West Kentucky Community and Technical College, demonstrably committed to environmental education, has been named the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education's 2020 Outstanding Community Partner for Excellence in EE.
Education is a major component of the college’s 2020-2025 sustainability plan, and WKCTC and Murray State University recently developed an Earth and Environmental Sciences Sustainability and Environmental Science Pathway for WKCTC students interested in environmental sciences wanting to transfer to MSU. Biology courses and the required First Year Experience course (FYE) modules have environmental learning outcomes. FYE students do career exploration using Story Maps, and stream sampling field work is conducted in ecology lab.
WKCTC is working to obtain Arbor Foundation Tree Campus, USA designation, which requires tree education and service learning. Biology 120 (Human Ecology) students are identifying and mapping trees on the college’s campus, and the Campus Nature Trail revitalization, a project initiated by students, will connect WKCTC’s east and west sides and will include signage.
The college also hosts an Environmental Education Leadership Corps member, who provides environmental education across WKCTC and surrounding communities, guides local activities, and establishes relationships with internal and community groups. In 2020-21, the EEL Corps member will develop online environmental and sustainable development learning opportunities.
Other examples of WKCTC’s environmental education commitment focus on faculty, staff, and the community. Faculty and staff EE opportunities include a Green Office pilot; professional development opportunities such as climate literacy workshops and the "Greening the Campus and Health" walking and idea generation session; and an intranet site to communicate and develop projects remotely.