Kentucky Senate Honors KAEE’s 50th Anniversary

This year is a big one for the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE). As KAEE celebrates 50 years of impact, that milestone is now being recognized at the state level through Kentucky Senate Resolution 177 and Senate Resolution 182.

Adopted on March 26, 2026, the resolutions honor KAEE’s long-standing commitment to advancing environmental education across the Commonwealth. What started in 1976 as a fully volunteer-led organization has grown into a statewide network supporting educators, students, and communities through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences.

Over the years, KAEE has played a key role in shaping environmental education in Kentucky. From helping inform the creation of the Kentucky Environmental Education Council in 1990 to supporting legislation that expanded funding for environmental education and conservation, the organization has consistently been part of the bigger picture. The resolutions also included co-sponsors Senator Gerald A. Neal (D), Senator Matthew Deneen (R), Senator Reginald L. Thomas (D), Senator Robin L. Webb (R), and Senator Keturah J. Herron (D), reflecting a shared commitment to this work across the aisle.

The resolutions also highlight the many ways KAEE continues to show up today, whether that’s through programs like Kentucky Green Schools, professional development opportunities, or partnerships with educators and organizations across the state. Even through challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, KAEE has continued to grow and adapt, reaching more communities and expanding its impact.

At its core, this recognition is about people. The educators, partners, board members, and volunteers who have dedicated their time and energy over the past five decades to make environmental education more accessible and meaningful in Kentucky. The Senate specifically commended those individuals and encouraged continued collaboration to keep that momentum going.

Looking ahead, the resolutions also point to what’s next, including KAEE’s 2026 Annual Conference in Lexington this November. It’s a reminder that while this milestone is worth celebrating, the work is ongoing and there are still plenty of ways to be part of it.

Fifty years in, this moment is both a celebration and a reflection of the impact KAEE has had and continues to have across Kentucky.