2017 Conference

Welcome to the Minnesota Association for Environmental Education’s 2017 conference recap page, Speaking Loudly and Acting Boldly for Natural Spaces. Overlooking Lake Superior, Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center encompasses 2000 acres of rugged terrain including Wolf and Raven Lakes, part of the Baptism River, and part of Sawmill Creek. This magnificent place set the stage for our conference, grounding our learning in the real world of environmental education. As we celebrate MAEE’s 25th year, we reflected upon our successes, learned from our failures, and are planning for our future success in bold and effective environmental education. Read on for a recap of our conference.

FRIDAY, JULY 28TH
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Pre Conference Events

• North Shore Kayak Outing w/ Day Tripper of Duluth at Rock Lighthouse State Park
  We spent the afternoon kayaking on Lake Superior with Day Tripper! Our guide took us on a three-hour tour of one of Minnesota's gems, Split Rock Lighthouse!
• Early Childhood Project Learning Tree Workshop
  This workshop demonstrated fun, hands-on activities that address children's cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Lessons included outdoor adventures, math and manipulatives, music and movement, art, and family connections for children ages 3-6.

4:00 pm Arrive at Wolf Ridge and room check

5:15 pm Dinner | Presidential Welcome

6:15 pm Silent Auction | Networking

7:45 pm Canoe under the stars with the opportunity to use a voyageur style canoe.
Night hike (with wolf stories) on the Superior Hiking Trail.
Or, stick around after dinner to network and socialize.

SATURDAY, JULY 29TH
7:30 am Registration & Breakfast

8:45 am – 9:30 am
Session 1 A Agenda-Quick and Easy Ways to Bring Nature to Young Learners
Session 1 B The Value of Symbiotic Partnerships

9:30 am Coffee Break

9:45 am – 11:15 am
Session 2 A Uncovering the Secrets of Wildlife with Remote Cameras
Session 2 B Wolf Ridge Teaching Philosophy - The Spiral Model

11:30 am – 12:15 pm
Session 3 A Effects of Nature Preschool on Young Children's Executive Functioning
Session 3 B Drink! Rain! Water Journey Summer Camps at University of Minnesota

12:15 pm – 1:15 pm Lunch Dining Hall

1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
Nature Session: Get out and explore Wolf Ridge’s natural spaces. Conference attendees went for hikes, took a dip in the lake, and explored the grounds.

2:15 pm – 3:00 pm
Session 4 A Taking Action Locally: Restoration of the Como Woodland in St. Paul
Session 4 B Learning from China's Environmental Educators

3:00 pm Exhibit Hall | Silent Auction with Snacks | Coffee

4:00 pm Keynote: A Year in the Wilderness: Protecting the Planet One Adventure at a Time Dave Freeman

6:00 pm Dinner | Socializing at the Wolf Ridge Farm

SUNDAY, JULY 30TH
7:30 am Breakfast | Silent Auction Closes

8:30 am Pack up | Check out Dorms

9:00 am Explorations at Wolf Ridge

10:45 am – 12:15 pm
Session 5 A Making Learning Visible: Formative Assessment in EE
Session 5 B Lichens, Mosses, and Ferns of the North Woods

12:15 pm Lunch | Closing | Raffle Drawing