KAEE Member Feature: Barb Cornett

Many EE folks know Barb Cornett from her time with the Life Adventure Center (LAC) and Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary in central Kentucky. In 2019, Barb took the position of Environmental Educator at Canoe Kentucky (CKY) in Frankfort.

Canoe Kentucky is a premier retail paddle sport shop which includes canoes, kayaks, SUP boards, paddles, PFDs and all types of gear to enhance your paddling experience. CKY offers paddle sport rentals at Peaks Mill and the Kentucky River location in downtown Frankfort. CKY’s mission is to provide family friendly, outdoor opportunities in an experiential and educational manner. CKY strives to offer experiences that provide respite and clarity and help people connect with the natural world.

KAEE: What is your current role in the field of Environmental Education?

Barb: As CKY’s environmental educator, I wear many hats. I continue to wear my land-based experiential environmental education hat even in my new role with Canoe Kentucky. I utilize several area parks and outdoor spaces to engage students and adults in outdoor learning opportunities. I also continue to provide environmental education field trips for Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary in Woodford County and it is my pleasure to continue volunteering there hosting school groups and helping to maintain program areas.

CKY is a water-based business, so I am polishing my paddling skills so I can share my love of the water with children, youth, and adults. In my role as Environmental Educator, I lead paddling trips on North Elkhorn Creek and the Kentucky River. We offer environmental education experiences which include EE activities built into our day tailored to each specific group. When I am serving as a group’s guide, we learn all about the beautiful Elkhorn Creek and its inhabitants as we share our time on the water. CKY connects with area groups to host Elkhorn Creek and Kentucky River clean up days and it is my pleasure to assist with these projects as well.

I also recently became affiliated with the Woods and Water Land Trust (WWLT) non-profit organization. Its purpose is to provide and protect areas of the Lower Kentucky River watershed to encourage scenic landscapes, land conservation and excellent natural habitats now and for generations to come. There are opportunities to volunteer to maintain their current land holdings as well as hike surrounding spaces to connect with other members in a natural setting. I look forward to my endeavors with this group. The organization is selling a gorgeous photography book Woods & Water by Ed Lawrence. All proceeds of the sale of the book support the mission of WWLT.

KAEE: What projects or programs are you working on that particularly inspire you?

Barb: I have a strong desire to connect our community to our natural resources. I thrive on working with groups to educate about our environment, how we are interconnected with it, and how we may improve it. It is truly a blessing to share the wonders of the outdoors with children who have never had an opportunity to spend time in nature. I am grateful to work with these groups and share opportunities that spark interest for years to come. I love to hear students say they plan to bring their families to share what they have seen and learned with those close to them. We often see children return with their family to “show them how to canoe” and see wildlife along the creek!

KAEE: What goals do you have for your organization or programs within the EE field?

Barb: Frankfort is located on the Kentucky River. It has a rich history associated with its founding, growth, and development as Kentucky’s capitol on the river. My desire is to connect others with this history and our river. Many people neglect to see the river tucked in behind our vibrant downtown. I desire to connect our community with our natural resources and the environment along the Kentucky River whether it is through hikes in city parks along the riverbanks, or paddling excursions to see the river habitat. As the city of Frankfort moves forward with its Downtown and Community Engagement Master Plan, I see potential to explore the downtown and river together.

CKY’s Peaks Mill location is the heart of our business where our main rental and retail shop resides. I aspire to educate our community about our Elkhorn Creek, its natural beauty, and its inhabitants. I wish to continue to share my love of the outdoors, and the water with children and their families. It is my desire to engage them with this resource so they will love and care for it throughout their lives.

KAEE: What is an area you feel you could use support in from this network of fellow educators?

Barb: CKY is a small, family-owned business with many facets. We conduct our environmental education programs in Franklin County. We have a small management team year-round and full staff for our busy paddling season. We utilize our management team and volunteers to assist with EE programs with large groups especially in the off season when our seasonal staff is unavailable. There are times when it is beneficial to call on our fellow educators to provide the best possible environmental educational experience for our groups. It is wonderful to engage the talents of our fellow educators in their areas of expertise so they may share their passion for environmental education with our participants.

KAEE: What is something you feel could be beneficial to share with this network?

