MAEOE History Timeline

A Brief History

Year: 1985

Board Members:
Bernie Samm - President
George Radcliffe - President Elect
Kathy Gugulis - Secretary
Bob Evans - Treasurer

Milestones:
* In the fall of 1984, at the Maryland State Department of Education Environmental Education Briefing at Fairview Outdoor Education Center in Clear Spring, Md., a survey distributed to environmental educators, identified needs that could be met through a state-wide environmental education association.
* Informal meetings followed, at which volunteers - guided by Joe Howard, Gary Heath and Mary Barber - drafted the organization's first by laws. The by-laws were modeled on those of the Montgomery County Outdoor Education Association.
* On April 25, 1985, 30 people met at the Smith Center in Rockville, Md., and launched a statewide association of environmental and outdoor educators. The association's first bylaws were adopted at this meeting.
* The association's first typewritten newsletter was produced in March. A second newsletter, produced by Bernie Samm, followed in May.

Year: 1986

Conference Site: Horn Point Environmental Laboratories, Cambridge, Md.

Board Members:


George Radcliffe - President
Bernie Samm - Past President
Scott Wible - President Elect
Anne Sieling - Secretary
Bob Evans Ò Treasurer Barbara Rice

Gary Heath
Avadna Coghill
Gregory Wilkes
Gail Abrams


Milestones:
* The first conference was organized by George Radcliffe. More than 160 participants turned out. This inaugurated a practice of the president assuming the responsibility of the conference chair. Conference registration cost $7.00 for members and $12.00 for non-members and it included lunch.
* Barbara Rice edits and oversees production of the first professionally designed newsletter. Features included film reviews and "Teacher to Teacher," a 2-page classroom-based activity that became a regular part of the newsletter for the next five years. Production and distribution of the newsletter was funded by the newly formed Chesapeake Bay Trust.

Year: 1987

Conference Site: Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center, Annapolis, Maryland

Board Members:


Scott Wible - President
George Radcliffe - Past President
Avadna Coghill - President Elect
Ben Hren - Secretary
Gregory Wilkes - Treasurer
Gary Heath
Bernie Samm
Gail Abrams


Milestones:
* The 1987 conference was the first over-night, two-day event. Participants were housed in the center's dorms.
* Gail Abrams assumes newsletter editing and production responsibility in the fall.
* MAEOE initiated work on a state directory to environmental and outdoor education services and facilities.

Year: 1988

Conference Site: Camp Greentop, Thurmont, Maryland

Board Members:


Avadna Coghill - President
Scott Wible - Past President
Dave Honchalk - President Elect
Ben Hren - Secretary
Gregory Wilkes - Treasurer
Gary Heath
Bernie Samm
George Radcliffe
Gail Abrams


Milestones:
* The 1988 conference was the first three-day event, with optional Sunday field trips. The Frederick County Superintendent of Schools addressed conference goers after lunch.
* Many members testified before the Maryland Senate in support of the Maryland State Environmental Education Act. The act was never passed into law.

Year: 1989
Conference Site: Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center, Rockville, Maryland

Board Members:


Dave Honchalk - President
Avadna Coghill - Past President
Glen Swiston - President Elect
Ben Hren - Secretary
Gregory Wilkes - Treasurer
Gary Heath
Bernie Samm
George Radcliffe
Scott Wible
Gail Abrams


Milestones:
* MAEOE completed work on the state environmental education directory. 520 copies were distributed to educators statewide.

Year: 1990

Conference Site: Oregon Ridge Nature Center, Lutherville, Maryland

Board Members:


Glen Swiston - President
Dave Honchalk - Past President
Steve Heacock - President Elect
Sue Johns - Secretary
Gregory Wilkes - Treasurer
Gary Heath
Bernie Samm
George Radcliffe
Scott Wible
Gail Abrams
Matt Gay
Mary Bird


Milestones:
* More than 200 people attended the conference, making it the largest to date.
* Gail Abrams stepped down as newsletter editor, initiating a period of irregular communication with members.
* Committees were formed to address strategic planning and membership development.

