Kansas Association for Conservation & Environmental Education

09/02/2026

"We've got to provide the learning resources, the educator supports, and usable outdoor learning spaces... Confidence and permission are the two things we hear over and over that educators don't feel like they have. So let's build it."

–Clark Seipt, Director of Sustainability for Loudoun County Public Schools on scaling sustainability across large school districts.

Watch the webinar here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUQ5BveMNA

Kansas Green Schools Program North American Association for Environmental Education - NAAEE

Explore how environmental education can be leveraged as a unifying ...

08/31/2026

Did you know the world throws away 92 million tons of clothing every year — the equivalent of a garbage truck full of clothes every second? Yet most clothing is only worn 7–10 times before being discarded. What if your future career helped solve one of the world's fastest-growing environmental problems while working with some of the biggest brands on the planet?

Camille Carbajal shares how reading a book about Ben & Jerry's ice cream completely changed the direction of her life and introduced her to the growing field of corporate sustainability. From working with companies in Australia to roles at DuPont, PepsiCo, Nike, Meta, and now lululemon, Camille explains how businesses are rethinking fashion, reducing waste, and developing innovative materials made from recycled products. You'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how lululemon creates second-life programs for clothing and partners with startups developing new sustainable fabrics.

Camille's story highlights one of the fastest-growing career fields today — helping companies become better for people and the planet. Whether you're interested in fashion, business, marketing, science, technology, communication, or entrepreneurship, sustainable fashion careers are creating exciting new opportunities to drive change from the inside. Her message is simple: find what brings you joy and use your talents to help build a better future.

Watch Camille talk to us about her career at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O58_-mPOd-o

Learn more about green career pathways by visiting greenpathways.org

08/28/2026

Last Call: Submit a Proposal for the 2026 Kansas & Missouri Environmental Education Conference!

🌌 FROM SOIL TO THE STARS: SYSTEMS CONNECT US ALL 🌌

Session Strands Include:

🌎 Relationships that sustain us: Land, place, and belonging

💚 Systems that sustain us: One Health, thriving communities

🤝 Connections that sustain us: Networks, partnerships, and collective power

We invite you to submit a proposal for a concurrent session presentation and be a part of the 2026 Kansas & Missouri Environmental Education Conference, taking place at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Conference Center in Kansas City, Missouri on October 27, 2026.

The conference offers a great opportunity to share your experience and ideas across Kansas and Missouri! Individuals who have not presented at our Environmental Education Conference in the past are especially encouraged to submit proposals. Submit your proposal at https://www.kacee.org/ee-conference-proposal

08/28/2026

ICYMI: Growing Future-Ready Students: How Environmental Education Advances District Priorities, presented by North American Association for Environmental Education - NAAEE's Superintendents' Environmental Education Collaborative (SEEC) and Project Learning Tree.

School leaders are frequently asked to do more with less. What if one approach could help advance multiple district priorities at once? This presentation explores how environmental education can be leveraged as a unifying strategy to help districts achieve strategic goals.

Hear from education leaders and practitioners who are using environmental education to:

- Strengthen interdisciplinary teaching and learning across STEM, English language arts, social studies, and the arts.

- Cultivate positive youth development through authentic, hands-on learning experiences.

- Expand career exploration and workforce readiness by connecting students with high-demand careers in natural resources, sustainability, and beyond.

- Forge meaningful partnerships with nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations that enrich student learning and strengthen local connections.

Watch the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUQ5BveMNA

Explore how environmental education can be leveraged as a unifying ...

08/21/2026

KACEE Executive Director, Laura Downey, was featured on FOX 43 AM LIVE's Giving Back segment on August 19th!

She shared with viewers about KACEE's amplification model — How we work with educators in classrooms, nature centers, zoos, and more, providing them with the tools and strategies they need to teach Kansas kids about ecosystems, water, and the places we live through hands-on environmental education.

Laura talked about how outdoor learning is helpful for teachers and students, especially as there's growing concern for kids spending too much time on screens.

The Kansas Green Schools Program and Washburn Rural High School got a special shout-out, and Laura also shared about the upcoming Topeka Water Festival we're hosting for area 4th graders at Garfield Park in Topeka on September 17th!

