Welcome to the online home of the Delaware Association for Environmental Education.
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About DAEE
In 2008, representatives from environmental organizations and providers recognized the need for an environmental education association.
Our mission is to “promote environmental and outdoor education to facilitate positive community impacts on the conservation and sustainability of Delaware’s resources.” Using the environment as a basis for study can improve student achievement, reduce behavioral problems, and connect students and adults to tangible, real-world topics.
A 501(c)(3) organization, DAEE is governed by a Board of 10-20 Directors, elected to two-year, staggered terms, to ensure consistent leadership:
Chair: Lisa Watt, DNREC – DNREC/Delaware State Parks
Vice-Chair: Angel Burns, DNREC/Delaware State Parks
Treasurer: Ashley Melvin, Delaware Forest Service
Co-Treasurer: Trish Gerken, Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Secretary: Rick Mickowski, New Castle County Conservation District
Austin Conley, Delaware Museum of Natural History
Dean Goodwin, Tatnall School
Stacey Helmer, Delaware Solid Waste Authority
Connie Hendricks, The Jefferson School
Jennifer Holmes, DNREC/Delaware Coastal Programs
Todd Klawinski, Caesar Rodney School District
Lindsay Lancaster, Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids
Brian Marsh, US Fish & Wildlife Service
Claire Mickletz, DNREC/Delaware State Parks
Christopher Petrone, Delaware Sea Grant / Univ. of Delaware
Maggie Pletta, DNREC – DNREC/Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve
David Pragoff, Delaware Nature Society
Penny Rodrick-Williams, Tower Hill School
If you would like to join the DAEE Board, please complete this nomination form. The deadline is Friday, January 25, 2019.
Not interested in joining the Board, but want to be more involved? Join a DAEE committee:
- Marketing & Media Committee – Maximizes our organization’s marketing strategy and communications including the newsletter, website, and social media.
- Events (non-conference) & Program Planning Committee – Plans and implements non-conference DAEE events (behind-the-scenes tours, paddling trips, etc.), and professional development workshops.
- Membership Committee – Determines how to attract, retain, and best serve our members.
- Conference Committee – Plans and implements the annual DAEE conference.
- Finance Committee – Now that we are 501(c)(3) organization, bookkeeping is of utmost importance. This committee ensures the fiscal responsibility and well-being of DAEE.
- Strategic Plan Committee – Ensures DAEE is working toward its current strategic plan, and updates the document as needed, during its life.
- Budget Committee – Helps DAEE grow as an organization by creating monthly, annual, and multi-year budgets.
- Audit Committee – Works with an external auditor to ensure DAEE has proper financial reporting and disclosure.
DAEE is the official state affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).
Click here to read our quarterly newsletter.
Join us
Membership is typically available through our annual conference. However, look for special DAEE events that will include membership. Or, you can sign up here!
Current members, are you interested in joining the DAEE Board of Directors? We are now accepting nominations—including self-nominations—through January 31, 2018. Complete this form, and send it to DAEEonline@gmail.com.
Interested in having the DAEE quarterly newsletter delivered right to your email Inbox? You can subscribe by sending an email to DAEEonline@gmail.com.
Have a question or comment for DAEE? Email us!
Annual Conference
Our biggest benefit to membership and contribution to environmental education in the state is the annual conference. Held every February/March since 2010, this professional development opportunity for classroom and non-formal educators provides participants with current research, pedagogy, environmental education resources and networking.
The conference typically includes a keynote presentation, concurrent sessions, an auction which funds our mini-grant program, and exhibits.
Each year, the conference moves between Delaware’s three counties, in order to maximize reach.
For more information on the annual conference, click here.
Grants/Awards
Beginning in 2016, DAEE offers one (1) mini-grant, annually, of up to $500, to a current member, to conduct an environmental education project at their institution.
DAEE grant funds are derived from donations and the annual conference’s silent auction proceeds. The mini-grant is paid out as a reimbursement to the grantee.
Beginning in 2017, DAEE teamed up with the Delaware Children in Nature Coalition to offer Delaware environmental educators four annual awards.
For more information on DAEE mini-grants and awards, please click here.
Other Events
In addition to our annual conference in the winter, from time to time, DAEE offers special behind-the-scenes tours, professional development workshops, or paddling trips to members and non-members.
Upcoming DAEE supported events:
Past events include:
- Introduction to Program Evaluation
- Environmental Education for Early Childhood Workshop: Growing Up Wild & Project Learning Tree
- Pond Paddle & Mill Tour, Abbott’s Mill Nature Center
- Hike & Happy Hour at Flint Woods Preserve
- Environmental Literacy and Next Generation Science Standards workshop
- Members-only social at the Auburn Heights Preserve
- Members-only behind-the-scenes tour of the Mt. Cuba Center
- “Guidelines for Excellence: Best Practices in EE” workshops
- Kayak paddle and horseshoe crabs at Slaughter Beach and DuPont Nature Center
- Canoe paddle at the DuPont Environmental Education Center
- DAEE celebrates its 501(c)(3) status at Bertucci’s in Newark
- DAEE Astronomy Night
Stay tuned for more great events!
Job board
From time to time we will post job opportunities in the environmental education field for our partners and members. For the most part, these jobs are based somewhere in or near Delaware. Click here to find that perfect EE job!
