Aug. 30, 2017

Contact: Kevin Frailey (DNR), 517-284-6043; Ashlie Smith (MAEOE), 248-477-1135; or Cindy Fitzwilliams-Heck (MAEOE), 231-591-5843

Michigan environmental and outdoor education celebrates 30 years

Annual conference set for Oct. 6-8 in Mt. Pleasant

The Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education will celebrate 30 years this fall with its annual conference at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant Oct. 6-8.

“The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has long been a sponsor and supporter of the organization and the conference,” said Kevin Frailey, DNR Education Services manager. “It is simply the best network in Michigan for anyone interested in this area of education.”

MAEOE President Ashlie Smith thinks this will be a conference to remember.

“We look forward to being in the geographical center of Michigan, which gives many formal and non-formal educators an opportunity to participate,” Smith said. “In addition, CMU is known for its outdoor education-related programs, some of the best in the state.”

Co-conference chair Cindy Fitzwilliams-Heck is excited about the conference agenda as well.

“The program is very diverse, with a combination of workshops, 45-minute breakout sessions and plenty of half-day field trips to choose from,” said Fitzwilliams-Heck. “These include everything from a tour of the Ziibiwing Center to learn about Michigan’s Native American heritage to a canoe/kayak trip down the Chippewa River.”

A snapshot of the conference and what it has to offer is available at www.maeoe.com. Registration is now open.

Although the conference officially begins Friday morning, Oct. 6, several preconference workshops will be offered Thursday morning, including environmental educator certification training and Red Cross courses.

Frailey, who will be conducting a DNR session with live sea lamprey Friday afternoon, thinks this conference is critical for educators, both formal and non-formal, to keep up with education and natural resources trends.

“Networking with other educators and experts in the field makes us all better at our jobs. Michigan has an incredibly rich tradition of being a national leader in both environmental and outdoor education,” Frailey said.

“Teachers, college students and anyone with an interest in our variety of sessions are welcome. This is a conference you don’t want to miss.”

The Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education is a professional association supporting and advancing environmental and outdoor education statewide. Established through the merger of two previously existing professional organizations for environmental and outdoor educators, MAEOE was officially incorporated in 1987. 

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.