Learn more about us at kacee.org!

https://www.ksnt.com/video/fox-43-am-live-giving-back-kansas-association-of-conservation-and-environmental-education/12084125

Fox 43 AM Live Giving Back Kansas Association of Conservation and Environmental Education

08/10/2026

School leaders are frequently asked to do more with less. What if one approach could help advance multiple district priorities at once?

Join the North American Association for Environmental Education - NAAEE's Superintendents' Environmental Education Collaborative (SEEC) and Project Learning Tree on Wednesday, August 19, at 2:00 PM CST to explore how environmental education can be leveraged as a unifying strategy to help districts achieve strategic goals.

Hear from education leaders and practitioners who are using environmental education to:

- Strengthen interdisciplinary teaching and learning across STEM, English language arts, social studies, and the arts.

- Cultivate positive youth development through authentic, hands-on learning experiences.

- Expand career exploration and workforce readiness by connecting students with high-demand careers in natural resources, sustainability, and beyond.

- Forge meaningful partnerships with nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations that enrich student learning and strengthen local connections.

No district succeeds alone. Join a growing network of education leaders committed to preparing future-ready students through innovative partnerships, shared learning, and practical strategies you can adapt in your own schools and communities.

Register at

Join the Superintendents' Environmental Education Collaborative and Project Learning Tree on Wednesday, August 19, at 3:00 PM ET to explore how environmental education can be leveraged as a unifying strategy to help districts achieve strategic goals. No district succeeds alone. Join a growing networ...

08/06/2026

Join North American Association for Environmental Education - NAAEE for a free webinar on Tuesday, August 11th at 11 AM CST on Collaborative Leadership and Trust Building.

Collaborative leadership—based on trust, relationships, and community members at the center—inspires engagement and sustains participation. Join the Antioch ee360+ team for their virtual “Munch n Learn” to explore what it means to turn towards each other, lead through conflict, build trust, and deepen your understanding of yourself and your community.

Register at https://eepro.naaee.org/learning/collaborative-leadership-and-trust-building-ee360

SUNY ESF Antioch University New England

Join the Antioch ee360+ team for a workshop exploring what it means to turn toward one another, lead through conflict, build trust, and deepen your understanding of yourself and your community. | Tuesday, August 11, 12:00–1:15 PM Eastern Time

08/03/2026

Hey, Kansas teachers! As you gear up for the 2026-2027 school year, we are thinking about how we can support you and your environmental education efforts.

We learned in the past professional development participant survey (conducted earlier this year) that the biggest barriers to environmental education are things like getting classroom coverage to attend environmental education PD opportunities, finding resources tailored to your community or grade level, and... burnout. 🔥

Introducing: The Teachers' Lounge. A (virtual, for now) space for teachers to connect with KACEE and one another, bring questions and challenges, and ultimately feel seen and heard.

Join us for the first Teachers' Lounge on Thursday, September 3rd at 4:30 PM: https://www.kacee.org/event-details/teachers-lounge

Come for the conversation. Stay for the connection.

07/31/2026

Grassland Groupies is looking for volunteers to help at The 4th Annual ICT Bee Fest this year on Saturday, September 5th from 10am - 1pm at the Mid-America All-Indian Museum. This event is all about education around pollinator conservation and providing hands-on experiences to help empower people to make a difference. Activities for volunteer station assignments include: bumblebee petting zoo, butterfly house, insect netting, native plant seed giveaway, native plant gardening information, and merch sales.

New volunteers will have experienced partners at their station and you do not need to be an expert to help out as training and talking points are provided. All that is required is a passion for pollinators! In addition to training, volunteers will also receive some pollinator swag, lunch, and will have the option to be indoors or outdoors.

Questions and sign-up: [email protected]

Photos: ICT Bee Fest 2025 by Winding Road Media

07/30/2026

Great Plains Nature Center is looking for its next eeCorps service member to join their staff for the 2026-2027 service year!

Learn more and apply at kacee.org/americorps-eecorps 💚

AmeriCorps Kansas Volunteer Commission