Environmental Education Association of Illinois
  • Home
  • About
    • What is EEAI?
    • Strategic Plan
    • Board and Committees
    • EL4IL
  • Trainings & Events
    • Annual Conference
    • Project Learning Tree >
      • Upcoming Trainings
      • The Curriculum Guides
      • Standards Correlations
      • Facilitator Access
    • Project WILD >
      • Upcoming Trainings
      • Facilitator Access
    • Guidelines for Excellence in EE
    • Earth Force Illinois
    • RISE Challenge Illinois >
      • RISE Educator Resources
    • COVID-19 Educator Resources
    • More Trainings Near You
    • Find a Local Facilitator
  • Member Services
    • The UPDATE Newsletter
    • Mini-Grants
    • Additional Grant Opportunities
    • Awards
    • Job Postings
  • Get Involved
    • Join EEAI
    • Attend a Board Meeting
    • Board Member Nomination Process
    • Join a Committee
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • COVID-19 Educator Resources
  • New Page
EEAI Members-only

EEAI Annual Conference

Picture

Check out these important supporters of Environmental Education
in the state of IL!
 


Want to see your logo and company name here? Join EEAI as an organizational member
or sponsor an event. 
Picture
EEAI is a proud partner in Rethink Outside, a campaign founded by Blue Sky Funders Forum.  

"​Rethink Outside is a call to action for all who believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy
time outdoors, because when people connect with nature we all benefit. Together, we can unify and amplify the growing movement to lift up the benefits of time spent outdoors as a basic human right. In doing so, we can reshape the prevailing public narratives around time spent in nature and engage new partners and allies. "
Take the pledge today! 

Picture

Picture
Is your business interested in supporting environmental education? Consider joining us on 1% For The Planet! 

Connect with us on social media!


Environmental Education Association Of Illinois
Picture
Picture
Search the web with GoodSearch.com and each time you do a search, GoodSearch will donate to EEAI!

EEAI is the proud state partner for:
Picture
Picture

Picture
EEAI is proud to serve as the Illinois affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education. The Affiliate Network promotes collaboration for maximum effectiveness and efficiency and a unified voice for Environmental Education across North America and beyond.

EEAI's Privacy Policy

Welcome!

In 1972 a group of committed and concerned citizens -- both conservationists and teachers -- founded the Environmental Education Association of Illinois. Since that time, members of EEAI have provided leadership on this front at the national, state and community levels. The strength of EEAI comes from the involvement of its members. Their participation in state and regional events raises the profile of environmental education and challenges decision-makers to give environmental literacy higher priority.
Join/Renew EEAI
EEAI is in the middle of transitioning our membership to a new platform (which is SUPER exciting news and will be AWESOME when it happens). Right now we are experiencing some awful technical difficulties with our membership forms. Please be patient as we work to get transitioned to the new platform. The timing is awful because conference registration is right around the corner, but we are working as quickly as we can to get this all fixed and set up even better for all of you.

If you have questions or need immediate assistance with your membership please reach out to EEAI Executive Director, Abbie Enlund directly at executivedirectoreeai@gmail.com.

​Thank you so much for your patience with us.
Picture

EdVentures for Early Childhood Educators

Registration is closed
​
Let's re-imagine what nature-based learning experiences could look like for our youngest learners! Join EEAI for this unique virtual opportunity to learn from educator content experts with first-hand knowledge, and experience easy to integrate activities with your professional community.

This course is perfect for those educators, youth leaders, parents, and homeschool providers looking to integrate nature-based learning experiences for youth ages 3-7. The course includes a series of live and recorded keynote presentations, interactive activity instruction, as well as extra resources and giveaways.

EdVentures for Early Childhood Educators offers a flexible schedule and provides presentations and activities over a 4-week time period. All live sessions will also be available as recordings for those unable to attend the Zoom meetings. Participants will receive Project Learning Tree's Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood guide and music CD, along with supporting resources and activity supplies.

Up to 10 Gateways contact hours available! If requesting Gateways contact hours, please include your Gateways registry I.D. number in the registrant information section.

$5 for EEAI members / $10 for nonmembers

EdVentures for Early Childhood Educators kickoff Zoom meeting scheduled for January 11 at 4:00 p.m.

