See the Project Learning Tree / Growing Up WILD Trainings page for even more trainings.

More Opportunities Near You


Monthly (Date Changes each month) 
NAAEE Monthly Webinar Series
Each month join members of the NAAEE eePro community to hear from educators, researchers and authors on a wide range of topics in environmental education. 
Available to EEAI members. Look for more information on your Member Login Page.
​Questions? Email EEAI Executive Director Abbie Enlund executivedirectoreeai@gmail.com

March 6; 6:30 -7:30 p.m.
FREE - Green Teacher Webinar
Mindfulness and Creative Nature Play with  Dave Bauer 
Mindfulness is inherently connected to children’s creative nature play. This also applies, by extension, to adults who facilitate and/or join children in their imaginative explorations within a natural setting. During this interactive webinar, we invite you to watch and learn or actively join the discussion by sharing your ideas, experiences, and insights about this topic. Dave will kick-start the discussion by outlining the benefits for both children and adults of being mindful and sharing time in nature. Find registration information here. 

​March 21- March 23, 2019
2019 EEAI Conference: Rooted For Life
Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center & Douglas-Hart Nature Center
Mattoon, IL. 
This conference is a strong connection of formal and non-formal education, plus administrative and management strands for extraordinary professional development. ISBE PD hours will be available for formal educators for all sessions. Conference includes: 
  • Off-site Field Sessions
  • Workshops
  • Concurrent Sessions
  • Keynotes
  •  Awards Banquet and Dinner
  • And more!

​March 20-23, 2019 
NAI Heartland Region Workshop: Sustainability on Point
University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
Whether a lifelong NAI member or a first-timer, NAI workshops provide a place for interpreters to network with others in the field and get inspired. The 2019 planning committee is working hard to bring you fun, educational, and inspirational opportunities and experiences. The theme for 2019 is Sustainability on Point.
Call for Presenters
Do you have knowledge or projects you would like to share? Consider presenting! You can complete applications for one- or two-hour sessions here. The deadline for proposals is September 1, 2018.
For more information check out the NAI Heartland Region website or contact the workshop chair Dr. Brenda Lackey. 

March 27, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
FREE - Green Teacher Webinar
Bird-focused Citizen Science with  Liza Barney 
Birds can be found in our backyards, schoolyards, local parks and communities, offering an exciting and accessible connection to nature all year long. Participating in citizen science is a fun way to help students get to know their local birds, and contribute to real-world science. This webinar will introduce entry-level, student-friendly Citizen Science programs for all ages and experiences, including Project FeederWatch, Great Backyard Bird Count, Schoolyard Bird Blitz, Project NestWatch and the Christmas Bird Count for Kids. Find registration information here. 

April 6, 2019
ENTICE: Introducing Early Childhood Students to the Nature of Spring
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Spring is a wonderful season for young children to explore nature! There is so much to see and learn. Join us to discover what nature can tell us in spring. We’ll take a hike to put our knowledge to work and will feature the Field Trip Pack from the IDNR. We’ll show you how to support the teaching of several of the Illinois Early Learning and Development Standards for science and Next Generation Science Standards with your students. Although targeted to grades prekindergarten through two, all educators are welcome to register for the workshop, but the information may need to be adapted, as appropriate. You’ll take away numerous resources to use with young children when learning about nature. Professional Development Hours are available.
To register visit https://www.enticeworkshops.com/.
 
April 10; 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
FREE - Green Teacher Webinar
Secrets to Snagging Great Science Partners with  Megan Edgar 
In this webinar, Megan will help you understand how to cultivate and grow relationships with community members who can enrich classroom learning experiences. She will help you determine what type of partnership is right for your students, how to grow partnerships into long-term research projects, and how to tie field experiences to required curriculum. This webinar will help you learn how to take your students into the real world of science and conservation where they can practice science process skills in an authentic setting and meet inspiring people from their home community.  Find registration information here. 

​April 23-25
NatureStart™ Professional Development
9am-4pm
Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, IL
The Chicago Zoological Society is offering a regional model of its NatureStart™ professional development course. This competency-based training is for teachers and staff from Head Start programs and for informal educators from zoos, museums, and nature centers who provide programs for young children and families. Together, educators will build skills for developing and faciliatating nature play experiences for young children in all settings.
 
