Pony Meyer Named Rising Star for Excellence in EE

Pony Meyer has been named the 2022 Rising Star for Excellence in Environmental Education. The award, given by the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education, recognizes individuals, schools, and businesses that exemplify dedication, commitment, and influence in the field of environmental education.

Pony is the Program Specialist at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Harrodsburg, Ky. There, they research, write, and deliver a variety of historical, recreational, and educational programs. Pony puts great care and planning into all their programs and is an excellent example of going above and beyond in the field of EE. Pony particularly enjoys facilitating night hikes, owl prowls, creek walks (macroinvertebrate sampling), and nature journaling programs. In January, they collaborated with the Preserve Managers on a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Five Star Urban Waters grant that would allow Shaker Village to do habitat restoration on their historic ponds and expand environmental education programming in those areas.

Pony is also currently working on a two-year tree project that involves creating a tree map of the trees at Shaker Village, online natural history and cultural-historical content related to these trees, and a basic tree ID program to help guests learn the basics of identifying some of Kentucky's native trees.

As an educator, Pony enjoys learning and looking for ways to improve their teaching and knowledge of local natural history. Pony also recently completed KAEE’s Professional Learning Leader eeCredential, is an active and valuable KAEE Facilitator, and joined KAEE Board of Directors in September 2022.

New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future Named Outstanding Community Partner for Excellence in EE

New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future (NPFSF) has been named Kentucky’s Outstanding Community Partner for Excellence in Environmental Education. The award, given by the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education, recognizes individuals, schools, and businesses that exemplify dedication, commitment, and influence in the field of environmental education (EE).

NPFSF is a community nonprofit organization with a mission to “promote sustainability in rural communities through education, demonstration, and advocacy.” Founded in 2005, NPFSF serves as a hub for EE in the area and engages communities alongside local and regional partners.

NPFSF has deep roots in Springfield, Ky., regularly partnering with local government, tourism, Chamber of Commerce, and Rotary Club. This year, NPFSF hosted the Springfield Green Festival, organizing more than 24 partners to provide education about recycling; soil, water, and air protection; and green homes and farms. Previously a fundraiser, this event was reimagined to provide education to the community, reaching nearly 450 people.

Regionally, NPFSF maintains partnerships with county Cooperative Extension Offices – co-leading a pilot “Stream Team” in Nelson County – and local landowners including the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Loretto, and St. Catherine. NPFSF leads on-site programming with these Congregations (from bio-blitzes to field trips) and has offered them professional support and greater education to manage their land more sustainably.

Finally, NPFSF has expertly leveraged state resources to enhance programming, support greater environmental literacy, and empower rising voices in EE. NPFSF has taken a lead in EE in Central Kentucky through the Lt. Governor’s Summer Enrichment Program for two years – developing curriculums and field trips that serve as roadmaps beyond the summer(s). NPFSF has also hosted successful EELCorps volunteers for two years, providing hands-on experience and education to young people interested in EE.

“Whitney Wurzel’s leadership, along with the Board’s and staff’s dedication, continue to bring NPFSF into the rooms and spaces that matter,” said Julia Gerwe, who worked closely with NPFSF during her time as Ecological Sustainability Education Programs Manager at Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. “NPFSF is embedded in the local community and works diligently to honor these relationships and partnerships through everything they do. Having a community partner makes all the difference BUT having a community partner like NPFSF is truly life changing. The professional support, encouragement, and collaborative opportunities that NPFSF offers bring innumerable benefits to all their partners.”

Peggy Nims Wins Lifetime Achievement Award for Educator Excellence

Peggy Nims has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Environmental Education. The award, given by the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education, recognizes individuals, schools, and businesses that exemplify dedication, commitment, and influence in the field of environmental education.

“I grew up climbing trees, planting rows of beans, and chasing chickens,” Peggy says. “So it just seemed natural to me as an educator to bring the outside into the classroom or to take the learning outside.”

