucky University with a Masters Degree and Rank I in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Environmental Education. She is a Kentucky Certified Non-Formal Environmental Educator. She has served as a member of the Kentucky Non-Formal Certification Task Force since its beginning. Debra has 28 years teaching experience in Barren County. She worked with various grade levels to integrate Environmental Education into every subject. In addition, she also won various Educator of the Year Awards from agencies throughout Kentucky. Debra is a facilitator for: Project WET, Project Wild, Project Flying Wild, Project Learning Tree and Project Food Land and People. She has also served as an official photographer for the North American Association of Environmental Educators (NAAEE) for five years. “Environmental Education is the most meaningful and exciting part of my career in education. I would like to continue to teach and share with others (pre-service, formal and non-formal educators) about Environmental Education. I feel that it is through the educators that we will reach the students and thus improving our environment for the future.” Patti Stivender – Board of Directors Pattie Stivender is a Bluegrass PRIDE Environmental Educator. Her main duties are working with Lexington Fayette Urban County Government to lead water quality and waste reduction education in elementary schools and supervising community outreach programs in Lexington. Pattie also oversees water quality education for the Appalachian Regional Commission in Estill and Madison Counties. Pattie is a 2009 graduate of the Kentucky Certified Environmental Educator program and has been a member of KAEE for three years. Other memberships include: National Science Teachers Association, Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, and Kentucky Art Education Association (affiliate of the National Art Education Association). She is a certified facilitator for Population Connection, Project Wet, and Project WILD. (Continued on next page) 15 BOARD MEMBER CANDIDATES ~ CONTINUED Shannon Trimboli – Board of Directors Shannon learned to love nature and the outdoors at an early age. Growing up, she spent much of her free time exploring the fields, pond, and woods of the old cattle pasture behind her parents’ home. Her career choices were a natural outgrowth of her love of the outdoors and the extensive amount of time spent there. During college, she spent summers working various seasonal positions that included studying an endangered, endemic Hawaiian bird; mist-netting bats; monitoring the foraging activity of Indiana bats; and studying the nesting success of mallards in Canada. Shannon obtained her B.S. in Wildlife Biology from Murray State University in December 1996. After graduation, her search for a position that would allow her to conduct research, teach people about research, and get them involved in the research led her down a complicated path. Jobs during that time period included technical writing, desktop publishing, volunteering at Mammoth Cave National Park in both the Science and Resources Management Division and the Environmental Education Division, teaching at a residential environmental education center in Alabama, and serving as a day camp counselor for the Cincinnati Nature Center. In February 2007, Shannon became the Education Program Specialist for the Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning. In this position, she works with a variety of audiences (primarily high school through adults) to teach them about research occurring at the park. This past May, Shannon completed her Master’s of Science in Biology at WKU where she studied the singing behavior of Carolina wrens. She is also certified as a facilitator for Project Flying Wild, Project Learning Tree, Project WET, and Project NestWatch. In her spare time, she likes to play in the woods, bake bread, work in her gardens, spend time with family and friends, write, read, and continue to learn new things. Shannon has been a member of KAEE since 2007 and presented at several of the conferences as well as written articles for the newsletter. As a member of KAEE, she has seen how beneficial the organization can be to the state’s formal and non-formal educators. Shannon would like to join the Board of Directors to give back to the organization and to help other educators in the state. Since most of us learn best by doing, she believes her interests in citizen science combined with her background as both a scientist and an educator represent one way that she can contribute her skills to KAEE. Shannon is also interested in helping other Kentucky residents of all ages recognize and appreciate the “coolness” of our native plants, animals, and ecosystems. ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS WILL JOIN A CORE TEAM OF HARD-WORKING VOLUNTEERS FROM AROUND KENTUCKY. KAEE BOARD MEMBERS SERVE TWO YEARS AS THEY WORK TO PROVIDE STRONG LEADERSHIP FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND IMPROVE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION EFFORTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. 16 IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT FOR NEXT YEAR, PLEASE VISIT THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ PAGE ON OUR WEBSITE: WWW.KAEE.ORG Friday Sessions September 17, 2010 10:30 a.m. — 11:15 a.m. Educating the Environmental Professional: Lessons Learned Kenya Stump: Kentucky Room A 12:30 p.m. — 2:15 p.m. A Review of Cave Education Resources Throughout Kentucky Jennifer Lyon Adler and Mark Adler: West Hall A This session is targeted to environmental educators focusing on adult education. The Division of Compliance Assistance (DCA) has recently launched an environmental training program for environmental professionals. As a result of program evaluations and third party evaluations by the University of Kentucky, DCA will review lessons learned from the first year of implementation and the impacts of that on future DCA programs. Two members of the National Speleological Society (NSS) will share their caving knowledge with anyone interested in getting themselves, their students, or the general public more interested in and educated about caves and caving. Attendees will be provided with contact information for any educational outreach provided by various organizations and grottoes throughout Kentucky. 