Register today for our upcoming Conference on Thursday, March 26th!
2026 Conference
Reconnect & Re-imagine: Building Sustainable Communities and Solutions
Conference Details
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Date: Thursday, March 26th
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Time: Check-in begins at 8:30am, Conference runs from 9am-4:15pm
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Location: Indian Rock Nature Preserve in Bristol (map)
There is a growing sense that people are becoming increasingly disconnected from the land they live on and the communities they are part of. By restoring and nourishing these connections, we can re-engage with each other, to re-invigorate environmental efforts and build more resilient communities.
COEEA recognizes that solutions-oriented education, rather than catastrophizing, is the best way to effect change, and that no better future was ever achieved without first being imagined.
Navigating the current climate crisis will take both courage and creativity, and COEEA and its members are in a unique place to provide guidance, inspiration, and educational content that helps to re-establish these important connections and paves the way for a more resilient and just future.
Through this conference, COEEA seeks to bring together educators, advocates, and community leaders to share tools, stories, and strategies that reconnect people to place, to one another, and to the possibilities for sustainable change.
Environmental Learning Centers of CT and Indian Rock Nature Preserve are not affiliated with the COEEA Conference
Keynote Panel Discussion
Our moderated keynote panel brings together three inspiring leaders working across environmental education, community sustainability, and urban forestry to explore this year’s theme: Reconnect & Re-imagine: Building Sustainable Communities and Solutions. Carrie Szwed, Jessica LeClair, and Dr. Mayra Rodríguez each offer a unique, place-based perspective on how we can strengthen relationships between people, communities, and the natural world.
Through a dynamic, guided conversation, panelists will reflect on what it truly means to “reconnect” in their work - from fostering meaningful connections with nature and wildlife, to building partnerships across municipalities and communities, to advancing equitable, data-informed environmental solutions. They will share real-world examples of innovative programs and projects that are helping communities reimagine how they live, learn, and collaborate, while also addressing common challenges and barriers.
Grounded in both practical experience and forward-thinking vision, this discussion will offer insights into effective strategies, mindset shifts, and measures of success in long-term environmental work. Attendees will leave with fresh ideas, renewed inspiration, and a deeper sense of possibility for building more connected, resilient, and sustainable communities across Connecticut.
Carrie Szwed
Education Director
White Memorial Conservation Center
Carrie Szwed has been the Education Director at White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield, CT for 11 years. A passion for nature as a child, particularly animals, led Carrie on a direct path to becoming an environmental educator as a career. Carrie obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Beloit College with a concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavioral Biology. After working for about 8 months at a wildlife rehabilitation facility in her hometown of St. Louis, MO, Carrie went on to pursue a Master of Professional Studies in Environmental Interpretation from the State University of New York – College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF). She began her professional career as the Education Curator at Zoo New York in Watertown, a zoo that specializes in native eastern U.S. species. Carrie then spent 7 years, first as a Naturalist, and then as the Public Programs Coordinator at the Woodlands Nature Station in Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky, where she was fortunate enough to work directly with captive red wolves, a bobcat, several birds of prey, and many more amazing animals. Now in her 22nd year in the field of environmental education, Carrie loves her role at White Memorial Conservation Center, working with great people, great animals, and spending time in the great outdoors. Most importantly, she gets to share her enthusiasm for nature with children and families. Carrie has always followed her personal mission statement, which is that education leads to appreciation, and appreciation leads to conservation.
Jessica LeClair
Executive Director
SustainableCT
Jessica LeClair is the Executive Director of Sustainable CT. She has been with Sustainable CT since its launch in 2017, helping develop the program with municipalities and partners. In her early roles with Sustainable CT, Jessica developed and implemented the organization’s municipal engagement and support programming. She also oversaw the Sustainable CT Fellowship and identified and cultivated strategic partnerships with outside organizations. Prior to joining the Sustainable CT, Jessica was highly engaged in the State of Connecticut’s climate change efforts, serving as a program manager at the CT Institute for Resilience and Climate Adaptation (CIRCA), and as an environmental analyst at the State of Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). In these roles, Jessica supported efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and prepare municipalities of the state for the impacts of climate change. Jessica holds a BA from Connecticut College in Environmental Studies and International Relations and an MSc from Bard College in Climate Science and Politics.
