EENC's 17th Annual Conference: 

EE for a LIFETIME

October 26-28, 2007   

Lutheridge Conference Center, Arden, NC

Call for Proposals

Download the Proposal Form: Word Doc    or     pdf version

The EENC Conference Committee seeks proposals for workshops and concurrent session presentations that reflect either the conference theme “EE for a Lifetime” or the conference location, the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western NC.  Proposal deadline:  August 15, 2007.  

  “EE for a Lifetime”

The conference theme, EE for a Lifetime, reflects the current interest in the impacts of daily living choices and in the opportunities to weave EE into other outreach efforts in our communities. 

From food miles to carbon footprints to green housing, sustainability of lifestyle choices is gaining footing in the media and in consumer marketing, thanks to determined EE efforts on the national level. 

Similarly, in a relatively recent or renewed trend, religious leaders and faith-based organizations are beginning to recognize and promote the many areas of agreement between religious teachings and environmental stewardship. 

Additionally, many community outreach programs overlap with environmental stewardship and conservation concerns:  organizations that work for social justice, low-income assistance, health and wellness, child welfare, senior living, and other community-based pursuits include elements of EE in their programming, whether they identify it as EE or not.

With this conference, we seek to contribute to the momentum in the above areas by providing Environmental Educators with increased background knowledge as well as high quality EE lessons, materials, resources, and activities for both the formal and non-formal arenas. 

We seek session proposals on topics of lifestyle sustainability, EE and Faith-Based Audiences, community connections, and intergenerational continuity in EE (early childhood to retired adults).  Sessions should help educators stay current and learn new skills.  We aim to have a balance of sessions for K-12 teachers, non-formal educators, and teachers of adult audiences.  We also seek a balance across disciplines, from traditional naturalist activities to social science connections to EE for social justice and community action.  

  Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina

Among the oldest mountains on earth, the Appalachian chain stretches from Georgia to Maine.  The Blue Ridge, commonly defined as the easternmost or front ridge of the Appalachians, boasts 39 peaks in North Carolina and Tennessee that are higher than 6,000 feet.  This region is the most biodiverse ecosystem in North America, with new species still being discovered and catalogued.  We seek sessions (especially field trips) that will provide insight in and appreciation of this wonderful mountain region, and that will provide educators with tools and resources for passing that knowledge and appreciation on to their own audiences.

Interactive presentations are desired.  Outdoor and indoor venues are available.  We urge limited use of PowerPoint presentations, and if they are used, we urge presenters to also include some hands-on or participatory component in their session.

All-day workshops (8 hours) will be held on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26 & 27, with 10-hour workshops beginning Thursday evening, Oct. 25, as needed.  1/2-day workshops (2-4 hours) will be held Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26 & 27, and one hour concurrent sessions will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 27 & 28.

Download the Workshop and Session Proposal Form here:

Word Document     PDF Document            

Submit to Deborah Branson by email: Odysseynor@aol.com. 

or snail mail: PO Box 2270, Southern Pines, NC 28388

Questions can also be directed to Deb Branson, EENC Education Chairman, via email.  Proposals will be evaluated by a seven-member team, using a rubric developed especially for this purpose. 

Completed Proposal Forms must be returned to Deborah Branson no later than August 15, 2007. No late proposals will be accepted. 

All presenters will be required to register for the conference as a participant.  Being a presenter does NOT earn free admission to the conference.

 Applicants will be notified in late August or early September of their status.

 We hope to see you at EENC’s 17^th Annual conference!