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. Telling Their Own Story: Bats & Kids Karen McGinn: West Hall C Combining science and language arts, this session will introduce a new hands-on learning initiative for elementary students. The presenter, a geologist and professional artist, shares her new found passion for caves and cave animals to inspire young readers. This interactive session will include the production of sample book pages that tell the story of bats – kids’ new best friends. 10:30 a.m. — 11:15 a.m. What happens with 4-H and Environmental Education? The Opportunities! Jennifer Lynn and Danielle Hutchins: Kentucky Room B Historically, 4-H has been involved in EE for the past 50-100 years. This session will provide highlights of how EE is infused in the programming of Cooperative Extension in all 120 counties of Kentucky. It will also inform teachers of opportunities available to their students for an overnight camping experience that focuses on EE. Certified Environmental Educators will be interested to know there are opportunities for them with 4-H. 12:30 p.m. — 2:15 p.m. Art Gardens to Create Sacred Earth Connections Jim Embry: West Hall B. Minimum 10 Linking art and gardens is a natural expression of the Earth. We’ll explore how to engage children and youth in the creation of art gardens that especially utilize recycled materials and sacred geometry symbols. Using hands-on applications, demonstrations and discussions, we will learn how engaging youth in art gardens can provide them with a grander sense of themselves and capacity to respond creatively to the challenges of climate change and the needs for community transformations in their daily lives and our sacred interconnectedness. 12:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Telling An Environmental Success Story Steve Gentry & Peggy A. Nims: West Hall C Closed for fifty years because of groundwater pollution, Hidden River Cave (Horse Cave, KY) is a model for cave restoration and habitat reclamation. Today, Hidden River Cave serves as the American Cave & Karst Center’s living exhibit which is dedicated to the conservation of caves and cave resources. During this session, American Cave Conservation Association (ACCA) nonformal educators and experienced cavers will dis- 33 Friday Sessions September 17, 2010 8:30 a.m. — 11:30 a.m. Painting Wildflowers John Yakel: Off-site session. Pre-registration required: 15 maximum. $2 fee. Box Lunch Provided. Meet in Front Lobby—right side. Painting wildflowers will give participants hands-on experience with watercolor painting directly from nature. With direct instruction, you will learn the necessary steps to produce an artistic painting of wildflowers. Materials and supplies will be provided. Participants will take their paintings with them at the end of the session. 8:30 a.m. — 3:30 p.m. Getting To Know the Green: An Educational, Historical Canoe Trip Steve Spencer, Tammie Stegner-Ramsey and Dale Reynolds: Off-site session. Pre-registration required: 12 max. Meet in Front Lobby- left side. Follow along the currents of the Green River on this six-hour (lunch included) canoe trip on the Green River through Mammoth Cave National Park. No prior canoeing/river experience necessary. Lifejackets and instruction provided. Learn a few principles of safe canoeing, load the boats, and set off on a journey from Dennison Ferry to the Green River Ferry. Along the way, learn about the unique ecology of the Green River watershed as well as issues and opportunities affecting this river. The Green is the most biologically diverse and rich branch of the Ohio River system, harboring more than 150 fish species, more than 70 mussel species, and a host of cave-adapted species within Mammoth Cave, the world’s most extensive known cave system. Learn about this riverine treasure and get outside, too! 9:30 a.m. — 10:15 a.m. Exploring International Sustainability: How Can It Enhance Student Learning? Drs. Billy Bennett and Melinda Wilder: West Hall A This session will describe two international professional development opportunities related to sustain- 32 ability. One experience is based on experiential learning in Bregenz, Austria and the other is an EE service learning project in Costa Rica. Participants will then discuss and brainstorm ways these experiences can be parlayed into enhancing student learning. 10:30 a.m. — 11:15 a.m. Charting the Future: Young People Act on Climate Change Nakia Brown & Christy Cornaby: West Hall A Would you like for your students to become more involved in helping to make their communities more aware of climate change? Do we experience climate change in Kentucky? How are we affected? My students have researched climate change in Kentucky and the United States. After creating a Charter of Responsibilities for our community, we met in Denver, Colorado, with other youth from the United States to develop a National Charter of Responsibilities. In June of 2010, they traveled to Brazil to an International Conference on Climate Change to share and exchange ideas with 600 young people from around the world! We are excited to bring you the highlights of their trip, as well as information about how you can take action within your own school and community! Come join us to learn more! 10:30 a.m. — 11:15 a.m. Learning about Kentucky’s Land & Water: Resource Materials for Teachers Dan Carey: West Hall B The University of Kentucky’s Kentucky Geological Survey offers a variety of free maps, Power Points, reports, and posters to help students