Lexington began offering waste education in our K – 12 schools and partnered with the revamp of the Recycle Center in 2008. Since then, the programs have expanded to include education about stormwater, sanitary sewers/wastewater and multimodal transportation.
Meet the team who serves you below.
Danny Woolums serves as the Environmental Education Coordinator for the team. He has 10 years of experience in environmental education and is a certified professional environmental educator accredited through the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). Danny is also certified as a workshop facilitator in many of the nation's leading environmental education curriculum and has led workshops across the state of Kentucky. He has served on the board of directors for the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education and was selected as a CEE-Change fellow through NAAEE. Danny loves working with teachers in the ongoing process of inspiring our youth to be engaged in shaping our tomorrow.
Dawn Bailey is an Environmental Educator who is dedicated to nurturing a passion for science, recycling, and water conservation in young learners. Dawn brings a wealth of experience, having worked as a kayak guide in Florida, ranger with the National Park Service, and educator at The Arboretum State Botanical Garden of Kentucky. She is excited to help kindergarten through eighth grade students in our community learn how they can make a difference and do their part to help protect our natural resources.
Ryelle Browning is an Environmental Educator with a degree in Environmental and Urban Studies from the University of Chicago. She is especially interested in the interactions between rural and urban environments. Grateful for the environmental education opportunities she had growing up in Kentucky and her professional experience teaching youth about marine conservation in Washington state, she is looking forward to sharing her passion for urban ecology with students today.
Sagan Goodpaster is an Environmental Educator with over 10 years of education experience who is passionate about integrating Environmental Education and Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM). With a PhD in STEM Education from the University of Kentucky, she has taught a variety of courses, worked in curriculum development and conducted research in both education and biology. She is excited to help students in our community learn more about our world.
Christie Hoskins is the Workforce Development Specialist. She is passionate about helping individuals with career soft skills coaching, pathway planning, upskilling and maximizing their full potential. Christie graduated in 2007 with an MBA and is certified as a Global Career Development Facilitator, with more than a decade of experience educating youth and adults throughout Missouri and Kentucky. She is thrilled to be back home in the Bluegrass and is passionate about increasing awareness of the career paths in the Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works.
Julia Maugans is the Alternative Transportation Educator, working on transportation and environmental outreach for three years during their time at the University of Kentucky, from where they graduated with a B.S. in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. Julia is a League Cycling Instructor through the League of American Bicyclists and is primarily a bicycle commuter. Through this work, they get great joy in being a part of a formative childhood experience: learning how to ride a bike.