Louisville Orchestra Chief Executive Graham Parker announced as keynote speaker at KAEE Conference

Elizabethtown, Ky., August 23, 2023 – The Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) has announced that Louisville Orchestra Chief Executive Graham Parker will be the keynote speaker for this year’s Environmental Education Conference, set for Sept. 13-15 at the Cave Area Conference Center in Cave City.

Graham Parker was appointed as the Chief Executive, following a unanimous vote by the Board of Directors for the Louisville Orchestra in November 2022. A Peabody Award-winning

executive, Parker brings over 25 years of experience in leadership roles at a broad range of arts organizations. Most recently, he was the President of Decca Records US at Universal Music Group, working with some of the most significant global artists, including Max Richter, Bill Murray, Andrea Bocelli, Lang Lang, Idina Menzel and the New York Philharmonic. In addition, Parker created a new label to highlight creative American artists. It was through that label that he signed Teddy Abrams and the Louisville Orchestra, producing the 2017 album, All In, which reached #1 on Billboard’s Traditional Classical Chart, as well as 2019’s, The Order of Nature, the groundbreaking collaboration between the Louisville Orchestra and Louisville-native vocalist, guitarist and songwriter, Jim James.

The Louisville Orchestra recently completed the first section of their two year musical tour,

“In Harmony”, which began in May 2023. Intended to bring economic and artistic prosperity to all parts of Kentucky, the initiative allowed music patrons to explore the arts through musical and educational collaborations in various settings such as the outdoor amphitheater of the Stephen Foster Story in Bardstown and the Megacorp Pavilion in Newport. The tour dates were preceded by special performances with legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma on April 29 inside Kentucky’s iconic natural wonder, Mammoth Cave.

“We are thrilled that Graham Parker will be presenting at this year’s conference,” said Ashley Hoffman, KAEE Executive Director. “We believe Graham will provide an interesting perspective regarding the blending of music, art, nature and education. We hope our conference attendees will be inspired by his presentation to continue thinking outside of the box when it comes to the different facets of environmental education and its applications.”

Now in its 47th year, the Environmental Education Conference is an annual event designed to inspire attendees. The event offers over 30 interactive presentations featuring the innovative work being done in the field of environmental education, guided field trips to local natural wonders of Central Kentucky and networking opportunities with environmental educators and enthusiasts from across the state.

To register or to view the full conference schedule, visit www.kaee.org/conference. To learn more about Graham Parker and the Louisville Orchestra, visit: louisvilleorchestra.org.

KAEE receives multiple national grants

Elizabethtown, Ky., Aug. 17, 2023 –The Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) has received two national grants this week through the 2023 Water and Environment Grant Program awarded by the American Water Charitable Foundation and the Environmental Education Grant Program awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

In a press release, the American Water Charitable Foundation announced that "it has awarded a combined total of $1 million to 23 organizations in 11 states." One of which was KAEE. It was also reported that each application was evaluated competitively due to the amount of applications received and to fund programs with "a strong impact and measurable outcomes."

In a separate release, the Environmental Protection Agency announced the selection of 33 nationwide organizations to receive grants from the Environmental Education Grant Program in an amount totaling over $3.1 million. EPA Administrator, Michael S. Regan stated, "this year’s grant recipients represent some of the brightest minds from across the country, and they demonstrate what it means to couple the power of environmental education with a commitment to creating a future with clean air, clean water, and a healthy planet for all.”

KAEE is honored and excited to receive these grants to further the mission of providing environmental education opportunities across the Commonwealth.

Read the full PR's here:

American Water Charitable Foundation Release, published by Business Wire

EPA News Release

KAEE announces annual EE award recipients

Elizabethtown, Ky., Aug. 7, 2023 – The Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) has announced the recipients of the 2023 Excellence in EE Awards. Through the awards, KAEE recognizes those best exemplifying dedication, commitment and influence in the field of environmental education (EE).

The awards recognize the outstanding achievements of individuals, organizations, agencies, community efforts, schools and businesses in the field of EE. To be considered, the candidate must possess a minimum of two years of experience in the field of EE, and must have made noteworthy contributions to the advancement of EE in Kentucky, which they are still making.

Recipients and the awards they will receive are as follows:

Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Environmental Education

M.K. Dickerson Outstanding Educator Award for Excellence in Environmental Education

Rising Star Award for Excellence in Environmental Education

Outstanding Business Award for Excellence in Environmental Education

Outstanding PreK-12 School Award for Excellence in Environmental Education

Outstanding Community Partner Award for Excellence in Environmental Education

“These award recipients embody the true spirit of dedication, commitment and influence,” said Ashley Hoffman, Executive Director of KAEE. “They have made remarkable contributions to the advancement of environmental education in Kentucky, and their impact is still ongoing. Their efforts inspire all of us at KAEE to continue our mission of fostering environmental stewardship and creating a sustainable future.”

Awards will be presented during the Excellence in EE Awards Luncheon on Friday, Sept. 15 at the Cave Area Conference Center in Cave City, as part of the 2023 KAEE Conference. The luncheon will also include a panel discussion with the award recipients, moderated by the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Dr. Terry Wilson. The luncheon is set for noon CDT.

For more information about the Excellence in EE Awards, visit www.kaee.org/awards. For more information about the 2023 KAEE Conference and how to purchase tickets, visit www.kaee.org/conference.