Conservation Education Conference on Virtual Learning
March 2-4, 2021
1:00-4:00 pm EST
Cost: *$25/person
Join other Conservation Education professionals to build a community of practice around engaging the public in outdoor activities. From teacher professional development to fly-tying workshops - we've all had to adjust. The public audience that we serve will continue to expect having online options for learning, and we can reach a broader audience in doing so. Learn about great tools and methodologies that your peers have implemented. You will find the answers to questions such as:
- What kind of microphone should I use? Do I need extra lighting?
- How do I engage teachers in an online workshop focused on getting kids outside?
- What's a Kahoot?
- Where do I start with online learning experiences?
Please Register here.
Keynote Address by:
Tom Kalous: "Embracing the New Normal"
March 2, 2021, at 1:00 EST
This past year has provided trainers and educators with unprecedented challenges and changes when it comes to delivering engaging content to our audiences. Some of us adapt to changes more easily while others find it more difficult to adapt. The keynote will highlight why change can be difficult and how we can embrace new technologies and new approaches that, in the long run, can make us more effective in the important work that we do for the field of conservation.
Second Keynote Address by:
Andy Goodman and Celia Hoffman: "Unmuted: What works, what doesn't, and how we can all do better when working together online"
March 3, 2021, at 1:00 EST
Based on findings from the Goodman Center's newest report, this one-hour presentation examines the explosion of videoconferencing triggered by the pandemic and addresses the question: What’s really happening when working together face-to-face actually means screen-to-screen? As the report’s title suggests, by pressing “unmute” and letting over four thousand people sound off about their daily experiences in videoconferences, The Goodman Center was able to identify best practices worth emulating along with persistent problems that require attention. In the “Unmuted” presentation, Andy Goodman will focus on specific aspects of videoconferences such as effective structure, leadership and facilitation, engagement techniques, and more; and each section will include data-driven recommendations for improving your videoconferences going forward.
Below is a draft schedule. Note: Each session will take place via Zoom. You must register for each session. To do this, go to your confirmation email and visit the Eventbrite site. Session descriptions and links to register can be found there. We recommend you add each session you are attending to your calendar - this helps with time zone differences. Each session is limited to 90 people maximum.
Tuesday March 2nd
1:00 EST
Welcome - Kellie Tharp, Arizona Game & Fish Department
Keynote Address: Tom Kalous
This past year has provided trainers and educators with unprecedented challenges and changes when it comes to delivering engaging content to our audiences. Some of us adapt to changes more easily while others find it more difficult to adapt. The keynote will highlight why change can be difficult and how we can embrace new technologies and new approaches that, in the long run, can make us more effective in the important work that we do for the field of conservation.
Reflection: Tanya Poole - North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
2:15-3:00 EST
Padlets to ‘Pods: Exploring Digital Teaching Tools
Kerry Wixed, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
With COVID-19, many education programs have shifted to an online format. However, it can be challenging to create engaging and interactive presentations online. This session will cover best practices for digital teaching, including designing for accessibility, as well how to use digital tools to teach particular content. Throughout the session, participants will get a chance to engage in activities on Google Slides, Mentimeter, Padlet, and Nearpod. This session will dive into ways to create social interaction and community building integrated with learning experiences. To provide the best experience, it is recommended that participants have a second device with internet connectivity such as a smartphone or tablet.
Register here
Fun on Film: Creating Engaging Videos for Your EE Facility
Tori Duval, Western North Carolina Nature Center
Join Tori Duval, Outreach Educator for the WNC Nature Center, in an exploration of how to create fun and engaging premium education videos for your facility. We'll explore the basics of video equipment and editing programs, advertising, and creating quality content. Come with questions!
Return to the Root: Place-Based Education
C.C. King - North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
This session will review the way North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and Piedmont Triad Regional Council collaborate to remotely serve Backyard Habitats participants in place-based education. We will share methods and resources. Based on the work of the landscape conservation cooperatives, we recognize the role of our ‘place’ in context, and the possibility for regional collaborative visions of conservation corridors. Bring your creative input and problem-solving capacities to this session as we explore the long-game: place-based actions toward habitat connectivity.
Building a Multi-Channel Wildlife Education Program in a Virtual Learning World: Lessons from Wildlife on WiFi
Joe Monfort and Daniel Lynch - Pennsylvania Game Commission and
Launched in Spring 2020 shortly after initial COVID-19 orders went into effect, Wildlife on WiFi is the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s nationally award-winning remote and virtual learning program. Wildlife on WiFi seeks to connect Pennsylvania residents to their state’s wildlife from anywhere by providing innovative online learning opportunities, virtual lessons and educational resources about wildlife and its conservation. To date, Wildlife on WiFi has registered 55,000 user engagements across channels and engagement methods, been co-promoted by 25 state senators and representatives, been featured in state media, and received the 2020 Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Stephen Kellert Award for connecting humans to nature in a diverse and inclusive manner.
