BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
X-WR-CALNAME:kaee50thannualconf
X-WR-CALDESC:Event Calendar
METHOD:PUBLISH
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
PRODID:-//Sched.com KAEE 50th Annual Conference//EN
X-WR-TIMEZONE:UTC
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261111T140000Z
DTEND:20261111T170000Z
SUMMARY:An Adult Field Trip at The Living Arts & Science Center
DESCRIPTION:Cost: $30 | Ticket purchase required during conference registration. Participants will go through LASC's guided field trip tour titled "Who Polluted the Kentucky River?Join the fun as participants travel through four 30-minute rotations including a planetarium show\, hands-on activities in the new discovery exhibit\, and a Kentucky animal meet-and-greet where they will build and explore waterways while learning how water supports Kentucky animals\, habitats and ecosystems. And lastly\, participants will be involved in a hands-on watershed activity exploring how pollution travels through water. Logistics:
CATEGORIES:PRE-CONFERENCE FIELD EXPERIENCE
LOCATION:The Living Arts & Science Center\, 362 N Martin Luther King Blvd\, Lexington\, KY 40508
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a4287b74e921768d055f503ae4913092
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/a4287b74e921768d055f503ae4913092
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261111T140000Z
DTEND:20261111T170000Z
SUMMARY:Buckley Invasive Removal
DESCRIPTION:Cost: Free | Must be 16+ years old | Add a ticket to your order during conference registration. Join us on Wednesday November 11\, 2026 from 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. We will be meeting at the Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary parking lot at 9am (1305 Germany Rd\, Frankfort\, KY). Whether you have experience with invasive plant removal or want to learn\, we'd love to have you join us. A Bluegrass Greensource staff and/or Volunteer leader will be present to instruct and lead appropriate invasive plant removal techniques and safety. The goal\, pending weather\, will be to remove a large section of invasive bush honeysuckle along the driveway entrance. Bring your own water/water bottle and snacks. No snacks are provided. Bluegrass Greensource will provide tools\, gloves\, eye protection\, and materials. Feel free to bring your own tools/gloves if you have them. Herbicide for licensed applicators is also provided. Licensed Herbicide Applicators are needed!!! Please dress for the weather and environment. We will be in brushy\, wooded areas where there are ticks and poison ivy. Wear LONG pants tucked into socks\, long sleeves tucked into pants\, sturdy closed shoes\, and a hat. Permethrin-treated clothing is also recommended. In the event of inclement weather (heavy winds or rain)\, we will shift our volunteer focus to indoor projects. Cancellation will be in the event of snow/bad roads. Please Contact Amy Sohner for questions amy@bggreensource.org
CATEGORIES:PRE-CONFERENCE FIELD EXPERIENCE
LOCATION:Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary\, 1305 Germany Rd\, Frankfort\, KY 40601
SEQUENCE:0
UID:cb2593ee8605bfa4c72434bee57964d7
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/cb2593ee8605bfa4c72434bee57964d7
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261111T140000Z
DTEND:20261111T170000Z
SUMMARY:Practical Wildlife Tracking Skills for Education and Forest Management
DESCRIPTION:Tracking is simply reading and interpreting the movements of animals as they live their busy and secretive lives. Anybody who has spent any time in the outdoors knows that wildlife cannot be commanded to appear. However\, if you know how to look\, their unfiltered stories are written everywhere. Tracking is the world&rsquo\;s oldest scientific practice but has fallen out of practice. However\, tracking is in the beginning of a resurgence as educators\, conservationists\, scientists\, and land managers are discovering how this simple\, old practice of tracking can be used to monitor the reintroduction of species\, how animal behaviors change based on climate and human impact\, how to best utilize technology such as camera traps\, and where to route high impact human activity away from sensitive habitats\, . This workshop will start with a discussion of how tracking is being used in the world of conservation\, science\, land management\, and education. Most of our time will be devoted to looking for and interpreting the track and sign that we find as well as discussing how we can incorporate tracking into our own environmental education programs. This session will be all outdoors and we may do some off-trail walking.\n
CATEGORIES:PRE-CONFERENCE FIELD EXPERIENCE
LOCATION:Raven Run Nature Sanctuary\, 3885 Raven Run Wy\, Lexington\, KY 40515
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f4bbbdc1d835ed41a6c8150ed1742e07
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/f4bbbdc1d835ed41a6c8150ed1742e07
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261111T140000Z
DTEND:20261111T210000Z
SUMMARY:Reading the Land and Riverscapes: See the KY River Palisades from Above and from Below
DESCRIPTION:Limited to 15 participants\n\nCost: $75 | Ticket purchase required during conference registration. Boxed lunches will be provided.\n\nDisclaimer: This will be a strenuous\, full day of hiking and paddling. Participants will be required to remain with the group throughout the experience. After registration\, participants will be required to sign multiple waivers and complete an additional form to collect paddling preferences and emergency contact details.\n \n Join a team of educators\, land managers\, and adventure program leaders on an all-day hike and paddle to explore the stunning views and geological beauty of the Kentucky River Palisades region. The morning will begin with a 2-hour guided hike at Floracliff Nature Sanctuary\, touring the land and hiking to Elk Lick Falls. After a quick trip down to Kelley's Landing River Park\, the group will eat lunch and then depart on an interpretive paddle through the Palisades. Along the way\, the team will provide interpretive education on land management and land use along the KY River\, geology\, the river as our source of drinking water\, and much more! This experience makes for a long day packed with plenty of exercise and activity. Be sure to bring your water bottle\, check the weather\, wear comfortable clothing and shoes for hiking\, and consider bringing a change of clothes just in case!\n\nLogistics\n Meeting Location: Floracliff Nature Sanctuary\,&nbsp\;8000 Elk Lick Falls Rd\, Lexington\, KY 40515\nMeet on-site at 8:45 AM for a welcome and overview of the day.\n\n Requirements and Needs: \n- Bring a water bottle\n- Check the weather\n- Wear comfortable clothing and hiking shoes\n- Bring a change of clothes
CATEGORIES:PRE-CONFERENCE FIELD EXPERIENCE
LOCATION:Floracliff Nature Sanctuary\, 8000 Elk Lick Falls Rd\, Lexington\, KY 40515
SEQUENCE:0
UID:2528840bc9086fae56e8deca59811787
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/2528840bc9086fae56e8deca59811787
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261111T140000Z
DTEND:20261111T170000Z
SUMMARY:Hand Tied Turkey Wing Brooms Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Discover the history and significance of broom-making in Kentucky culture. In this workshop\, we will be returning to the folk-art tradition of broom making\; we will be making our own hand-tied brooms without special machinery or equipment. Our "turkey wing" brooms will be made with hemp cord and natural broomcorn\, they are as decorative as they are useful.