Year: 1991

Conference Site: Hashawha Environmental Appreciation Center, Westminster, Maryland

Board Members:

Steve Heacock - President
Glen Swiston - Past President
Matt Gay - President Elect
Sue Johns - Secretary
Ben Hren - Treasurer
Bernie Samm
George Radcliffe
Dave Honchalk
Mary Bird
Vinny Duffy


Milestones:
* First discussed holding the annual conference at a facility other than an environmental/outdoor education center.
* Students helped prepare for and run the conference. A range of student workshops were offered at the conference.

Year: 1992

Conference Site: Camp Letts, Edgewater, Maryland

Board Members:


George Radcliffe - President
Steve Heacock - Past President
Ben Hren - Treasurer
Sue Johns - Secretary
Britt Slattery
Dave Honchalk
Carol Beyna
Vinny Duffy
Linda Sjaardema
Don Bell
Don Messersmith
Valerie Wesner
Heather Davis
Barbara Johnson
Valerie Chase
Bernie Samm

Milestones:
* Despite an expanded conference agenda, including professional entertainment, attendance was low and participants identified "lack of workshop content focus" as an issue of concern for the association.
* For the first time, the board was elected by paper ballot at the annual natural resources fair.
* Britt Slattery served as newsletter editor, a member communication.
* The possibility of linking the Maryland Conservation Education Council and MAEOE was discussed. The two groups remained separate.
* Work began on revising the bylaws and preparing articles of incorporation.

Year: 1993

Conference Site: Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center, Rockville, Maryland

Board Members:


George Radcliffe - President
Sue Johns - President Elect
Gary Heath - Treasurer
Linda Sjaardema - Secretary
Ben Hren
Bernie Samm
Steve Heacock
Don Bell
Carol Beyna
Valerie Chase
Vincent Duffy
David Honchalk
Don Messersmith
Britt Slattery
Valerie Wesner


Milestones:
* For the first time, the conference was co-sponsored by an outside organization, the Montgomery County Outdoor Education Association (OEA). OEA assumed most of the organizational responsibilities for the conference.
* Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws were filed with the Maryland State Department of Taxation on November 24, 1993.
* For the first year the positions of president elect and the conference chair were separated.

Year: 1994

Conference Site: Ramada Inn, Hagerstown, Maryland

Board Members:


Sue Esworthy - President
George Radcliffe - Past President
Britt Slattery - President Elect
Gary Heath - Treasurer
Linda Sjaardema - Secretary
JoAnn Roberts
Irene Grossman
Laurissa Brantly
Chris Swarth
Bernie Samm
Donna Canedo
Steve Heacock
Dave Honchalk
Ben Hren


Milestones:
* The name of the annual conference changed from Natural Resources Fair to Annual Conference.
* The conference was held in the winter rather than the spring.
* The conference changed to a standard general session/workshop format. Keynote speaker Lynn Cherry, opened the conference. Former Senator and environmental advocate Gaylord Nelson addressed the group after lunch. Magpie provided musical entertainment in the evening.
* The newsletter resumed regular publication under the direction of hired editor Beth Slucher. The newsletter was named "Blue Sky."
* Discussions about strategic planning were initiated.
* Applications for non-profit, tax exempt status were filed.
* Maryland Writing Project co-sponsored the conference.

Year: 1995
Conference Site: Holiday Inn, Solomons, Maryland

Board Members:


Britt Slattery - President
Sue Esworthy - Past President
Ben Hren - President Elect
Gary Heath - Treasurer
Linda Sjaardema - Secretary
Linda Block
Laurissa Brantly
Donna Canedo
Lou Etgen
Cindy Grove
Gary Heath
Dave Honchalk
Rob Mardinay
Rich Mason
JoAnn Roberts
Bernie Samm
Chris Swarth
Carol Towle


Milestones:
* Maryland Geographic Alliance, Maryland Writing Project, and the Elementary Science Integration project co-sponsored the conference.
* Conference keynote speakers included photographer David Harp, Economist Robert Costanza and Author Jennifer Owings Dewey.
* Initiated mini-conferences and membership events.
* Board members participated in a North American Association for Environmental Education Affiliates workshop in Portland, Maine.
* Committees were formed to address: events and field trips, professional development, strategic plan, membership, newsletter, and board recruiting.
* The strategic planning process formally was initiated. Board members completed surveys as the first step. JoAnn Roberts and Rick Leader spearheaded this effort. Board members developed a mission statement and drafted goals.

