Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education has New Executive Director

The Colorado State Forest Service has hired Kathryn “Katie” Navin to serve as the new executive director of the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, a statewide organization dedicated to increasing the effectiveness of environmental education in Colorado.

The CAEE supports and promotes quality environmental education opportunities by facilitating communication, coordination and professional development among the diverse environmental education programs in the state. During the last 20 years, the alliance has grown to include more than 700 members, 150 active volunteers and several well-established projects.

“We are pleased to have Katie serve CAEE in this important role,” said Jeff Jahnke, state forester and director, Colorado State Forest Service, an outreach agency of the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University. “Katie’s passion, knowledge, experience and relationships with others who share her concern for environmental education will help launch a new era for CAEE.”

The Colorado State Forest Service oversees the program.

Navin studied natural resource interpretation at Colorado State University and went on to receive a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in environmental education from Florida Atlantic University. She has served as an environmental educator and developed curriculum in seven states for a broad range of organizations including museums and residential outdoor facilities.

Navin’s career with the CAEE began in May 2008 when she was hired as the program coordinator. Since then, she has worked closely with CAEE committees, environmental literacy planning efforts and the Colorado Department of Education to revise state standards for environmental education.

"The board is excited to see Katie step into the executive director position with CAEE. She has a vision for the organization that will take it to a new level – and raise the profile of environmental education in Colorado. She is the right person at the right time for CAEE,” said Julie Gustafson, president of the CAEE Board of Directors.

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