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.
EENC is hoping to hold an in-person conference, but making all necessary arrangements to host a virtual conference if needed. Therefore, presenters must be able to present their proposed topic in-person or virtually. EENC will decide by July 1 if the conference will be held virtually, to give everyone plenty of time to prepare.
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.
Conference Schedule
The complete schedule is coming soon! 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!
conference registration is Now open! Click here to register
Early bird registration is open through July 16; prices increase July 17. Registration closes August 2. Read on for more information about the registration types, fees, lodging options, and pre-conference workshops and field trips!
Registration Types
We will have several conference registration and lodging options available for all attendees, including full conference and single day conference options for Friday and Saturday. Your registration will include the following:
Full Conference registration includes: | Friday Only registration includes: | Saturday Only registration includes: |
Registration Fees
Registration fees are as follows. Note that lodging is not included here and will be a separate cost as listed below:
|
Registration Type |
EENC Member Rate |
Non-Member Rate |
|
Full Conference- Early Bird (ends July 16) |
$200 |
$220 |
|
Full Conference |
$220 |
$240 |
|
Friday Only- Early Bird (ends July 16) |
$130 |
$140 |
|
Friday Only |
$140 |
$150 |
|
Saturday Only- Early Bird (ends July 16) |
$100 |
$110 |
|
Saturday Only |
$110 |
$120 |
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. Roommates If you have a roommate in mind, we encourage you to register at the same time, select the same room type, and indicate that you wish to room together on your registration form. Roommates may be assigned to anyone who does not specify a roommate or if your preferred roommate fails to register for the conference. ADA Accessible Rooms There are several different options for ADA compliant room types. If you need an ADA compliant room, please select the room type you would prefer and answer the ADA compliant question on the registration form. The EENC Conference Co-chairs will contact you about the details of the room available to make sure it will work for you. |
We are excited to offer the following workshops on Thursday, September 9. Please see the Workshops and Field Trips Information Packet for additional details. Note that because they take place simultaneously, you can choose to attend a workshop or a field trip, but not both. Food, Land, and People Location: Lutheridge Camp and Conference Center Facilitator: Sandra Weitzel, NC Division of Soil & Water Conservation; Education, Outreach, & Training Coordinator Project Food, Land & People is committed to helping people of all ages better understand the interrelationships among agriculture, the environment, and people of the world. The curriculum used, FLP Resources for Learning, consists of 55 hands-on lessons for students in grades Pre-K–12, developed and tested by more than a thousand educators. Subjects range from environmental science and stewardship to human populations and land use issues. The FLP Resources for Learning has background information for teacher preparation, activities and student pages, and sources of materials. Just where, exactly, does our food come from? That's just one of the many questions explored through these fun, thought-provoking lessons. Cost (includes lunch): A Workshop Sharing BEETLES Resources: Questioning Strategies and Promoting Discussion 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. Note that because they take place simultaneously, you can choose to attend a workshop or a field trip, but not both. Mouth of the Mud Creek 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 workshops has a limited number of participants to reduce the impact of river snorkeling and this workshop is now 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 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