March 11-13, 2021
|
|
Enter the Conference Platform
|
Enter the EEAI 2021 Annual Conference Online Platform!
What you will find - Conference Registration Conference Schedule Speaker Profiles and Session Descriptions Workshop Descriptions Networking Opportunities Exhibit Booths Silent Auction Annual Member Meeting Information And MUCH MORE! All of these components may not be available yet, but they will be added soon! Check back often to see what else is going on. |
EEAI 2021 Silent Auction
Check out the 2021 EEAI Silent Auction!! You do not have to be registered for the conference to bid on amazing items in this year's auction. Bidding Starts on March 8th. |
Conference Keynote - James Edward Mills
|
EEAI is beyond excited to announce James Edward Mills from The Joy Trip Project as the keynote speaker for the
2020 EEAI Annual Conference. He will be speaking on Thursday, March 11 at 7:00pm CST to kick off the conference. James Edward Mills is a freelance journalist and an independent media producer in a career that spans more than 20 years. He specializes in sharing stories about outdoor recreation, environmental conservation, acts of charitable giving and practices of sustainable living. He has worked in the outdoor industry since 1989 as a guide, outfitter, independent sales representative, writer, and photographer. He is the author of the new book “The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors” and the co-writer/co-producer of the documentary film “An American Ascent”
James is a contributor to several outdoor-focused print and online publications such as National Geographic Adventure, Rock & Ice, Alpinist, SUP, Elevation Outdoors, Women’s Adventure, the Clymb, Park Advocate, High Country News, Appalachia Journal, The Guardian, Outside Magazine and Land & People. With skills in audio storytelling James’ radio production credits include Wisconsin Public Radio, the Public Radio Exchange, American Public Media’s Marketplace, and the Public Radio International programs To The Best of Our Knowledge and The Tavis Smiley Show. |
|
Conference Strands
|
Who will be Presenting?
|
Strand Featured SpeakersCommunity Engagement Strand -
Innovative Programming for a Digital World Strand -
Ayesha Tasneem Qazi, PhD Candidate, Science Teacher, Associate for Science & Ed Chicago Public Schools, Field Museum, UIC Presentation Title - Digital Environmental Justice Education Presentation Date/Time - Thursday, March 11, 12:30 – 1:00pm 
Water Education Strand -
Scott Frazier and Albert Ybarra (pictured) Project Indigenous Presentation Title - Collecting Samples Presentation Date/Time - March 12, 9:00am - 10:00am |
Conference Workshops
Each workshop must be registered for separately at the time of conference registration. You can go back and add an additional workshop up until the date of the conference but many may fill up quickly.
DEI in the Workplace
March 12 from 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm (CST)
$10 registration fee
Workshop Facilitator: August Ball, CEO/Founder, Cream City Conservation Consulting
Facilitator Bio
Prerequisites:
Each workshop attendee will be asked to watch a pre-recorded informational session and complete a few pre-reads as well.
Description:
Recruitment & Hiring for the 21st Century Workforce
This workshop is ideal for hiring managers, review panelists, organizational leaders and leadership team members/board members who wish to attract a diverse candidate pool and cultivate a dynamic team of staff and volunteers. Participants must be ready to objectively evaluate current hiring, recruitment, evaluation and staff/volunteer development practices and strategies. Session participants will be able to:
• Debunk commonly held myths regarding talent acquisition & retention
• Evaluate sample job/committee descriptions with an inclusive, equity lens
• Identify existing practices that contribute to homogeneous work teams
• Gain tips for tackling bias, identify areas for growth
March 12 from 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm (CST)
$10 registration fee
Workshop Facilitator: August Ball, CEO/Founder, Cream City Conservation Consulting
Facilitator Bio
Prerequisites:
Each workshop attendee will be asked to watch a pre-recorded informational session and complete a few pre-reads as well.
