Events & Programs
Signature Events
⸺ Annual Conference ⸺
This three-day event offers field trips, workshops, and networking to educate, inspire, and engage in educators who work in classrooms and non-formal centers across the state.
⸺ Awards Program ⸺
WAEE's awards recognizes outstanding individuals and groups for their contributions to the field of environmental education. WAEE hosts an annual "Celebration of Excellence in Environmental Education" in collaboration with Wisconsin's K-12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction to recognize educators and schools.
⸺ Winter Workshop ⸺
This three-day workshop offers opportunities to cross country ski, snowshoe, sledding, enjoying music by the beautiful stone fireplace or taking in the gorgeous view from the warm and cozy dining hall.
Programs
Online Learning
Enroll in an online course to complete when it works for you
Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education offers online courses to advance your learning—whether you are new to the field or a seasoned veteran, we have something for you!
This course is designed to provide a strong foundation in the language, concepts and principles of equity work. It is meant to be an introductory course and spark interest in further learning around justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
- Course Dates: Fall 2025
- Member Price: $50
- Non-Member Price: $90
This course qualifies for Master Naturalist Advanced Training.
This course is designed to help you anchor environmental aims within the context of community interests issues and capacities. The course focuses on Key Characteristic 1 of the NAAEE Guidelines for Excellence: Community Engagement.
Course Dates: Coming Soon
Member Price: $25
Non-Member Price: $65
This course qualifies for Master Naturalist Advanced Training.
Teacher Educators Network for Environmental Education (TENFEE)
TENFEE was created to serve three main purposes:
Communication, Advocacy, and Research.
Communication
hub for environmental education in teacher education programs
- Teacher education programs will share information with one another through TENFEE.
- Information from other agencies will also be shared and dispersed through TENFEE, specifically tenfee@waee.org
- The group will meet at least annually to maintain communication and aim to improve teacher education programs in EE.
- Regional networking opportunities will be planned and organized.
Advocate for teacher education program inclusion of EE
- Provide input to DPI regarding licensing
- Assist teacher education programs to be accountable for including EE in teacher education programs
- Utilize the NAAEE Guidelines for the Preparation and Professional Development of Environmental Educators
- Create support materials to guide teacher educators
Umbrella for research in higher education including:
- Research of graduates from teacher education programs
- Environmental literacy of pre-service teachers
- Teacher education program implementation of environmental education
TENFEE Planning Team
- Becca Franzen, University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point
- Victoria Rydberg-Nania, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
- Amy Lindgren, Concordia Univeristy
- Shannon Davis-Foust, UW-Oshkosh
- Heather McCombs, USBGC
TENFEE is supported in partnership with the Department of Public Instruction and the Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education. Learn more
For more information contact:
Nature-Based Early Childhood
Early childhood nature-based programs
Early childhood nature-based programs are on the rise in Wisconsin, and for good reason. Multiple studies document the benefits of nature on growth and development. But who is involved with this movement? What resources are available? Where can I get more information? This compilation* is a place to start.
Early Childhood Environments: Outside & Nature (hosted by Collaborating Partners)
Early Childhood Specific Content Areas: Environmental Education (hosted by Collaborating Partners)
This Nature-based Early Childhood Resource Folder was created to share lesson plans and research. This is just the beginning; if you have something to add, please email us! The folder is set up as “view only” right now without sign-in. If you are not comfortable using Google Drive and have something to share, please send materials to Victoria Rydberg for posting. If you have a Google Account and would like to be added to “upload and edit” please send Victoria Rydberg the address you would like to use for access.
Wisconsin People and Places
- Wisconsin's Early Childhood Community's Collaborating Partners has information and resources.
- Madison Connectiing Children to Nature Initiative
- Gerry Slater at Design4Kids helps early childhood programs, schools and other child serving organizations plan and build nature-rich outdoor play-learning places. With early childhood programs, the process generally includes exploring how to satisfy the early learning standards outdoors. His WMELS Outdoors Planning Chart is available on request.
- Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education - Email
- UW-Eau Claire professor Paula K. Kleintjes Neff, Ph.D. (715-836-5284) was a contributing author to Connecting Children to Nature: Ideas and Activities for Parents and Educators
- UW-River Fall Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education, Molly K. Gerrish, Ph.D.
Nature-based Early Learning Centers, Pre-schools and 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old Kindergartens in Wisconsin
- A Natural Branch of Learning, Washburn
- The Climbing Tree, East Troy
- Children’s Nature Academy at UW-Eau Claire
- Cove Country Preschool, Hudson
- DC Everest School District is creating a 4K program at their Twin Oaks School Forest
- Fox River Academy offers nature-based kindergarten and grades 1-2 multi-age nature-based curriculum, Appleton
- Kegonsa Elementary School "Kindergarten Unleashed," Stoughton
- Little Explorers Preschool, Madison
- Nature’s Classroom Montessori, Mukwonago
- Oak Learning Center at Bay Beach Wildlife Center, Green Bay
- Rio School District has "Project Wild Child" Kindergarten has "Forest Mondays," Rio
- Schlitz Audubon Nature Center Preschool, Milwaukee
- STARMS Early Learning Center, Milwaukee
- Tomorrow River Community Charter School, Amherst
- UCLCC at UW-Stevens Point has done a lot of work with getting outdoors.
- Woodside Elementary in Hamilton School District has a nature kindergarten. Read the teacher's blog.
- Oriolus Kids Early Childhood Nature Program, Madison
National Organizations
Regional People and Places
- Northern Illinois Nature Preschool Association. Email or (630) 553-3933,
- Rachel Larimore developed a nature preschool in Michigan and wrote a book about it.
Nature-based early childhood education movement has gained significant momentum in the past few years. Research has shown the benefits of “children who frequently spend time outdoors have significantly less stress, develop enhanced sensory perception, experience fewer attention difficulties, decreased rates of physical and emotional illness and obesity, and are more likely to become lifelong outdoor participants!” (WEEF). How can nature-based education be a part of your programming? How do you purposefully connect young children with nature?
Stay on top of resources and opportunities for environmental education in early childhood through the Wisconsin-based early childhood list-serv!