Welcome to the online home of the Delaware Association for Environmental Education.
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 – Delaware State Parks
Vice-Chair: Angel Burns, DNREC – Children in Nature
Treasurer: Ashley Peebles, Delaware Forest Service
Co-Treasurer: Trish Gerken, Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs
Secretary: Rick Mickowski, New Castle County Conservation District
Jennifer Bowman
Austin Conley, Delaware Museum of Natural History
Dean Goodwin, Tatnall School
Lindsay Lancaster, Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids
Claire Mickletz, DNREC – Delaware State Parks
Cathleen Perrotto, Delaware Museum of Natural History
Christopher Petrone, Delaware Sea Grant / Univ. of Delaware
Maggie Pletta, DNREC – Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve
David Pragoff, Delaware Nature Society
DAEE is the official state affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).
Click here to read our quarterly newsletter.
Join us
DAEE MEMBERSHIP DRIVE IS ON!
Don’t miss out! Follow this link to the $20 membership ticket on Eventbrite.
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.
Mini-grants
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.
For more information on the DAEE mini-grant program, 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:
- Environmental Education for Early Childhood Workshop: Growing Up Wild & Project Learning Tree, August 23, 2017, at Blackbird State Forest Education Center, Townsend, DE. Cost is free, but registration is required. Includes training, guidebooks, one-year membership to DAEE, and lunch
- Introduction to Program Evaluation, September 12, 2017, 2:00-5:00pm, at the DuPont Environmental Education Center, Wilmington, DE. Cost is $20 and registration is required. The deadline for registration is September 1, 2017. For more information contact David Pragoff (davidp@delnature.org or 302-239-2334 ext. 133).
- Children in Nature Month, October 2017
Past events include:
- 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
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!
