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
October 28, 2019
Earth Force Workshop
Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Channahon, IL
9:00am - 3:00pm; please arrive a few minutes early to sign in.
Facilitator - Colleen McVeigh, The Field Museum
Additional Presenter - Ben Whitehouse, SkyDay
Join EEAI at our first Earth Force Curriculum training program. This nationally awarded and recognized project-based learning curriculum engages young people as active citizens who improve the environment and their communities now and in the future.
Earth Force believes that a civic experience is an essential element of education about the environment. To ensure that young people have this experience Earth Force helps teachers develop young people with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to solve tough environmental problems:
STEM Knowledge
Earth Force students improve their STEM knowledge by generating and applying data to address issues in their community.
Civic Skills
Earth Force students develop civic skills by working with communities to solve local problems.
Environmental Motivation
Earth Force gives young people hands on experience solving environmental problems, which motivates them to become lifelong advocates of the planet.
This training will give you all the background, curriculum understanding and implementation help needed to fully utilize the Earth Force program in your classroom, non-formal facility or after-school program.
Colleen, McVeigh, from The Field Museum, will facilitate this workshop. Participants will receive full training, curriculum materials, follow-up implementation assistance and refreshments. Participants should bring a bag-lunch.
Additionally, Ben Whitehouse from SkyDay will be providing participants with an introduction to SkyDay, their current projects and upcoming art/science/sky curriculum.
Cost: $0 EEAI Members; $15 Non-Members
Register today. Registration is limited to 15 participants.
Questions? Contact Abbie Enlund, EEAI Executive Director, executivedirectoreeai@gmail.com
Tuesday, October 29 or Wednesday, November 6
Information Session on Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP)
6:30pm-8:00pm
Brookfield Zoo, Discovery Center Savannah Room
The Chicago Zoological Society and Project Dragonfly at Miami University in Ohio partner to bring you a conservation-focuses, inquiry-driven learning experience. The AIP is a groundbreaking master's degree program that combines web instruction from Miami University with exciting experiential learning and field study on site at Brookfield Zoo.
RSVP to agnes.kovacs@czs.org or call 708-688-8223.
Wednesday, October 30
Elementary School Projects with an International Reach
with Lisa Anderson
6:30–730 pm CST
Lisa Anderson routinely gets her primary school students to think beyond their immediate bubble through lessons and projects that highlight the full stories of how we get food and other everyday products. In this webinar, she shares her insights about how to make these explorations particularly meaningful and how to bring environmental stewardship into the formal education setting, from pre-kindergarten to grade eight.
Read more and register
November 1-4, 2019
Certified Interpretive Guide Training Course
Touch of Nature Environmental Center; 1206 Touch of Nature Road, Makanda, IL 62958
Instructor: Bob Carter
Registration Cost: $265 (Certification is an additional $150)
Touch of Nature Environmental Center, in partnership with the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), is offering a training course for individuals in the field of Interpretation. It is designed for individuals who deliver interpretive programs or have contact with the public at interpretive sites.
For more information and to register visit https://www.interpnet.com/nai/nai/_events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=CIG110119
Saturday, November 2
Rocks and Minerals
8:30 a.m. - noon
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook
No Fee
Get to know rocks and minerals with specific activities and lessons for the study of basic earth science. Uncover the mysteries of our planet as we explore the earth from its core to the outer reaches of space. Discover how different types of rocks are formed, see fluorescent minerals glow, crack geodes, see amazing Illinois fossils, and learn why scientists want to mine asteroids. Participants will receive lessons and activities for plate tectonics, weathering and basic earth-science concepts for preschool to grade 8. For more information, visit the Forest Preserve District of DuPage website using the title link.
3.5 CPDH
Nov 7, 2019
Chicago Wilderness Climate Clinic
10am-2pm
Benedictine University, Lisle, IL.
Presenting current trends and forecasts on our rapidly changing climate to build our capacity as educators to inspire action and develop resiliency. Free. Must be a current member of EEAI or CW to register and participate in this workshop. Contact Susie Ingram to register:
northwestregioneeai@gmail.com.
Thursday, November 7
Regional Roundtable: EEAI/Chicago Wilderness Climate Clinic at Benedictine University
10 am-2 pm
Lisle, IL
Cost: FREE for EEAI and CW members.
Join EEAI's Northwest & Northeast Regions, along with Chicago Wilderness, for this professional development and networking opportunity! Susan Ask of the Animalia Project will present current climate trends and forecasts and discuss what educators can do to communicate this information in an accurate, impactful way. Please bring your lunch, as EEAI and CW members will participate in informal meetings during lunchtime.
Register now using the title link.