Description:
Recruitment & Hiring for the 21st Century Workforce
This workshop is ideal for hiring managers, review panelists, organizational leaders and leadership team members/board members who wish to attract a diverse candidate pool and cultivate a dynamic team of staff and volunteers. Participants must be ready to objectively evaluate current hiring, recruitment, evaluation and staff/volunteer development practices and strategies. Session participants will be able to:
• Debunk commonly held myths regarding talent acquisition & retention
• Evaluate sample job/committee descriptions with an inclusive, equity lens
• Identify existing practices that contribute to homogeneous work teams
• Gain tips for tackling bias, identify areas for growth
Earth Force
March 11 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (CST)
$10 registration fee
Workshop Facilitators: Meghan Bowe, EEAI Projects Consultant; Emily Ehley, Educator with the Nature Institute; and Renee Oakley, Education Director with the Red Oak Nature Center
Description:
Engage youth to become active citizens and inspire and empower them to make meaningful change in their communities through the Earth Force process. Earth Force prepares educators and youth leaders to guide youth in their understanding of complex environmental issues and support student-led pathways to positive change through civic action. Join Illinois Earth Force facilitators for an immersive two-hour workshop that will provide the knowledge and resources to be an Earth Force educator. This workshop is appropriate for formal and nonformal educators.
Project Learning Tree’s E-Units
March 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
$10 registration fee
Workshop facilitator: Meghan Bowe, EEAI Projects Consultant & IL Project Learning Tree State Coordinator
Description:
Project Learning Tree offers award-winning online e-units that include themed, grade-level strand activities and educator support including national standards alignments, supporting resources, enrichment activities, and assessment methods. E-units are everything you expect from Project Learning Tree: Hands-on and engaging activities that help teach students how – not what – to think about the environment and their place within it. This workshop will introduce participants to PLT e-units and engage in several interactive PLT activities virtually. Participants will have their choice of PLT e-unit
(Treemendous Science! (Grades K-2);
Energy in Ecosystems (grades 3-5);
Carbon & Climate (grades 6-8).
NAAEE’s K-12 Environmental Education Guidelines for Excellence
March 12 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
$10 registration fee
Workshop facilitator: Meghan Bowe, EEAI Projects Consultant; Kathleen Gaare-Wiese, retired educator
Description:
Join us for an introduction and interactive exploration of the NAAEE K-12 Environmental Education Guidelines for Excellence. The guidelines set standards for high-quality environmental education that focus on the development of balanced, scientifically accurate, and comprehensive environmental education programs and materials. Environmental education guidelines support state and local environmental education efforts by: ✔ Setting expectations for achievement in fourth, eighth, and twelfth grades ✔ Suggesting a framework for effective and comprehensive environmental education programs and curricula ✔ Demonstrating how environmental education can be used to meet standards set by the traditional disciplines and giving students opportunities to synthesize knowledge and experience across disciplines, and ✔ Defining the aims of environmental education You will have the opportunity to unpack the environmental literacy framework and explore how environmental literacy links with national and state academic standards. This workshop is appropriate for formal and nonformal educators. Participants may elect to receive a print copy of the K-12 EE guidelines for Excellence.
Regional Field Experiences
While the 2021 EEAI Annual Conference will be a virtual event we want to ensure that at a local level educators, students and administrators have a way to safely gather, learn about local resources and network with each other.
The organizations that have agreed to host the field experiences for this year’s virtual conference are working daily to secure the health and safety of their staff and visitors. With the ever-changing conditions of COVID with-in the state, some field experiences might have to be cancelled. Please be aware of that as you are signing up for an experience in your region that a surge in numbers might cause the provider to cancel the field experience.
If an experience is cancelled due to COVID you will be fully refunded the field experience fee.
Cost: $15; this fee will cover different things for each experience (ex: lunch in Northwest and West Centra).
Registration: Sign up for the field experiences through the Conference Registration - COMING SOON!
Southern Region
Paddle Little Grassy Lake
Date/Time: 2021 conference
Location: Little Grassy Lake Campground & Marina
Interpretive paddle around scenic Little Grassy Lake. Paddling instruction and water safety will be provided prior to loading into boats. Lead by naturalists we will explore the uninterrupted shoreline and share the natural history of the lake and bluffs. Approx. 2 hours; no experience needed
East Central Region
Saturday, March 13
2:00pm-4:00pm
Funks Grove History Tour
Sugar Grove Nature Center, 4532 N 725 East Rd. McLean, IL 61754
Travel back in time as we explore historical landmarks and features of Funks Grove, located along the Historic Route 66 highway in McLean County! We will meet at Sugar Grove Nature Center for an introduction to the history of Funks Grove and then embark on a tour to visit the Funks Grove Church and Cemetery, and the Funks Grove Prairie Home & Gem Museum, and more.
Maximum 12 participants
Saturday, March 13
10:00am-12:00pm
Treasure Hunting In the Woods: An Introduction to Letterboxing
Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 2573 S. Homer Lake Rd. Homer, IL. 61849
Ever wanted to go on a real-life treasure hunt? Attend this field session to learn all about the art of Letterboxing, a real-life treasure hunt that involves art, puzzle-solving, and using clues to find hidden objects. We will have resident experts on site sharing their knowledge and helping new or beginner Letterboxers get started with this popular hobby.
