Wild Things 2019: Full Schedule

11:15am CST

Models of Early Childhood Education on Public Lands

Research shows that positive early experiences in nature greatly facilitate the development of a lifelong concern for the environment. Learn how different programs utilize public lands to nurture whole-child development and an appreciation of the natural world, and bring your questions to panelists from Chicago Public Schools and NeighborSpace, Forest Playschool Chicago, and Chicago Botanic Garden.

Presenters

Robin Cline

Assistant Director, NeighborSpace

Currently, as Assistant Director of NeighborSpace, an urban land trust in Chicago, Robin’s leadership is multifaceted, involving neighborhood agency, creative stewardship, and program design. She supports community leaders throughout Chicago in developing, managing, and sustaining... Read More →

Jessica Fong

Chicago Public Schools

Emilian Geczi

Director, Natural Start Alliance, North American Association for Environmental Education

Emilian directs the North American Association for Environmental Education's early childhood initiative, Natural Start. In that capacity, he supports the work of educators, administrators, researchers, and other professionals who help young children connect to nature and care for... Read More →

Eileen Prendergast

Chicago Botanic Garden

Teresa Weed

Lead Organizer, Forest Schools for Illinois

I'm a Forest School teacher with seven years of experience working with preschoolers in urban ecosystems. I organize Forest Schools for Illinois, a grassroots campaign to update preschool licensing laws in our state to include criteria for outdoor play/learning environments. We... Read More →

Saturday February 23, 2019 11:15am - 12:00pm CST
rm. 49

Session 2, 2N

Track Youth Stewardship