November 10, 2019
EEAI West Central Bring and Share
5:30pm-8:30pm
The Nature Institute, Godfrey, IL.
Join other members of EEAI at the Nature Institute for a fun time of sharing ideas and networking with each other. We will sit around the campfire, make some s’mores and go for a night hike. Bring with you ideas for engaging visitors and students during night time activities, and your favorite secret s’mores ingredient. Bring a friend that will be interested in the work of EEAI. RSVP my November 5 by emailing westcentralregionEEAI@gmail.com.
Sunday, November 10
EEAI West Central Bring and Share
5:30pm-8:30pm
The Nature Institute, Godfrey, IL.
oin other members of EEAI at the Nature Institute for a fun time of sharing ideas and networking with each other. We will sit around the campfire, make some s'mores and go for a night hike. Bring with you ideas for engaging visitors and students during night time activities, and your favorite secret s'mores ingredient. Bring a friend that will be interested in the work of EEAI.
RSVP by November 5th by emailing westcentralregionEEAI@gmail.com
Tuesday, November 12- Sunday, November 16
National Association for Interpretation Conference
Denver, Colorado
The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) professional association for those involved in the interpretation of natural and cultural heritage resources in settings such as parks, zoos, museums, nature centers, aquaria, botanical gardens, and historical sites. For more information on the conference, click the title link.
Wednesday, November 13
Advocating for Environmental Programs in the Community
9:30-12:30pm
Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.
EEAI is partnering with the Chicago Wilderness Education Team to discuss advocating for environmental programs in the community. Iyana Simba, from the IL. Environmental Council, will begin the meeting with a talk about advocacy. The remaining of the meeting will include Winter Tree ID, a Nature Play Space tour and Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) N-ACT Program. Register through the title link by November 6.
For more information contact Ylanda Wilhite at ywilhite@fieldmuseum.org
Wednesday, Nov. 13
Using Geocaching and Orienteering as Engaging Learning Tools
with Becky Lewis
6:30–7:30 pm CST
If students are asking to stay outside even during inclement weather, your lesson is making an impact. It’s especially rewarding when this lesson requires students to use critical thinking and transferable practical skills. See how Becky Lewis is augmenting her teaching by using geocaching and orienteering.
Read more and register
November 16, 2019
Birding Citizen Science Training
Heartland Community College; Normal, IL
9:00am - 11:30am
Cost: FREE - Thank you to Illinois Prairie Community Foundation for financially supporting this program.
Join thousands across North America in providing valuable bird data as a part of Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s citizen science program – Project FeederWatch. Get the training and tools needed to start participating in this program with your nature center, classroom or family. This program will start indoors describing the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project FeederWatch and other birding citizen science programs. Following the indoor instructional period participants will head outside for a birding experience in two different settings. Each participant that is there for the entire class will receive a 1 year annual membership for Project FeederWatch valued at $18.
Participants should bring binoculars (some will be available), a refillable water bottle, appropriate shoes and dress for being outside and bug spray. There will be a moderate walk to the gardens and the pond. Participants with physical limitations should let us know upon registration so arrangements can be made for safe inclusion.
RSVP to Pam Evans - evansp@cusd305.org Program limited to 20 participants so REGISTER TODAY!
Wednesday, November 20
Conservation through the Lens of Religion
with Carissa McKinney
6:30–7:30 pm CST
This will be a deep dive into the fascinating connections between select religions and conservation education. Many of the overlaps can form the basis of hands-on lessons in the science classroom and beyond.
Read more and register
November 23, 2019
ENTICE:Tracks, Scats and Habitats
Starved Rock State Park, Utica
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Often when exploring nature, instead of seeing an animal, we find what it left behind. Join us in this exploration of animal signs and how they relate to habitats. We'll be practicing our skills on an outdoor field trip, too. We'll show you how to incorporate the topic into your lessons and provide resources to help you do so. Although targeted to teachers of grades prekindergarten through four, other educators are welcome to register and attend the workshop but may need to adapt the materials as appropriate. Professional Development Hours are available. Visit https://www.enticeworkshops.com/ to register.
Friday, June 19, 2020
Partnering For the Blanding's Turtle
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville
$10 per person
Explore STEM science and the endangered Blanding's turtle. Meet ecologists, biologists and naturalists from the DuPage and Will county forest preserve districts to discover their efforts to revitalize the Blanding's turtle populations. Begin your day with a presentation and head out for a field study in telemetry. Then, meet captive-reared turtles, view their native habitat and learn about a unique partnership between the forest preserve districts, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Illinois Department of Natural Resources. For more information, visit the Forest Preserve District of DuPage website using the title link.