better understand the place where they live — the land and water and how we use them. To date, more than 1,000 maps have been provided to over 400 K-12 schools. KAEE EXCELLENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AWARDS Each year KAEE presents three awards for Excellence in Environmental Education: to an individual, a program, and an organization. Winner, Outstanding Individual Award — Cheryl Messenger For over a decade, Cheryl Messenger has been a champion for the field of Environmental Education in Kentucky. She is the director of Mammoth Cave National Park’s Environmental Education Program, which works with over 30,000 K-12 students each year. Cheryl oversaw the program’s evolution from a ―field trip experience‖ to an ―extended classroom learning experience‖ aligned with Kentucky’s Core Content and Program of Studies. To promote more in-depth experiences for local students, Cheryl initiated Mammoth Cave National Park’s Partnership Schools program. Cheryl also developed Mammoth Cave National Park’s Fire, Making Connections, and Paleontology curricula. All three curricula are correlated to Kentucky’s current Core Content. The Fire curriculum that she developed is being used as a model for the Park Service’s entire Southeast Region. Cheryl is also heavily involved with providing educational opportunities for pre-service and in -service teachers. She is a facilitator for many of the national curricula including Project Learning Tree, Project Wet, and Project Wild. Last year she helped to write and obtain a National Park Foundation grant to bring all of WKU’s block students to Mammoth Cave National Park for an intensive, overnight learning experience. This is the second year of the program and it has been a resounding success. This fall Cheryl and her WKU colleague will be presenting their work at a number of conferences. In 2006, Cheryl was instrumental in developing Mammoth Cave National Park’s GeoscienceTeacher-in-the-Park internship. Four years later, Cheryl continues to promote the internship and is the primary Park Service contact for the program. In addition to her other contributions, Cheryl is actively involved with KAEE and the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC). Cheryl has assisted in the planning and running of several of KAEE’s conferences. She is also a current Ex-Officio KAEE Board Member. Her work with KEEC was integral in the statewide inclusion of karst and environmental education in Kentucky’s Core Content and Program of Study. Cheryl was also one of the first graduates of KEEC’s Nonformal Environmental Education Certificate program. She continues to serve as a mentor for more recent graduates of the program. She is always quick to lend a hand, share her skills and knowledge, and help other educators achieve their goals. Cheryl has been and continues to be a true friend to environmental educators across the state. 17 Friday Sessions September 17, 2010 Winner, Outstanding Program Award — Drive to a Million School Recycling Program Since 2006, The Drive To A Million Aluminum Can School Recycling Program has been dedicated to raising money for our local schools and fostering environmental stewardship in the Warren and Logan County schools and communities. All participating schools collect cans from the school and surrounding community, and the money from the cans is given directly back to the school. So far, the program has collected 56,641 lbs of aluminum and raised over $33,000 for local schools! Drive To A Million was started in Warren County with a generous donation given to the Bowling Green Technical College Foundation from Logan Aluminum, in hopes of introducing a program that teaches recycling while fundraising for local schools. Several local businesses work together and donate time and resources to make Drive To A Million a success. Since Drive To A Million’s inception, the program has grown tremendously. It started with only 17 participating elementary schools in 2006. It has now grown to 39 schools, including three high schools, WKU and Bowling Green Technical College. The program has also branched out into the community with at least 20 business partners donating cans to schools as well! Drive to a Million is not only collecting cans; it is teaching our younger generation the importance of the environment as well as the positive effects of recycling. Winner, Outstanding Organization Award — Kentucky Green & Healthy Schools Kentucky Green & Healthy Schools (KGHS) is a web-based and student-centered program that empowers K-12 students and staff to move their school toward becoming safer, healthier, and more environmentally sustainable. This inquiry-based program uses the entire school grounds as a learning environment for students. Through this program, a team of students, teachers and school administrators – the so-called ―Green & Healthy Team‖ – work together to improve the school facilities in 9 different categories. These categories are energy, green spaces, hazardous chemicals, health & safety, indoor air quality, instructional leadership, solid waste, transportation, and water. By improving their school, students can help the school save energy costs, decrease absenteeism, increase student test scores, and create a more sustainable learning environment. Created in 2007, the Green & Healthy Schools Program is a joint venture between the KY Environmental Education Council and the Kentucky Department of Education. About 115 schools are currently participating in the program. As part of the program, approximately 90 voluntary environmental improvement projects have been completed in KY schools from across the state. 