March 11-13, 2021
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Call for Presenters
Join the 2021 EEAI Annual Conference as a CONFERENCE PRESENTER!
This year's virtual conference should allow for educators from all over the state to easily participate as presenters, increasing the wide range of programs and organizations that can be involved.
Presenters can choose a "live" virtual presentation to be able to present and interact with participants directly. Or submit a pre-recorded presentation that the conference committee will make available to all conference attendees. All sessions will be recorded and shared out widely to all participants upon the completion of the conference. Which means participants will have increased access to learning opportunities and presenters can reach even more educators!
A virtual conference provides for more flexibility in presenter format and length of time. Check out all the presentation options!
Pool Presenter - 1 hour LIVE presentation
Presenter will present at a specific time using a platform such as zoom.
Ideal for:
Rocky Bottom Presenter - 30 minute LIVE presentation
Presenter will present at a specified time using a platform such as zoom.
Ideal for:
Leaf Pack Presenter - 30 minute PRE-RECORDED presentation
Presenter will record presentation and send to committee. Presentation will be available for attendees to watch when they can.
Ideal for:
Riffles and Runs Presenter - 15 minute PRE-RECORDED presentation
Presenter will record presentation and send to committee. Presentation will be available for attendees to watch when the can.
Ideal for:
Presenters that can not be present for a live presentation
Do you have a program, product, resource or idea to share? Please consider signing up to be a 2021 Conference Presenter!
This year's virtual conference should allow for educators from all over the state to easily participate as presenters, increasing the wide range of programs and organizations that can be involved.
Presenters can choose a "live" virtual presentation to be able to present and interact with participants directly. Or submit a pre-recorded presentation that the conference committee will make available to all conference attendees. All sessions will be recorded and shared out widely to all participants upon the completion of the conference. Which means participants will have increased access to learning opportunities and presenters can reach even more educators!
A virtual conference provides for more flexibility in presenter format and length of time. Check out all the presentation options!
Pool Presenter - 1 hour LIVE presentation
Presenter will present at a specific time using a platform such as zoom.
Ideal for:
- Highly interactive presentation
- In-depth discussion
- Question and Answer Section
Rocky Bottom Presenter - 30 minute LIVE presentation
Presenter will present at a specified time using a platform such as zoom.
Ideal for:
- Interactive presentation
- Question and Answer Section
Leaf Pack Presenter - 30 minute PRE-RECORDED presentation
Presenter will record presentation and send to committee. Presentation will be available for attendees to watch when they can.
Ideal for:
- Presenters that can not be present for a live presentation
- Low interaction presentation
Riffles and Runs Presenter - 15 minute PRE-RECORDED presentation
Presenter will record presentation and send to committee. Presentation will be available for attendees to watch when the can.
Ideal for:
Presenters that can not be present for a live presentation
- Students presenting research or projects
- Organizational Highlights
Do you have a program, product, resource or idea to share? Please consider signing up to be a 2021 Conference Presenter!
Conference Strands
- Water-Related Education
- water conservation
- aquatic habitats
- water related community-based science programs
- Community Engagement
- Innovative Programming for a Digital World
- Support for Educators during COVID
- Non-formal and Formal Education Partnerships
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. More information on each event and how to register will be available soon!
Southern Region
Paddle Little Grassy Lake
Date/Time: 2021 conference
Location: Little Grassy Lake Campground & Marina
Cost/RSVP: RSVP to our FB page or email; cost TBD based on conference committee. (in-kind donation of canoes/kayaks by Little Grassy Campground)
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
Letterboxing at Homer Lake & Funks Grove History Tour
Date/Time: TBD/TBD
Location: Homer Lake/Funks Grove
Cost/RSVP: Conference registration & pricing
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. Come to Funks Grove and explore the history of this Illinois gem! We will begin the day at Sugar Grove Nature Center and then take a drive through the Grove, visiting the Funks Grove Cemetery and Church, the Funk Prairie Home & Gem Museum, and more!
Northeast Region
Wildlife Exhibit Hike
Date/Time: March 13th, 2020 10am-12pm
Location: Willowbrook Wildlife Center, 525 S. Park Blvd. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Cost/RSVP: will depend on virtual/in person event RSVP: rpruim@st-raphaelschool.org
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
Cost/RSVP: TBD/Susie and Janet at northwestregioneeai@gmail.com Cost to cover lunch
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
Cahokia Mounds
Date/Time: Saturday, March 13, 9:00 – Noon
Location: Cahokia Mounds, Collinsville
More details to come!
Southern Region
Paddle Little Grassy Lake
Date/Time: 2021 conference
Location: Little Grassy Lake Campground & Marina
Cost/RSVP: RSVP to our FB page or email; cost TBD based on conference committee. (in-kind donation of canoes/kayaks by Little Grassy Campground)
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
Letterboxing at Homer Lake & Funks Grove History Tour
Date/Time: TBD/TBD
Location: Homer Lake/Funks Grove
Cost/RSVP: Conference registration & pricing
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. Come to Funks Grove and explore the history of this Illinois gem! We will begin the day at Sugar Grove Nature Center and then take a drive through the Grove, visiting the Funks Grove Cemetery and Church, the Funk Prairie Home & Gem Museum, and more!
Northeast Region
Wildlife Exhibit Hike
Date/Time: March 13th, 2020 10am-12pm
Location: Willowbrook Wildlife Center, 525 S. Park Blvd. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137
Cost/RSVP: will depend on virtual/in person event RSVP: rpruim@st-raphaelschool.org
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
Cost/RSVP: TBD/Susie and Janet at northwestregioneeai@gmail.com Cost to cover lunch
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
Cahokia Mounds
Date/Time: Saturday, March 13, 9:00 – Noon
Location: Cahokia Mounds, Collinsville
More details to come!
Conference Registration
Full Conference Registration - Includes full access for 3-day conference including post-conference access to all session recordings.
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!
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 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!