Barb: CKY is a valuable resource for our community as we have a large fleet of canoes, kayaks, SUP boards, paddles, and PFDs in our rental operation. We offer self-guided and guided paddling experiences. We encourage you to book your group for an outdoor educational experience. CKY is a fantastic place to get away to spend time with your family and friends. Need a weekend getaway? CKY even offers glamping along the banks of the Elkhorn! We look forward to working with you. See you on the water!

KAEE: Share one fun fact (or tidbit) about yourself with the group!

Barb: I assist my in-laws each year with the Festival of the Bluegrass Music Festival held on the 1st and 2nd full weekends in June at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground. You will find me filling several roles there behind the scenes. I look forward to its return after the pandemic.

KAEE WELCOMES TWO NEW MEMBERS TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS THIS FALL: ERIN SLINEY AND JOHN POLLPETER

KAEE was delighted to welcome two new members to our board of directors this past September at annual conference, KAEE2021. Both Erin Sliney (central Kentcuky) and John Pollpeter (western Kentucky) are non-formal environmental educators who bring a great deal of experience and passion to the field. Please enjoy getting to know these two EE professionals a bit better in the following feature. ​ Our first interview was with Erin Sliney. KAEE: What is your current role in the field of Environmental Education? Erin: ​I currently have my hands in several projects! I manage Welcome Hall, an agritourism operation on my family's farm in Bourbon County, Kentucky. I volunteer as the facilitator of Winchester Inspired by Nature, Clark County's regional environmental education network, and as a co-leader for the Clark County 4-H Environmental Club. I also serve as an environmental education and sustainability consultant and was recently contacted by the Kentucky Environmental Education Council to produce a guidebook designed to help potential implementers plan, form, sustain, and expand regional EE networks. KAEE: What projects or programs are you working on that particularly inspire you? Erin: I am very inspired by Clark County's 4-H Environmental Club. This newly-formed club consisting of middle and high-school students will meet at least once a month to engage in learning and service activities to help deepen their understanding and stewardship of the earth. I specifically love the focus on hands-on community projects. In addition to truly helping advance community resilience and sustainability, these community projects help to build camaraderie and hope and can inspire and empower students to work together to make positive change. Recently, I have also been particularly inspired to lead nature journaling programs. I believe it's an invaluable practice to help us hone our observation skills and assists us in learning more from nature itself. Leading nature journaling classes also provides me with extra incentive to get out and do it myself! ​ KAEE: What goals do you have for your organization or programs within the EE field? Erin: I would like Winchester Inspired by Nature to be recognized as the central hub for news and information related to EE in Clark County and beyond. I would like to have a solid contact with each school in the county and a substantial social media following to ensure wider sharing of and participation in local EE programs. I would like the 4-H Environmental Club to build into a bustling and robust group of students excited to participate in service learning activities. I would like Welcome Hall to host direct farm experience workshops and programs, integrate sustainability and environmental education into every reasonable aspect of facility operation, and produce at least half of the annual food consumption. KAEE: What is an area you feel you could use support in from this network of fellow educators? Erin: I wonder if KAEE could serve as the overarching coordinating body for regional EE networks in Kentucky and potentially serve as the fiscal agent for these networks. This would enable the networks to obtain grant funding without having to form a 501c3 or overly burden a partner nonprofit organization. I also see opportunities for KAEE to provide training, networking, or possibly even financial support to these budding networks.

KAEE: What is something you feel could be beneficial to share with this network? Erin: The Seven Fires Prophecy. The Seven Fires Prophecy is an Anishinaabe prophecy that marks phases, or epochs, in the life of the people on Turtle Island (North America). The seven fires of the prophecy represent key spiritual teachings, and suggest that the different colors and traditions of human beings can come together on a basis of respect. KAEE: Share one fun fact (or tidbit) about yourself with the group. Erin: I am a singer songwriter and released my debut album, Truckee to Kentucky, in Feb 2020. It consists of 12 original songs all recorded in my hometown of Paris, Kentucky.

​Next we had a chat with new board member, John Pollpeter. KAEE: What is your current role in the field of Environmental Education? John: I am currently the Lead Naturalist for the Friends of Land Between the Lakes at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area. I manage the Woodlands Nature Station and the Woodlands Nature watch area and have done so for the last 24 years. KAEE: What projects or programs are you working on that particularly inspire you? John: One of the things I find very rewarding is working on landscaping for wildlife, In particular the use of native gardening in attracting pollinators, songbirds, and other wildlife to suburban backyards. I also find it rewarding being part of the endangered Red Wolf breeding program as we have the only captive breeding pair in the state of Kentucky. Lastly, I've put a lot of focus on the need for creative play and imagination and teaching children. KAEE: What goals do you have for your organization or programs within the EE field? John: Currently, much of the focus for the Woodlands Nature Station has been in how to reach more and larger, diverse audiences, and how to make our programs more sustainable and encourage cost recovery. I would also like to see a larger tie-in to larger issues brought more locally - ie. climate change and what we can do personally.