3:15-4:00 EST The Great Outdoors Indoors
Monica Macoubrie - Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
The words “digital”, “virtual”, and “screen time” are common themes that we find ourselves in. However, that doesn’t mean boring, or unengaging. Through videos, webinars, and virtual workshops using various apps, come learn what our agency has found successful.
Amplifying Connections to Nature Through Video
Heather Hubbard - Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Take a look at Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Wild Classroom series to learn more about the research behind using videos for education, best practices for creating engaging videos, and the tools to easily produce your own high quality videos.
Lessons from the Sudden Digital Learning Transformation
Eric Proctor - Arizona Game and Fish Department
School closures because of the pandemic left teachers struggling to change from in-person instruction to online learning in days. Teachers desperately sought digital resources. EE providers offered what they could. Let’s discuss successes and flops. How are we moving forward?
Active Learning with Gallery Walks
Tara Laidlaw - Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
Looking for a tool to boost interaction and creative thinking during virtual learning? In this session, we will use the Google Suite platform to explore how digital gallery walks can spark engaging and authentic connections among students of (almost) all ages.
Wednesday March 3rd
1:00 EST
Welcome: Tabbi Kinion
Keynote Address: Andy Goodman
Based on findings from the Goodman Center's newest report, this one-hour presentation examines the explosion of videoconferencing triggered by the pandemic and addresses the question: What’s really happening when working together face-to-face actually means screen-to-screen? As the report’s title suggests, by pressing “unmute” and letting over four thousand people sound off about their daily experiences in videoconferences, The Goodman Center was able to identify best practices worth emulating along with persistent problems that require attention. In the “Unmuted” presentation, Andy Goodman will focus on specific aspects of video conferences such as effective structure, leadership and facilitation, engagement techniques, and more; and each section will include data-driven recommendations for improving your video conferences going forward.
Reflection: Kelly Reynolds - Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
2:00-2:15 EST
Making Distance Learning Wild
Julie Watson - Nevada Department of Wildlife
Join the Nevada Department of Wildlife for a session on distance learning. We’ll be sharing our trials and triumphs in implementing a completely distanced classroom program through various online tools and platforms.
Kalkomey: 2020 Trends in Online Outdoor Education Courses
Rebecca Medeiros - Kalkomey
We’ll look at trends in online outdoor education, student demographics, and changes we’ve seen in student behavior. We’ll also examine various methods of online or virtual delivery that we’ve seen across the U.S. and what education might look like in the future.
GoTo Webinar or GoTo Meeting
Melissa Alderson- Texas Parks and Wildlife
GoTo software has been used the past three years to successfully launch Texas Waters webinars and curriculum review meetings. A comparison of GoToWebinar, GoToMeeting, Zoom, and Teams will be discussed and briefly demonstrated.
Education vs. Entertainment
Dave Hagengruber - Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Whether your goal is to gain more followers, or to educate the public on a tricky topic, finding a balance between entertainment and education when creating virtual content can improve your reach and help you to meet your education objectives!
2:30-3:45 EST
It’s all in the Details
Betsy Ukeritis - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Join experienced Project WILD Coordinators from NY, MD, & PA to learn the process to design and offer engaging, effective virtual educator professional development. This high-energy session will focus on the details to get teachers excited about your virtual workshops.
Changes in the Desert
Brooke D’Adamo - Arizona Science Center
Experience various life science investigations in order to explore natural and human-caused changes to desert habitats! Then, analyze the modeled engagement strategies for immersing students in engaging, authentic and relevant science, virtual learning experiences.
Microsoft Teams for Online Workshops - A Short Tutorial
Jen Dennison - Ohio Division of Wildlife
Want to learn Microsoft Teams for online workshops? Join me for a tutorial on the features of this platform, pluses and minuses, and past experiences. You'll be invited into a Team so you can learn first-hand how to use it.
Readings in Natural History: Evolution of a Programming Model
Carrie Elvey - The Wilderness Center
Discover how a Readings in Natural History programming grew from a rough Facebook Live discussion of A Sand County Almanac to a much richer Zoom-based discussion of nature writing centered around the themes of joy, hope, and peace.
