Conference Keynote Speakers
Ted Hibbeler
"Indigenous Worldviews & The Natural World"
As environmental educators, we have a responsibility to teach in ways that honor our deep connections to the natural world. In this keynote, Ted will guide us through an Indigenous approach to environmental education, exploring self-identity, creation stories, reciprocal relationships with nature, and the importance of engaging with Indigenous communities. Through storytelling and lived experiences, he’ll engage us to think deeper in not just what, but how we teach, and empower us to foster a deeper sense of connection, responsibility, and respect for the world around us.
Rebekka Schlichting
"Reconnecting with the Earth Through Indigenous Storytelling"
Explore environmentalism through the transformative lens of Indigenous storytelling. Through her documentary work and personal experiences, Rebekka Schlichting emphasizes the importance of narrative sovereignty as a means to foster deeper connections with the Earth, each other, and all living energies. She highlights the practices of reciprocity and reconciliation that can heal both our communities and the environment. Through rich stories and reflections on traditional ways of being, Rebekka demonstrates how we can return to the land, embrace cultural wisdom, and advance environmental justice.
An In-Depth Look at NAAEE's Environmental Education Programs: Guidelines for Excellence
Hannah Rennard-Ganley, Keep Omaha Beautiful
The Guidelines for Excellence developed by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) offer best practice guidelines for high quality EE programs. This workshop will offer educators a standard to aim for in developing new programs, & offer guidelines one well-rounded environmental education programs.
Leaf printing: an ArtScience approach to explore biodiversity and heath
Liz VanWormer & Stacy Asher, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Leaf Printing Workshop offers environmental educators a creative, hands-on experience integrating art, science, and the One Health approach, which highlights the interconnectedness of plant, animal, human, and environmental health and well-being.
Embodying Our Nature: Rebuilding Connections to Heal the Land and Ourselves
Melissa Breazile, Wild Tree Collaborative, LLC
In this workshop that blends theory with practical skills, we'll explore physical; mental and emotional; social; and environmental benefits stimulated by nature connections. Participants can expect to divide workshop time between indoors and out, as we apply what we learn through sensory and embodied practices to help ourselves and our students (re)connect.
Setting the stage, The power of observation
Matt Jones & Keanna Leonard, For the Love of Prairie
Join workshop presenters for an interactive program focused on the importance of exercising your student's observation skills and building techniques that lead to meaningful inquiry based learning opportunities.