Dr. Mayra Rodríguez
Assistant Extension Educator in Urban and Community Forestry
University of Connecticut
Dr. Mayra Rodríguez is an urban forester who works at the intersection of urban forestry, community planning, and environmental education. She partners with cities, nonprofits, and community groups to use data, education, and collaboration to build healthier and more resilient urban forests. Her work focuses on helping communities better understand tree canopy, climate risk, and nature-based solutions, and translating that knowledge into practical strategies, tools, and programs that support informed decision-making. Through community facilitation, spatial analysis, and program design, Dr. Rodríguez helps bridge science, planning, and public engagement to support more equitable and sustainable urban forest management.
Workshops
Susan Quincy
CT DEEP, Kellogg Center
Session 1
Communicating Climate Change
Climate Change offers educational opportunities for engaging with students and the public across the state. How can we help our constituents understand ways to improve environmental impacts? By modifying your communication techniques, we can reach many people where they are and help them take the first step toward action. Examples and resources will be provided.
Aimee Petras
Farmington River Watershed Association
Session 1
Educating our Community using RiverSmartct.org: Integrating environmental education with Demonstration Projects, Field Trips, and Hands-on Experiences Protecting Long Island Sound
Presented by the Farmington River Watershed Association, this session highlights a seven-year partnership with the City of Bristol, Indian Rock Nature Center, and Bristol Eastern High School. Learn how the RiverSmartCT program can interact with Connecticut residents on innovative and practical ways to protect our environment, and more specifically, our local rivers and streams. See the many different ways RiverSmart has been used in the community, at our gardens and in the schools
Leslie Mathews
Unaffiliated
Session 1
First, Love the Earth: Nature Journaling for Connection
This 90-minute, hands-on workshop introduces nature journaling as a flexible, accessible practice that builds connection to place, community, and self. Participants will create simple journals, practice observation and expressive drawing, and reflect together outdoors. Discover how journaling supports literacy across subjects while fostering curiosity, focused attention, and a deeper motivation to care for the Earth.
Jenna Van Donselaar & Joey Listro
New Britain ROOTS
Session 2
Farm to Summer School: Building Connections with Young Learners
Jenna and Joey from New Britain ROOTS share their partnership with the Consolidated School District of New Britain to deliver hands-on summer programming for K–2 students. Participants will explore connections between food systems, environmental education, and early learning, and leave with a ready-to-use school garden lesson they design during the workshop.
Michael Aitkenhead
Weston High School
Session 2
From Awareness to Action: A High School Course Model for Student-Led Sustainable Solutions
Explore a fully implemented, project-based sustainability course that empowers students to move beyond environmental awareness into meaningful action. Participants will learn how students identify real challenges, design solutions, secure funding, and sustain long-term impact. The session will share the course structure, approval process, challenges, and lessons learned, while offering practical strategies educators can adapt to their own contexts. Time will be devoted to brainstorming a “mini PBL sprint,” where attendees design their own adaptable student-led sustainability project.
Maggie Gotterer
Two Coyotes Wilderness School
Session 2
Raising Future Ancestors
Through a mix of presentation, hands-on learning, and interactive discussion, we will share how Two Coyotes' approach to nature mentoring fosters a sense of connection to and belonging in the natural world and in community with others. We'll share how we combine mentoring with nature-based play and hands-on projects to create the space for young people to practice grappling with complexity, while also supporting them in applying what they learn with us elsewhere.
Schedule
8:30am
Check-in
9:15am
Welcome!
9:30am
Keynote Panel
10:30am
Networking & Snacks
11:30am
Workshop Session 1
1:00pm
Lunch
2:00pm
Awards
2:45pm
Workshop Session 2
Sponsors & Partners
COEEA has always been able to keep our programs free and our conferences affordable thanks to our generous funders, sponsors, and valued Organizational Members.
We're grateful for the support of this year's Conference Sponsors and Partners listed below.
If you're interested in becoming a sponsor, contact us at conference@coeea.org
Photo Contest
We invite photo entries that showcase environmental education, outdoor classrooms, student engagement, nature-based learning experiences, community stewardship, or local environments.
Image credit: Lots of Fish, 2023 Mini-Grant Recipient
The winner(s) will be recognized during the Conference on March 26th and featured on our website, publications, and social channels. Submit your entry by visiting: coeea.org/photo-contest