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AAEE

About AAEE

The purpose of AAEE is to celebrate and amplify environmental education in all its many forms and practices, and to support environmental educators across sectors by building networks, resources, and skills.
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What we do

Strength & Resilience

We are an inclusive, ethical organisation that values First Nations knowledge, connection to Country, diversity, learning, leadership, and long-term resilience.

Collaboration

We create meaningful collaboration through connection, partnerships and shared care between people, place and the natural world.

Eco-social justice

We advocate for eco-social justice through environmental education that builds agency, amplifies voices, challenges harm and supports systemic transformation.

Knowledge & Learning

We generate, share and strengthen knowledge through research, professional learning and practice that deepens understanding and advances environmental education.
A group of people learning about permaculture

Meet our executive

AAEE’s National Executive is a skilled and representative leadership body drawn from across Australia. Grounded in integrity, inclusivity and collaboration, the Executive meets monthly and is supported by working groups and Chapter Liaisons. Together, they provide strategic governance, sector leadership and coordinated national direction in service of environmental education.
Lisa Siegel Profile

Lisa Siegel

President
Lisa lives and learns on Gumbaynggirr Country on the Mid-North Coast of NSW. A lifelong educator, she lectures in Environmental and Interdisciplinary Education at Southern Cross University. Her research explores environmental educators’ stories. Lisa co-founded the Centre for Ecological Learning and was Australian Environmental Educator of the Year in 2022.

Vivienne Pearce

Vice President
Vivienne lives on Ngunnawal Country. A science teacher for 30 years and Education Ranger at the Australian National Botanic Gardens, she advocates for environmental education’s power to transform society. An AAEE member since 2010, Vivienne has received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) and multiple environmental education and reconciliation awards.

Sonja Kuzich

Vice President
Sonja is an Associate Professor at Curtin University, living and working on Whadjuk Noongar Country. A sustainability education researcher, she leads the Transformative and Intersectional Learning Environments (TILE) Research Cluster. Her work advances Education for Sustainability, transformative pedagogy and place-based, inclusive learning that honours First Nations worldviews.

Julia Barnes

Vice President
Julia was awarded the 2023 NSW Environmental Educator of the year and the 2024 AAEE Environmental Educator of the Year awards. She loves working with the wonderful cohort of people in the environmental education sector, with the passion to make the world a kinder place for all.

Kelly Smith

Secretary
Kelly is a communications and engagement professional with over ten years’ experience in sustainability and the not-for-profit sector. She manages Boomerang Alliance’s national Plastic Ban Solution Finder and, as a former Climate for Change Fellow, champions environmental education, eco-social justice, and community empowerment for meaningful environmental action.

Jodie Green

Treasurer
Jodie is a science and mathematics teacher in the ACT senior secondary system and an ACT Chapter executive member. With a background in drug discovery research and environmental advocacy, she explores how Earth System understandings intersect with sustainability education, teacher practice, and student engagement in whole-school sustainability programs.

Sandra Wooltorton

Committee Member
Sandra Wooltorton is a Professor and Senior Research Fellow at Nulungu Research Institute, University of Notre Dame Australia. A transdisciplinary researcher in cultural geography and education, she works with Aboriginal communities in culturally grounded ways to address societal and environmental challenges, committed to fostering a kinder, more caring world.

Peta White

AJEE Editor
Peta White is an Associate Professor in science and environmental education at Deakin University and Editor-In-Chief of AJEE. With classroom, program coordination, and teacher education experience across Canada and Australia, her research focuses on sustainability education, science and biology learning, and collaborative, activist approaches to educational research and practice.

Peter Andersen

Committee Member
Peter Andersen is Head of Students and Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the University of Wollongong, and Associate Investigator at the Centre for Excellence in Australian Biodiversity and Heritage. His teaching and research focus on empowering students as environmental change agents through school-based environmental education programs.

Rebecca Evered

Committee Member
Rebecca has 20 years’ experience in sustainability and community engagement, leading education and communication programs across schools, communities, businesses, and government. Based on Darkinjung Country, she values connection to people and nature, and has contributed to initiatives including the Australasian Recycling Label and Cleanaway’s Reconciliation Action Plan.

Emilia de la Sienra

Committee Member
Emilia lives on Dharawal Country in the Illawarra and is a biologist with a PhD in Sustainable Futures. With over fifteen years’ experience in environmental education and international work across government, academia, and consulting, she specialises in transformative learning, bridging complex socio-ecological challenges with practical, people-centred solutions.

Patrick Mooney

Committee Member
Pat specialises in commercialising sustainable technologies across energy, circular economy, agriculture, and communities in the APAC region. Cofounder and Chair of Impact Tech Ventures, and CSIRO India-Australia Energy Tech RISE Expert, he mentors, teaches, and speaks widely, championing engagement between envirotech leaders, schools, and future generations to advance sustainability.

Meet our team

Our passionate, skilled team inspires, connects, and empower environmental educators, driving meaningful change for people, place, and planet.

Robyn Bickell

Administration Officer
Robyn lives on Whadjuk Noongar Country in Mandurah, WA and is passionate about protecting local waterways and wildlife. With extensive experience in administration, coordination, and customer service, she brings dedication and care to AAEE, while volunteering with Estuary Guardians to raise awareness about the region’s marine environment.

Anna Wylie

Projects Manager
Anna Wylie is an educator with a background in wilderness guiding, sustainable construction and community events. She was Conference Coordinator for the AAEE Biennial Conference 2025 and is a project manager for the Australian Climate Change Education Strategy Project. Anna teaches in the School of Education at Deakin University. She previously taught Science and Humanities in secondary schools.

Amy Matheson

Marketing and Communications Officer
Amy is an experienced behaviour change practitioner with over 15 years in communications, sustainability, and program delivery, including eight years in waste education. Passionate about connecting environmental educators, she works to deepen collective care for the Earth. Amy lives on Wadarni Bodja, South West WA, grounded in nature from her Perth Hills upbringing.

Learn more about us

Annual Report 2025

In 2025, AAEE’s 45th year, we were reminded of what becomes possible when environmental educators are supported, connected and trusted.
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Strategic Planning Living Document

AAEE’s Strategic Plan honours First Nations knowledge, supports educators, and guides collaboration, advocacy, and growth for sustainable, just, and connected communities.
View & Download
Explore all our public reports and resources by visiting the AAEE Resource Library today.
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Our Partners

The most powerful innovations grow from collaboration. AAEE builds meaningful partnerships with like-minded individuals, organisations, and institutions nationally and internationally. By connecting people and ideas who share our values, we amplify our impact. Together, we achieve more for environmental education.

Support Our Work

Your donation strengthens AAEE to support environmental educators across Australia.
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