CATEGORIES:PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP
LOCATION:Fayette Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4b34ff0248b2493f042d92bc1dfc6c98
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/4b34ff0248b2493f042d92bc1dfc6c98
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261111T180000Z
DTEND:20261111T210000Z
SUMMARY:Brownfields and Bourbon Tour
DESCRIPTION:Limited to 20 participants. Must be 21+ to attend.\n\nCost: $30 |&nbsp\;Ticket purchase required during conference registration.\n{Optional lunch at Goodfella’s Pizza at Noon (not included in the cost)}\n\nExplore the rich history of Lexington’s popular Distillery District. Once home to Lexington’s first bourbon distilleries\, the complex fell into disrepair and sat vacant for decades before being revitalized through state brownfield funding. Brownfields expert Kiersten O’Leary will guide us on an easy\, outdoor walking tour of the area\, explaining how this historic property has changed over the years. We’ll finish with a 90-minute tour of the James E. Pepper Distillery. Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. This experience is wheelchair accessible\; please let us know if you’ll need wheelchair access to the distillery so they can be prepared. Optional: Meet at noon at Goodfella’s for lunch before the tour!\n\nSchedule\n1:00 PM - Tour begins&nbsp\;outside the entrance of Goodfella’s Pizza\n2:15 PM - Check-in at James E. Pepper Distillery\n2:30 PM - James E. Pepper Distillery Tour and Tasting&nbsp\;\n3:30 PM - Tour ends | Shop and explore the Distillery District\n\nLogistics\nMeeting Location: Goodfella's Pizza\,&nbsp\;228 Manchester St\, Lexington\, KY 40504\nParking: Main lot at the Distillery District\nNotes: Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. This experience is wheelchair accessible\; please let us know if you’ll need wheelchair access to the distillery so they can be prepared.\n\n
CATEGORIES:PRE-CONFERENCE FIELD EXPERIENCE
LOCATION:Distillery District\, 1174 Manchester St\, Lexington\, KY 40508
SEQUENCE:0
UID:572d28572318940ca74b86d3fe0df34c
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/572d28572318940ca74b86d3fe0df34c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261111T180000Z
DTEND:20261111T210000Z
SUMMARY:Harnessing state geological survey monitoring networks for place-based learning: examples from an undergraduates classroom
DESCRIPTION:Cost: $25 | Ticket purchase required during conference registration. The Kentucky Geological Survey is hosting a geologic data workshop for educators to learn more about incorporating geo-environmental monitoring data into their classrooms. We will end the workshop with a tour of the archives and lab spaces at the Earth Analysis Research Library. Geo-environmental monitoring networks are important research infrastructure for many state geological surveys. Large datasets produced by in-situ sensors are amenable for modern earth science instruction at several levels but are sometimes underutilized as educational tools owing to accessibility issues\, lack of awareness\, or the absence of facilitator networks. This workshop will include an overview of the services and datasets available through the Kentucky Geological Survey’s website and examples of harnessing geo-environmental monitoring data (Groundwater and Landslide) from the Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) for instruction at the undergraduate level. Groundwater monitoring wells provide water level elevation logs over time that illustrate water availability in aquifers relative to prevailing weather patterns and human usage (e.g.\, for agricultural\, industrial\, or municipal purposes). Landslide monitoring stations convolve elements of hillslope hydrology\, geomorphology\, and weather patterns to detect slope stability and mass wasting. Harnessing time series data from these geo-environmental monitoring networks provides opportunities for students to develop quantitative reasoning and problem-solving skills in groundwater hydrogeology and environmental and engineering geology. Further\, these datasets can help establish a sense of place for students\, particularly when the data are used to illustrate the societal relevance and impact of geology.
CATEGORIES:PRE-CONFERENCE FIELD EXPERIENCE
LOCATION:Earth Analysis Research Library\, 2500 Research Park Drive\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:eb90311c923681114893704816e32844
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/eb90311c923681114893704816e32844
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261111T180000Z
DTEND:20261111T210000Z
SUMMARY:eeHEN Summit
DESCRIPTION:Cost: Free | Add a ticket to your order during conference registration. Higher education professionals are invited to attend the Fall eeHEN Summit! The eeHEN is a network of professionals in higher education offering or supporting environmental education in their courses or programs. This network includes educators across many disciplines\; from environmental science\, engineering\, aquatics\, biology\, chemistry\, forestry\, early childhood\, formal education\, recreation\, natural resources\, and beyond. eeHEN connects you with educators and professionals across the state\, offering opportunities to collaborate on projects\, research\, and initiatives. You'll gain access to valuable resources to help grow your program and provide students with hands-on experience\, credentials\, and career development in environmental education.
CATEGORIES:PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP
LOCATION:Coldstream 4 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:31c7d0737fd5c909401744519c141c66
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/31c7d0737fd5c909401744519c141c66
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261111T180000Z
DTEND:20261111T210000Z
SUMMARY:KGS Teacher + Partner Workshop | Project WET
DESCRIPTION:Cost: Free | Add a ticket to your order during conference registration. Description coming soon
CATEGORIES:PRE-CONFERENCE WORKSHOP
LOCATION:Coldstream 5 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9657d1cc9b5f43096a2477d97e7c95c5
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/9657d1cc9b5f43096a2477d97e7c95c5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261111T220000Z
DTEND:20261111T230000Z
SUMMARY:eeFACILITATOR Happy Hour
DESCRIPTION:Cost: Free | Exclusive to eeFACILITATORS | Add a ticket to your order during conference registration. If you're an eeFACILITATOR\, join us for an hour of networking\, games\, and beverages of your choice! Free for eeFACILITATORS to attend. One drink ticket provided.
CATEGORIES:NETWORKING
LOCATION:Wise Bird Cider Co.\, 1170 Manchester St #140\, Lexington\, KY 40508
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f080ff596663087eceee3dc4fe34d957
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/f080ff596663087eceee3dc4fe34d957
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261111T230000Z
DTEND:20261112T010000Z
SUMMARY:Pre-Conference Social + Dinner
DESCRIPTION:Cost: $45 | Ticket purchase required during conference registration. Consistently one of the highlights of the conference\, the pre-conference social and dinner unofficially kicks off our time together with an outstanding time of networking and connecting. This year\, we're hosted by the wonderful Wise Bird Cider Company for dinner and drinks. Ticket includes dinner and one drink ticket.