Picture
Live Keynote Presentations:
​
  • Tuesday, January 19 at 4:00 p.m. - Before There was STEM, There was Nature: How Nature Play = Nature Learning Indoors & Out
    Presented by Marilyn Brink, Early Childhood Education Consultant and Nature Play Expert - Full Speaker Bio

Picture
  • Tuesday, January 26 at 4:00 p.m. - Fun Ways to Introduce Nature to Young Children 
          Presented by Diona Reese Williams, Early Childhood                        Education Professor and founder of Out Back Learning
​         - 
Full Speaker Bio

Picture
  • Saturday, February 6 at 9:00 a.m. - Take it Outdoors! Embracing Winter Play
          Presented by Ann Halley, Director & Sarah Sheldon, Educator with Chicago                  Botanic Garden's Nature Preschool
​          - Full Speaker Bio - Sarah Sheldon

  • Live Activity Sessions on Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. via Zoom.
    Presented by certified Project Learning Tree® facilitators.
    • January 16 - The Shape of Things
    • January 23 - To Be a Tree
    • January 30 - Evergreens in Winter
EdVentures for Early Childhood Educators wrap-up Zoom meeting scheduled for February 8 at 4:00 p.m.

* All live presentations will be recorded and added to the participant virtual classroom.

EdVentures for Early Childhood Educators virtual event is sponsored by a generous grant from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative & Project Learning Tree.

Earth Force Illinois

Picture
Interested in project-based learning? Want a great new program to implement at a camp or eco-club? Want to increase sustainability at your school? LOOK NO FURTHER!

In 2020 EEAI will be launching a new statewide partnership with Earth Force to bring this project-based, environmental education, civic action focused curriculum program to educators all throughout Illinois. 
Learn all about this incredible program - EARTH FORCE
Educators in Illinois will have access to - 
  • Online Training Opportunities
  • (Hopefully!) In-person Training Opportunities
  • GRANT FUNDS FOR PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
  • Student Project Competition with prize money for their school
  • Scientists and sustainability professionals to assist with student learning and project research 
  • Reimbursement funds for mileage, ISBE PD credit hours and other incredible educator resources and door prizes
Space for these programs will be limited and highly competitive. To be added to a list of interested educators, even before registration opens, please email EEAI Executive Director Abbie Enlund - executivedirectoreeai@gmail.com 

Want to stay up to date on events, resources and news from Earth Force Illinois? Already using this program and want to ask questions or share success stories?
JOIN OUR EARTH FORCE ILLINOIS FACEBOOK GROUP!


EE in Illinois News to Note

EPA Resources for Teachers

Illinois resides within the federal EPA Region 5 and there are a great deal of resources available for teachers through that office. Take a look at the list of resources that has been created for educators. This is an excellent place to get updated, relevant and factual environmental data about our state and local communities. 
​
EPA Educator Resources
In addition there are publications available that educators can order to use within their classroom. 
Find EPA Publications. 
Local Illinois EPA also has an extensive about of resources and programs for educators. Including but not limited to; events such as Dive In!, curriculum such as Environmental Pathways, coloring books and student environmental contests. 

Illinois EPA Environmental Education

Illinois Monarch Project

Join the Illinois Monarch Project statewide initiative as we conserve the breeding and feeding habitat of the monarch butterfly and other regional pollinators.

Read the Action Plan. 
Get Resources. 
Find Ways to Get Involved. 
TAKE THE PLEDGE! 

​Illinoismonarchproject.org

Picture
Monarch Summit
This statewide event is going virtual! Join monarch enthusiasts from all over the state for a series of virtual events to launch the implementation phase of the Illinois Monarch Action Plan. 

Resources for Monarch Action – January 19, 2021 @ 1 – 3pm
Engaging Monarch Ambassadors – February 17, 2021 @ 1 – 3pm
Spring into Action on the Ground – May 4, 2021 @ 1 – 3pm


Professional Development

EEAI is the proud state partner or supporter of the following professional development opportunities:
  • Project Learning Tree
  • Growing Up WILD​
  • Midwest Environmental Education Conference
Proudly powered by Weebly