Value your people
Folks who have worked with KCC’s Executive Director have likely heard the phrase “know your people. ” It’s something we say often, because we truly value each and every constituent, volunteer, and supporting partner we work with. During the General Assembly, the KCC family, which includes staff, contractors, interns and board members— contribute countless hours to bring you detailed and timely information. During the session, that time can often be chaotic, and doesn’t easily allow for personal time off until we say “sine die” at the conclusion of a session. Our Executive Director Lane Boldman would particularly like to call out KCC’s President Gerry James, Administrative Assistant Glenye Oakford, and last but not least, our legislative partner Randy Strobo from Strobo-Barkley PLLC. This small but mighty crew is the core behind the work.
But “our people” are not just the immediate KCC team. KCC works year-around reaching out to allies and working in coalition teams in order to consolidate as much information as possible from the entire environmental community in preparation for the next session. During the interim period, we are collaborating with nonprofit coalitions working on clean energy, land conservation, waterways, woodlands, farming, and clean transportation just to name a few. And while we continue to meet with lawmakers year around, we also are engaging with state agencies to help advance their initiatives on behalf of the public.
The environmental community in Kentucky is diverse as it is strong. We do our best to build relationships with as much of this community as possible. When the General Assembly concluded, we immediately moved to several Earth Week events where we had the chance to meet with many of our friends and supporters, and taking the time to catch up with groups who we didn’t have the opportunity to spend time with during the General Assembly. While we work regularly to support the goals of larger organizations such as the Kentucky Sierra Club, or the Kentucky Natural Lands Trust, It was also wonderful to spend time catching up with smaller groups like DarkSky KY the Evolve Electric Vehicle Group, and growing, locally-based teams such as the Bluegrass Climate Action Team.
Our goal at KCC is to learn as much as we can from each of these organizations, clubs, and teams as possible in order to bring these issues and perspectives to Frankfort each year. Whether you are a formal KCC Partner Group, or a small environmental club that is growing, we want to connect with you and learn more about the work you are doing to make Kentucky a more sustainable and livable place.
Conservation Brief/Legislative Summary
Each year, after the session, we publish a comprehensive conservation summary which includes a legislative recap and detailed background information on several key issues that will be continuing into the future, along with resources to educate our members in preparation for future sessions. These information booklets will be mailed out shortly to all members in good standing as a member benefit, provided we have your mailing address. Last week (if you are on our mailing list), you should have received our Spring Newsletter. If you did not receive the Spring newsletter last week, that may mean we don’t have your mailing information. In order to ensure that we can send you the 2026 Conservation Brief, please make sure we have your current mailing address.
Upcoming Events
Following the conclusion of the General Assembly a few weeks ago, we spent the last couple week planning our “off season” activities. We hope to see you at one of these many upcoming events soon!
May 12, 2026 (Tuesday) Kentucky Gives Day -KY Gives Day is an opportunity for Kentuckians (near and far) to come together to make donations to participating Kentucky charities in an effort to raise as much money as possible in 24 hours. The Kentucky Conservation Committee depends on direct (non-tax deductible) donations from the public for its core direct lobbying work [link here], and our affiliated educational foundation, the Kentucky Conservation Foundation, funds our educational work [link here]. We appreciate any donations from the public during this week of giving, so help us to spread the word!
May 12-13, 2026 (Tuesday-Wed 8AM-5PM) KCC at Nuclear Innovations conference, Frankfort, KY. Hosted by the Kentucky Public Service Commission, this conference will discuss technological innovations and current debates around nuclear power in Kentucky. KCC will be part of a panel focusing on community engagement on the Wednesday during this two-day conference being held at the Kentucky Historical Society.
May 16, 2026 (Saturday 9:30AM-5PM) KCC at the Kentucky Solar Energy SocietySolar Summit and Annual Meeting, Lexington. KCC will be a guest panelist during this day-long conference at Cathedral of Christ the King, 299 Colony Blvd., Lexington, KY 40502. Full schedule here.
May 30, 2026 (Saturday, 8:30AM-2PM) KCC at Bluegrass Greensource Riverfest, Clifton Boat Ramp, Woodford County. The goal of Riverfest is to connect communities to local water ways, water quality education, and resources while enjoying some outdoor summer fun on the water with friends and community members of all ages.
June 14, 2026(Sunday) KCC Nuclear Tour. We are working with our friends at KFTC on another tour of the former Fernald Nuclear Feed Materials Production Center in southwest Ohio, as part of Cincinnati Climate Week. Details are still being developed for this informative tour of one of the nation’s most significant radioactive cleanup projects. Signup here to receive updated information as it develops for this field trip.
July 10, 2026 (Friday, 7PM) KCC hosts a screening of the film Roots So Deep, a documentary on regenerative farming. The presentation will be at the Mason Co. Library’s community room, 218 E. 3rd St., Maysville, KY. Signup here.
August 28, 2026 (Friday Evening) KCC hosts the Wild and Scenic Film Festival, Lexington. Tickets here.
September 19, 2026 (Saturday 10AM-2PM) —KCC at Monarch Fest - Raven Run Nature Sanctuary, Lexington. This free event will feature kids’ crafts, monarch tagging, make-your-own-pollinator seed mix, and other activities.
October 24, 2026 (Saturday, 10AM) — KCC at Louisville Earth Walk, Seneca Park, Louisville. Come join KCC and other environmental nonprofits for a celebration of safe and clean water, air and soil.