CATEGORIES:NETWORKING
LOCATION:Wise Bird Cider Co.\, 1170 Manchester St #140\, Lexington\, KY 40508
SEQUENCE:0
UID:cc67d0a2ac80e963f671fb37e7bc2151
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/cc67d0a2ac80e963f671fb37e7bc2151
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T121500Z
DTEND:20261112T164500Z
SUMMARY:Registration + Coffee
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:GENERAL
LOCATION:Atrium\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:bb23f751b1f1253fca216f01a7787298
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/bb23f751b1f1253fca216f01a7787298
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T121500Z
DTEND:20261112T124500Z
SUMMARY:Conference Buddy Breakfast
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:NETWORKING
LOCATION:TBA\, Embassy Suites by Hilton Lexington/UK Coldstream
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b2faf6bf651a4f7f6e7ea772668f52cd
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/b2faf6bf651a4f7f6e7ea772668f52cd
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T130000Z
DTEND:20261112T141500Z
SUMMARY:From Stories to Schoolyards
DESCRIPTION:Over five months\, FCPS students and community partners rolled up their sleeves and asked the hard questions\, gathered real data\, and let equity guide their conclusions. &nbsp\;Working within the Trust for Public Land&#39\;s Community Schoolyard framework &mdash\; which transforms asphalt-heavy schoolyards into vibrant\, green community spaces &mdash\; students and partners examined the full landscape of FCPS schools through a multi-criteria lens:&nbsp\;Where are health and economic disparities most acute? Where is the urban tree canopy thinnest? Where do residents lack safe\, walkable access to green space? Which neighborhoods bear the greatest burden of environmental pollution? &nbsp\;Where could a community schoolyard do the most good?The result was a student-driven Community Schoolyard Feasibility Study that was both rigorous and deeply human. Through Narrative 4&#39\;s Story Exchange workshop\, students\, teachers\, and community partners engaged in a structured yet intimate practice: listening to one another&#39\;s stories\, then retelling them in the first person. The outcome is not mere sympathy but genuine perspective-shifting &mdash\; a proven catalyst for empathy\, trust\, and collective action.This session will walk participants through the full arc: how the partnership was structured\, how the feasibility criteria were developed and applied\, what the Story Exchange workshop looked like in practice\, and what the students found. &nbsp\;Participants will leave with practical tools\, a replicable framework and a vivid example of what becomes possible when students are trusted as researchers\, advocates and changemakers. &nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
LOCATION:Bourbon Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:01ef974f02c78cc72e5137cc30355ad6
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/01ef974f02c78cc72e5137cc30355ad6
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T130000Z
DTEND:20261112T153000Z
SUMMARY:Monitoring the Air\, Managing the Waste: A Local Solutions Tour
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a two-for-one tour! We&rsquo\;ll start with a visit to Lexington&rsquo\;s only air monitoring station\, which houses state and federal air monitoring equipment. The data collected at this station tells us whether Lexington is meeting federal clean air standards. (Hint: It is!) Next\, we&rsquo\;ll visit Lexington&rsquo\;s recycling center for a fascinating\, behind-the-scenes tour of this amazing facility\, which diverts 23\,000 tons of recyclable material each year from the landfill. Registration is limited to 12\; van transportation provided to both facilities.\n Meet in the atrium\, near registration.
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
LOCATION:Air Monitoring Station and Recycling Center\, 360 Thompson Rd\, Lexington\, KY 40508
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b7f07a0f386ebd5df33b52af93bbfb66
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/b7f07a0f386ebd5df33b52af93bbfb66
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T130000Z
DTEND:20261112T153000Z
SUMMARY:Connecting Community\, Environment and Science Learning Through the KY Atlas of Phenomena
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:EDUCATION IN PRACTICE
LOCATION:Coldstream 5 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3e37837b2dcf5f2cfc285ca612570e04
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/3e37837b2dcf5f2cfc285ca612570e04
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T130000Z
DTEND:20261112T153000Z
SUMMARY:Earth Force or Climate Workshop
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:EDUCATION IN PRACTICE
LOCATION:Coldstream 4 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:cf1fd47d24b297264a0ffc4bc8cb217f
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/cf1fd47d24b297264a0ffc4bc8cb217f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T130000Z
DTEND:20261112T141500Z
SUMMARY:Time Travel on the Legacy Trail
DESCRIPTION:\nLet&#39\;s get outdoors on the Legacy Trail and take a journey through time\, with just our walking shoes. No flux capacitor needed! This most excellent adventure will connect our personal stories to the history of KEEC and EE. All ages\, experience levels\, and abilities are welcome. Before we return to the present\, we will share our visions for the future\, and how we can build on this EE legacy for others. Allons-y!\n&nbsp\;\n
CATEGORIES:THRIVING TOGETHER
LOCATION:Fayette Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ce050c24ae925d08df9b2159d22114ef
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/ce050c24ae925d08df9b2159d22114ef
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T143000Z
DTEND:20261112T154500Z
SUMMARY:Utilizing Digital Mapping to Enhance your Program
DESCRIPTION:Have you ever needed a specific type of map but can&#39\;t find one that fits your needs? Dive into an introductory session on the wonders of digital mapping and how you can create your very own maps for all of your needs. Digital mapping can provide a wonderful resource for a multitude of needs\, not just navigation. In this session\, you will learn basic map terminology to get started\, what types of data we can display\, and follow along as we create a map as a class. Primary software used for this session will be QGIS (free) and ArcGIS Online (paid). Feel free to bring your own device if you would like to follow along. You do NOT need any prior experience to join this session!\n
CATEGORIES:EDUCATION IN PRACTICE
LOCATION:Bourbon Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:0c759eb24d40d98c59cf5aed068db067
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/0c759eb24d40d98c59cf5aed068db067
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T143000Z
DTEND:20261112T154500Z
SUMMARY:Parks as Portals: Restoring Hidden Histories\, Reconnecting Communities to Land
DESCRIPTION:Parks as Portals is a community-centered environmental education model rooted in Kentucky&rsquo\;s public lands and Black ecological legacy. Born from one educator&rsquo\;s experience at Mammoth Cave\, it centers community knowledge holders as co-teachers\, restores erased BIPOC histories\, and offers a framework for renewing educators through place\, partnership\, and truth.\n\n\nIn 2023\, &nbsp\;during KAEE&#39\;s conference\, Milan Bush walked into Mammoth Cave as an environmental educator and came out changed. Not just by the cave&#39\;s scale\, but by what it held. The memory of Stephen Bishop\, an enslaved man who mapped those passages\, had never fully left that place. It was waiting. That experience planted the seed for Parks as Portals.\n\n\nThree presenters bring distinct perspectives: the GGBM founder shares the framework&rsquo\;s origin and community-rooted design\; Shaniqua Robertson\, Executive Director of ATBHK\, presents the integration of Black Kentucky history into place-based environmental contexts\; and Ebony Freeman\, a Berea College preservice teacher candidate\, shares what it means to encounter this model as a future educator\, what shifts when community knowledge comes first. A facilitated discussion invites participants to apply the framework to their own communities\, followed by collective sense-making and a practical takeaway structure.