Minimum 5 participants/Maximum 12 participants.
Northeast Region
Wildlife Exhibit Hike
Date/Time: March 11th, 2020 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Willowbrook Wildlife Center, 525 S. Park Blvd. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Join the experts who provide care and wildlife treatment to injured/orphaned wild animals for a guided tour through the wildlife sanctuary.
Northwest Region
Nachusa Grasslands Tour and Picnic
Date/Time: March 2021 (Fri 3/12 or Sat 3/13)
Location: Nachusa Grasslands
Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour into the bison enclosure at Nachusa Grasslands. We will be accompanied by the site manager and a scientist with the Nature Conservancy studying prairie restoration. Bison were re- introduced at several sites across the country as a keystone species necessary in tallgrass prairies, and their impact on the prairie ecosystem can now be studied.
A catered picnic lunch will be included, eat on-site or at the nearby Franklin Creek State Park.
West Central
Explore the City of the Sun
Location: Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
Date/Time: March 13th, 2021; 11am-2pm
Participants are invited to Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site to learn more about the Mississippians. The museum opens at 9am and closes at 5. You are welcome to arrive before the tour to walk through the museum or you can stay after the tour is finished to do so. Tours will consist of walking tours of Monk's Mound (the largest earthen structure in North America), a brown bag lunch talk with an archaeologist, and a tour of the grand plaza. Come with your walking shoes on and a water bottle. Lunch will be provided.
The organizations that have agreed to host the field experiences for this year’s virtual conference are working daily to secure the health and safety of their staff and visitors. With the ever-changing conditions of COVID with-in the state, some field experiences might have to be cancelled. Please be aware of that as you are signing up for an experience in your region that a surge in numbers might cause the provider to cancel the field experience.
If an experience is cancelled due to COVID you will be fully refunded the field experience fee.
Cost: $15; this fee will cover different things for each experience (ex: lunch in Northwest and West Centra).
Registration: Sign up for the field experiences through the Conference Registration - COMING SOON!
Southern Region
Paddle Little Grassy Lake
Date/Time: 2021 conference
Location: Little Grassy Lake Campground & Marina
Interpretive paddle around scenic Little Grassy Lake. Paddling instruction and water safety will be provided prior to loading into boats. Lead by naturalists we will explore the uninterrupted shoreline and share the natural history of the lake and bluffs. Approx. 2 hours; no experience needed
East Central Region
Saturday, March 13
2:00pm-4:00pm
Funks Grove History Tour
Sugar Grove Nature Center, 4532 N 725 East Rd. McLean, IL 61754
Travel back in time as we explore historical landmarks and features of Funks Grove, located along the Historic Route 66 highway in McLean County! We will meet at Sugar Grove Nature Center for an introduction to the history of Funks Grove and then embark on a tour to visit the Funks Grove Church and Cemetery, and the Funks Grove Prairie Home & Gem Museum, and more.
Maximum 12 participants
Saturday, March 13
10:00am-12:00pm
Treasure Hunting In the Woods: An Introduction to Letterboxing
Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 2573 S. Homer Lake Rd. Homer, IL. 61849
Ever wanted to go on a real-life treasure hunt? Attend this field session to learn all about the art of Letterboxing, a real-life treasure hunt that involves art, puzzle-solving, and using clues to find hidden objects. We will have resident experts on site sharing their knowledge and helping new or beginner Letterboxers get started with this popular hobby.
Minimum 5 participants/Maximum 12 participants.
Northeast Region
Wildlife Exhibit Hike
Date/Time: March 11th, 2020 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Willowbrook Wildlife Center, 525 S. Park Blvd. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Join the experts who provide care and wildlife treatment to injured/orphaned wild animals for a guided tour through the wildlife sanctuary.
Northwest Region
Nachusa Grasslands Tour and Picnic
Date/Time: March 2021 (Fri 3/12 or Sat 3/13)
Location: Nachusa Grasslands
Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour into the bison enclosure at Nachusa Grasslands. We will be accompanied by the site manager and a scientist with the Nature Conservancy studying prairie restoration. Bison were re- introduced at several sites across the country as a keystone species necessary in tallgrass prairies, and their impact on the prairie ecosystem can now be studied.
