2022 Conference

Conference Theme: "Promoting Culturally Sustaining and De-Colonized Environmental Education"

Format: 2-day in-person conference

Date: October 06th & 07th 2022

Location: Northwest Park, 145 Lang Rd., Windsor, CT

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION & ABSTRACT SUBMISSION ARE NOW OPEN!

Please complete the registration form to register to the conference and submit an abstract for a talk or poster presentation at the event

Registration includes access to the learning and networking events throughout the chosen day(s), including the main speakers' sessions, talk presentations from participants, poster sessions, and workshops. Boxed lunch, snacks, and refreshments will be provided.

As a registered participant, you will also have the opportunity to present your work as a talk or a poster during the conference. Talk presentations will be allocated a 10-12min slot in one of the simultaneous sessions on either day of the conference. Due to limited spots for talk presentations, spots will stay open until filled, so early registrations will be given priority. Posters can be displayed for both days of the conference (unless the participant chooses otherwise).

Tentative schedule:

2022 COEEA Annual Conference

Schedule

Registration

Speakers

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

DARLENE KASCAK

Darlene Kascak is the Education Director at The Institute for American Indian Studies, a Traditional Native American Storyteller for the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, and a member of the Schaghticoke Women’s Council. Darlene’s experience as an educator, tour guide, museum assistant and Traditional Native American Storyteller has taught her the importance of educating both young and old about the many misconceptions and stereotypes about her ancestors. Her teaching style from a Native American’s point of view allows children and adults the opportunity to have a new understanding of Connecticut’s Indigenous Peoples lives both in the past and in the present.

SUSAN SCHERF

Susan Scherf is an Educator at The Institute for American Indian Studies, expert in ecology, a former bird bander on Nantucket, and a former wildlife rehabilitator at Frost Valley YMCA. Susan attributes her knowledge and passion for the natural world to her peers and hands-on learning experiences. Often found with a field guide in her back pocket, Susan inspires others to create a connection to each other and their environment and to understand the role it plays in their lives.

PLENARY PANEL

"Authentic Community Engagement in Environmental Education"

Christina Smith

President and CEO

Groundwork Bridgeport

A native of Bridgeport, Christina has lived in many places and harbors a strong passion for community development and improving the quality of life for her hometown residents. Her career has been diverse and inspiring, culminating in her opening up Groundwork Bridgeport, a local chapter of Groundwork USA. Christina believes that real change can only be achieved in partnership with the people who make up a community and the youth who will shape its future. One such project is Groundwork’s Youth Service-Learning Program, which is designed to combine classroom learning with hands-on activities in landscaping and tree planting to inspire future environmental stewards

Herb Virgo

Founder and Executive Director

Keney Park Sustainability Project

Herb Virgo is an active member of many communities across CT. Herb was the recipient of the 2021 COEEA Excellence in Environmental Stewardship Award, and is a certified Forest Practitioner and Tree Warden. Herb’s commitment to his community and nature stretches far and wide. Since creating KPSP, Keney Park has seen new life breathed into it through trail revitalization, outreach efforts, and community partnerships, a result of Herb’s strong history of community involvement work. Herb has experience working with people of all ages that come from diverse, but often underserved, communities to help build connections to nature

Vania Galicia

Community Farmer

Grow Windham

Vania Galicia-Bacilio is a 24-year-old UnDACAmented immigrant who has lived in Willimantic since she was three years old. She first began organizing when she was 16 years old through GROW Windham as part of the Windham Youth Core, which encouraged her to become more involved in the immigrants’ rights movement.

After graduation in 2020, she moved into the role of Community Farmer at Grow Windham, which she has embraced through to today. Vania works with local youth and community members to build food system resilience. Teaching others how to grow their own food and community is at the core of her work. This is paired with her continued advocacy for creating a just food system

2022 COEEA CONFERENCE SPONSORS

WORKSHOP SPONSORS

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