\n\n\nThis in-progress project investigates: (1) How does historically grounded\, place-based environmental education shift BIPOC learners&rsquo\; sense of ecological identity and belonging in natural spaces? (2) How does centering community knowledge holders as co-educators affect teacher renewal and long-term professional sustainability?\n\n\nThe model is grounded in Freire&rsquo\;s (1970) pedagogy of the oppressed and hooks&rsquo\; (1994) vision of embodied\, socially just teaching\, learning as liberation\, and community wisdom as curriculum. Place-based education theory (Gruenewald\, 2003\; Sobel\, 2004) anchors the use of land itself as the primary teacher. Yosso&rsquo\;s (2005) community cultural wealth framework shapes how BIPOC ecological knowledge is treated as foundational strength\, not absence. Finney&rsquo\;s (2014) scholarship on Black Americans and the outdoors grounds the Kentucky-centered historical content directly.\n\n\nCurriculum units are being piloted through ATBHK. Preservice candidates at Berea College are among the first cohort of learners engaging the model. This workshop shares early-stage findings and invites the research community into the work not as an audience\, but as collaborators.\n\n\nThis work arrives at a moment of urgent need. In April 2026\, the Sierra Club and a coalition of more than 25 Kentucky organizations formally opposed federal executive orders threatening to remove historically grounded interpretation from national park sites across the state. The stories targeted include the exact histories at the heart of Parks as Portals &mdash\; Stephen Bishop\, the Bransford family\, and the enslaved African American guides whose knowledge\, labor\, and skill built Mammoth Cave into the landmark it is today. When the federal government moves to erase these stories from the land itself\, community-led environmental education is not supplemental. It is essential. Parks as Portals exists to ensure that no matter what is removed from a sign or a visitor center\, these histories live in our learners\, our teachers\, and our communities.\n
CATEGORIES:RESEARCH IN ACTION
LOCATION:Fayette Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:12d11db827bc6e97350405225324bebd
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/12d11db827bc6e97350405225324bebd
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T160000Z
DTEND:20261112T164500Z
SUMMARY:Affinity Group Meetings
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:NETWORKING
LOCATION:Atrium\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d411a2991d19bb1a9f4974eab902bffe
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/d411a2991d19bb1a9f4974eab902bffe
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T160000Z
DTEND:20261112T164500Z
SUMMARY:Exhibitor Welcome
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:NETWORKING
LOCATION:Atrium\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:11c678d54213c386505dc5ec5f5acc65
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/11c678d54213c386505dc5ec5f5acc65
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T164500Z
DTEND:20261112T181500Z
SUMMARY:Opening Luncheon
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:GENERAL
LOCATION:Coldstream Gathering Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:fba0b60542de783490859952748c763a
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/fba0b60542de783490859952748c763a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T171500Z
DTEND:20261112T181500Z
SUMMARY:Panel of Presidents
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Coldstream Gathering Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8dc1c5fa9ba657e3fea643e255e22472
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/8dc1c5fa9ba657e3fea643e255e22472
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T181500Z
DTEND:20261112T184500Z
SUMMARY:Exhibitor Spotlight
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:NETWORKING
LOCATION:Atrium\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:eb9c9fccb06c4b1d5f64b4ed30c4687e
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/eb9c9fccb06c4b1d5f64b4ed30c4687e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T184500Z
DTEND:20261112T193000Z
SUMMARY:People-Focused Storytelling for Effective Communication
DESCRIPTION:Whether you need to communicate about a policy\, program or research project\, focusing on the people can be an effective choice. Highlighting the people who are involved &mdash\; researchers\, students\, people who will be impacted and more &mdash\; can help your audience connect with your communication on a personal level. This session will cover the basics of each step\, from brainstorming to interviewing and gathering information to finalizing deliverables\, including written pieces and social media posts.&nbsp\;\n
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
LOCATION:Coldstream 5 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f37fd7af564abc0af806451124a81b6d
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/f37fd7af564abc0af806451124a81b6d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T184500Z
DTEND:20261112T193000Z
SUMMARY:Developing and Implementing Environmentally Focused High School Career Programming
DESCRIPTION:YLEX Works\, a career and life readiness program for high school juniors and seniors\, was developed in 2025\, soft-launched in January 2026\, and officially launched in August 2026. This program functions in partnership with Fayette County tech school\, The HILL\, and centers education\, exposure\, and praxis. Students enrolled in this program attend weekly in-class career preparation lessons\, regular field trips and job shadowing on city environmental job sites\, and participate in summer internships and senior year co-ops. This session will begin with a program overview and flow into strategies for developing similar programming in your community. We will address curriculum and program development\, time commitments\, needed partnerships\, funding\, and target audiences.&nbsp\;&nbsp\;\n
CATEGORIES:EDUCATION IN PRACTICE
LOCATION:Clark Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9c8d51a754bb4f34b007bf7a84c4100c
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/9c8d51a754bb4f34b007bf7a84c4100c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T184500Z
DTEND:20261112T193000Z
SUMMARY:Let’s Get Physical: Using models to support Project WET
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:EDUCATION IN PRACTICE
LOCATION:Coldstream 4 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b26c4655946588d9aefb709e35782c73
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/b26c4655946588d9aefb709e35782c73
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T184500Z
DTEND:20261112T193000Z
SUMMARY:Appalachia is Kentucky\, Kentucky is Appalachia: Integrating Rural Perspectives in Urban Environmental Education
DESCRIPTION:Appalachia is often portrayed through a narrow lens with an outdated perspective that overlooks the region&#39\;s diverse ecology\, deep cultural history\, and contributions to environmental knowledge. Kentucky sits at the crossroads between rural Appalachian communities and urban populations\, creating a unique opportunity to expand how environmental education is taught - and who teaches it - throughout the state.&nbsp\;\nThis session invites learners to engage in Appalachia as a living\, ecologically and culturally rich region and explore how rural perspectives can strengthen environmental education in urban spaces. Inspired by informal and formal place-based education in eastern Kentucky\, educators will participate in collaborative discussions and activities to reimagine common environmental education topics - water systems\, community-based knowledge\, and climate education - through an Appalachian lens grounded in the lived relationships with the land. Attendees will leave the session with strategies to connect urban students with rural perspectives and landscapes\, expand definitions of knowledge-holders\, and teach environmental topics with methods that are more inclusive of and celebratory towards the Appalachian region.&nbsp\;\n
CATEGORIES:EXPANDING ACCESS AND FOSTERING BELONGING