Since graduating from Freed-Hardeman and Lipscomb University with degrees in history and education, Peggy has spent almost thirty years as both a formal and nonformal educator, most recently with the American Cave Conservation Association (ACCA), in Horse Cave, Ky. “Living in one of the world’s largest karst community, I found that environmental education’s focus on student-centered, collaborative, experiential learning was the ideal vehicle for teaching all core content subjects in ways that were fun, engaging, and meaningful,” she says. “Whether in the classroom, the museum, or the cave, my most meaningful and rewarding EE experiences were those in which a student had their own ‘WOW’ or ‘That’s so awesome!’ moment.”

Peggy is a master certified professional environmental educator, certified Water Watch sampler, a member of the National Speleological Society, a first cohort KY EXCEL member, a former KAEE board member, and a current (and longtime) KAEE Facilitator. “Peggy is an amazing educator and human being,” says Brittany Wray, KAEE Education Director. “She has been an inspiration to me and so many environmental educators who strive to leave a lasting impact with the work we do. It's an absolute pleasure to know Peggy and an honor to have worked with her. She is incredibly deserving of this award and achievement.”

Read on for Peggy’s thoughts, advice, and memories from her many years as an environmental educator!

My personal philosophy as an environmental advocate and an educator has been to…

1) help students understand that in any ecosystem all living things are interrelated

2) use their new knowledge to appreciate the uniqueness of our non-renewable resources such as clean water

3) to, then, be empowered to protect these resources for all people.

One of my favorite EE experiences was…

working with an elementary science and technology class to produce a PSA about sinkholes to share with their classmates. After finding a sinkhole behind their school building, the project took on personal meaning. Early on, I learned to facilitate their team meetings and then get out of their way. Their different interests and talents as middle-school students far exceeded any and all expectations that I might have had for them. I was so happy for them when their finished video received state recognition for excellence. Later on, I was thrilled when one of these young students from a small, rural school was chosen to study at the Gatton Science Academy.

On more than one occasion, I have seen a student who was struggling with a new academic concept become a capable citizen scientist by mastering hand-held water tests and become a peer teacher. Perhaps, a somewhat disruptive student’s energy is channeled to cope with all the unknowns of an off-trail ecology trek through a buddy river cave. This same student becomes an assistant guide for treading softly to protect the fragile cave life.

There are many things that I enjoy about EE… besides all the built-in health benefits of exercise, of the body, and the mind:

1) the collegial, rather than the competitive, relationships among EE instructors

2) the students and their boundless energy and thirst for knowledge

3) the opportunity to share your passions with others.

Throughout the years, I have made life-long friends; many of these I met when they were students. Like all teachers, it is most rewarding when you see your students soar on their own wings. Countless times, I have seen high school, university, and one inquisitive six-year-old, take basic EE principles, earn advanced degrees in environmental studies, make amazing discoveries, and contribute to the collective body of the related sciences.

Unlike other professions, EE allows one to learn from others, formal and non-formal instructors; to partner with other community professionals who are already stakeholders in the area’s quality of life; especially for me, to introduce non-cavers to the wonderful world beneath their feet and the inter-relationship of all living things.

For nearly twenty years, it was my joy and privilege to work with college students from many states during their “Alternative Service Breaks” (ASB). New and on-going projects to protect and preserve south-central Kentucky’s karst resources provided meaningful team-building, cross-discipline, multiple cultural, and leadership training moments.

To those just beginning their journey as an environmental educator…

find your passion, your niche, and pursue it with all your energy. Each of you has your own

unique talents and expertise that drives your engine, energizes you, and gives you joy!

Get out of your own comfort zone; never ask your students to do something that you aren’t willing to do–including being thrown into the air as part of a trust exercise.

Embrace new ideas, new people, and new places.

Look for new connections with your students, between your students, and between them and the natural places all around them. Sometimes, you will be surprised to find them in the most unusual, unexpected places.

Always be open, be an active listener, cultivate excellent communication skills, and be willing to learn from others.

Identify and trust your mentors to share their wisdom and give you constructive feedback.

Seek those who need a helping hand, whether students or colleagues, and encourage and empower them.