Year: 1996

Conference Site: Radisson Hotel, Baltimore MD
Theme: Celebrating Diversity!

Board Members:


Ben Hren - President
Britt Slattery - Past President
JoAnn Roberts - President Elect
Rich Mason - Treasurer
Carol Towle - Secretary
Barbara Bourne
Donna Canedo
Nancy Carey
Sue Esworthy
Lou Etgen
Cindy Grove
Gary Heath
Ivy Hill
Rick Leader
Rob Mardinay
George Radcliffe
Bernie Samm
Chris Swarth
Linda Sjaardema


Milestones:
* The strategic planning process continued. Board members adopted a mission statement. Committees developed objectives, based on the goals of the strategic plan and began developing workplans.
* Conference co-sponsored by the D.C. Environmental Education Consortium and the elementary Science Integration Project.
* Conference keynote presentations were given by environmental education specialist Mike Weilbacher and Smithsonian Biologist Tom Lovejoy.
* Conference highlights included an evening at the National Aquarium.
* A mini-conference about Maryland geology was held.
* Board members participated in a National Environmental Education Advancement Project workshop in Missouri.
* First Annual Report was produced.

Year: 1997

Conference Site: Princess Royale, Ocean City, MD

Board Members:


JoAnn Roberts - President
Ben Hren - Past President
Rick Leader - President Elect
Rich Mason - Treasurer
Carol Towle - Secretary
William Agee
Barbara Bourne
Donna Canedo
Nancy Carey
Cindy Grove
Gary Heath
Joan Johnson
Joe Keyser
Rob Mardinay
Sil Pembelton
Bernie Samm
Britt Slattery
Julia Washburn


Milestones:
* Conference attendance of more than 300 participants is the largest to date.
* Keynote speakers included author Priscilla Cummings and physicist Albert Bartlett.
* A boat building competition and regatta sailboat race at the conference initiated the annual MAEOE challenge.
* Cindy Grove added Children's Activities to the conference to make it a family event
* The conference was co-sponsored by Elementary Science Integration Project.
* Work continues on the strategic plan.

Year: 1998

Conference Site: Doubletree Hotel Rockville, Maryland
Theme: A Sense of Place: Sharing Our Bioregional Heritage

Board Members:


Rick Leader, President
Cindy Grove, President Elect
Joann Roberts, Past President
Rich Mason, Treasurer
Andrew Ristvey, Secretary
Willy Agee
Barbara Bourne
Nancy Carey
John Dillow
Dodie Ferrier
Chris Fox
Gary Heath
Courtney Hebert
Joan Johnson
Joe Keyser
Rob Mardiney
Sil Pembleton
Bernie Samm
Carol Towle
Julia Washburn
Susan Woods


Milestones:

* Catherine Felker hired as first MAEOE part time(40%) staff with a partnership with MD DNR
* 360 participants attend the annual conference
* 3 MAEOE Board members attend 3 day NAAEE Environmental Leadership Clinic in Missouri
* MAEOE participates in the GovernorÌs Environmental Youth Summit
* Governor announces the creation of the Green School Awards program at the Summit
* MAEOE sets up its web pages

Year: 1999

Conference Site: Princess Royale Oceanfront Hotel and Conference Center
Theme: Exploring Global Change

Board Members:


Cindy Grove, President
Rob Mardiney, President Elect
Rick Leader, Past President
Rich Mason, Treasurer
Julia Washburn, Secretary
Willy Agee
Barbara Bourne
Nancy Carey
Dodie Ferrier
Chris Fox
Gary Heath
Courtney Hebert
Joan Johnson
Joe Keyser
Nancy McAlliser
Sil Pembleton
Bernie Samm
Carol Towle
Susan Woods


Milestones:
* First Green School awards are presented to 34 schools in a ceremony at Sandalwood Elementary School. Constellation Energy donated money for the ceremony.
* MAEOE receives a major Global Change grant of $30,000. Money is used for staff, annual conference and teacher workshops.
* 4 Board members attend NAAEE Leadership Clinic in New Mexico
* Webpage address is changed to www.maeoe.org
* Friday workshops added to the conference