LOCATION:Fayette Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7cc22a89973068a4846209d9b1b48324
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/7cc22a89973068a4846209d9b1b48324
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T184500Z
DTEND:20261112T193000Z
SUMMARY:Excellence in Event Planning
DESCRIPTION:Does the idea of running a community event feel overwhelming? Or are you just looking for ways to make planning easier? Join this session to get tips and tricks on how to plan and manage community events in a way that won&rsquo\;t make you pull your hair out!\n
CATEGORIES:THRIVING TOGETHER
LOCATION:Bourbon Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:223bd359f730d11eb4b3f5d8ecd01404
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/223bd359f730d11eb4b3f5d8ecd01404
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T194500Z
DTEND:20261112T211500Z
SUMMARY:Bright Spot Presentations | KY Green Schools + Community Partners
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
LOCATION:Fayette Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:fa7ce03940f218ddd800e5d5f20d06ff
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/fa7ce03940f218ddd800e5d5f20d06ff
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T194500Z
DTEND:20261112T211500Z
SUMMARY:Kentucky Master Naturalist Volunteer Program
DESCRIPTION:The mission of the Kentucky Master Naturalist Volunteer Program is to develop a cohort of well-informed volunteers to advance education\, research\, and outreach efforts dedicated to the conservation and management of natural resources and natural areas within their communities for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.&nbsp\;\nBecoming a KY Master Naturalist Volunteer requires an initial training with 40 hours of instruction and 40 hours of volunteer service. This training covers core content related to Ecoregions of Kentucky\, Ecological Concepts\, Archeology\, Geology\, Soils\, Entomology\, Weather and Climate\, Water Resources\, Botany (woody and herbaceous)\, Safety and Health\, Invasive Species\, Wildlife\, Environmental Education and Ethics\, Citizen Science and more. This program was developed by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension with valuable input and contributions from stakeholders at public and private organizations. Currently\, there are over 550 Kentucky Master Naturalists\, with at least one new training cohort offered each year. In 2025\, Master Naturalists volunteer 7\,903 hours with an estimated value to the commonwealth of $275\,945. &nbsp\;\n
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
LOCATION:Coldstream 4 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:97ecb7246e015237af60a6f29b4ad797
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/97ecb7246e015237af60a6f29b4ad797
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T194500Z
DTEND:20261112T211500Z
SUMMARY:The Bigger Picture Perspective
DESCRIPTION:Understanding sustainability in our world today and connecting the dots. Explaining the Mitigating Human Behavior in Favor of the Planet initiative.\n
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
LOCATION:Coldstream 4 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b89ad61d701a41c3e80eb2a4ac56690d
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/b89ad61d701a41c3e80eb2a4ac56690d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T194500Z
DTEND:20261112T211500Z
SUMMARY:Bright Spot Presentations | Citizen Science
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:EDUCATION IN PRACTICE
LOCATION:Bourbon Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:fb9b2124906452c0bdd93d8e4d523c79
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/fb9b2124906452c0bdd93d8e4d523c79
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T194500Z
DTEND:20261112T211500Z
SUMMARY:Bright Spot Presentations | Early Childhood
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:EDUCATION IN PRACTICE
LOCATION:Coldstream 5 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:dd0821b6a90b610951900ee23494af71
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/dd0821b6a90b610951900ee23494af71
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T194500Z
DTEND:20261112T211500Z
SUMMARY:Bright Spot Gallery | Posters & Research
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:RESEARCH IN ACTION
LOCATION:Coldstream 4 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:6fa10e55920d96614abd91e9616d028b
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/6fa10e55920d96614abd91e9616d028b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T213000Z
DTEND:20261112T221500Z
SUMMARY:Payne Hollow and the Ohio River\, an interdisciplinary approach to our river
DESCRIPTION:This presentation explores Payne Hollow on the Ohio through the lived experience and writings of Harlan Hubbard\, using the three volumes of OYO: An Ohio River Anthology as a lens to understand the Ohio River as both a physical and philosophical landscape\, grounded in the history and ecology of Payne Hollow. &nbsp\;Payne Hollow is a forested limestone hollow along the river in Trimble County\, Kentucky\, &nbsp\; The session weaves together art\, literature\, environmental science\, and regional history to illustrate how Hubbard&rsquo\;s life and work embody an interdisciplinary model of environmental education\, where close observation\, self-sufficiency\, and creative expression deepen our understanding of place\, and where the Ohio River becomes not just a waterway\, but a teacher\, a narrative thread\, and a living system connecting culture\, ecology\, and community\; &nbsp\;this talk highlights how these insights inform current efforts in conservation\, education\, and public engagement along the river corridor.\n
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
LOCATION:Coldstream 5 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:648d8a1a52b821761ba6e1a6446991bc
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/648d8a1a52b821761ba6e1a6446991bc
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T213000Z
DTEND:20261112T221500Z
SUMMARY:Bugs are Buddies: Helping Kids Learn to Love Insects
DESCRIPTION:If you-I mean\, your STUDENTS-scream whenever a crawling creature appears\, you may need this class. Attendees will learn hands-on\, engaging techniques and activities to help kids (and adults!) realize that bugs are actually superheroes\, not tiny monsters!&nbsp\;\n
CATEGORIES:EDUCATION IN PRACTICE
LOCATION:Coldstream 4 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9e1a0ebb4854aa0fbdb8e57c6aec467c
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/9e1a0ebb4854aa0fbdb8e57c6aec467c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T213000Z
DTEND:20261112T221500Z
SUMMARY:Discover the Kentucky River Watershed Through History Science\, Art\, Culture\, Conservation\, Recreation and Education
DESCRIPTION:We will present an overview of the Lesson Plan -Tool Kit\, with a hands on project.\n
CATEGORIES:EDUCATION IN PRACTICE
LOCATION:Clark Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:09f785b9d69dddeb4307fcecc6720d96
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/09f785b9d69dddeb4307fcecc6720d96
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T213000Z
DTEND:20261112T221500Z
SUMMARY:Creating Healthy Hobbies: Recreation Based Partnerships to Engage High School Students
