Join fellow Nebraskans dedicated to building connections and lifting up environmental education efforts across our great state! 

Environmental education connects Nebraskans to the natural world through meaningful outdoor experiences, hands-on curriculum, and informal learning opportunities that engage people in concepts we all need to understand; how our natural systems work, how to interact responsibly and connect with our environment, and how we can protect our natural resources for all current and future generations of Nebraskans. Save the date for the next Nebraska Environmental Education Conference, and join fellow Nebraskans dedicated to elevating environmental education efforts across our great state! 
 
This conference is being planned by the Nebraska Alliance for Conservation and Environmental Education - a state affiliate network of the North American Association for Environmental Education.

What is all included in registration? Registration fees for the Nebraska Environmental Education Conference cover the benefits of attendance to many high-quality presentations, two Keynote presentations, the Wednesday evening dinner and networking event, one two-hour workshop, Nebraska Game & Parks daily vehicle permits for both days, and these meals; breakfast and lunch Wednesday & Thursday, and dinner Wednesday. 

NACEE Member Login: Please follow this link, nacee.springly.org/contacts/login, to login to your NACEE Membership BEFORE registering for the conference. 

Registration for the conference closes on February 5, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

Scholarship and Financial Assistance: We have limited funds set aside for financial assistance. If you are needing assistance, please fill out this form: Scholarship and Financial Assistance Application. Apply for this by January 10, 2025. You will be notified about any assistance by January 24, 2025. 

**Important Notice: If you are purchasing your registration with a government card, please be sure to change the "Tip to Springly" on the payment page to "Other" and enter "$0.00." NACEE does not have access to this amount and Springly will NOT offer you a refund for the tip. **

For questions about the conference, please contact: Delanie Bruce at conference@nacee.org 

Not a member of NACEE, yet? Click the link below to join now for a discounted conference registration!

Become a NACEE Member Today!

Lodging Options

Mahoney State Park Cabins 

Mahoney State Park, 28500 W Park Hwy, Ashland, NE 68003

Cabin rentals are available within Mahoney State Park. Two-bedroom cabins are available for $170 - $190 per night, and four-bedroom cabins are available for $310 - $345 per night. Please note that these prices will increase on January 1st. Cabins are being blocked for conference lodging through February 1. There are many cabin types to choose from. To reserve your cabin and confirm pricing, please call Mahoney staff at 402-944-2901 by January 31,  and let them know you’re a Nebraska Environmental Education Conference participant. 

Mahoney State Park Lodge

Mahoney State Park, 28500 W Park Hwy, Ashland, NE 68003

The Peter Kiewit Lodge at Mahoney State Park boasts newly renovated rooms within the park that may be reserved during the conference. A block of standard rooms with two queen beds per room will be held for reservations until February 7, 2025. These rooms are available at a minimum of $70 plus tax. To reserve your room and confirm room pricing please call 402-944-2901 and let them know you’re a Nebraska Environmental Education Conference participant. 

Holiday Inn Express & Suites I-80

16175 Stevens Pointe Circle, Gretna, NE 68028

A limited amount of Single King standard rooms and Double Queen standard rooms are available at Holiday Inn Express at the group rate of $129.99 + tax per night from February 25 to February 27, 2025. Reservations under this block must be made by February 7. After this date, any remaining rooms will be returned to normal inventory and will not be available at the group rate. To book at the group rate, please either use the link below or call, 402-504-3716 and mention the group name, NE Environmental Education Conference or code NEE. 

Holiday Inn Express NE Environmental Education Conference Link

Plenary Keynote Speakers

Indigenous Worldviews & The Natural World - February 26, 2025

Ted Hibbeler, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Tribal Extension Office and Native American Coalition

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.

Reconnecting with the Earth Through Indigenous Storytelling - February 27, 2025

Rebekka Schlichting, Deer Woman Productions, and the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications 

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.

Workshop Options

An In-Depth Look at NAAEE's Environmental Education Programs: Guidelines for Excellence

Hannah Rennard-Ganley, Keep Omaha Beautiful

The Guidelines for Excellence comprises a set of recommendations for developing and administering high-quality environmental education programs created by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). These recommendations provide a tool that can be used to ensure a firm foundation for new programs or to inform improvements in existing ones. The overall goal of these guidelines is to facilitate a superior educational process leading to the social and environmental quality that people desire. This workshop will focus on the Environmental Education Programs: Guidelines for Excellence. These guidelines offer educators, administrators, and program developers a way of assessing the relative merit of different programs, a standard to aim for in developing new programs, and a set of ideas about what a well-rounded environmental education program might be like. Through a series of interactive activities and discussions, participants in this session will explore the six key characteristics of high-quality environmental education programs as described in this guide. This session is appropriate for people new to environmental education as well as experienced educators.

Embodying Our Nature: Rebuilding Connections to Heal the Land and Ourselves

Melissa Breazile, Wild Tree Collaborative, LLC

As formal and informal environmental educators, we regularly form connections with the land and the beings who live there. Unfortunately, too many humans have experienced disruption in relationship with the living earth, with grim consequences for our own well-being and that of our planet. Even those of us who work in environmental education or related fields can benefit from intentionally slowing down, tending to our own well-being, and nurturing reciprocal relationships with nature. In this workshop that blends theory with practical skills, we’ll explore physical; mental and emotional; social; and environmental benefits stimulated by nature connection. Participants can expect to divide workshop time between indoors and out, as we apply what we learn through sensory and embodied practices. At the end of this workshop, participants will have a greater understanding of how human health is tied to the natural world, and will come away with practices and explorations that can be adapted for personal or community use. Because portions of this workshop will take place outdoors in February, participants should bring appropriate layers for comfort and warmth, and may bring a blanket and/or sitting pad. In case of extremely cold, icy, or otherwise dangerous weather, we will adjust accordingly.

Leaf Printing: An ArtScience Approach to Explore Biodiversity and Health

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. Using leaves, participants will learn simple yet expressive printmaking techniques (monoprinting, relief printing, and screen printing) that capture the diversity and unique patterns of plant specimens. These tactile activities encourage careful observation and a deeper appreciation for plants, even during the dormant winter of Nebraska. We will collectively explore ways to use leaf printing to document and enhance awareness of local biodiversity and the essential ecosystem and health services plants provide, such as carbon sequestration, air purification, food security, temperature regulation, and wildlife habitat. Attendees will leave with unique leaf prints and practical ideas for incorporating nature-based, interdisciplinary activities into their educational programs, equipping them to promote a deeper connection to environmental stewardship and the well-being of all species. By exploring the intricate relationships between plants, animals, the environment, and human health, the session inspires participants to integrate these concepts into their practice, fostering a holistic understanding of interconnected biodiversity and health.

Setting the Stage, The Power of Observation

Matt Jones & Keanna Leonard, For the Love of Prairie

The invaluable skill of observation is key to setting the stage for impactful environmental education experiences for youth and adults. Join Matt Jones, Nebraska Master Naturalist and Keanna Leonard (For love of Prairie and former Rowe Sanctuary Education Manager) 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. In this program we will model several activities that demonstrate observational skill building.

Options