Image: Courtesy of The Virginia Association for Environmental Education
VAEE is excited to bring the Annual Conference back to the Northern Virginia area February 25-27, 2027 at the Hilton Fairfax, and they are currently accepting session proposals! They hope you will consider submitting your proposal as they meet to celebrate Learning That Moves Us.
Proposals are due by October 16, 2026. Please follow this link to submit your proposal.
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, attendees 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.
Organizers 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. They 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.
This year’s concurrent sessions will be categorized according to these tracks:
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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.
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Collaboration in Practice – connections between formal and nonformal educators, transdisciplinary and cross-curricular connections, building partnerships and networks, uplifting the EE community, etc.
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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.
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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.
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EE in Action – successful projects and programs, lessons learned, sharing activities/lesson plans/resources, etc.
Three different Session Lengths are available:
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Lightning-style mini sessions (15 minutes or less)
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Standard sessions (45 minutes)
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Workshop sessions (1 hour 45 minutes total; includes a 10-minute break)
Proposals are due by October 16, 2026. Please follow this link to submit your proposal.
Please also consider submitting a nomination for the 2027 VAEE Awards for Excellence in Environmental Education! Organizers are excited to celebrate exemplary educators and programs from 2026. Award categories include the Environmental Education Program of Excellence, Outstanding Environmental Educator of the Year, Exemplary Service to EE, Young Professionals, and Legacy Awards. Learn more and submit your nominations here.
Jerry Nissley
Jerry Nissley