2025 PLT Annual Conference: Empowering the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders

The 2025 Project Learning Tree (PLT) Annual Conference, held from March 10-13 in scenic Clemson, South Carolina, was a remarkable gathering of passionate environmental educators, advocates, and community leaders. This event highlighted the importance of connecting young people with the outdoors, equipping them with the skills to make informed decisions, and encouraging personal responsibility for sustaining the environment.

The conference offered an array of opportunities for attendees to engage in meaningful discussions and hands-on activities focused on fostering environmental stewardship among the younger generation. Through Project Learning Tree’s diverse programs, educators learned how to use the tools of PLT to help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while also instilling in them a deep respect for nature.

With a range of concurrent seedling sessions, attendees dove into specialized topics such as climate change education, sustainability practices, and innovative outdoor education strategies. These sessions were designed to inspire educators to bring nature-based learning to their classrooms, communities, and beyond.

The conference also offered numerous networking opportunities, allowing attendees to build relationships and collaborate on future environmental education initiatives. These connections will help continue the growth of PLT and the broader environmental education community.

Celebrating Excellence: The Gold Star Award

A special moment at the conference was the recognition of KAEE’s Executive Director, Ashley Hoffman, as a winner of the prestigious PLT Gold Star Award. This honor recognizes outstanding PLT Coordinators and partners who have advanced PLT’s mission and served as ambassadors for environmental education. Ashley’s leadership and dedication to connecting young people with nature were celebrated by all in attendance.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 PLT Annual Conference was an inspiring event that fueled the passion for environmental education and strengthened the community of educators dedicated to fostering the next generation of environmental leaders. We’re excited to see the ongoing impact of the conference and look forward to continuing the mission of connecting young people to the outdoors.

Celebrating Katherine Bullock: Recipient of the 2025 Project WET Facilitator of the Year Award

We are excited to celebrate Katherine Bullock, the recipient of this year’s WET Facilitator of the Year Award, which honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in environmental education. Katherine serves as an Extension Educator at the University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, where she plays a pivotal role in translating university research on water quality, climate change, and environmental stewardship into engaging, user-friendly programs for Kentuckians.

Katherine’s work blends her passion for outdoor education with a deep understanding of current climate science. She facilitates numerous workshops for non-formal educators and extension professionals through Project WET, Project Learning Tree, and Project WILD, always with a focus on climate change. Her creativity shines as she integrates arts and science to make learning experiences both impactful and fun.

Before joining the University of Kentucky’s Extension team, Katherine served as the Education Director for the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE), where she played a key role in rebuilding Kentucky’s eeFacilitator network and re-creating the Kentucky Green Schools Program. Her dedication to fostering strong community partnerships and offering robust professional development has had a lasting impact on environmental education across the state.

In her free time, Katherine enjoys creating art and spending time outdoors with her family. We are thrilled to honor Katherine’s contributions to environmental education and her commitment to connecting learners with the natural world.

A Look Back at KAEE’s 2025 Outdoor Education Reception at the Capitol

On March 4, 2025, the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) teamed up with the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) for the second annual Outdoor Education Day at the Capitol. This important event brought together environmental educators, outdoor policy experts, and Kentucky legislators to explore the growing impact of outdoor education and advocate for vital policy changes that support our state’s future.

A Day of Advocacy and Collaboration

This year’s event focused on advancing outdoor education initiatives and fostering strong partnerships with Kentucky’s lawmakers. One of the key topics of discussion was outdoor preschool licensing, and the effort to identify a new legislative champion for this important cause. We continue to advocate for policies that give young children the opportunity to learn in nature-filled environments from an early age.

Representative Nima Kulkarni was instrumental in helping to organize this year’s event. Her commitment to supporting outdoor education and environmental issues made a lasting impact on attendees.

The day began with a lively and engaging lunch in the Capitol Annex, where outdoor educators and legislators had the opportunity to connect and discuss potential policies that could positively impact outdoor education in Kentucky. This was followed by a fun and informative tabling session on the Annex lawn, where KAEE and its partners showcased their work and shared information about their programs with lawmakers.

Our Partners and Participants

This year’s event was made possible by the collaboration of many outstanding organizations. Some of the groups that participated in the reception included:

• Foundation for the Ohio River Education

• Mercy Academy

• Asbury University’s Kentucky Outdoor Institute & KAEE

• Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves

  
  

Each of these organizations plays a vital role in advancing outdoor education and fostering a deeper connection with nature. Their contributions to the event helped to make it a success, providing a platform for meaningful dialogue with legislators.

The Importance of Outdoor Education

Outdoor education offers a wide range of benefits, from improving childhood health by increasing physical activity and reducing nearsightedness to enhancing academic performance by boosting school readiness and reducing disruptive behavior. Additionally, it fosters a deeper appreciation for Kentucky’s rich natural resources and outdoor heritage. These advantages highlight the need for policies that expand outdoor learning opportunities, helping nurture a generation that values the environment and is better equipped to face future challenges.

To get involved with our advocacy efforts, contact Ashley Hoffman at director@kaee.org.