We are seeking proposals for conference sessions that engage, educate, and move attendees with the goals of making our collective EE practice in Virginia stronger and more resilient. We encourage presenters to consider how their sessions will engage their audience - hands-on activities, group discussions, and collaborative work sessions are a few examples that create a more memorable and meaningful experience for session attendees.

Proposal Deadline: Wednesday, October 16, 2026

Conference Theme: Learning That Moves Us

What moves you? What are you driven to change, to embrace, to learn, to share? What makes you want to lean in and learn more? We are all lifelong learners and connected by our love of learning. This conference brings together environmental educators, teachers, researchers, community leaders, policymakers, partners, and learners from across Virginia. Together, we'll explore and share the learning and education practices that move and inspire us to make our communities and the commonwealth a better, more resilient place to live and thrive. 
 

Conference Strands

This year's concurrent sessions will be categorized according to these strands: 

• Building Leadership in EE - building leadership skills, fund-raising strategy, board development, maintaining professional standards, resume building workshops, leading successful meetings, engaging board and volunteers, etc.
• Collaboration in Practice -  connections between formal and nonformal educators, transdisciplinary and cross-curricular connections, building partnerships and networks, uplifting the EE community, etc.
• Research, Evaluation, and Impacts - recent research in the EE field, assessment and evaluation tools and tips, application of best practices, enhancing student engagement in EE, developing environmental literacy plans, etc.
• Reaching Diverse Learners - creating belonging for a diversity of learners, working in a variety of spaces, creating inclusive learning environments, reaching underserved/underrepresented audiences, providing new/increased resources to meet learner needs, etc.
• EE in Action - successful projects and programs, lessons learned, sharing activities/lesson plans/resources, etc.

Session Lengths:

• Lightning style mini sessions (15 minutes or less)
• Standard sessions (45 minutes)
• Workshop sessions (1 hour 45 minutes total; includes a 10-minute break)