18 8:30 a.m. — 9:15 a.m. Investigating Mysteries of the Underground River in Mammoth Cave Kim Weber, Shannon Trimboli, Susan Ryan, and Rick Toomey: West Hall A will receive a resource packet with a list of oil spill websites and teaching activities. We will conclude with a discussion about how we can teach youth and adults about the oil spill and what we can each do to help. This collaborative project brought together 7th graders from T.K. Stone Middle School and researchers at Mammoth Cave International Center for Science and Learning. Students helped researchers develop and implement a plan to study the flow and phenomenon of water in the cave, collecting and analyzing data using HOBO dataloggers and EXCEL spreadsheets. 8:30 a. m. — 10:15 a.m. Leaving No Child Inside: Using Outdoor Spaces as Classrooms Vivian Bowles & Carol Short: KY Room A 8:30 a.m. — 10:15 a.m. Global Climate Change & Its Solutions: Using Global Climate Change to Make Core Content Real Sarah Lynn Cunningham: West Hall B. Preregistration required: Minimum: 10 Join Sarah for a discussion about climate science, local and global impacts, and the many solutions to global climate change, including many new images from Al Gore. Participants will receive and discuss a hand-out of suggestions for using the in-the-news topic of global climate change to make a wide range of core content more real to students. Suitable for teachers of Grade 7 and older, post-secondary, adult educators 8:30 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Oil Spill in My Front Yard Sonya Wood Mahler: West Hall C Over 210,000,000 gallons of crude oil have gushed into the Gulf of Mexico, and the cleanup will take decades. Sonya has been down to the coast three times to talk to and photograph those involved with the cleanup efforts. This presentation will update participants on the BP oil spill and its effects on the environment, economy, seafood, tourism, and residents of the north Gulf coast. It will include a report on the state of each of the five Gulf states and photos from many of her favorite beaches. Participants Outdoor spaces aren’t just for recess! Many children today have very little contact with the natural world. This session will provide research on why children need environment-based education and give participants practical, hands-on experiences in cross-curricular outdoor lessons. The resource packet includes lessons and articles suitable for K-12 educators. 8:30 a.m. — 10:15 a.m. Prehistoric Uses of Native Kentucky Plants Roberta Burnes; Kentucky Room B The first Kentuckians made ample use of native plants for food, fiber, and medicine. Discover the stories of the plants and people that inhabited this region more than 2,000 years ago, with a special emphasis on techniques for working with fiber plants. You will learn how to bring history and botany alive for your students by teaching them how to make their own rope from native plants. 8:30 a.m. — 11:30 a.m. Mammoth Cave National Park Sustainability Practices Tour (Includes cave tour) Nancy Givens & Trish Sowell: Off-site session. Pre-registration required: 20 maximum. Box Lunch Provided. Meet in Front Lobby—left side. Enjoy a guided tour of sustainability features at Mammoth Cave National Park, including the LEED-designed Visitor’s Center, Lodge renovations, sustainability practices in the restaurant, lighting and heating in the cave, oil and grease filtration for parking areas, bio-fuel vehicles, and recycling practices for the park and visitors. 31 KAEE OFFICER AND COMMITTEE REPORTS Kentucky Authors’ Book Signing ~ Continued Kentucky's Natural Heritage: An Illustrated Guide to Biodiversity provides an essential reference to the remarkable natural history of the commonwealth and a rallying call for conservation of this priceless legacy. Richly detailed and lavishly illustrated with more than 250 color photos, maps, and charts, Kentucky's Natural Heritage is a definitive compendium of the commonwealth's amazing diversity. Because the annual meeting is held during the annual conference, we use this opportunity to let our members know what the board has accomplished in the past year. KAEE President’s Report 2009-2010 Jenny Howard Owen SILENT AUCTION DONATIONS A big thanks to everyone who so generously donated to the Silent Auction, both those mentioned here and those who drop off items on-site. All those who bid on the items deserve thanks, too; the auction is only as successful as the final bids! All proceeds go to support KAEE — thank you! Acorn Naturalist Jenny Rigby American Cave Conservation Association Angela Dossett KAEE Jennifer Lyon Adler Karen Angelucci– Author Bluegrass PRIDE Maxine Rudder Cave City Chamber of Commerce Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve Debra Spillman Patty Bleau Elizabeth Schmitz Environmental Concern Sarah Toman Hilderbrand Eric Comley First Hand Learning, Inc Ben O’Brien Glasgow/Barren County Chamber of Commerce Glasgow/Barren County Tourism Commission Green Teacher Magazine Tim Grant, Co-editor Hart County Chamber of Commerce Hidden River Cave & American Cave Museum Janet Kistler John Short Rho Lansden Kentucky NEED Project Karen Reagor Kim Coomer Lauren Dowell Morehead State University’s Center for Environmental Education April Haight Oink Hill Cottage Sonya Wood Mahler Organic Valley Jake Schmitz Roberta Burnes Spillman Photography Sustainable Berea Becky McCane UK Cooperative Extension Service Ashley Osborne Wolf Creek Hatchery Amanda Patrick Working Artist Studio Charlotte and Ike Erwin Lost River Cave and Valley Kentucky School Garden Week The Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE), in partnership with the Kentucky School Garden Network (KSGN), is pleased to announce a new initiative to bring attention and focus on school gardens across our commonwealth. While school gardens have been a part of our schools for many years, Kentucky School Garden Week is an opportunity for schools with existing gardens to recognize their work and “growing” skills, as well as for schools that have not yet considered their options. We encourage local gardeners to get involved with their children’s or their community’s school - stop in the office and offer to volunteer. Stay tuned to www.kyschoolgardens.org for ideas, resources