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
October 28, 2019
Earth Force Workshop
Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Channahon, IL
9:00am - 3:00pm; please arrive a few minutes early to sign in.
Facilitator - Colleen McVeigh, The Field Museum
Additional Presenter - Ben Whitehouse, SkyDay
Join EEAI at our first Earth Force Curriculum training program. This nationally awarded and recognized project-based learning curriculum engages young people as active citizens who improve the environment and their communities now and in the future.
Earth Force believes that a civic experience is an essential element of education about the environment. To ensure that young people have this experience Earth Force helps teachers develop young people with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to solve tough environmental problems:
STEM Knowledge
Earth Force students improve their STEM knowledge by generating and applying data to address issues in their community.
Civic Skills
Earth Force students develop civic skills by working with communities to solve local problems.
Environmental Motivation
Earth Force gives young people hands on experience solving environmental problems, which motivates them to become lifelong advocates of the planet.
This training will give you all the background, curriculum understanding and implementation help needed to fully utilize the Earth Force program in your classroom, non-formal facility or after-school program.
Colleen, McVeigh, from The Field Museum, will facilitate this workshop. Participants will receive full training, curriculum materials, follow-up implementation assistance and refreshments. Participants should bring a bag-lunch.
Additionally, Ben Whitehouse from SkyDay will be providing participants with an introduction to SkyDay, their current projects and upcoming art/science/sky curriculum.
Cost: $0 EEAI Members; $15 Non-Members
Register today. Registration is limited to 15 participants.
Questions? Contact Abbie Enlund, EEAI Executive Director, executivedirectoreeai@gmail.com
Tuesday, October 29 or Wednesday, November 6
Information Session on Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP)
6:30pm-8:00pm
Brookfield Zoo, Discovery Center Savannah Room
The Chicago Zoological Society and Project Dragonfly at Miami University in Ohio partner to bring you a conservation-focuses, inquiry-driven learning experience. The AIP is a groundbreaking master's degree program that combines web instruction from Miami University with exciting experiential learning and field study on site at Brookfield Zoo.
RSVP to agnes.kovacs@czs.org or call 708-688-8223.
Wednesday, October 30
Elementary School Projects with an International Reach
with Lisa Anderson
6:30–730 pm CST
Lisa Anderson routinely gets her primary school students to think beyond their immediate bubble through lessons and projects that highlight the full stories of how we get food and other everyday products. In this webinar, she shares her insights about how to make these explorations particularly meaningful and how to bring environmental stewardship into the formal education setting, from pre-kindergarten to grade eight.
Read more and register
November 1-4, 2019
Certified Interpretive Guide Training Course
Touch of Nature Environmental Center; 1206 Touch of Nature Road, Makanda, IL 62958
Instructor: Bob Carter
Registration Cost: $265 (Certification is an additional $150)
Touch of Nature Environmental Center, in partnership with the National Association for Interpretation (NAI), is offering a training course for individuals in the field of Interpretation. It is designed for individuals who deliver interpretive programs or have contact with the public at interpretive sites.
For more information and to register visit https://www.interpnet.com/nai/nai/_events/Event_Display.aspx?EventKey=CIG110119
Saturday, November 2
Rocks and Minerals
8:30 a.m. - noon
Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook
No Fee
Get to know rocks and minerals with specific activities and lessons for the study of basic earth science. Uncover the mysteries of our planet as we explore the earth from its core to the outer reaches of space. Discover how different types of rocks are formed, see fluorescent minerals glow, crack geodes, see amazing Illinois fossils, and learn why scientists want to mine asteroids. Participants will receive lessons and activities for plate tectonics, weathering and basic earth-science concepts for preschool to grade 8. For more information, visit the Forest Preserve District of DuPage website using the title link.
3.5 CPDH
Nov 7, 2019
Chicago Wilderness Climate Clinic
10am-2pm
Benedictine University, Lisle, IL.
Presenting current trends and forecasts on our rapidly changing climate to build our capacity as educators to inspire action and develop resiliency. Free. Must be a current member of EEAI or CW to register and participate in this workshop. Contact Susie Ingram to register:
northwestregioneeai@gmail.com.
Thursday, November 7
Regional Roundtable: EEAI/Chicago Wilderness Climate Clinic at Benedictine University
10 am-2 pm
Lisle, IL
Cost: FREE for EEAI and CW members.
Join EEAI's Northwest & Northeast Regions, along with Chicago Wilderness, for this professional development and networking opportunity! Susan Ask of the Animalia Project will present current climate trends and forecasts and discuss what educators can do to communicate this information in an accurate, impactful way. Please bring your lunch, as EEAI and CW members will participate in informal meetings during lunchtime.
Register now using the title link.
