EVENTS
MAEE events connect our vibrant community of educators and leaders through innovative thinking and meaningful impact
UPCOMING EVENTS
MEEC
A look into what the Midwest Environmental Education Consortium is and its history.
The Midwest Environmental Education Consortium is a professional development collaboration between four states: Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The conservation education / environmental education associations in these states invite all to join together for local field studies, educational sessions, training, and workshops focused on environmental, cultural, and historical interpretation and education. MEEC is held every two years.
MEEC (Midwest Environmental Education Consortium)
The History
The Midwest Environmental Education Conference supporting organizations held their first meeting in 1962. Originally, eight states’ organizations supported this conference – Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
State organizations from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin signed a memorandum of understanding in 2004 to loosely organize as a steering committee of a rotating, hosted professional development conference.
In July 2020, the four-state groups updated the memorandum of understanding to broaden this group to support professional development on a regional basis. The Midwest Environmental Education Consortium was formed. The Midwest Environmental Education Conference still rotates between the four states as host, but the group is also going to pursue other learning opportunities that can be shared among the organizations.
Who is involved?
Illinois
The Environmental Education Association of Illinois (EEAI), nurtures and sustains a diverse network of environmental educators in Illinois. We foster connections, improve environmental literacy, and amplify underrepresented voices in the environmental education sphere. With a team of dedicated staff, engaged board, active facilitators, members and partners, EEAI offers support to a wide range of Illinois educators through professional development, grants, resources, and community.
Iowa
The mission of Iowa Conservation Education Coalition (ICEC) is to empower Iowa’s formal and non-formal educators to promote environmental literacy and facilitate networking. Our vision is to advocate for environmental literacy in Iowa. ICEC provides a compendium of resources for science teachers, be they in the classroom or working as naturalists for various governmental and private entities. Ideas for hands-on activities, links to current research, and information on upcoming workshops are available on the ICEC website.
Minnesota
The Minnesota Association for Environmental Education (MAEE) strengthens the role of education as a solution to our environmental and societal challenges.
We serve environmental education (EE) professionals, students, K-12 educators, and their allies in Minnesota through:
- Coordinating professional development and networking opportunities through conferences and other events
- Acknowledging successful EE programs and professionals with EE Awards
- Supporting legislation, partnership and programming that advances EE at the state, regional and national level
- Empowering our members with the resources they need
Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Association of Environmental Education (WAEE) is a member-based, professional community of individuals and organizations with diverse backgrounds that promote responsible environmental action, elevates voices for environmental justice, and celebrates excellence in environmental education. Three pillars frame our work: Advocacy, Networking, and Recognition.
Mission: The Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education (WAEE) nurtures individuals and organizations working towards sustainable, resilient communities.
Vision: An environmentally-literate, action-oriented community that communicates, connects, and advocates for a sustainable, resilient Wisconsin.
Recognizing that the current environmental education field does not represent all communities, WAEE supports the North American Association for Environmental Education’s vision of “A sustainable future for all where environmental and social responsibility drive individual and institutional choices.”
PAST EVENTS
MAEE Annual Conference 2026
The MAEE Annual Conference brings our community of educators, partners, and environmental advocates together in a shared space of energy, curiosity, and purpose.
Centered on collaboration and professional growth, the conference is designed to spark fresh thinking and deepen the impact of sustainability efforts in our classrooms and communities.
From thought-provoking keynote speakers to hands-on workshops, immersive field experiences, and lively networking opportunities, each moment is crafted to be both meaningful and memorable. We hope attendees leave not only informed, but re-energized and ready to take their work further.
We invited folks to join us on April 17-19, 2026 at LONG LAKE CONSERVATION CENTER for an inspiring experience you won’t want to miss.
