KAEE Member Feature: Kentucky Division for Air Quality

In a world of increasing energy demand, climate change, and a global pandemic, air quality education is more important than ever. The Kentucky Division for Air Quality not only works with facilities to regulate air pollution in the state but also provides significant education and outreach programs to environmental educators and community groups. The programs cover air pollution sources and solutions and focus heavily on the social science aspect of air pollution. They strive to highlight the ways in which every-day individual choices affect Kentucky’s air quality. For example, some topics include illegal versus legal trash burning along with simple choices such as leaving your car running at your kid’s school pick up line.

The head of the division’s education and outreach, Roberta Burnes, served on KAEE’s board for several years and is now focusing her efforts on adapting to the new, virtual world. In the past, Burnes has always conducted educational trainings in-person and worked with students directly to develop student-led idle reduction programs. Now, Burnes is working to transition all educational materials and programs into a virtual format while ensuring accessibility to all students and educators. As Burnes hopes to return to in-person outreach next fall, she is currently focusing on making the virtual streaming programs accessible and effective for K-12 education.

So far, Burnes has completed one virtual streaming lesson and feels confident in continuing the virtual formats in 2021. Burnes has also created virtual lesson plans, a story map, and activities for educators and is working to add more to the list. To check them out and explore more about the division’s education efforts, visit their website:

https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Air/Pages/Education-and-Outreach.aspx

If you are interested in integrating a lesson from the division into your classroom, contact Roberta Burnes today at, Roberta.burnes@ky.gov.

KAEE Member Feature: Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest

At KAEE, we have the opportunity to interact with a variety of members that all dedicate their time to promoting the environment and EE. Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, located in Clermont, Kentucky, is one of many members at KAEE who provide unique opportunities for the environmental education efforts of Kentucky. Bernheim provides a variety of in-person opportunities such as educational field trips and guided hikes. Through exploring Bernheim, you may end up interacting with the Edible Garden, a living and sustainable classroom that helps to connect people to gardening and ecology. The Edible Garden is just one of many environmental projects in Bernheim’s efforts.

Starting in the 1930s, Bernheim has conducted research projects in order to apply ecology to their management and ecological practices. Since then, they have fostered their environmental knowledge and research into the learning opportunities they provide both to students and educators. The research is not only used in informing the best practices in land protection and conservation for educators, but also in special efforts such as their recent Minecraft creation, “Wood and Pixels.” This interactive Minecraft world comes with an educational edition, which allows educators to engage and inspire students through exploring Bernheim with NPC guides and various learning materials throughout the game.

As part of their fall fundraising campaign, Bernheim is hosting a series of virtual conversations throughout November and early December via zoom called, “For the Planet, For You.” These presentations are aimed to highlight all that their team does for the planet, visitors, and the community. Anyone can register to learn about their Climate Action Committee and team members, including a Bluegrass Botanicals focused presentation by their current artist in residence, Gabriella Boros. Check out program calendar and/or register by clicking here!

Learn more about Bernheim’s extensive list of trees, plants, and wildlife or facts on horticulture and wildlife by clicking here.

Welcome to our New Board Members

Meg Gravil Dr. Meg Gravil teaches Interdisciplinary Early Childhood (IECE) courses and conducts research in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisville. Meg joined U of L faculty in 2019 after completing her PhD in IECE at the University of Kentucky, where she received the Nietzel Distinguished Faculty Award for her dissertation. She has more than 15 years’ experience in early childhood research and evaluation. She served as the Research Manager for the state-wide KIDS Now Evaluation and as Assistant Director of the UK Evaluation Center, housed in the Department of Education Policy and Evaluation. She was also a Graduate Assistant on an IES Goal 5 grant, creating and piloting alternative assessments for students with disabilities in math. Her current research includes collaborative work with staff at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest as the organization designs and constructs their new outdoor playcosystem. As a Kentucky Certified Professional Environmental Educator, Meg is excited to share her enthusiasm for nature-based learning with young children and future teacher educators. Her research interests include using environmental education as part of an integrated curriculum, science education in early childhood classrooms, and nature-based learning.

Maddy Heredia Maddy, the recipient of KAEE's 2020 Rising Star Award for Excellence in Environmental Education, is the first full-time environmental educator in the 40-year history of Kentucky Nature Preserves. In her first year, she initiated new partnerships with natural areas throughout the state for field trips, oversaw new citizen science projects, expanded social media presence, developed interpretive signage, and developed KNP's Kentucky Nature Summit, the largest multi-agency EE event in the agencies history. She is currently Information and Education (I&E) committee chair for the Kentucky Prescribed Fire Council (KPFC).

Dan Pascucci Dan Pascucci is the Family and Youth Program Manager at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest in Clermont, Kentucky, where he energetically leads school groups and families through experiences that connect them with nature. He is a passionate, award-winning educator who has been involved in EE from New England to Alaska to California to Kentucky. Dan believes that environmental education is an essential element to connect people with themselves and to help people recognize their connections with each other and the planet. Dan enjoys composing and performing educational songs on his mandolin and might teach you a couple of songs if you ask. He is dedicated to making people laugh and think.

Henrietta Sheffel Henrietta was a KAEE Board member from 2012-2019 and served as KAEE treasurer from 2013-2019. She also served as the Kentucky Heritage Quilt Society treasurer from June 2018-June 2020. Other associations she has been part of in membership or leadership roles include serving as president of the Quicksand Area Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (October 2013-October 2019); acting president Quicksand Area Ky. Extension Homemakers Association (October 2019-present); secretary of Breathitt Co. KY-ASAP (2011-present); secretary/treasurer for Breathitt UNITE Coalition, Inc. (2011-present); treasurer for Breathitt Co. Extension Homemakers Association (May 2018 - present); secretary/clerk/substitute Sunday School teacher/Kids Klub co-teacher Emmanuel Fellowship of Breathitt County (2002 - present); registrar for NSDAR Hazard chapter (May 2013- present); Regent for NSDAR Hazard chapter (May 2019-present); president of Breathitt County Extension Council (May 2020-present); and treasurer of the Red River Academic League (2000- present).