Annual Conference

Conference Theme

Environmental education is a process that helps individuals, communities, and organizations learn more about the environment while developing skills and understanding about how to address global challenges and inspire change. But if EE is not accessible to everyone, the potential impact is limited.

As we endeavor to support authentic and meaningful educational opportunities for all learners, we embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion as central to our work. EENC is taking steps to become more equitable and inclusive in order to support this transformation of the field of environmental education.  We want to invite the EE community in North Carolina to join us on this journey! EENC is working to make good on our Diversity Statement by developing new projects outlined in our strategic plan, offering board training, and creating a diversity, equity, and inclusion working group. EENC wants to help our membership tackle these often difficult and sometimes uncomfortable topics by seeking quality professional development and resources that will help our members and environmental educators across the state promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their programs and work environments.

At the 2018 EENC Conference, we will have a workshop focused on inclusion, sessions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and a keynote speaker who dedicates his energy to empowering, exploring, and creating positive change. All of this, and more, will help us take steps to make EE for All!

Research Symposium

One of the features of our conference is our Research Symposium, in which EE researchers present their research.   This year's Symposium will once again highlight both posters and talks.  The posters are presented during the cocktail hour before the banquet, so stop by and learn from area researchers as you mingle!  The talks will take place in a cluster on Saturday morning.  Please join us to learn more about the state of EE research in North Carolina!

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

The conference schedule is now available!  The current schedule includes the dates, presentation titles, and the presenters.  We'll add more details, including the schedule and the full descriptions, soon!  

Please note that the dates of the presentations are currently in flux and may change before the conference begins.

Workshops and Field Trips

We have one workshop and five field trips for your learning and enjoyment at the 2018 conference!  All of the following will take place Thursday, September 27.

Workshop: Why Inclusion Matters For Your Teaching, Programs, and Facility.  
9:00am-5:00pm, $25 (includes lunch)

Are your programs accessible to all?  Is your facility accessible? Who isn't there and why?  Why should they be there? EENC wants to help our membership tackle these often difficult, and sometimes uncomfortable, topics to help our members and EEers across the state consider diversity, equity, and inclusion within their work environments and their programs. Join Desiree Adaway and Ericka Hines for an introduction and self-assessment on this hot topic in environmental education.

Field Trips:

The following field trips  will be offered for free on Thursday, September 27.  We will register people on a first come, first served basis at the registration table.  Due to the last-minute move from our original conference venue, you will need to provide your own transportation to each of these sites, and meals will be provided at the hotel.

• Museum of Life and Sciences (full day)
  
• Duke Gardens (morning)
• Eno River State Park Hike (afternoon)
• Duke Lemur Center Tour (afternoon)
• Hub Farm Tour (afternoon)

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