Spotlight on Excellence: Willa Dawn Bayne, 2025 Rising Star Award Recipient

The Kentucky Association for Environmental Education is thrilled to honor Willa Dawn Bayne as the recipient of the 2025 Rising Star Award! In just two years as the Member Engagement Coordinator for Kentucky’s AmeriCorps program, Willa has already made a lasting mark on the state’s environmental education community.

While her work takes place behind the scenes, her impact is felt statewide. Willa has built a strong foundation of support, mentorship, and community for AmeriCorps members—many of whom are early-career educators or recent graduates stepping into

the environmental education field. Through her thoughtful leadership, she has created an engagement program that blends professional development, resource sharing, wellness practices, and individualized support, ensuring that members feel both equipped and empowered to succeed.

Her commitment to nurturing the next generation of environmental educators has already strengthened Kentucky’s environmental education network, creating a more inclusive and resilient community of practitioners. As her colleagues note, Willa’s leadership, innovation, and unwavering dedication are what truly make her a “rising star.”

We are proud to celebrate Willa’s contributions and cannot wait to see the many ways she will continue to shape and elevate environmental education in the years ahead.

We are honored to have Willa Dawn Bayne and our 2025 award winners as part of the KAEE network. We look forward to celebrating them at this year’s KAEE Conference. Awards will be presented during our Annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, November 14, from 12:00 to 1:30 PM at the Owensboro Convention Center.