From November 12 to 14, 2026, the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education community gathered in Owensboro, Kentucky, for an unforgettable three days of learning, collaboration, and connection. This year marked a meaningful milestone as it was our first time hosting the annual conference in Owensboro. The stunning Owensboro Convention Center overlooking the Ohio River became an integral part of the experience, inviting participants to reflect, recharge, and root their work in a meaningful sense of place.
Pre Conference: Kicking Off With Curiosity and Hands On Discovery
The event opened with an engaging pre-conference day filled with field experiences, workshops, and interactive opportunities for professional growth. Participants explored regional environmental challenges, visited local sites, and engaged in hands-on sessions that highlighted conservation efforts, community partnerships, and innovative approaches to environmental education.
The theme “Bridging the Gaps” began to take shape as attendees connected with one another, exchanged ideas, and grounded their learning in the distinct natural and cultural landscape of Owensboro. The pre conference set an energized foundation for the days ahead.
Day 2: A Full Day of Inspiration, Learning, and Riverfront Reflections
Day 2 welcomed attendees into the heart of the conference experience. Throughout the morning and afternoon, participants drew inspiration from the Ohio River, whose presence reminded everyone of the interconnected systems they work to protect. The river’s significance underscored the importance of environmental education in supporting healthy ecosystems and resilient communities.
One of the day’s most memorable moments was the keynote address by Jordan Lubetkin, the Ohio River Basin Director for the National Wildlife Federation. Jordan shared meaningful insight into the essential role of the Ohio River Basin, an area spanning fourteen states and two Tribal Nations and home to more than thirty million people. He highlighted the environmental challenges facing the Basin and the collaborative efforts needed to restore and protect its waters.
Sharing experiences from thirty one community listening sessions held between 2022 and 2023, Jordan discussed the process behind the 2024 report titled Community Priorities for Ohio River Basin Restoration and Protection. His keynote emphasized the importance of decisions shaped by community knowledge and reminded attendees of the critical role environmental educators play in strengthening a more resilient region.
The rest of Day 2 offered more than twenty five opportunities for hands-on learning and
professional collaboration. Sessions centered on access and belonging, community engagement, thriving organizations, and the intersection of education and research. Educators explored inclusive teaching strategies, engaged in conversations about partnership building, and learned new ways to strengthen environmental literacy in Kentucky. The day was filled with energy, practical tools, and meaningful connections.
Day 3: A Day of Celebration, Leadership, and Looking Forward
The final day of the conference featured one of KAEE’s most cherished traditions, the Excellence in EE Awards Ceremony and Panel. This inspiring event honored the 2025 Excellence in EE Award Winners, celebrating individuals and organizations who are advancing environmental education in innovative and powerful ways. Their dedication, creativity, and leadership serve as shining examples of what is possible when passionate people work together to support environmental literacy.
The accompanying panel offered attendees the opportunity to hear directly from awardees, learn about the challenges and triumphs of their work, and gain fresh inspiration from their stories. This gathering served as a heartwarming reminder of the impact environmental educators have across Kentucky and the importance of strengthening this work year after year.
Congratulations, 2025 Excellence in EE Award Winners!
Joseph Baust, Lifetime Achievement
Wesley Bullock, M.K. Dickerson Outstanding Educator
Willa Dawn Bayne, Rising Star
Lewisburg School, Kentucky Green School of the Year
Salato Wildlife Education Center, Outstanding Community Partner
FoodChain, Outstanding Business
Day 3 also marked the celebration of forty nine years of KAEE gatherings, a reflection of the strength and resiliency of Kentucky’s environmental education network. Participants left the conference energized and inspired, carrying new ideas, strengthened relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose as they returned to their communities.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As the conference came to a close, it was clear that KAEE’s community continues to grow stronger, more connected, and more aligned in purpose each year. Thank you to everyone who attended, presented, volunteered, and supported this gathering. Your dedication is what makes this conference so meaningful and what continues to drive environmental education forward in Kentucky and beyond.
We look forward to another year of collaboration, learning, and impact as we prepare for KAEE’s 2026 conference in Lexington, November 11-13. Stay up to date on all the details at kaee.org/conference.
