The Delaware Association for Environmental Education (DAEE) is currently accepting presentation proposals for our 16th Annual Conference to be held March 22, 2025. DAEE’s Conference is a yearly opportunity to come together and learn for formal & non-formal educators, community leaders, and everyone who shares a desire to help Delaware’s diverse communities increase individual and collective Environmental Literacy (E-Lit). It is a day of networking, sharing, professional learning, community adult & young adult education, and hands-on experiences. Throughout the day we will explore Environmental Education (EE) initiatives, opportunities, resources, best practices, and local issues to foster impactful environmental stewardship. And we need YOUR help to continue the success of our annual Conference! DAEE is seeking presentations focused on equitably connecting all communities to nature and increasing E-Lit across the state. We strive for a wide selection of proposals that provide unique learning experiences and engage a broad spectrum of participants. Please see the conference strand descriptions below and submit a proposal!

Strand 1:  Cultivating Environmental Leaders

Youth engagement, youth voice, and leadership development are essential to achieving E-Lit in Delaware. EE must prepare future generations to readily identify and understand local environmental issues, and to be equipped and empowered to act, whether an individual pursues an environmental career or not. Informed participation in civic life is vital to creating the world we want and every job has some environmental impact, be it positive or negative. This strand will include professional learning for young adults, pre-service teachers, and anyone looking to support our next generations of environmental leaders. Additional areas we hope to include through sessions under this strand could be: green career programs, environmental pathways, civic engagement, stewardship, and development of school and community programs.

Strand 2: Connecting People with Nature

Connecting people and nature is at the heart of Environmental Education (EE). Innovative environmentally focused programs for children and adults build positive community impacts on the conservation and sustainability of Delaware’s resources. This strand will include EE model programs, practices and hands-on learning. Areas we hope to include through sessions under this strand could be: early childhood EE, lifelong learning, citizen science, place-based education, EE in the arts, applications of technology, wildlife, food/agriculture, and urban/rural community engagement.

Strand 3:  Engaging Professionals in Environmental Education

Integrating meaningful, systemic EE with the goal to increase individual and community E-Lit is a critical, and relatively underrepresented, component of formal education. Delaware does not YET prioritize equitable, systemic access to this aspect of 21st Century public school education. This strand will include EE as it relates to preK-12 and higher education curricula and academic standards. Areas we hope to include through sessions under this strand could be: School District initiatives, school-wide programs, interdisciplinary approaches, pre-service educator preparation, school grounds/gardens, sustainable buildings, collaborations among schools/universities, and EE provider training/certifications.

Strand 4:  Innovative and Inclusive Environmental Education

EE is often presented with innovative and inclusive ideas and strategies. This strand includes examples of those strategies which frequently push boundaries, break barriers, and find new ground through innovative, creative thinking. Areas we hope to include through sessions under this strand could be: environmental justice, cultural competency, inclusivity/equity practices, engaging diverse audiences and communities, STEM/STEAM initiatives, and family/community involvement.