We are beyond grateful to Tin Mountain Conservation Center, our conference host, who is generously donating the space.

Click here to learn more about Tin Mountain Conservation Center.

2025 Conference Schedule:

9:00-9:30 Registration, coffee, breakfast snacks, networking
9:30-10:15 Welcome, NAAEE Advocacy Update, Annual Meeting, and EE of the Year Award
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:30 Morning Workshop
11:30-11:45 Break
11:45-12:30 Guided Discussions: In this self-selected, small-group format, participants will have the chance to connect with others who share similar interests and experiences. Each group will explore a specific theme. Examples of potential topics include integrating nature walks into the curriculum, organizing meaningful field trips and camps, enhancing preschool education, or working effectively with adult audiences (discussion group topics have intentionally not yet been chosen to incorporate input as people register). This session is designed to foster collaboration, exchange ideas, and deepen understanding on a range of important topics.
12:30-1:30 Lunch & Networking
1:30-2:30 Afternoon Workshop
2:30-3:45 Keynote Panel Discussion & Closing

Keynote Panel Discussion:

NHEE Board Vice President and Professor Emeritus of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Dr. R. Laurence Davis (Larry), will moderate a discussion about the many ways and places people can connect with nature. Panelists have expertise in leading community/participatory science in a variety of settings, using scavenger hunts to deepen community connections, and connecting people to nature through recreation.

Click here to learn more about the moderator and panelists.

2025 Workshops:

Puppetry in the Wild by Rachael Beikmohamadi and Tracy Jones, Beaver Brook Association - Join us for an imaginative workshop to bolster your confidence in using puppetry to support your environmental education goals. You don't have to be a performer to use puppets in learning and you don't need a proper theater to go for it!

Orienteering In Your Space by Mikayla Moss, Navigation Games - Orienteering is a map navigation activity that develops skills important for environmental education. In this workshop, you will navigate outdoors in teams, build skills, and adapt the activities to work with your programs’ spaces and communities.

Monitoring the Health of Ash and Hemlock Trees by Abigail Long, Gulf of Maine Research Institute and Katie Brodeur, Seacoast Science Center - Ash and hemlock trees are under immediate threat by the rapid spread of forest pests in the Northeast. In this workshop, experience fieldwork protocols and learning resources that focus on monitoring the health of these keystone species.

From Tik-Tok to Table-Top: Educating our Community at Their Level of Ability and Interest by Mike Dufilho and Nora Dufilho, Tin Mountain Conservation Center - Join TMCC to examine how we meet participants "Where They Are" in our work with our local memory care center, the construction of our new accessible trail, and our adjustment to how HS students interface with knowledge and information sharing.

Community Programming Rooted in Place by Polly Mahoney and Amy Carter, Tamworth Library - Tamworth librarians share their version of nature education; using what is on hand right outside the library doors in the midst of a busy town center. This highly successful program has grown to serve 40-60 local children and adults weekly.

Active Games to Cultivate Informed and Joyfully Engaged Ecological Belonging by Edith Pucci Couchman, Evolving Beauty - Try some active, often arts-infused games about the creatures of the Northeastern Forestlands. Consider why and how such NGSS-aligned games (from the newly published book Circling the Sun, Racing the Wind) could be helpful to students aged 3 - 12.

Nature Studies for every classroom- Project Learning Tree by Jennifer Scarinza, NH Project Learning Tree - Come learn how you can easily incorporate more nature study activities into your classroom! PLT's award-winning preK-beyond12 curriculum advances environmental literacy, stewardship and career pathways. Come ready to be outside and get hands-on!

Beyond our Scale: Tips and Tools to Explore Insect Habitats by Sara Burrell and Bridget Burns, The Caterpillar Lab - Join The Caterpillar Lab for a demonstration showcasing early spring insects and a discussion about the tools and techniques we can use to find, care for, and share these animals with learners including collection, handling, and digital microscopy.

Conference Pricing:

Registration fee includes breakfast snacks, coffee, tea, keynote, concurrent sessions, and lunch.

Member- $60 : This option is for members of NHEE or employees of organization members* of NHEE. Members of other NAAEE state affiliates may also use the member rate. *Please note that there is not an option to purchase an organizational membership on the conference registration form. You will need to use the membership form.

Not Yet Member- $90 : This option includes a one-year individual membership to NHEE.

Student- $35 : The student rate is for members/youths under the age of 25 and includes a one-year student membership to NHEE.

Scholarship- $35 : We do not want cost to be a barrier for anyone wanting to attend the conference. A limited number of tickets at a reduced scholarship rate are available on a first come, first served basis. Please reach out to info@nhee.org if you have any questions or if you are in need a scholarship and the registration form indicates there are none available.