November 10, 2019
EEAI West Central Bring and Share
5:30pm-8:30pm
The Nature Institute, Godfrey, IL.
Join other members of EEAI at the Nature Institute for a fun time of sharing ideas and networking with each other. We will sit around the campfire, make some s’mores and go for a night hike. Bring with you ideas for engaging visitors and students during night time activities, and your favorite secret s’mores ingredient. Bring a friend that will be interested in the work of EEAI. RSVP my November 5 by emailing westcentralregionEEAI@gmail.com.
Sunday, November 10
EEAI West Central Bring and Share
5:30pm-8:30pm
The Nature Institute, Godfrey, IL.
oin other members of EEAI at the Nature Institute for a fun time of sharing ideas and networking with each other. We will sit around the campfire, make some s'mores and go for a night hike. Bring with you ideas for engaging visitors and students during night time activities, and your favorite secret s'mores ingredient. Bring a friend that will be interested in the work of EEAI.
RSVP by November 5th by emailing westcentralregionEEAI@gmail.com
Tuesday, November 12- Sunday, November 16
National Association for Interpretation Conference
Denver, Colorado
The National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) professional association for those involved in the interpretation of natural and cultural heritage resources in settings such as parks, zoos, museums, nature centers, aquaria, botanical gardens, and historical sites. For more information on the conference, click the title link.
Wednesday, November 13
Advocating for Environmental Programs in the Community
9:30-12:30pm
Morton Arboretum, Lisle, IL.
EEAI is partnering with the Chicago Wilderness Education Team to discuss advocating for environmental programs in the community. Iyana Simba, from the IL. Environmental Council, will begin the meeting with a talk about advocacy. The remaining of the meeting will include Winter Tree ID, a Nature Play Space tour and Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI) N-ACT Program. Register through the title link by November 6.
For more information contact Ylanda Wilhite at ywilhite@fieldmuseum.org
Wednesday, Nov. 13
Using Geocaching and Orienteering as Engaging Learning Tools
with Becky Lewis
6:30–7:30 pm CST
If students are asking to stay outside even during inclement weather, your lesson is making an impact. It’s especially rewarding when this lesson requires students to use critical thinking and transferable practical skills. See how Becky Lewis is augmenting her teaching by using geocaching and orienteering.
Read more and register
November 16, 2019
Birding Citizen Science Training
Heartland Community College; Normal, IL
9:00am - 11:30am
Cost: FREE - Thank you to Illinois Prairie Community Foundation for financially supporting this program.
Join thousands across North America in providing valuable bird data as a part of Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s citizen science program – Project FeederWatch. Get the training and tools needed to start participating in this program with your nature center, classroom or family. This program will start indoors describing the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Project FeederWatch and other birding citizen science programs. Following the indoor instructional period participants will head outside for a birding experience in two different settings. Each participant that is there for the entire class will receive a 1 year annual membership for Project FeederWatch valued at $18.
Participants should bring binoculars (some will be available), a refillable water bottle, appropriate shoes and dress for being outside and bug spray. There will be a moderate walk to the gardens and the pond. Participants with physical limitations should let us know upon registration so arrangements can be made for safe inclusion.
RSVP to Pam Evans - evansp@cusd305.org Program limited to 20 participants so REGISTER TODAY!
Wednesday, November 20
Conservation through the Lens of Religion
with Carissa McKinney
6:30–7:30 pm CST
This will be a deep dive into the fascinating connections between select religions and conservation education. Many of the overlaps can form the basis of hands-on lessons in the science classroom and beyond.
Read more and register
November 23, 2019
ENTICE:Tracks, Scats and Habitats
Starved Rock State Park, Utica
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Often when exploring nature, instead of seeing an animal, we find what it left behind. Join us in this exploration of animal signs and how they relate to habitats. We'll be practicing our skills on an outdoor field trip, too. We'll show you how to incorporate the topic into your lessons and provide resources to help you do so. Although targeted to teachers of grades prekindergarten through four, other educators are welcome to register and attend the workshop but may need to adapt the materials as appropriate. Professional Development Hours are available. Visit https://www.enticeworkshops.com/ to register.
Friday, June 19, 2020
Partnering For the Blanding's Turtle
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville
$10 per person
Explore STEM science and the endangered Blanding's turtle. Meet ecologists, biologists and naturalists from the DuPage and Will county forest preserve districts to discover their efforts to revitalize the Blanding's turtle populations. Begin your day with a presentation and head out for a field study in telemetry. Then, meet captive-reared turtles, view their native habitat and learn about a unique partnership between the forest preserve districts, U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Illinois Department of Natural Resources. For more information, visit the Forest Preserve District of DuPage website using the title link.