Annual Conference

2022 EEAI Annual Conference

Conference Keynote

Dr. Jean-Marie Kauth
Professor English Language and Literature
St. Benedictine University

Dr. Jean-Marie Kauth has taught at Benedictine University for 25 years. She earned a PhD from University of Michigan and, more recently, an MPH from Benedictine to support work as a local, regional and national activist in Children's Environmental Health. She has helped integrate sustainability into the curriculum, worked with student leaders to implement Healthy Lawns, co-hosted Sustainable Saturday and other events, and maintained the Community Garden at Benedictine University.

Keynote Flyer

Conference Strands

Building Awareness - Information or investigative sessions to support environmental literacy and inquiry of the natural world.
Building Bridges - Highlights of partnerships and projects that promote collaborations between organizations
Building Networks - Sessions focused on careers in the environment and programs connecting early career professionals
Building Sustainability - Special strand focused on Illinois Green Alliance and U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools 3 Pillars of Sustainability

Call for Proposals

Have a program, project, resource or initiative that you want to share with educators throughout Illinois? Consider submitting a proposal to present at the 2022 Annual Conference.

The Environmental Education Association of Illinois (EEAI) is pleased to announce the Call for Proposals for the 2022 Conference and Annual Meeting, to be held in Yorkville, Illinois. EEAI invites you to submit proposals now through November 1, 2021. Submitting presenters will be notified of the outcome of the proposal review process no later than December 15, 2021.

Participants attending the 2022 Annual Meeting and Conference will attend sessions designed around the theme "Building Connections.” We invite you to participate by submitting a proposal for a session that can impact educators from across Illinois. The Conference Chairs are specifically looking at proposals that can possibly fit one of the following strands:

Concurrent speakers will present Friday, April 8th or Saturday, April 9th at the at Hoover Forest Preserve in Yorkville, IL. Presenters are required to register for the conference the day of their presentation.

For more information, please contact the Program Committee Co-Chairs: Tina Heidrich at clh27@illinois.edu, or Colleen Filipek at cfilipek@ben.edu. Visit www.EEAI.net for conference updates.

Proposal Submission Form

Become a Conference Sponsor

Help advance environmental literacy in Illinois by supporting the largest environmental education conference in the state.
Sponsor registration is now fully online! For full sponsor level details, benefits and promotional opportunities please see the Conference Sponsor Packet.
To become a 2022 EEAI Annual Conference Sponsor click REGISTER NOW.

Conference Sponsor Packet

Join the Conference as an Exhibitor

Share resources, products, events and information with conference participants through an exhibit booth.
Exhibit Options -
Nuthatch Exhibit - $50

Small exhibit booth in expo (one table)
Company name and contact information available to all conference participants during the conference

Tanager Exhibit - $150

Medium exhibit booth in expo (two tables)
Company name and contact information available to all conference participants during the conference
Logo and link on EEAI social media highlights

PLEASE NOTE: Conference registration, activities and meals are not included in this fee. Exhibitors are encouraged to register for the conference.
For large exhibit booths or priority placement please consider becoming a Conference Sponsor.

Exhibitor Packet

Conference Partner

EEAI is thrilled to announce a unique new partnership for the 2022 conference. Illinois Green Alliance will be joining the EEAI conference to help increase awareness and connections to the IL Green Ribbon Schools program. The Building Sustainability strand will focus specifically on schools and organizations that work on the 3 Pillars of Sustainability required by the U.S. Department of Education's Green Ribbon Schools program.
Pillar I: Reducing environmental impact and costs;
Pillar II: Improving the health and wellness of students and staff; and
Pillar III: Offering effective environmental and sustainability education.
Schools that have projects or programs in these areas are encouraged to present their work at this year's conference. But presentations from organizations and companies that can help schools with initiatives or innovative approaches to these pillars are also encouraged to present!