Year: 2000

Conference Site: Radisson Hotel Annapolis, Maryland
Theme: Greening MarylandÌs Schools: Partners in Conservation


Rob Mardiney, President
Willy Agee, President Elect
Cindy Grove, Past President
Rich Mason, Treasurer
Julia Washburn, Secretary
Kerri Bentkowski
Barbara Bourne
Dodie Ferrier
Chris Fox
Mark Haddon
Steve Heacock
Gary Heath
Courtney Hebert
Heather Helm
Joe Keyser
Rick Leader
Nancy McAlliser
Kathy McEvoy
Sil Pembleton
Bernie Samm
Carol Towle
Susan Woods


Milestones:
* Work begins on revising MAEOE's strategic plan. All day retreat held to review vision and goals
* 13 new schools are given Green School awards in a ceremony at the National Aquarium in Baltimore with over 200 people attending
* MAEOE loses part time staff
* Major enhancements to the web pages
* More Global Change workshops held
* Constituent Surveys were mailed in an attempt to determine needs of our members

Year: 2001

Conference Site: Princess Royale Ocean City, Maryland
Theme: Environmental Education: A Dynamic Tool for Change

Board Members:


Willy Agee, President
Carol Towle, President Elect
Rob Mardiney, Past President
Cindy Grove, Treasurer
Kerri Bentkowski, Secretary
Mark Haddon
Cynthia Hamel
Steve Heacock
Gary Heath
Courtney Hebert
Heather Helm
Joe Keyser
Rick Leader
Kathy McEvoy
Rich Mason
Gia Marie Ristvey
Bernie Samm
Coreen Weilminster

Milestones:
* 15 schools were awarded Green School status in a ceremony at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Kerri Bentkowski introduced a powerpoint showing pictures of the schools.This innovation became standard for the ceremony.
* The application process was refined again.
* Half day and full day Friday workshops were added to the conference
* Natural history strand becomes a permanent feature of the conference

Year: 2002

Conference Site: Princess Royale Ocean City, Maryland
Theme: Promising Practices for Environmental Action, Bill Hammond was keynote


Carol Towle, President
Steve Heacock, President Elect
Willy Agee, Past President
Cindy Grove, Treasurer
Rob Mardiney, Secretary
Rebecca Bell
Steve Barry
Kerri Bentkowski
Justin Benz
Karen Cifranick

Mark Haddon
Sarah Haines
Gary Heath
Joe Keyser
Bernie Samm
Donna Stotts Lloyd
Martha Shaum
Coreen Weilminster
Will Williams


Milestones:
* Hired Kate Clavijo as a part time Executive Director
* 10 New schools were awarded Green School status in a ceremony at the National Aquarium in Baltimore
* 13 Schools were recertified as Green Schools in a process developed by Steve Heacock. These schools received a plaque and a check for $100
* Six Green Schools trainings were conducted with 85 participants
* Treemendous Maryland began donating free trees to winning Green Schools
* By laws were amended by a vote at the annual meeting to allow the Board of Trustees and not the membership to change the by-laws.
* Blue Sky goes on line to help streamline the process and reduce costs

Year: 2003
Conference Site: Princess Royale Ocean City, Maryland
Theme: The Art and Science of Environmental Education, Judy Braus was keynote

Board Members:


Steve Heacock, President
Steve Barry, President Elect
Carol Towle, Past President
Willy Agee, Treasurer
Martha Shaum, Secretary
Jeanne Armacost
Rebecca Bell
Steve Barry
Kerri Bentkowski
Karen Cifranick
Cindy Grove
Sarah Haines
Gary Heath
Ellisa Hildago
Joe Keyser
Rob Mardiney
Mel Parker
Bernie Samm
Donna Stotts Lloyd
Martha Shaum
Coreen Weilminster

Will Williams

Milestones:
* 380 participants at the conference
* Friday night keynote added with Middleton Evans presenting.
* 14 new schools were awarded Green School status in a ceremony at the National Wildlife Visitor Center in Laurel.
* The Green Center program was initiated and the Lathrop E Smith Center in Montgomery County was its first recipient.
* Recreational Equipment, Inc donated money for the Green Center award
* Schoolyard Habitat Partnership established between MAEOE, USFWS and NOAA, BWET with seven workshops conducted with 124 participants

