EE Conference
Environmental & Outdoor Education Conference
Connecting Health and Nature: Building a Sustainable Future
March 7 & 8, 2025
Arkansas Tech University, Russellville
About the Conference
AEEA’s Environmental and Outdoor Education Conference is a gathering that brings together classroom teachers, non-formal educators, higher education students, Master Naturalists, and conservation professionals from around Arkansas. This professional learning event consists of hands-on workshops, field tours, concurrent presentations, exhibitors, and networking opportunities.
For the 2025 conference, we are changing things up a bit. The conference date will move to early March, and it will be held over a Friday and Saturday. Registration options will include one day or both days. The conference theme focuses on the connection between a healthy environment and healthy people.
Sessions will include slide presentations, roundtable discussions, show and tell tables, hands-on workshops, and outdoor field tours. Up to 10 hours of professional development are available.
In addition to hands-on learning, exhibitors feature available resources and programs, and the silent auction showcases Arkansas-made goods, education resources, and sustainability-focused products. The silent auction funds the AEEA mini-grant program. The conference brings together diverse attendees in some of the most beautiful locations that Arkansas has to offer.
If you have never attended an AEEA conference, you can view highlights from previous years below.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ~ FELLOWSHIP ~ FUN
2025 Conference Sessions
Connecting Health and Nature: Building a Sustainable Future
IMPORTANT INFORMATION – Don’t skip this section!
- Conference Schedule-at-a-Glance – quick look at sessions titles, times, and rooms
- Conference Program -full description of conference sessions (link coming soon)
- Presenter Bios – read more about the interesting presenters leading sessions (link coming soon)
- Campus Map – familiarize yourself with the campus of Arkansas Tech University
Registration
Conference attendance requires pre-registration. Registration will close Thursday, February 27, and there will be no on-site registration. Note that AEEA members receive a discounted registration fee. Membership to AEEA is open to all. If you are not yet a member, you may become an AEEA member first and then register for the conference. You are also welcome to register as general public.
What is included in conference registration?
You may register for Friday only, Saturday only, or both days at a slight discount. Registration includes
- Sessions for the days you register – includes concurrent sessions, workshops, field tours
- Lunch and snacks for the days you register
- Time with exhibitors
- Friday evening social – open to all conference registrants, even those registered for Saturday only
Things to Consider for Registration:
~ Workshops and Field Tours – Each day has a three hour block for concurrent workshops and field tours. Space is limited and will be allowed on a first come first serve basis. You can reserve your space by registering as soon as possible and ranking your choices on the registration form. See a description of workshops and field tours to make your decision.
~ Exhibiting – Organizations that would like to showcase their programs have the option to exhibit. Each day will have a break time with exhibitors. During sessions, exhibitors are welcome to leave their tables unstaffed and join conference sessions with other attendees. Interested organizations should fill in this Exhibitor Information Form and select exhibiting on the registration form.
~ Guest Tickets – Bring a guest to the Friday evening social or the Saturday Awards Luncheon.
~ Scholarships – A limited number of scholarships will be awarded on a rolling basis until funds are utilized. Individuals interested in scholarships should complete the Scholarship Interest Form and wait to be notified by AEEA before completing full conference registration. Scholarships recipients will be responsible for a greatly reduced registration fee.
~ Dine & Discuss – New this year! During Friday’s lunch, attendees can join an optional facilitated book discussion in a separate room. The discussion will focus on Malcolm Gladwell’s Revenge of the Tipping Point. Those interested should read the book, or most of it, before the conference.
For those who need an invoice before paying or will pay by check, use the Register – Request Invoice/Pay by Check button. Others can use the Register – Pay by Credit Card.
Additional Conference Information
Conference Details - Check the sections below often as more details will be added in the coming weeks.
Lodging
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Russellville is holding a block of rooms for AEEA conference attendees for Thursday, March 6 – Saturday, March 8. The rate is $110/night. Conference attendees are responsible for booking their own rooms.
1. Use the AEEA Group Booking Link
2. Select the nights you want to stay.
3. Click view prices. At this window you will see AEEA listed with the room rate.
Issues with booking a room should be directed to Dusti Yarber, General Manager, at 479-264-7363.
Additional hotels are close to the ATU campus.
Conference Attire
Curious what to wear to an environmental and outdoor education conference? This is a professional, yet casual event. Wear what is appropriate for your organization in the early spring. The main thing is to be comfortable. We will have little, if any, control over the indoor temperature and no control over the outdoor temperature. Some sessions will be outdoors, so wear weather appropriate clothing, and if you plan on participating in a field tour, wear close-toed shoes and bring a hat.
Sched - app for program schedule, details, and communication
Sched is an event management app for mobile devices and computers. Attendees can see session descriptions, presenter bios, and event sponors. They can also plan out their own schedule in advance of the event and easily share contact information with other participants.
Once you have registered for the conference, you will receive a link for the AEEA conference. This app is free to use. It facilitates communication between our planning team and attendees and as well as between attendees.
New to Sched? Check out the Sched Quick Reference Guide
Share Table
We all end up with extra resources, posters, books, and materials we no longer need, but they are still in good condition. We have an answer – bring these items to the conference and add them to the Share Table! This could be office supplies, reference books, posters, etc. Organizational branded materials go on your exhibit table (if you have one). This is for other materials and resources you no longer want. The Share Table will be with the Exhibitor area. This is an opportunity to reduce and reuse – take what you need and use what you take.
Registration Cancellation
All participant cancellations require notice submitted in writing at least one day prior to the event. Submit notice via email to director@arkansasee.org. Registration funds will be refunded according to the following schedule. Cancellations due to emergencies will be evaluated case by case.
- Refund of 75% of registration fee if notice is given by February 27.
- After February 27 registration can be transferred to another person. Please give as much notice as possible.
- No refunds are given for no-shows
Refunds will be processed after the conference.
Conference Host
Sponsors
Show your support of environmental and outdoor education in the Natural State by sponsoring the conference. Sponsors are highlighted on our website, social media, and all conference materials. Many levels of sponsorship include complimentary conference registration and exhibit space.