and events that you can participate in to learn, grow and eat. 30 A new decade = a new era, or so it has seemed during the 2010 year for KAEE. From DC to Frankfort to Wingo, KY, the buzz and momentum surrounding environmental education has continued to increase throughout the year. KAEE’s Board has seized upon this upswell by hiring an executive director, preparing for future growth and greater member participation, and expanding our statewide network for improved environmental literacy. Assisted by the generous services of our legal counsel, Louisville attorney Charles Merz, KAEE achieved its long-awaited milestone of hiring an executive director. Ashley Williams accepted this position in the spring of 2010 and quickly assumed a great number of responsibilities, including the quarterly newsletter, website maintenance, social media representation, conference planning, membership, and much more. Consequently, the Board is increasingly enabled to spend more of its focus on professional development, partnerships and outreach, member participation and involvement, state and federal EE initiatives/legislation, and quality conferences. Partnering with the KY Environmental Education Council and multiple education organizations and agencies, KAEE has embarked upon the process of drafting an environmental literacy plan (ELP) for the Commonwealth. The ELP, once completed, will give Kentucky eligibility for possible funding under the No Child Left Inside (NCLI) legislation - funding which would support outdoor learning activities and high-quality environmental education. Join ELP Task Force chairpersons Melinda Wilder and Billy Bennett to learn more about this effort in Saturday’s session at 1:30 p.m. NCLI continues to gain support of national legislators, as well as Kentucky’s own Governor Beshear and several Kentucky Congressmen – updates on these exciting bills and their status, as well as other relevant legislation and actions we can all take to get involved, will be offered in Saturday’s closing session at 4:30 p.m. Active participation is an unwritten theme of KAEE’s work and our conference this year, from the telling of our EE story to legislative and education leaders, to the invitation of our members to play a more active role in KAEE’s growth and mission. Getting involved is the focus of Friday afternoon’s ―KAEE Voices Heard‖ session, wherein KAEE members are invited to offer suggestions, constructive criticism, and feedback to our Board (and Board candidates) for the future of KAEE and EE throughout Kentucky. A new era – on the eve of our 35th year as the state’s primary organization for environmental education in Kentucky… as Brian Day, NAAEE Executive Director and this conference’s keynote speaker, aptly remarked at the onset of 2010, ―there has never been a better time to be an environmental educator.‖ 19 Kentucky Authors’ Book Signing ~ Continued Treasurer’s Report Jennifer Lyon Adler The KAEE Board of Directors Checking account $28,300.40 passed a budget which included expected expendiCertificates of deposit $16,261.72 tures for the hiring of a part PayPal account $5,098.97 time Executive Director. Ashley Williams was hired in TOTAL Assets $49,661.09 April of 2010. We previously paid a contractor to format our quarterly newsletter and maintain our website including online registrations and donations. These responsibilities, among others, are now being done by Ms. Williams. The Board of Directors has been receiving Pro Bono assistance from a Louisville attorney, Charles F. Merz. His assistance with legal matters has been invaluable, especially with matters related to the hiring of an executive director. Our greatest expense and our greatest source of revenue continues to be our annual conference. We want to thank the conference attendees, those who donate and buy items from the silent auction, those who purchase books in the bookstore, and, of course, the organizations that have sponsored the conference and set up exhibits. Nomination and Awards Committee Melinda Wilder & Jeanine Huss The Nomination and Awards Committee was very pleased to receive outstanding nominations for awards this year. They demonstrate the terrific work being done in environmental education throughout Kentucky. The Committee had excellent entries for all of the awards this year but would like to encourage even more entries for next year. They would like to thank everyone who took the time to submit an application. There is an outstanding slate of candidates running for the KAEE Board of Directors. We definitely view KAEE as a working board, meaning that members have many duties and responsibilities. It is a credit to all candi-dates that they are willing to undertake the challenge. Please remember to vote! Quality Conference Vision Group Report Melinda Wilder Quality Conference Vision Statement: KAEE will consistently provide a quality conference that provides professional development benefits for educators with diverse experiences and needs. A planning guide book is being created to assist future KAEE conference planners. This will include templates, timelines, and guidelines to allow us to more seamlessly transition between years. The Conference Visioning Team has been working on organizing future conferences. The 2011 Conference will be in The Brown Hotel, Louisville on September 16 & 17. The theme will be ― Environmental Education: Everywhere for Everyone‖. Mamie Parker from U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Dudley Edmondson, author of Black and Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places, will be the two keynote speakers. The 2012 conference is slated for September 14 & 15 at Lake Cumberland State Park. ―Finding the Balance‖ is the proposed theme. The 2013 conference is slated for northern Kentucky. Appropriate venues and themes are being discussed. We are always looking for help and suggestions to make our conferences more pertinent to our members so please feel free to offer your time, energy and ideas! We read the conference evaluations and appreciate praise and constructive criticism. 