My Nonprofit Reviews

I am a retired forester with over 50 years of experience in the natural resources field. I became involved with the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education (KACEE) shortly after it was organized over 40 years ago. KACEE was created as an association of diverse organizations dedicated to promotion of effective, science-based, non-biased environmental and conservation education throughout Kansas. Over my career, I have served as the head of the state forestry agency and the state wildlife and parks agency as well as two years on the Governor's staff. In these positions, I have been involved in a range of controversial natural resource issues. Throughout the time I held these positions, I continued to be actively involved with KACEE, because I recognized that long-term solutions to our environmental problems were dependent upon an educated citizenry who could weigh various sides of complex environmental issues and make and support informed, balanced decisions. KACEE's programs with training in hands-on problem solving and critical thinking skills seemed the approach that was needed. KACEE is somewhat unique in that it started as an association of organizations rather than individuals and its membership has grown to over 200 agencies, non-profits, educational institutions at various levels, and business and industry. These organizations hold widely divergent views on environmental issues, but can agree that balanced, non-biased environmental education that presents various sides on the issues is where they can agree and support a common cause. For many years, KACEE was an all volunteer organization, but through its success, now has a small dedicated professional staff supported by a wide network of volunteers and partners. I have found my association with KACEE and its network of partners to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

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