DESCRIPTION:In 2016\, The Parklands of Floyds Fork started the S.E.E.D. Program (Stewardship\, Education\, Exploration\, Discovery) to provide engaging\, science-based outdoor education to low income\, title 1 schools in the Louisville area. The S.E.E.D. program works to remove barriers to participation by providing free field trips and outreach programs for title 1 schools in the Louisville area while also covering the cost of bus transportation. Partner schools receive at least four free programs per school year. Since 2016 the program has grown from 1\,000 student experiences per year to nearly 15\,000.\n\n\nWhat began as a purely science-based program has expanded to many different subject areas and even into pure outdoor recreation. As environmental educators we strive to align our programs with Next Generation Science Standards and school core curriculum so we can ensure a meaningful and valuable experience for students and teachers but also to create buy-in from school administrations. But as environmental educators we also know that exploration and free time outdoors can be just as valuable as curriculum-based learning. We always want to meet our groups where they are and provide what they need out of the experience. So\, when Iroquois High School P.E. teacher DeAldon Watson wanted to set up hiking field trips for his students\, The Parklands wanted to help.\n\n\nDuring this session we will highlight a 3-year partnership between The Parklands of Floyds Fork and Iroquois High School. In 2023\, P.E. teacher DeAldon Watson brought select students from his P.E. class to The Parklands for a hike. His goal- to introduce students to healthy\, lifelong recreation options like hiking. That first hike was a chilly 1.5 mile walk on the Limestone Gorge trail. No teaching stops\, no curriculum topic\, no activities\, just a group of 40 high school students hiking in the woods. The program was an immediate hit with students. They felt confident\, adventurous\, and had a ton of fun.\n\n\nSince that initial hike\, the partnership has expanded to bi-monthly field trips throughout the school year and in all seasons including activities like hiking\, biking\, kayaking\, fishing\, and archery. As part of The Parklands S.E.E.D. Program\, all field trips are provided for free with The Parklands paying for bus transportation.\nParklands Director of Education Curtis Carman and Iroquois High School teacher DeAldon Watson will highlight what it takes on both sides to make a partnership like this work for high school students including getting administration buy-in\, barriers to participation\, ideas on how to engage a high school audience with the outdoors\, and how to create sustainable funding.\n\n\nParticipants will walk away with a better understanding of how to create lasting partnerships with high school students as well as a reaffirmed appreciation for outdoor recreation.\n
CATEGORIES:EXPANDING ACCESS AND FOSTERING BELONGING
LOCATION:Fayette Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:eba86378d81afe6f5d9dc734ea6b6756
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/eba86378d81afe6f5d9dc734ea6b6756
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T213000Z
DTEND:20261112T221500Z
SUMMARY:From Trial to Transformation: Lessons from 9 Years of Service
DESCRIPTION:Looking back isn&rsquo\;t always clean. It&rsquo\;s layered\, imperfect\, and often full of lessons we didn&rsquo\;t realize we were learning at the time.\n\n\nAfter nine years of building and sustaining the Environmental Education Leadership Corps AmeriCorps program\, we&rsquo\;ve gathered insights that go far beyond our specific work- lessons that apply to any program\, partnership\, or initiative trying to make a lasting impact.\n\n\nThis story-driven session invites participants to learn from our evolution as an inter-organizational program: What worked\, what didn&rsquo\;t\, and what we&rsquo\;d do differently if we were starting today.\n\n\nTogether\, we&rsquo\;ll explore:\n- Why slow\, intentional growth can be a program&rsquo\;s greatest strength\,\n- How to stay realistically optimistic in the face of challenges\,\n- What it means to find and sustain joy in impact-driven work\,\n- How to think about long-term member impact beyond service terms\,\n- And what it really takes to build something that lasts.\n\n\nThis session isn&rsquo\;t just about reflection- it&rsquo\;s about equipping attendees with practical insights they can apply immediately.\n\n\nParticipants will leave with a clearer understanding of how to:\nAvoid common early-stage pitfallsBuild programs with longevity in mindCenter people\, not just outputs\, in their designCarry lessons forward to strengthen future impact
CATEGORIES:THRIVING TOGETHER
LOCATION:Bourbon Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:6ffb8550cb31369dc9365a9808501b85
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/6ffb8550cb31369dc9365a9808501b85
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261112T224500Z
DTEND:20261112T234500Z
SUMMARY:Excellence in EE Awards Ceremony & Dinner
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Coldstream Gathering Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:0b91374fdc85258aabe90c3c8511f2c3
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/0b91374fdc85258aabe90c3c8511f2c3
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T000000Z
DTEND:20261113T020000Z
SUMMARY:Music + Auctions
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Coldstream Gathering Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b8d846e0d6c70e5f13b4cbc518c22754
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/b8d846e0d6c70e5f13b4cbc518c22754
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T121500Z
DTEND:20261113T140000Z
SUMMARY:Registration + Coffee
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:GENERAL
LOCATION:Atrium\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:db57dd1eb0b3743c9f1eaaaf668b35df
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/db57dd1eb0b3743c9f1eaaaf668b35df
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T130000Z
DTEND:20261113T134500Z
SUMMARY:Reforesting a Community: EE Success Through Community Events
DESCRIPTION:For almost 20 years\, the City of Frankfort Parks and Recreation Department has brought the community together for Reforest Frankfort\, an annual event that allows participants to contribute to Frankfort&rsquo\;s tree canopy and experience hands-on environmental education. The success of this program stems from the department&rsquo\;s collaboration with community and government agencies to provide the community with local\, relevant\, and impactful environment engagement. Hear from Frankfort officials about how to implement a successful community-based environmental education program in the form of a community event. Participants will be given a guide for creating their own program in their community.\n
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
LOCATION:Bourbon Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1c4616a27bbb01bba301728650fcb091
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/1c4616a27bbb01bba301728650fcb091
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T130000Z
DTEND:20261113T134500Z
SUMMARY:Enchanting Environmental Education through Lord of the Rings
DESCRIPTION:In this interactive session\, participants will explore undergraduate students&rsquo\; reflections from &quot\;The Ecology of Middle-earth\,&quot\; an honors seminar linking ecocritical readings of J.R.R. Tolkien&rsquo\;s The Lord of the Rings\, reflective writing\, and outdoor service-learning. Presenters will share the course structure\, key assignments\, and student reflections illustrating how the class sought to help learners navigate eco-anxiety and environmental grief while fostering hope\, agency\, and environmental responsibility through&nbsp\;engagement in fantasy literature and ecological restoration work. The session will highlight how students connected their time in &ldquo\;Faerie&rdquo\;&mdash\;that is\, Tolkien&rsquo\;s fantasy realms&mdash\; to their experiences planting trees at a surface mine reclamation site in Eastern Kentucky and other service learning projects. Through reflective discussion and hands-on activities\, participants will consider the possibilities and challenges involved in &ldquo\;enchanting&rdquo\; environmental education through fantasy storytelling traditions while exploring how these approaches might translate to their own educational settings and communities.\n
CATEGORIES:EDUCATION IN PRACTICE
LOCATION:Coldstream 4 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:bdbccf00bcffb1fbeebb56777a91396e
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/bdbccf00bcffb1fbeebb56777a91396e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T130000Z
DTEND:20261113T134500Z
SUMMARY:Returning to Our Roots: Why Accessing Nature Outdoors is Essential in Early Childhood Programs
DESCRIPTION:Have you noticed changes in children&rsquo\;s behavior and wondered if less outdoor time plays a role? This session explores the link between limited outdoor experiences and indoor behavior\, highlighting the benefits of daily outdoor play in natural environments with elements like sand\, water\, soil\, and plants.
