DAEE Vision, Mission, Plan, Goals, and History
We are a volunteer led and run organization. Learn more about us below and get involved.
DAEE helps to ensure that every citizen in Delaware has the opportunity to become involved in meaningful outdoor experiences. DAEE provides resources for administrators, formal and non-formal educators, and concerned citizens on how and where to introduce students of all ages, to safe, educational, and life-changing outdoor experiences that will connect them to nature and instill the importance of conservation.
DAEE acknowledges the importance of conservation actions needed to sustain future resources and encourages every citizen to be aware of how their individual actions directly impact the natural resources that sustain them. DAEE’s Annual Conference provides insight for community leaders, educators, and citizens on how to learn about the environment, conservation methods, best practices in environmental education, sustainability initiatives, and opportunities for individuals to make a difference in their communities.
Environmentally literate communities that are engaged in responsible environmental behavior and stewardship.
Through DAEE’s efforts, every student in Delaware will participate in hands-on, outdoor education programs each year, and school administrations statewide will embrace sustainability initiatives in the districts and buildings. DAEE’s Annual Conference will be attended by hundreds of educators, community representatives, and citizens throughout Delaware seeking to learn about their environment, conservation methods, best practices in environmental education, sustainability initiatives, and new opportunities for involvement.
DAEE will be recognized as a national leader in the field. DAEE will ensure that every citizen in Delaware has the opportunity to become involved in meaningful outdoor experiences by publicizing local, regional, and national events and opportunities on the DAEE website, through press releases and public service announcements, and by providing grant funding for individuals and groups in need of support.
DAEE promotes environmental and outdoor education to facilitate positive impact on the conservation, protection, and sustainability of
Delaware’s natural resources by connecting communities to nature.
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.
- Opportunities for professional development and networking abound for formal and non-formal educators in the area of environmental and conservation education.
- Information and expertise on selected programs (i.e., outdoor learning places) are readily available.
- An environmental education provider directory that the environmental education community can use as a resource for networking and others can use for finding assistance.
- A yearly conference, which includes the annual meeting of DAEE.
- A website and social media presence to promote and share information about environmental education opportunities.
- A DAEE email database.
- Mini-grants for members to support environmental education initiatives.
- Encouragement to state leaders to establish mandated environmental education curriculum in Delaware schools.
- Promotion of the Delaware Environmental Literacy Plan.
In 2008, representatives from environmental organizations and environmental education providers came together in Delaware to address the need for an environmental education association that would help us all work together more effectively to reach more people and create positive change. From those efforts, DAEE was formed. In 2016, DAEE was recognized with a 501(c)3 designation and is the affiliate for the North American Association for Environmental Education – NAAEE.
Our history by the year:
2008
- Began life with the focus group of 24
2009
- Held open house at the St. Jones Reserve
- Developed a brochure
- Held officer elections and board of directors
- Held our first strategic planning session
- Became an NAAEE Affiliate member
- Held several board meetings
2010
- Held first conference at the Blue Ball Barn
- Held board and officer elections
- Held a Project WET and Project Learning Tree workshop
- Exhibit at the Delaware State Fair
- State Standards Workshop
- Began CIN representation on Task Force
- Bylaws adopted
- Held several board meetings
2011
- Held 2nd annual conference at St. Thomas More Academy
- Held board and officer elections
- Held Guidelines for Excellence workshop
- Held 2nd in-house strategic planning workshop
- Attended Mid-Atlantic Environmental Education Roundtable
- CINTaskforce
- Held several board meetings
2012
- Held 3rd annual conference Cape Henlopen State Park
- Held board and officer elections
- Provided financial support for CIN Kick-off event
- Mid-Atlantic Affiliate meeting
- Held several Board meetings
2013
- Held 4th annual conference Ashland Nature Center
- Held board and officer elections
- Attended Mid-Atlantic Affiliates Capacity Building workshop
- Held several board meetings, conference planning committee meetings, and events committee meetings
- CIN website donation
- Two outdoor social events through DNS offered – other activities being planned
- Strategic planning workshop on July 2
- Prepared new strategic plan
- Networking event at the Delaware Museum of Natural History in September
2014
- Held 5th annual conference at Milford High School
- Held board and officer elections
- Held Board meeting in late March
- Held networking event at Cuba Center for Piedmont Studies on May 9th
2015
- Held 6th annual conference at Sussex Technical High School on March 28th
- Held board and officer elections
- Held regularly scheduled board meetings and conference planning
- Held a joint canoe trip on the Christina River with the Delaware Native Plant Society and the Delaware Chapter American Water Resources Association on June 19th
2016
- Recognized with a 501 (c)3 nonprofit designation
- Held 7th annual conference at The Tatnall School on February 27th
- Held board and officer elections
- Held a joint event with the Delaware Chapter American Water Resources Association at the Auburn Heights Preserve and Steam Museum and the NVF re-development site on May 20th
- Canoe trip planned for June 11 th
- Program evaluation workshop being scheduled for
- Behind the scenes at the Brandywine Zoo planned for fall
- Touring the new Delaware National Park scheduled for late
2017
- Held 8th annual conference at The Pilot School on February 11th
- Held board and officer elections
2018
- Held 9th annual conference at Postlethwait Middle School on February 24th
- Held board and officer elections
2019
- Held 10th annual conference at The ASPIRA School on February 23th
- Held board and officer elections
- Delaware Children in Nature (now Delaware Communities in Nature) became part of DAEE
2020
- Held 11th annual conference at The Jefferson School (now Sussex Academy Elementary School) on February 29th
- Held board and officer elections
2021
- Held our first virtual annual conference April 20th and 21st
- Held board and officer elections
2022
- Completed our 2022-2025 DAEE Strategic Plan
- Held our 13th annual conference virtually on May 11th and 12th.
- Held board and officer elections