On May 1, educators from across Kentucky gathered at Bernheim Forest & Arboretum for KAEE’s inaugural Early Learning Symposium, a new professional learning event designed specifically for early childhood educators interested in nature-based learning and environmental education. More than 80 educators representing daycares, forest schools, public school systems, agencies, and nonprofit organizations came together to explore how outdoor environments can support young learners’ growth,...

By Perry Thomas Why Wetlands Matter: Celebrating May as National Wetlands Month If you start looking for wetlands in Kentucky, you quickly realize they’re everywhere. They appear in obvious places—marshes, ponds, creeks, and river bottoms—but also in quieter corners of the landscape: low spots along a farm field, wooded floodplains beside streams, or shallow pools that form after spring rains. These landscapes are part of the fabric of our state, shaping both the natural environment and the...

Today we’re celebrating a truly special milestone—Brittany Wray’s 10-year anniversary with KAEE. Over the past decade, Brittany has grown from Operations Coordinator to Education Director to Deputy Director, helping lead KAEE through an incredible period of growth and impact. When Brittany joined our team, we had just two full-time staff. Today, we are a small but mighty organization with a strong presence across Kentucky and at the regional and national levels. Brittany has been a driving...