Cost: $550 includes NatureStart™ Toolkit, 18 hours of interactive training and continental breakfast and lunch each day.
For additional dates, locations or more information, contact Marilyn Brink, Marilyn.brink@czs.org or Cory Wilcox, cory.wilcox@czs.org.
To register visit https://www.czs.org/NatureStartCourse. 

April 27, 2019
ENTICE: Illinois Pollinators
Kendall County Forest Preserve District, Yorkville, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Explore the hidden world of pollinators and their unique relationship with the plants they pollinate. We’ll take a hike to look at native plants and their pollinators in action. You’ll experience hands-on activities that can be instantly implemented into your curriculum, too. Although targeted to teachers of grades kindergarten through four, all educators are welcome to register for this workshop but may need to adapt the materials for their students, as appropriate. Supplemental resources will be provided. Professional Development Hours are available. To register visit https://www.enticeworkshops.com/.

May 4, 2019
ENTICE: Meet the Mississippi
Mississippi River Visitors’ Center, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island Arsenal, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Come to this workshop to learn about the Mississippi River and some of the wildlife species that depend on it. We will talk about the traits needed to survive in a riverine environment and show you examples from native wildlife. We’ll discuss wildlife diversity in and around the river, too. Physical characteristics of the river and how they are important to wildlife and people will be explained. Although targeted to teachers of grades two through five, all educators are welcome to register for this workshop but may need to adapt the materials for their students, as appropriate. Supplemental resources will be provided. Professional Development Hours are available. To register visit https://www.enticeworkshops.com/.

May 20
2019 Regional Summit on Environmental Education in Higher Ed
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL.
The goal of this summit is to bring together educators from across northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin from all disciplines who are interested in enhancing environmental education opportunities across the curriculum.
The format of the Summit will include hands-on, interdisciplinary workshops for labs, assignment creation, and service learning projects. The goal is for participants to leave the Summit with tangible resources to incorporate into courses.
Cost: $25 will cover parking, food, and materials while at summit
Registration will open in early Spring. For more information email NIUESE.grad.assistant@gmail.com. 

June 1, 2019
Midwest Early Childhood Educator Symposium
Lessons from the Forest: How Great Programs Place Nature at the Heart of Their Curriculum
Saturday, June 1 - 8:30am - 3:00pm
Thornhill Educcation Center, The Morton Arboretum
The Northern Illinois Nature Preschool Association (NINPA), in conjunction with the Wisconsin Nature-based Early Childhood Association (WiNBECA) and The Morton Arboretum, is holding a symposium on June 1, 2019. This one-day event will bring together early childhood educators, administrators, and naturalists from across Midwest to share ideas to advance nature-based education in early childhood education. Join us to add new skills to your toolkit and learn about emerging ideas and trends in the field from experts and peers.
Register Online or by phone - 630-719-2468
​Cost: $55
EEAI will have an exhibit booth so stop by and say hi!

June 5, 2019
Northwest Region Share-A-Thon  - Pollinators and Native Plants
Peoria Park District's Tawny Oaks Field Station
The steward from Tawny Oaks Field Station will do a prairie restoration tour with us (about half an hour, no more than half-mile walk on a flat, gravel path. This path is accessible both for wheelchairs and strollers.) We can then head back inside the visitor center for treats and sharing – since this is such a good site for pollinators, including some rare ones, we will focus our sharing on activities, success stories and/or resources that have to do with pollinators and native plant education. 

Stay tuned for more information on registration coming soon! 
For questions please contact Northwest Regional Director Susie Ingram - NorthWestRegionEEAI@gmail.com

June 8, 2019
ENTICE: Introducing Early Childhood Students to the Nature of Summer
Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Summer is a great season for young children to explore nature! There is so much to see and learn. Join us to discover what nature can tell us in summer. We’ll take a hike to put our knowledge to work and will feature the Field Trip Pack from the IDNR. Although targeted to grades prekindergarten through three, all educators are welcome to register for the workshop, but the information may need to be adapted, as appropriate. You’ll take away numerous resources to use with young children when learning about summer nature. Professional Development Hours are available. To register visit https://www.enticeworkshops.com/.
 