CATEGORIES:EXPANDING ACCESS AND FOSTERING BELONGING
LOCATION:Coldstream 5 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:bcc72f76f22cfd51cecdd8717ef33115
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/bcc72f76f22cfd51cecdd8717ef33115
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T130000Z
DTEND:20261113T134500Z
SUMMARY:Green by Design: Integrating Environmental Learning into Public Spaces and Curriculum
DESCRIPTION:Explore how The Living Arts & Science Center (LASC) brings environmental education to life both inside and outside the building. This session highlights how LASC integrates sustainability and environmental awareness into its exhibit design\, educational spaces\, and outreach curriculum. Learn how exhibits serve as platforms for immersive learning. We&rsquo\;ll also share how these concepts extend beyond our walls through traveling programs\, outdoor classrooms\, and garden-based education.
CATEGORIES:THRIVING TOGETHER
LOCATION:Fayette Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d1f259bed1099fa9d4d6987d03b97022
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/d1f259bed1099fa9d4d6987d03b97022
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T140000Z
DTEND:20261113T144500Z
SUMMARY:Partnerships for Young People's Civic Engagement and Access to Nature
DESCRIPTION:This presentation charts 35 years of lessons learned from research and practice about how to assemble coalitions that support young people&rsquo\;s connection to nature and participation in civic action. It begins with two projects for the Kentucky Oral History Commission which indicated that connecting to local nature and places in childhood can motivate lives of committed care for the environment. This insight raises the question: How can we create effective coalitions of researchers\, local governments\, schools\, and community organizations to ensure that young people have access to local community resources\, including nearby nature\, as well as&nbsp\;a role in their conservation and enhancement? It shares practical experiences gained through the international Growing Up in Cities Program of UNESCO\, the Growing Up Boulder initiative in Colorado\, and an informal alliance\, KINship (Kids in Nature)\, that works to ensure equitable access to nature for all city residents. &nbsp\;\n
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
LOCATION:Clark Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f7c800d040b07684909af4a946d51b66
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/f7c800d040b07684909af4a946d51b66
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T150000Z
DTEND:20261113T154500Z
SUMMARY:Activating the Choir to Build Capacity
DESCRIPTION:Options for how to do our work are nearly unlimited. Resources to do it aren&rsquo\;t. This presentation focuses on ways LFUCG&rsquo\;s Public Information and Engagement Section has engaged non-staff folks to further the reach of our efforts. By thoughtfully investing time and resources in small groups of allies\, the Education and Community Teams have achieved long-lasting benefits that outweigh the direct costs. &nbsp\;Danny Woolums will discuss ways the Education Team empowers teachers to create and lead lessons on their own\, primarily through the Teachers&rsquo\; Environmental Academy but also through modeling lessons and classroom kits. Alana Insko-Kelley will share how the Community Environmental Academy has evolved to deeply engage interested residents in local government through outreach\, advocacy and service.&nbsp\;\n
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
LOCATION:Bourbon Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ef69676d8398e53fc8b0a450fa8fd794
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/ef69676d8398e53fc8b0a450fa8fd794
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T150000Z
DTEND:20261113T154500Z
SUMMARY:Cleaning Water the Wild Way
DESCRIPTION:Learn about Clay Hill Memorial Forest and how it relies on natural processes to filter wastewater the wild way! Located in Campbellsville\, Kentucky\, Clay Hill Memorial Forest is a 300-acre property owned by Campbellsville University. The site includes facilities for environmental education\, scientific research\, and over 5 miles of trails that are open to the public. One of the most unique aspects of the site is the constructed wetland\, which supports the wastewater filtration needs of the two main buildings as well as other water needs around the site. Join the Clay Hill Memorial Forest team for a discussion of the site as a whole\, this unique wetland\, the programming involving it\, and how the wetland is used to educate and inform visitors about water management and the value of both constructed and natural wetland ecosystems.\n
CATEGORIES:EDUCATION IN PRACTICE
LOCATION:Clark Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f144304233938d28ec88abfd24cf7100
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/f144304233938d28ec88abfd24cf7100
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T150000Z
DTEND:20261113T154500Z
SUMMARY:Clearer Skies Ahead: Making the Link Between Cars and Clean Air
DESCRIPTION:With gas prices soaring\, there&rsquo\;s never been a better time to train tomorrow&rsquo\;s drivers to make smart choices &ndash\; choices that not only save fuel and money but protect the air we breathe. Join the Division for Air Quality&rsquo\;s Roberta Burnes for an experiential activity that will put fuel economy\, carpooling\, and riding the bus in perspective&hellip\;literally!\n
CATEGORIES:EDUCATION IN PRACTICE
LOCATION:Coldstream 4 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9b1d0f3376c480b091122e3c92f8a009
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/9b1d0f3376c480b091122e3c92f8a009
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T150000Z
DTEND:20261113T154500Z
SUMMARY:Rooted in Belonging: Growing Inclusive Spaces for Gender-Diverse Learners
DESCRIPTION:Everyone deserves to feel safe\, seen\, and supported in learning spaces. Rooted in the understanding that both nature and identity are diverse and ever-evolving\, this session explores how we can better include and uplift transgender and gender-diverse learners within environmental education. We&rsquo\;ll consider how identity\, including gender\, is a natural and essential part of who we are.\nAs we reflect on where our practices have been\, we&rsquo\;ll also look ahead to how we can intentionally plant more inclusive\, affirming approaches in our work. Whether you&rsquo\;re new to thinking about gender or already engaged in this work\, this session offers space for learning\, reflection\, and growth. Participants will leave with practical strategies and tools\, drawn from our AmeriCorps program\, to help create environments where all learners feel a strong sense of belonging.\n
CATEGORIES:EXPANDING ACCESS AND FOSTERING BELONGING
LOCATION:Coldstream 5 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:bbc0e6647124355b68d4b03e729dd571
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/bbc0e6647124355b68d4b03e729dd571
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T150000Z
DTEND:20261113T154500Z
SUMMARY:Measuring Impact: How Do We Know We’re Saving the World?
