2021 Conference |
SEPTEMBER 10 - SEPTEMBER 11, 2021
Lutheridge Camp and Conference Center
Arden, NC
Conference Overview
Join us for the 30th Annual Environmental Educators of North Carolina Conference at Lutheridge Arden, NC from Friday, September 10 to Saturday, September 11, 2021. This will also be the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance (SEEA) regional conference. Learn more about SEEA at southeastee.com.
Our 2021 SEEA/EENC conference theme is rEEmerge, honoring new beginnings as we celebrate EENC's 30th anniversary. Join us as we re-imagine a post-COVID world for Environmental Education; a world with diverse partnerships, resilient communities, and a broader concept of what it means to be an Environmental Educator.
Enjoy a conference full of professional development, networking, learning, and field experiences that will help you expand your knowledge of EE and resources in NC and beyond! Plan ahead now for pre-conference workshops, field trips, and more on Thursday, September 9.
If you have any questions about the conference, please contact Conference Co-chairs Chris Goforth and Shannon Culpepper at conference@eenc.org. EENC is handling all aspects of conference planning, including lodging and meals. Please direct all questions to Shannon and Chris as Lutheridge will be unable to give you answers.
We plan to hold the conference in person as scheduled. Please see our COVID Precautions page for more information on how we intend to limit the spread of COVID-19 at the conference and information about how to cancel your registration if COVID has impacted whether you can attend the conference or not.
Conference Schedule
The complete schedule is available now! The conference will end late afternoon Saturday, September 11.
Thursday Field Trips | Friday Breakfast | Saturday Breakfast |
Check out the list of sessions that will be offered this year on our conference schedule page!
Registration is currently closed. Details about what is included in each registration type are below. If you have questions please email EENC's Conference Co-chairs at conference@eenc.org.
If you are a teacher with Henderson County who is registering as a part of the Community Foundation of Henderson County grant, complete the registration from by Friday, August 20.
Registration Types
Full Conference registration includes: | Friday Only registration includes: | Saturday Only registration includes: |
Lodging Lutheridge Camp and Conference Center offers a variety of lodging options to meet anyone’s needs. If you haven’t been to Lutheridge before- expect a rustic, camp feeling. Please carefully read the details below. If you have any questions, contact the EENC Conference Co-chairs, Shannon Culpepper and Chris Goforth at conference@eenc.org. The EENC and SEEA conference will be the only event taking place at Lutheridge from September 9-11. All lodging options include Wednesday night, Thursday night, and Friday night. The pricing cannot be adjusted if you only want to stay one or two nights. Come early for a field trip/workshop on Thursday or to explore the area. You will be asked to select a room type during registration. Rooms vary from single hotel-style accommodations to primitive campsites and your three-night stay will range in price from $20 (camping) to $140 (single occupancy hotel-style). Please review our lodging information packet prior to registration for full details about lodging types and rates. |
We are excited to offer the following workshop on Thursday, September 9. Please see the Workshops and Field Trips Information Packet for additional details. A Workshop Sharing BEETLES Resources: Questioning Strategies and Promoting Discussion This workshop is full. Location: Lutheridge Camp and Conference Center Facilitators: Michelle Pearce, The North Carolina Arboretum and Elise Tellez, Horizons Unlimited The BEETLES (Better Environmental Education, Teaching, Learning, and Expertise Sharing) learning sessions are active experiences crafted to encourage instructors to look at specific aspects of research-based science pedagogy and to inspire shifts in instructors’ thinking about their own teaching and learning. Gain hands-on experiences in questioning strategies and promoting discussion in your EE programs in this 6 hour workshop. For more details about the specific areas of learning, please see the Workshop and Field Trips Information Packet. Learn more about BEETLES at http://beetlesproject.org/ Cost (includes lunch): We are excited to offer the following field trips on Thursday, September 9. Please see the Workshops and Field Trips Information Packet for additional details. Mouth of the Mud Creek This field trip is full. Location: Fletcher, NC Facilitator: Ericka L. Berg, Conserving Carolina, Community Engagement Manager and David Lee, Conserving Carolina, Natural Resources Manager Conserving Carolina is a local land trust that has protected nearly 46,000 acres, primarily in Henderson, Polk, Transylvania and Rutherford counties in N.C. and the Landrum, S.C. area. Spend the day at their Mouth of Mud Creek property in Fletcher! You’ll tour the property and learn about restorations, habitats, and rivercane as a Cherokee artisan resource. Continue the restoration by participating in non-native invasive species removal on-site! There are hopes for future public access on the property, and there is currently a river access point, so bring a towel and appropriate clothing if you want to take a quick dip! Learn more about Conserving Carolina and their work at Mouth of Mud Creek in the Workshop and Field Trip Information Packet. Attendees will provide their own transportation, but must check in at Lutheridge to arrange carpooling because onsite parking is limited. The Mouth of Mud Creek is about 10 minutes from Lutheridge. Cost (includes lunch): River Snorkeling in Pisgah National Forest This field trip is full. Location: Pisgah Forest, NC Facilitator: Lee Sherill, Program Coordinator, Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education The Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education (PCWE) is located in Pisgah National Forest and is part of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Join PCWE staff to explore the fascinating world of Hellbenders! Find out why this unique salamander is considered a species of special concern in NC. After lunch, explore the river while snorkeling! Wetsuits, snorkels, and masks will be provided. Attendees must check in at Lutheridge and take the transportation provided. Cost (includes lunch, transportation, and snorkeling supplies): A Monarch’s Journey: From NC to Mexico and Back This field trip is full. Location: Fruitland, NC Facilitator: Kim Bailey, Program Coordinator, City of Hendersonville Bee City USA Kim Bailey, local educator and farmer/owner of Milkweed Meadows Farm in Fruitland, NC will present an in-depth and personal view of the monarch’s remarkable life cycle and epic migration. You'll also learn how to invite monarchs into your own garden by growing milkweed and providing a succession of nectar plants throughout the season. After the farm visit and pollinator presentation, the tour will travel to Bullington Gardens, a stop on the pollinator trail. Then a visit to The Good of the Hive mural in downtown Hendersonville, a project of Bee City USA Hendersonville. Learn more about Kim and Milkweed Meadows Farm in the Workshops and Field Trips Information Packet. Attendees must check in at Lutheridge and take the transportation provided. Cost (includes transportation): |
Conference Keynote
EENC |
SponsorshipS, Exhibitors and Auction
Will you help make the conference more affordable for attendees and support EENC's mission-driven work? Want to share your program, business, or products with our conference attendees? Click here to learn all the benefits of becoming a conference sponsor! New for 2021: we are also offering select opportunities for exhibitors! You can submit your sponsorship online here.
In conjunction with conference, EENC hosts an in-person silent auction, online auction, and raffle. Learn more our auction and how to donate at item.
Environmental Educators of North Carolina
P.O. Box 4904
Chapel Hill, NC 27515-4904