A catered picnic lunch will be included, eat on-site or at the nearby Franklin Creek State Park.
West Central
Explore the City of the Sun
Location: Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site
Date/Time: March 13th, 2021; 11am-2pm
Participants are invited to Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site to learn more about the Mississippians. The museum opens at 9am and closes at 5. You are welcome to arrive before the tour to walk through the museum or you can stay after the tour is finished to do so. Tours will consist of walking tours of Monk's Mound (the largest earthen structure in North America), a brown bag lunch talk with an archaeologist, and a tour of the grand plaza. Come with your walking shoes on and a water bottle. Lunch will be provided.
Conference Registration
Full Conference Registration - Includes full access for 3-day conference including post-conference access to all session recordings.
Costs below do not include platform hosting, processing and service fees. If the fees and/or conference cost is the reason you cannot attend please check out the Conference Scholarships below, or contact EEAI Executive Director Abbie Enlund about further assistance.
EEAI Members - $50
Non-Members - $80 (includes one-year EEAI membership)
Students - $25
In-Person Regional Field Experiences -
$15/per event
More details to come!
Costs below do not include platform hosting, processing and service fees. If the fees and/or conference cost is the reason you cannot attend please check out the Conference Scholarships below, or contact EEAI Executive Director Abbie Enlund about further assistance.
EEAI Members - $50
Non-Members - $80 (includes one-year EEAI membership)
Students - $25
In-Person Regional Field Experiences -
$15/per event
More details to come!
Scholarships
Hey EEAI members, did you know that each region offers scholarship money to attend our annual conference? Please contact your regional director for more information:
- Northeast: Ylanda Wilhite, Rebecca Pruim, and Lara Sviatko NorthEastRegionEEAI@gmail.com
- Northwest: Janet Dhalberg and Susie Ingram, NorthWestRegionEEAI@gmail.com
- East Central: Abby DeBuhr and Mariah Myers EastCentralRegionEEAI@gmail.com
- West: Marvin Warner and Ramona Puskar, WestCentralRegionEEAI@gmail.com
- South: Teresa Vaughn and Rockette Jaros, SouthernRegionEEAI@gmail.com
Call for Exhibitors
Engage with the conference participants to promote your company or organization. Virtual exhibit booths provide a high-quality, low time commitment way to spread the word about resources, services, products or events that you have to offer. Exhibit booth can include pre-recorded videos, chat function, company profile, logo and more.
Call for Sponsors - Annual Conference Needs YOUR Help!
Major statewide conferences require a great deal of financial support from organizations, foundations and companies all over Illinois. We are currently seeking financial support for the 2021 Annual Conference to offset speaker, workshop, field trip and online platform expenses. Consider becoming a sponsor for the conference to ensure that the registration cost for participants stays as low as possible.
Being a sponsor this year will have the added benefit of virtually connecting directly with hundreds of educators from all over the state and being able to immediately direct them to your website, programs, products and resources. Through sponsor logos (linked back to your website) being placed directly on the homepage of the virtual conference platform and opportunities to highlight your company or organization, no participant will leave without having seen what you have to offer the environmental education field in Illinois.
Don't miss out on this exceptional promotional opportunity!
For sponsorship levels, promotional opportunities and information about exactly what your contribution will go towards please check out the
2021 Sponsorship Request Letter
To become a sponsor you can print the Sponsor Form and mail the form and payment to;
Anita Purves Nature Center
Attn: Environmental Education Association of Illinois
1505 N Broadway Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
BRAND NEW CONFERENCE SPONSOR PACKET!
See all the details in one place, including all the unique virtual opportunities available to sponsors this year!
See all the details in one place, including all the unique virtual opportunities available to sponsors this year!
Becoming a sponsor just got a whole lot easier!
Don't want to fill out the form and mail it in with a check? Simply click the green Donate to the 2021 Conference button , fill out the information and select "Donate to 2021 Conference" at the end of the form. EEAI staff will then contact you for logo and exhibit information when applicable.
Don't want to fill out the form and mail it in with a check? Simply click the green Donate to the 2021 Conference button , fill out the information and select "Donate to 2021 Conference" at the end of the form. EEAI staff will then contact you for logo and exhibit information when applicable.
2021 Conference Sponsors
Thank you for your support!
|
|
|
|
Individual Donors
Sharon Locke
Marvin Warner
Lara Sviatko
Patty Brown
Kathleen Gaare-Wiese
Marvin Warner
Lara Sviatko
Patty Brown
Kathleen Gaare-Wiese