KAEE: What is an area you feel you could use support in from this network of fellow educators? John: I think I can gain a lot of support through this network of environmental educators by gaining knowledge and experience in finding financial resources to support projects through grant writing and other EE resources that can enhance our programming and sustainability. KAEE: What is something you feel could be beneficial to share with this network? John: I think that I can offer perspective to KAEE and the board by representing far Western Kentucky and its needs and resources. My years of experience in conservation education can offer a different perspective or can add different experiences to the group as a whole. Also, as a disabled person, a person with a vision disability, I may be able to add a voice to a group of individuals that may have not had a voice before. KAEE: Share one fun fact (or tidbit) about yourself with the group! ​ John: Though sometimes I may appear quiet and serious, the number one lesson I’ve learned in my EE career (and the best advice I've ever received) is that in order to really engage an audience it helps to be a little goofy and silly sometimes. It is something I hold true today when I do animal characters, puppet shows, or singing at a campfire!

KAEE Member Feature: Michelle Goble and Tony Grubb

Our member interview today features not one but TWO environmental educators, Michelle Goble and Tony Grubb of Floyd County Conservation District. These educators strive to help their fellow citizens conserve natural resources through many programs such as school presentations, soil sampling, tree camp, seed giveaways and more. ​ First let’s chat with Michelle Goble.... KAEE: What is your current role at Floyd County Conservation District? Michelle: ​I am the Education Coordinator at FCCD. I also assist with the bookkeeping and administrative duties within our small organization. KAEE: What projects or programs are you working on that particularly inspire you? Michelle: I am currently working on expanding my preschool head start program. This program revolves around common story books, but I expand on them to include Kentucky wildlife and nature around us. I also enjoy updating and expanding on presentations that complement conservation. KAEE: What goals do you have for your organization or programs within the EE field? Michelle: I strive to bring joy and understanding of the environment that surrounds us to the children of Floyd County. KAEE: What is an area you feel you could use support in from this network of fellow educators? Michelle: I feel that it is important to stay in contact with others in my field to gather new or updated ideas. KAEE: What is something you feel could be beneficial to share with this network? Michelle: Don’t forget to reach out to your local homeschool groups. Most are very receptive to outside presenters. KAEE: Share one fun fact or random tidbit about you would like to share with the group! Michelle:I like raised bed gardening using the squarefoot method and I love raising and spoiling my Nigerian Dwarf goats.

Now let’s meet Tony Grubb... ​ KAEE: Where do you work and what is your current role? Tony: I currently serve as the office manager, conservation technician, and maintenance specialist at Floyd County Conservation District. KAEE: What projects or programs are you working on that particularly inspire you? Tony: I enjoy the various programs that allow me to work one on one with landowners. I enjoy helping folks implement best management environmental/agricultural practices on their property (soil sampling, site visits, etc). I also enjoy working with the University of Kentucky educational programs such as community giveaways (vegetable seed, cover crop seed, fruit trees, etc.). KAEE: What goals do you have for your organization or programs within the EE field? Tony: I’d love to see our district ranked and considered one of the best educational programs within the Commonwealth of Kentucky among all the conservations districts. We have been able to incorporate an early childhood program for our preschoolers and head start students and wish to expand on this program every year. KAEE: What is an area you feel you could use support in from this network of fellow educators? Tony: It would be very helpful to have a list with brief descriptions of the unique programs other members are implementing in their areas so that we could use them for ideas of ways to do similar programs in our region. KAEE: What is something you feel could be beneficial to share with this network? Tony: We have been successful in our endeavors due to our many partners. You are not alone in this journey, and if you would like to discuss some of the things we do, please give us a call. Please also contact your preschool teachers and head start teachers to see if you can correlate your programs with their students. Getting the students to start thinking at an early age about EE is very important. KAEE: Share one fun fact or tidbit about yourself with the group! Tony: I recently enjoyed biking 34 miles of the Virginia Creeper trail in several hours.