20 Grimy, Grubby Gardening shares the love of being up close and personal with nature. Children can discover the fun in planting a seed, growing a garden and nurturing the environment. Secrets of a Kentucky Gardener is a practical, monthly journal providing easy-to-follow advice for Kentucky gardeners. Karen Angelucci gives helpful tips and advice for landscaping chores and mixes in quotes, lore and poetry for entertainment. Color snapshots from her garden round out this helpful book. Secrets of Tennessee Gardening - A 12-month Road Map to Gardening Success is a practical, monthly journal providing easy-to-follow advice for Tennessee gardeners. Karen Angelucci gives helpful tips and advice for four seasons of landscaping, as well as entertaining her readers with nutty, wacky folklore passed down from garden enthusiasts throughout history. Karen's photography inspires the readers to get their hands dirty and grow beauty for themselves. Grand, Gloomy, and Peculiar: Stephen Bishop at Mammoth Cave is a historical novel about Mammoth Cave guide Stephen Bishop. At age 17 his master brought him to Mammoth Cave where he began discovering and exploring vast reaches of what would later become the longest cave. It is based on a true story, told by his wife, Charlotte. Stephen was extraordinarily popular with tourists, was the first systematic cave explorer and mapper in KY, and the economic engine that helped put Mammoth Cave on the American map of natural wonders. Trapped! The Story of Floyd Collins, by Roger K. Murray and Roger W. Brucker, is the most comprehensive and factual account of the entrapment and subsequent events surrounding cave explorer Floyd Collins. As one of America's most sensational news stories, the 16-day rescue attempt glued Americans to their seats reading newspaper accounts, listening to radio reports, hoping and praying for his release. After his death in 1925 his story lives on in books, magazines, newspapers, TV, radio, and stage musical performances . The Longest Cave, by Roger W. Brucker and Richard A. Watson is the classic adventure book about how Mammoth Cave became the longest cave in the world, now 400 miles in length. The historical appendix presents a comprehensive account of the sequence of discovery leading up to 1954. Between 1954 and 1972 hundreds of cave explorers and mappers joined the caves of Flint Ridge with each other and with Mammoth Cave, making that cavern more than twice as long as any other on earth. The Sustainable World Sourcebook is a sweeping overview of the major global issues we face, realistic solutions, and actions that we can take to be part of those solutions. We have distilled thousands of pages of information from authoritative sources down to 100 pages of essential information on the critical challenges that humanity faces and lots of “What You Can Do” tips and pointers for specific action steps and personal engagement. Bird Friends I Know - This book follows nine common birds throughout the four seasons of the year. It captures their unique traits and personalities in rhyme and is beautifully illustrated. It is educational and fun to read for both parents and children. The book is suited for children age 3-8, but bird lovers of any age will enjoy it. 29 Kentucky Authors’ Book Signing Friday evening during the reception ~ 5:00pm KAEE is excited to have a broad range of books offered by a diverse group of Kentucky authors. This is true local shopping! You're supporting the authors and KAEE. All of these books are available for purchase in the bookstore, except for Karen Angelucci, whose books can be purchased at her table in the exhibit section. A signed Kentucky book makes a great Christmas present! Karen Angelucci Grimy, Grubby Gardening Secrets of a Kentucky Gardener Secrets of Tennessee Gardening - A 12-month Road Map to Gardening Success karenangelucci@insightbb.com Karenangelucci.com Roger Brucker Grand, Gloomy, and Peculiar: Stephen Bishop at Mammoth Cave Trapped! The Story of Floyd Collins, By Robert K. Murray and Roger W. Brucker The Longest Cave, By Roger W. Brucker and Richard A. Watson rbrucker@rogerbrucker.com http://www.rogerbrucker.com/ Outreach Vision Group Sarah Talley Outreach Vision Statement: Help KAEE provide educational opportunities and expand partnerships and networks for formal and nonformal educators, individuals, and organizations. In our efforts to keep our members informed and involved, this team developed a welcome packet that will be sent out to all new members of KAEE welcoming them and letting them know about our professional development, networking, and volunteer opportunities. We also continue to highlight our fantastic KAEE members in our ―Members Matter‖ portion of the KAEE newsletter. People can also stay connected to KAEE through our Facebook fan page and Twitter feed. KAEE members had great professional development opportunities this year. They included a Teaching About Climate Change workshop (co-sponsored by KAEE, the KY Division for Air Quality, and the KY Environmental Education Council), the Campus Community Partnerships for Sustainability Conference held at the University of Kentucky, and a Pollinator Education Station, which was part of a larger event at Bernheim Forest. The Outreach Vision Team offered members the opportunity to network with each other and enjoy the outdoors through Get Away Days. We held a kayak trip on Lake Malone in April as part of the GATOR (Get Away To Our Rivers) Days series. Another Get Away Day was a Terrific Trout Trek held at Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery. More Get Away Days are being planned for later in the year. Proposed 2010 Professional Development opportunities: Jim Embry Sustainable World Sourcebook embryjim@gmail.com http://www.swcoalition.org Project WET Workshop at Nelson County Extension