June 18, 2019
ENTICE: Wetland Wonders Exploring the Organisms of Illinois’ Wetland Ecosystems
Cache River Visitors’ Center, Cypress, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
We’ll make a splash as we explore the fascinating organisms that live in Illinois’ wetlands. We’ll learn about their life history and identification and will put the skills to practice as we visit a wetland. Hands-on activities will be conducted, and you’ll receive supplemental educational resources. Although targeted to teachers of grades four through eight, other educators are welcome to register and attend the workshop but may need to adapt the materials as appropriate. Professional Development Hours are available. To register visit https://www.enticeworkshops.com/.
 
June 12-13, 2019
Social Interpretation Course
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Ohio
This workshop is designed for interpreters who have little or no training in graphic design or social media, but find themselves responsible for creating nonpersonal media.
Interpreters use media from Facebook pages and Twitter accounts to printed brochures and exhibits to tell their stories. Social Interpretation focuses on using basic principles of interpretation as a guide to creating effective nonpersonal media. By the end of the workshop, you should have a good understanding of how to make decisions about using social media and creating visual communications-and why an interpretive approach is an effective way to communicate with your audience through these media.
Day one focuses on developing social media skills-understanding the technical and cultural differences among popular platforms, with specific emphasis (in descending order) on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and others. Participants will understand how to cater their message to a desired audience, enhancing social media effectiveness by building the appropriate audience for their social media outlets. Day two focuses on visual communication, with specific emphasis on typography, color usage, image usage, layout, visual hierarchy, and catering messages to the appropriate medium.
For more information visit https://bit.ly/2BRPggc. 

July 1-11, 2019
2019 Educator Academy in the Amazon Professional Development
Scholarships available!
Join Al Stenstrup, Project Learning Tree; Dr. Nancy Trautmann, Cornell Lab of Ornithology;  Kristie Reddick, The Bug Chicks; along with scientists Dr. Steve Madigosky, Widener University; and Randy Morgan, Curator/Entomologist, Cincinnati Zoo as you explore:  

  • 21st Century Instruction:  5E Lesson Design ~ Inquiry-Based Exploration ~ STEM 
  • Inquiry Protocols & Resources:  Vernier  Software & Technology ~ Celestron Digital Microscopes
  • Global and Cultural Perspectives:  Service Learning ~ Sustainability ~ Global Education
  • NEW!  A specialized track for HS bio and environmental science educators with a focus on sustainability, conservation, and field work with the Maijuna indigenous community
  • Work side-by-side with scientists and researchers on citizen science projects and field studies.
  •  Explore the ¼ mile long ACTSPeru Rainforest Canopy Walkway in one of the world’s most biologically diverse environments.
  • Work with fellow educators to explore strategies for using the Amazon as a vehicle for incorporating STEM education, inquiry-based learning, and sustainability science education into your classroom.
 
Contact program director, Christa Dillabaugh at christa@amazonworkshops.com or 1-800-431-2624 for more information.
 
Scholarships and grants are available:
Grant: $1500 Vernier Software & Technology Grant for a HS/AP Science Educator
Scholarships: $1250 Amazon Workshops Scholarships for K-12 Educators
Application Deadline:  February 1, 2019 
For more information visit http://amazonworkshops.com/educator-academy/
 
August 13-14, 2019
Reflecting on Practice Workshop 
Severson Dells Nature Center
A professional learning program for informal STEM educators. Transform your practice by learning about learning and enhance your visitors' experience by applying the science of learning. 
Workshop fee: $100 ($200 stipend provided to participants) 
Food provided for participants.
Team of 2 from the same facility recommended. 
More details and registration can be found at www.czs.org/rop

September 21-22, 2019
EdVentures for Educators
Touch of Nature Environmental Center
Two-day professional development workshop providing training in Project Learning Tree e-units, hands-on field experiences with Shawnee National Forest scientists, leadership training and skill building with Touch of Nature education staff.
All training, take-home resources, lodging and meals provided free of charge. 
Workshop provided through grant funds from Sustainable Forestry Initiative. 
More information and registration coming soon. 
Check back here for the most up-to-date information.