|
About The annual EEASC conference is scheduled for June 17-19, 2026 with pre-conference workshops available on June 16th. It will take place in Spartanburg, SC at "The George" downtown which is part of USC Upstate. This four-day, camp-inspired experience brings together about 100 passionate environmental educators from across South Carolina—teachers, park and nature professionals, conservation leaders, and more. With a strong focus on South Carolina’s state parks, Camp Compass is hands-on, outdoors, and energizing. Expect practical sessions, time in nature, and meaningful connections with fellow educators as you rediscover why the outdoors is one of our best classrooms. Registration coming soon! Keynote Speaker The keynote speaker for the 2026 conference is Glenis Redmond, an award-winning poet, performer, and storyteller whose work powerfully connects people, place, and history. She is Greenville, South Carolina’s Inaugural Poet Laureate and a 2025 recipient of the Order of the Palmetto. Glenis is the author of seven books, including Over Yonder: A Poet’s Exploration of South Carolina State Parks I, The Song of Everything: A Poet’s Exploration of South Carolina State Parks II, The Listening Skin (Four Way Books), and Praise Songs for Dave the Potter (University of Georgia Press), featuring artwork by Jonathan Green. Through her poetry and lived experiences, Glenis invites audiences to slow down, listen deeply, and see the natural world—and one another—with renewed curiosity and care. Her keynote is sure to inspire, ground, and energize educators as we navigate environmental education together. Call for Proposals We welcome a variety of session types, including hands-on workshops, interactive discussions or panels, case studies and best-practice presentations, field-based or experiential sessions, and research-informed presentations. EEASC encourages proposals from a wide range of voices, including classroom teachers, informal educators, nonprofit staff, agency professionals, students, researchers, and community partners, and welcomes both experienced presenters and first-time conference presenters. A formal call for proposals will go out in February, so start thinking now about what you can contribute to this year’s event! Pre-Conference Events Every year, EEASC offers engaging pre-conference events that give attendees the opportunity to dive deeper through hands-on learning experiences and immersive, place-based exploration. These sessions often highlight local environmental projects, organizations, and initiatives, allowing participants to learn directly from practitioners working in the field. Pre-conference events are designed to foster meaningful networking among environmental educators from across the state while deepening understanding of South Carolina’s diverse ecosystems, communities, and sustainability efforts. Awards Annually, EEASC seeks individuals, groups, and organizations who have contributed significantly to the importance of environmental education in South Carolina. Award winners are announced at our annual conference. A nomination form will become available closer to the conference. Call for Sponsors Support the next generation of environmental education by sponsoring EEASC’s 2026 Annual Conference, June 16–19 at USC Upstate. The conference will bring together around 100 engaged educators from across South Carolina, including teachers, park and conservation professionals, youth leaders, government partners, and private sector representatives. As South Carolina’s official affiliate of the North American Association for Environmental Education, EEASC is part of a network of 56 organizations working to advance environmental education across North America. EEASC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and conference sponsorships are essential to keeping registration affordable and accessible. Your support directly helps both formal and informal educators participate in this impactful professional development experience. Silent Auction A silent auction takes place at our annual conference with all proceeds going to support the mission and programs of EEASC. Please consider donating an item and/or working with local artisans, businesses, and other entities to solicit additional contributions to this year’s silent auction effort. Items can be artwork, jewelry, clothing, educational resources, environmental experiences, gift cards, etc.! If you are interested, please fill out the form below with the description(s) of the item(s). You can either a) bring your item(s) to the conference or b) arrange a drop-off with one of our board members. All donations to the auction are tax deductible. Thank you for your consideration of supporting our cause! If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Mancke. |
|