Year: 2004

Conference Site: Princess Royale, Ocean City, Maryland
Theme: Inspiring Stewardship for a Lifetime, Mitchell Thomashow was keynote and Scott Weidensaul was Friday night speaker

Board Members:


Steve Barry, President
Steve Heacock, Past President
Will Willaims, President Elect
Willy Agee, Treasurer
Martha Shaum, Secretary
Jeanne Armacost
Rebecca Bell
Kerri Bentkowski
Karen Cifranick
Cindy Etgen
Bob Finton
Sarah Haines
Gary Heath
Ellisa Hildago
Joe Keyser
Rob Mardiney
Mel Parker
Scott Raymond
Bernie Samm
Pam Sherfey
Donna Stotts Lloyd
Martha Shaum
Coreen Weilminster
Will Williams


Milestones:
* Chesapeake Bay Trust announces its first ever Environmental Teacher of the Year award on Friday night at the conference
* Over 400 participants attend the conference
* 16 schools became Green Schools at a ceremony at the National Wildlife Visitor Center.
* Four new Green Centers were awarded. Checks for $1000 each were given to Hashawha Outdoor Education Center, Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center, National Aquarium in Baltimore and Living Classrooms Foundation. REI donated the prize money.
* Carol Towle assumes position as Executive Director

Year: 2005

Conference Site: Princess Royale Ocean City, Maryland
Theme: Two Decades of MAEOE, Celebrating our Past and Preserving our Future

Board Members:


Steve Barry, Past President
Will Williams, President
Willy Agee, Treasurer
Martha Shaum, Secretary
Jeanne Armacost
Rebecca Bell
Kerri Bentkowski
Karen Cifranick
Cindy Etgen
Bob Finton
Sarah Haines
Gary Heath
Steve Heacock
Ellisa Hildago
Rob Mardiney
Mel Parker
Scott Raymond
Bernie Samm
Pam Sherfey
Donna Stotts Lloyd
Martha Shaum
Coreen Weilminster
Will Williams


Milestones:
Emeritus status given to Bernie Samm and Gary Heath for the first time
430 people attended the conference, the largest ever.

Year: 2006

Conference Site: Princess Royale, Ocean City, Maryland
Theme: No Child Left Inside

Board Members:

Milestones:

* 489 conference participants, Chesapeake Bay Trust was a sponsor
* Photographer David Harp treated the audience to a slide presentation of his work
* Cindy Etgen elected to emeritus status
* Richard Louv, a noted journalist, delivered the keynote at the conference.
* 24 new Green Schools were recognized at a ceremony with Dr. Nancy Grasmick, State Superintendent of Schools as the keynote.  Congressman Wayne Gilchrest addressed conference participants and participated in the Green School ceremony.   Representatives from Congressman Cardin and from Congressman VanHollen also attended.  Parks and People Foundation was awarded Green Center status.

Year: 2007

Conference Site: Princess Royale, Ocean City, Maryland
Theme: Learning from Nature

Board Members:

Martha Shaum, President
Will Williams, Past President
Sarah Haines, President Elect
Willy Agee, Treasurer
Karen Cifranick, Secretary
Jeanne Armacost
Stephen Barry
Rebecca Bell
Christine Dunham
Cindy Etgen (emeritus)
Pat Ghingher
Steve Heacock
Gary Heath (emeritus)
Rick Hobbs
Dave Honchalk
Joe Keyser
Bronwyn Mitchell
Melanie Parker
Bernie Samm (emeritus)
Pam Sherfey
Elena Takaki
Coreen Weilminster

Milestones:
* The largest state conference on EE in the US with 580 participants, including children and guests
* Sponsors include the Chesapeake Bay Trust, Abitibi Consolidated and Newton Marasco Foundation
Special Friday night presentation by actress Kaiulani Lee on noted environmentalist and author Rachel Carson
* Maryland’s Poet Laureate, Dr Michael Glaser, delivered the keynote address
* 27 new Maryland Green Schools and 5 new Maryland Green Centers were recognized along with 15 schools that recertified as MD Green Schools.  Dr. Skipp Sanders of MSDE delivered the keynote.  John Griffin of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Shari Wilson of the Maryland Department of the Environment and a representative from Comptroller Franchot’s office participated.



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