Office in November, 2010. Project WILD Workshop at Salato Wildlife Education Center on November 13th at Salato Wildlife Education Center. Rocks, Minerals, & Fossils-the 4-H Geology Project Workshop on December 1st at Fayette County Extension Office. Richard Nelson Bird Friends I Know richard.tffky@gmail.com http://birdfriendsiknow.com/ The following Get Away Days are being planned for 2010: Deborah White. Kentucky’s Natural Heritage: An Illustrated Guide to Biodiversity, Edited by Greg Abernathy, Deborah White, Ellis L. Laudermilk & Marc Evans Deborah.White@ky.gov http://www.kentuckypress.com 28 A Walk Through Downtown Paducah on Friday & Saturday, October 8th - 9th. Includes concert, fishing, tours of two museums, and an optional storytelling event. GATOR Days Kayak Trip on Reelfoot Lake in western Tennessee on October 31st – November 1st. Explore the backwaters and see cypress trees in fall color. Stay at Blue Basin Bed & Breakfast. Elk Viewing Tour at Jenny Wiley State Park on November 6th, 5:45am-12:00pm Tour of the Abbey of Gethsemani, the oldest Trappist monastery in the United States on December 4th, in Trappist, KY. Tour the chapel and library, walk the grounds and trails, and have a chance to buy Christmas gifts of the monks’ cheeses, fruitcakes, bourbon fudge, and stoneware. 21 MINUTES FROM 2009 ANNUAL MEETING AT GENERAL BUTLER STATE PARK The Kentucky Association for Environmental Education held their 2009 annual meeting during the annual conference at General Butler State Resort Park in Carrollton, Kentucky. The conference convened on Friday, September 18th at 7:30 a.m. with concurrent sessions both at the Park and off-site locations. Over 50 concurrent sessions were held throughout the two-day conference. The conference came to a close on Saturday at 5:30 pm. During the official business meeting, which takes place during Saturday's awards luncheon, KAEE President Elizabeth Schmitz reviewed the accomplishments of the Association over the past year by directing attendees to the annual report information in the conference program. She also thanked the Board Members and other volunteers for their hard work throughout the year. Board members whose terms ended at this conference were Immediate Past President Portia Brown, President Elizabeth Schmitz, Vice-president Jenny Howard Owen, Treasurer Janet Kistler, and board members Jennifer Lyon Adler, Jeanine Huss, John LeFevre, Peggy Nims, and Sarah Talley. Elections were held for the board of directors. Officers elected were: President, Jenny Howard Owen; Vice President, Amanda Patrick (Sonya Wood Mahler later stepped into this role); and Treasurer, Jennifer Lyon Adler. Board members elected, who will serve through 2011, were: Chris Hunter, Danielle Hutchins, John LeFevre, Peggy Nims, and Sarah Talley. Jean Clement and Jeanine Huss were later appointed to fill vacant positions which will end this year. Recipients of the KAEE Excellence in Environmental Education Awards were: Outstanding Program Award - Grant County Middle School, Mrs. Kelli Lee's 3rd hour class; Individual Award – Amanda Patrick; and Outstanding Organization Award - Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) Environmental Education Center | Nature Trail. Jennifer Lyon Adler received the President's Award from Elizabeth for her work as an active Board Member and 2009 Conference Chair. The 2011 annual meeting will be held during the annual conference at the Brown Hotel in Louisville on Friday and Saturday, September 16 & 17. Submitted by Marc Johnson, KAEE Secretary 22 Larry, go on work mission trips each year to build schools, health clinics, libraries, and drinking water systems in Mexico and Guatemala. David Benning is a home-schooled 5th grader who has been performing at churches and festivals since he was 6. He enjoys telling Bible stories, Appalachian stories, as well as some original fables! David is currently the only student to be named a Kentucky Youth Storytelling Torchbearer three years consecutively. Emilee Seaman is an 18-year old college student who has completed her very first storytelling CD, including six original works. She has been named Kentucky Youth Storytelling Torchbearer two years in a row. Emilee was chosen to showcase at the National Storytelling Festival in 2008 and 2009. Virginia Moore is Executive Director for the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) and coordinator of the annual DeaFestival. Her passion has taken her on assignments in many other countries. Theatrical interpreting is one of her passions! Roger Brucker, Sonya Wood Mahler, David Benning, Emilee Seaman & Virginia Moore are a fascinating group of people — KAEE thanks them for sharing their stories! Offering KAEE members every opportunity to spend time with and learn from one another, the evening will continue with campfire storytelling—open to everyone! If you'd like to share, get your stories ready. If the day inspires you, feel free to be spontaneous! It's open to everyone—we all have a story to tell! We will meet at the Farmers’ Market at 8 p.m. 27 BRIAN DAY—SATURDAY KEYNOTE SPEAKER Our keynote speaker, to be featured during the Awards Luncheon, is Brian Day, the Executive Director of the North American Association for Environmental Education. Brian will share environmental education's story on an international scale! Brian is an author, educator, and trainer who has worked in over 30 countries and is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed journal, ―Applied Environmental Education and Communication: An International Journal.