DESCRIPTION:As environmental educators\, we are driven by a powerful sense of purpose. But how do you know your work is making a difference? And how do you communicate that funders\, community members\, and your team?\n&nbsp\;\nThis workshop explores tracking impact\, starting with the big question: why? We&#39\;ll examine how evaluation practices help you stay mission-focused\, engage funders\, and share your story in a way that resonates. We&#39\;ll share methods for gathering and synthesizing evidence\, taking stock of data you are already collecting. Guided peer conversations and hands-on activities will strengthen your use of tools like logic models and strategic plans.&nbsp\;\n&nbsp\;\nParticipants will leave with:\n&nbsp\;\nA stronger understanding of why and how to track mission-driven impactFamiliarity with multiple methods for measuring and communicating resultsHands-on experience with strategy and evaluation tools like logic modelsConnections with peers navigating similar challenges
CATEGORIES:THRIVING TOGETHER
LOCATION:Fayette Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9143425aea65f1c9a2b358780fd5e52b
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/9143425aea65f1c9a2b358780fd5e52b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T160000Z
DTEND:20261113T164500Z
SUMMARY:Building Energy Literacy Across Generations
DESCRIPTION:Learn how the Bluegrass Greensource team designed engaging energy education programs for audiences from preschool through adulthood while fostering meaningful partnerships with community leaders and local officials.\nThis session highlights four components of community energy education: introducing energy concepts to preschool teachers\, students\, and families\; expanding elementary student understanding of energy sources and energy types\; reducing barriers to energy efficiency for low-income and underserved communities with energy efficiency workshops\; and collaborating with community leaders\, organizations\, and agencies through the Central Kentucky Energy Forums program.\n\n\n
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
LOCATION:Bourbon Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:aa1cf1d665a1e638a3df78830370b0d1
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/aa1cf1d665a1e638a3df78830370b0d1
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T160000Z
DTEND:20261113T164500Z
SUMMARY:Climate-Smart EE: Designing and Delivering Curriculum in a Time of Change
DESCRIPTION:As Kentucky&rsquo\;s climate continues to change\, environmental educators are increasingly challenged to adapt curriculum and program design to create learning experiences that are flexible\, relevant\, and responsive. This session will explore practical strategies for designing\, refining\, and delivering climate-smart environmental education (EE) curriculum that connects learners to real-world issues while remaining adaptable to the needs of local communities. Participants will explore ways to integrate local climate impacts\, place-based learning\, resilience\, and creative learner engagement strategies into their programs.\n
CATEGORIES:EDUCATION IN PRACTICE
LOCATION:Clark Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:bac5da27a2e5e1994328b7c795da03d2
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/bac5da27a2e5e1994328b7c795da03d2
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T160000Z
DTEND:20261113T164500Z
SUMMARY:From Stakeholders to Stewards: Building a Superintendent’s Advisory Council to Drive District Sustainability
DESCRIPTION:Fayette County Public Schools is committed to building an ethos of social\, economic\, and ecological sustainability and regeneration by teaching our students\, staff and families to understand themselves in an ecological context and to be aware of their relationship to our natural world. &nbsp\;To that end a 5-yr Sustainability Action Plan outlines goals in six priority areas: District Leadership\, School Leadership\, Facility & Campus Operations\, Solid Waste\, Instructional Alignment and Outdoor Learning.\nBut a Plan is only a plan until community ownership provides momentum and collective action. &nbsp\;To that end\, FCPS launched a Superintendent&rsquo\;s Advisory Council on Sustainability (SACS) made up of six Working Groups. &nbsp\;Each Working Group is made up of representatives from each of the following stakeholder cohorts: student\, parent\, community partner\, teacher\, elected official\, operations leader and district leader. &nbsp\;Informed and led by students&rsquo\; lived experiences in our classrooms and on our campuses\, each Working Group develops recommendations presented at an annual Student Sustainability Symposium.\nLearn from FCPS&rsquo\;s mistakes and lessons-learned and apply a SACS framework replicable in district.\n\n\n\n\n
CATEGORIES:EDUCATION IN PRACTICE
LOCATION:Coldstream 4 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9e685bbbd07414cad33c1be4f0658994
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/9e685bbbd07414cad33c1be4f0658994
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T160000Z
DTEND:20261113T164500Z
SUMMARY:The Practice and Benefits of Nature Journaling
DESCRIPTION:This session will discuss ways to incorporate the practice of nature journaling into your daily life and highlight the benefits this can have on your mental and emotional health. The presenter will share how she has incorporated nature journaling in an online environmental education course and how this has impacted her students. During the session participants will have an opportunity to go outside and practice nature journaling themselves.\n&nbsp\;\n
CATEGORIES:EDUCATION IN PRACTICE
LOCATION:Fayette Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d022fbc128d290ebfd60a766021bd41a
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/d022fbc128d290ebfd60a766021bd41a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T160000Z
DTEND:20261113T164500Z
SUMMARY:Win\, Win . . . WIN: Leslie Knope-Worthy Partnerships
DESCRIPTION:Creating and maintaining a good partnership across organizations is deceptively difficult. Different goals\, staff changes\, scheduling limitations\, budget stresses\, organizational policies\, poor communication\, calendar conflicts\, shifting priorities and any number of other factors can lead to partnerships falling flat - or worse. This session will use the ongoing and growing relationship between Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government and Living Arts and Science Center as a case study for building a lasting\, flexible partnership. The session will walk participants through a framework for establishing and maintaining effective organizational partnerships with examples and non-examples provided.&nbsp\;\n
CATEGORIES:THRIVING TOGETHER
LOCATION:Coldstream 5 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:2b5fec8835b0f576b2834a14db96812a
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/2b5fec8835b0f576b2834a14db96812a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T170000Z
DTEND:20261113T174500Z
SUMMARY:Exhibitor Spotlight
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:NETWORKING
LOCATION:Atrium\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:2812c9493dca9528a71a5da49490c586
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/2812c9493dca9528a71a5da49490c586
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T170000Z
DTEND:20261113T174500Z
SUMMARY:First Time Attendee Networking
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:NETWORKING
LOCATION:Coldstream 4 Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8ffa2d6d1789ed8f1bd86df48d7a6bbf
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/8ffa2d6d1789ed8f1bd86df48d7a6bbf
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T170000Z
DTEND:20261113T174500Z
SUMMARY:PEEC Reunion
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:NETWORKING
LOCATION:Bourbon Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:cbd71d4d6375513b99f89140712ba616
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/cbd71d4d6375513b99f89140712ba616
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T174500Z
DTEND:20261113T194500Z
SUMMARY:Luncheon | Planting Seeds for the Future
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Coldstream Gathering Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:bae2417395ca42a2a779ec69e3267880
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/bae2417395ca42a2a779ec69e3267880
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T184500Z
DTEND:20261113T194500Z
SUMMARY:Keynote Address | Silas House
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Coldstream Gathering Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:852ab5672e394c57e1bccfb90599ce95
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/852ab5672e394c57e1bccfb90599ce95
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260820T074523Z
DTSTART:20261113T194500Z
DTEND:20261113T201500Z
SUMMARY:Closing Remarks + Prize Drawings
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:PLENARY
LOCATION:Coldstream Gathering Room\, 1801 Newtown Pike\, Lexington\, KY 40511
SEQUENCE:0
UID:cb81c42db5a24ad74a5376e99ae8d150
URL:http://kaee50thannualconf.sched.com/event/cb81c42db5a24ad74a5376e99ae8d150
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR