TOPEKA, Kan. - The Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2010 Excellence in Conservation and Environmental Education Awards. Nominated by their peers, these awardees exhibit outstanding innovation, leadership and achievement, as well as collaboration and cooperation within the environmental education field. For the second year, three schools are receiving Kansas Green Schools of the Year Awards. "We are thrilled to honor these deserving individuals and organizations, who give so much of their time and are so dedicated to environmental education in Kansas," said KACEE President Schanee' Anderson, of the Sedgwick County Zoo.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - I grew up two blocks from my small town's public library. The Independent Township Library, to be exact.

I always wondered why the library had such a strange name, not knowing the history of townships in our state or why they were formed, way back when. At any rate, I would stagger home with my arms full of books from the time I could read.

By the time I graduated from high school, I had read every book in the building, plus hundreds more that the interlibrary loan van would bring every couple of weeks. I taught story time to 3-year-olds, and led the summer reading program.

The library was my window to the world, and through its treasures it made me realize that the world was a big place with a lot of opportunities.

TOPEKA, Kan. - And we're off! The 2010 election season is getting off to a quick start with several candidates declaring interest in running for office. State Senator Chris Steineger filed for the Secretary of State position last week, joining several others who have indicated interest in running for the seat.

His press release is below...

TOPEKA, Kan. - This is the last week nominations will be accepted for the 2010 Kansas Excellence in Conservation and Environmental Education Awards. The awards, given annually by the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE), recognize those people and organizations who have at least five years' service in conservation and/or environmental education. The awards include several categories:

• John K. Strickler Award
• KACEE Awards in Agriculture, Business/Industry, Community/Non-Profit, Government, PreK-16 Education
• Rising Star Award
• Kansas Green School of the Year Award (Elementary and Middle/High School)

LAWRENCE, Kan. - More than 120 people attended the 10th annual Kansas Environmental Education Conference here this weekend, including representatives with approximately 20 schools from the Kansas Green Schools Network. After a networking dinner Thursday night at sustainable foods restaurant Local Burger, participants started Friday morning with a keynote by Dudley Edmondson, nature photographer and author of the book, Black and Brown Faces in America's Wild Places.

After years of traveling around the U.S. photographing national parks and other outdoor spaces, Edmondson started wondering why he didn't see more people like himself there, ie people of color. His book features photographs and interviews with African Americans who work in environmental careers, in hopes they will encourage more engagement in outdoor activities and serve as "Outdoor Role Models" for African Americans, especially youth.

TOPEKA, Kan. - In one of her last acts before heading to Washington, DC, former Governor Kathleen Sebelius signed an Executive Order establishing the Kansas Coalition for Children in Nature (KCCN). The KCCN will work to promote outdoor learning experiences and environmental education for young people, and will identify barriers and suggest solutions to getting kids outside. And you're invited to take part.