‖ Previously, he served as director of the U.S. Agency for International Development's GreenCOM Project for Environmental Education and Communication. He has held the positions of Director of Media Relations at the World Wildlife Fund and the Conservation Foundation and Director of Communications at the Environmental Defense Fund. Brian is a frequent speaker at international conferences, and we’re proud to welcome him to the Commonwealth! A special thanks to KEEC for sponsoring our keynote speaker and to Toyota for their sponsorship of the Awards Luncheon. Announcing the 35th annual conference of the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education Friday and Saturday September 16 and 17, 2011 Next year, KAEE’s conference will be in Louisville at the historic Brown Hotel. The theme will be “Environmental Education: Everywhere for Everyone.” We will have two keynote speakers, Dr. Mamie Parker of the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Dudley Edmondson, author of Black and Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places. Watch www.kaee.org for details, as they progress. Don’t miss it! NAAEE's 38th Annual Conference STORYTELLERS—FRIDAY EVENING ENTERTAINMENT Several talented individuals will be providing us with an entertaining night of storytelling in honor of this year’s conference theme: Telling Our Story (sponsored by KEEC). Here are a few fun facts about them: Roger Brucker has spent more than 55 years exploring Mammoth Cave and has coauthored four nonfiction books and written one historical novel about caving. He is a founder and past president of the Cave Research Foundation and, for 26 years, taught the Speleology course for Western Kentucky University at Mammoth Cave National Park. Roger will be signing his books after the storytellers finish, as well as at the Author’s Corner during Friday reception. Sonya Wood Mahler is the current Vice President of KAEE and has been a teller of tales in Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky. She is writing a book that includes stories about her family, adventures, and work on the Gulf Coast. She and her husband, 26 Building Connections~ Bridging Gaps Buffalo-Niagara, New York September 29– October 2, 2010 www.eeinkentucky.org Kentucky’s one-stop resource for EE news, an events calendar, PD offerings, grant listings, and organization profiles. 23 Friday, September 17, 2010 Saturday, September 18, 2010 All times Central Daylight Time —*Require Pre-Registration All times Central Daylight Time —*Require Pre-Registration Cave City Convention Center Cave City Convention Center West Hall B Off-Site Front Front Parking West Hall Audi- KY Room KY Farmers Lobby Lobby Lot C torium A Room B Market (Left) (Right) (Right) Time West Hall A 7:30 5:00 Registration, Mystery Table and coffee in the Front Lobby. KAEE Books & More Store in the Sun Room. Silent Auction open in back of Auditorium. Exhibits in Front Lobby & Auditorium. Recycling in Parking Lot. Breakfast not provided. 8-8:30 a.m. Opening Plenary Session—Welcome given by Judge Executive Davie Greer and Mayor Bob Hunt Investigating Mysteries of 8:30-9:15 the Underground River a.m. in Mammoth Cave Global Climate Change and Its Solutions Oil Spill in My Front Yard 9:3010:15 Exploring International Sustainability 10:3011:15 Charting the Learning Future: Young Telling Their about People Act on Own Story: KY’s Land Climate Bats & Kids and Water Change 11:3012:15 Leaving No Prehistoric Child Inside: Uses of Using Native Outdoor Kentucky Spaces as Plants Classrooms 2:30- 3:15 4:30 p.m. Kentucky Down Under: Using History of Inquiry Exploring the Flying Roundstone Important WILD to Science Native Seed Connections Engage at the and Its Great Students Benefits to Onyx in Conthe EnvironCitizen servation Cave ment Water Monitoring Designing EE Energy Improvement Currents Plans Developing When Safe Routes Environmental Good to School and 3:45- 4:30 Stewardship Bugs Go Environmental in Young Bad Quality People Getting To Know the Green $10 * Nature Preserves The Incredible Carbon Journey KAEE Voices Heard, Authors' Corner, Reception at 5 p.m. (sponsored by KUPEE) Dinner provided in Auditorium, Evening Entertainment at 7 p.m. - Storytellers (sponsored by KEEC) 8:30 p.m. Campfire (Meet at Farmer's Market) 5:45 p.m. Front Lobby (Left) Front Lobby (Right) 7:00 Bird Walk with Steve Kistler. Meet at the Flagpole 7:30 5:00 Registration, Mystery Table and Coffee in the Front Lobby. KAEE Books & More Store in the Sun Room. Silent Auction in back of Auditorium. Exhibits open in Front Lobby & Auditorium. Recycling in parking lot. Living the Energizing Learning: Student Citizen Energy Science in Teams! Action 9:3010:15 Mammoth Cave NP Painting SustainWildability flowers Practices $2 * Tour LUNCH provided in Auditorium. Kentucky Biodiversity West Hall West Hall West Hall Audito- KY Room Farmers KY Room B A B C rium A Market 8:309:15 What Educating the happens Environmental with 4-H Professional and EE? A Review of 12:30Art Gardens Cave 1:15 p.m. to Create Telling an Education Sacred Environmental Resources Earth Success Story Throughout 1:30-2:15 Connections KY Time Off-Site Telling Your Community's KUPEE Story Energy Through Initiative: Conservation Maps 10:30An EnviThrough the ronmental 11:15 Arts! Service Learning Project Citizen Science and Climate Change: Phenology Citizen Sustainability Education in Participation in a World of Solving Seven Billion Community Problems from a Student's Perspective Meet Happy Cows! Getting Organic to Know Dairy Kentucky Farm Plants Tour $10 * 11:45- AWARDS LUNCHEON in Auditorium (sponsored by Toyota). Keynote Speaker Brian Day (sponsored by KEEC) 1:30 1:302:15 p.m. Kentucky's State Environmental Literacy Plan School Gardening Southern Region 4-H Water Water, WaSustainability Ambassadors ter, EveryProgram 2:30- Leadership where, and 3:15 Conference Not a Drop Planning to Drink YouthBuild: KY School 3:30- Sustainability Sustainable Garden 4:15 in Agriculture Farms Research 4:30-5 p.m. Connecting the Various Climate Fields of Change Science and Experiments GeoEnvironfor the Caching mental Classroom LeaderLiteracy ship Adventure Kentucky Barrens: A Service Learning Opportunity Backyard Burning Relay Conference Closing Session: Legislative Update/Advocacy in Auditorium. Silent Auction Closed - Please pick up items at end of last session