4:00-5:00 EST
Fireside Chats: Mix and Mingle
Virtual social events are tricky. Many people feel the desire to connect socially, but it can be difficult to find the right format or activity that justifies yet another gathering on Zoom. Virtual happy hours can sometimes fall flat, but socials with the right structure can add value to your event. How do you encourage fun, connection, and a moment to unwind that is worth people’s time? Join us to experience one option for a virtual social: fireside chats. Telling stories and getting to know others around a campfire is a cherished outdoor experience. Pull up a seat with a beverage (or a s’more!) to get to know your fellow conservation educators better. After we get the fire started, we will split into small groups to answer a question meant to fuel your fireside conversation (get it?). After 10-15 minutes, participants will be mixed into new groups to answer a new question. We hope to see you by the fire!
Thursday March 4th
1:00-2:15 EST
Using Flippity to Deliver Virtual Programming
Kacey Bozeman - University of Georgia extension/Georgia 4-H
Flippity, is a free, online platform that allows users to build various digital activities. This session includes an overview of Flippity, independent time to explore the resource, and discussion opportunities about applying this resource in a variety of educational settings.
The WILD Learning Lab: Lesson Design for Online Collaboration through Google Apps
Marc LeFebre - AFWA and Ashlyn Kite-Hartwich - Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education
The time is now for embracing new tools and approaches for online instruction! Learn how the WILD Learning Lab uses widely available and affordable online resources, and then consider how your organization can use similar approaches to further its online education efforts.
Virtual Nature Centers and Live Programs - Wildlife Education Adapts!
Tabbi Kinion - Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Phew - what a year 2020 was! With a team of 65 education professionals, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission dove head-first into the digital education realm. From snake feeding programs with over 10,000 viewers in March to our week-long online fishing camps that get families out fishing, to our www.agfcnaturecenter.com virtual nature center, our team has learned so much. Join us to explore all of the successes and slips we fell in the past year and discuss ideas for how we continue to provide outstanding education in a virtual space.
Who Lives in a Tree?
Terri Wade-Lyles - Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Ellis Lyles - Central State University
Who Lives in a Tree?, PreK and Kindergarten, was developed for interdisciplinary fun, allowing a child to learn using several modalities. Join us! For hands-on examples that are sure to retain student engagement in a remote and hybrid setting.
2:30-2:45 EST
Edutainment in Five Minutes or Less
Karrie McAllister - The Wilderness Center
Entertainment + Education = Edutainment! How do you take big ideas and squeeze them into a short piece that won't get scrolled past? In this session, learn simple steps for creating a short program that will enhance viewer retention.
Building Community in Chaos: How the Natural History Society of Maryland Tapped into the Power of Gathering
Bronwyn Mitchell-Strong - Natural History Society of Maryland
It is inspiring to discover others who share the same passion and purpose. By facilitating and stimulating people to come together, the Natural History Society of Maryland, is emerging from the pandemic stronger than when it began.
Texas Pollinator BioBlitz
Shelly Plante - Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Get your students outside! BioBlitzes familiarize students with the area around them and encourages them to explore areas they normally wouldn’t. Teachers love how this connects to learning objectives and teaches observation skills.
#Responsible Recreation
Patricia Allen - Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies
Learn all about the #ResponsibleRecreation campaign- a media campaign encouraging people to enjoy outdoor recreation while adhering to proper outdoor etiquette during the pandemic.
3:00-3:45 EST
Connect and Educate with Social Media in 2021
Spencer Griffith - Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Organic reach, groups, pages, impressions, algorithms, and reactions, While most of us are on social media platforms as users, driving content to audiences is a skill that takes training and constant adaptation. Spencer Griffith, the Marketing Manager for the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, understands not only social media but the best way to leverage it for education for digital and in-person events. Explore some 2020 trends in social media and learn some ways to best reach your social media audience in 2021.
Google Earth Virtual Field Trips
Tara Laidlaw - Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
Google Earth is user-friendly, it connects easily with content hosted elsewhere online, and it’s free! This session will provide a crash course in building Google Earth field trips, using a project from the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy as an example.
TPWD’s Best Practices for Online Classes and Clinics
Melissa Alderson - Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
The TPWD’s Outreach and Education department successfully transitioned many programs to a virtual learning audience. We will discuss and demonstrate best practices used in our formal certification trainings to our public educational opportunities.
Best Practices for Teaching Science in Virtual Settings
Kasey Bozeman - University of Georgia Extension/Georgia 4-H
Educators make in-person sessions engaging, but it can be a daunting task for virtual learning. During this session, participants will experience a variety of different digital tools that can facilitate discussion, ask questions, spark dialogue, etc. in virtual settings.
3:50-4:00 EST
Closing
*If your organization cannot pay the registration fee, please contact Elena Takaki at etakaki@fishwildlife.org
This conference is presented to you by Project WILD and the Education Workgroup in partnership with the Education, Outreach, and Diversity Committee. Sponsored by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies Management Assistance Team and Project WILD. Sponsored by the Arizona Department of Game & Fish.