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.