Project wild annual meeting 2025

Keynote Speaker: John Bear Mitchell

John Bear Mitchell is a citizen of the Penobscot Nation from Indian Island in Maine. He presently serves as the University of Maine System Office Native American Waiver and Educational Program Coordinator, University of Maine’s Wabanaki Center Outreach and Student Development Coordinator, as well as a Lecturer of Wabanaki Studies and Multicultural Studies at the University of Maine in Orono. He has served on numerous museum and educational boards throughout the state with missions based on Maine’s Wabanaki people. For 15 years John visited schools in Maine as a Maine Touring Artist delivering an Arts in Education program. During that time, he visited over 150 schools. While working his way through college, he toured with the Native American Storytellers of New England. He presented a traditional and contemporary program in Native American Stories and Song. His singing and storytelling can be heard in many Maine PBS, tribal-sponsored awareness videos, independent film, HBO Lionsgate TV, and many documentaries with topics on Maine’s Native People.

Special Sessions:

Daniel McCaw is the Fisheries Program Manager for the Penobscot Indian Nation in Maine. Dan was raised in Burnham, Maine and attended the University of Maine in Orono. Dan worked as a Fish Biologist from 2001-2010 for the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission and the Maine Dept. of Marine Resources. Dan has worked for the Penobscot Indian Nation’s Department of Natural Resources since 2011, and works cooperatively with state, federal and NGO partners to protect, conserve and restore the Penobscot River’s migratory and resident fish species and the ecosystems on which they depend.

Judith Camuso, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, and resident of Falmouth, was elected as AFWA’s new president during its 114th Annual Meeting in Madison, Wisconsin on September 24, 2024. Ms. Camuso is only the second woman in the Association’s 122-year history to serve in this position. Camuso was nominated to serve as Commissioner of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife by Governor Janet T. Mills in 2019 and is the first woman to lead the department, overseeing the conservation and management of the inland fisheries and wildlife resources of the state.

Ron Regan is now in his 16th year as the Executive Director for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Ron has a strong professional interest in the historical underpinnings of our profession and the future standing of state fish and wildlife agencies in terms of authority, identity, and relevance.

Sessions - 2025 Project WILD Annual Meeting

Tuesday, May 20

1:15-2:30- Group Session

Alaina Zyhowski - Alewife Scents

Session Description: Role-play as an alewife (a sea-run fish) taking its migratory journey from the ocean to the freshwater lake where it was born. Use your olfactory sense OR sense of touch to navigate upstream by differentiating between essential oil scents OR textures.

About the Presenter: Alaina Zyhowski graduated with degrees in environmental science from the Ohio State University and childhood education from Canisius University. She has worked as a naturalist in outdoor education in Ohio and as a teacher in elementary and middle schools in western New York. Her favorite part of working at Herring Gut Coastal Science Center in Port Clyde, Maine is bringing children and adults to explore marine ecosystems and organisms, especially in the intertidal zone. In her spare time, Alaina enjoys hiking and performing in community theater.

2:45-4:00 PM Concurrent Sessions

Perry Thomas - Building a Network of Green Schools and Community Partners Grounded in Project WILD, WET, and Learning Tree

Session Description: In 2023, KAEE launched the Kentucky Green Schools with >100 schools and recruited a network of 140 community partners who also serve as facilitators of WILD, WET & PLT. Join me to reflect on how EE collaborations catalyze learning.

About the Presenter: Perry Thomas joined the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) team as Program Director in 2024. She holds a B.A. in Biology from Dartmouth College and M.A. in Teaching and Ph.D. in Biology from Northern Arizona University. Perry has served as a formal educator at middle school, high school, and university levels. She is a Certified Professional Environmental Educator and eeFacilitator. With KAEE, Perry coordinates the Green Schools Program and community partners. She also supports the facilitator network, organizes KAEE’s annual Outdoor Learning Symposium, and serves as state coordinator for Project WILD.

Sarah Witcher & Katy Gorsuch- Combating Environmental Misinformation (in a WILD Way!)

Session Description: How do we as educators use the best possible tools to weed through the plethora of environmental misinformation in today's digital world and empower our students to do the same? Join Maryland's WILDest coordinator/facilitator team to discuss!

About the Presenters: Sarah Witcher and Katy Gorsuch are experienced educators and wildlife biologists for the MD Dept of Natural Resources. They both teach, write for publication in multiple formats, and support the Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species research and management efforts of the Natural Heritage Program.

Thursday, May 21

11:15-12:00 Concurrent Sessions

Courtney Hallacher-Project W2ONDER: a Win-Win on Designing Environmental Relationships

Session Description: Project W2ONDER stands for a “Win-Win on Designing Environmental Relationships.” It refers directly to the two-way benefit of having solid, community partnerships that can support schools in activities that build environmental literacy and also meet academic standards of learning. For this project, learn how two Virginia community partners teamed up with 3 regional school districts to create district level Environmental Literacy Plans, as outlined in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, that incorporate activities from Projects WILD, WET, and PLT.

About the Presenter: Courtney Hallacher is the Wildlife Education Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) where she coordinates the state’s Project WILD program, Virginia Naturally Schools Recognition Program and develops materials and programming to promote environmental literacy across the Commonwealth. Her favorite elements of her job are working with educators across the state to promote outdoor place-based education and spending time in the field learning from and assisting DWR biologists. Courtney was a formal classroom educator for 17 years before joining DWR. During her time teaching biological sciences, she made learning outside a priority and took her students on an exploration of the ecology of their local environmental resources while connecting to the larger global environment.

Jessica Leahy, Stephany Perkins, Jessica Decke, and Mindy Crandall -Resources for Environmental Educators Supporting Rural Youth: A Listening and Brainstorming Session

Session Description: This interactive session explores the impact of change in rural areas on youth in resource-dependent communities and the need for workforce-supportive practices and resources for non-formal educators. Participants will have opportunities to share experiences, knowledge, resources, and ideas for future resources.

About the Presenters: Jessica Leahy is a Professor of Human Dimensions of Natural Resources in the School of Forest Resources at the University of Maine; Stephany Perkins (Career & Technical Education High School Teacher, Tri-County Technical Center Natural Resources Program), Jessica Decke (Director, Tanglewood 4 H Camp & Learning Center, UMaine Cooperative Extension), and Mindy Crandall (Associate Professor, Department of Forest Engineering & Management, College of Forestry, Oregon State University).

1:00-2:30 Concurrent Sessions

Beth Foley - Continuing Collaborations Across Coordinators and Curricula

Session Description: Join us to share what you are already doing in your state to combine EE efforts across PLT, WET, and WILD. Together, we will generate ideas for forward-thinking strategy, and gather the resources needed to help our EE leaders to chart the way.

About the Presenter: Beth Foley is the Conservation Education Manager for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, in which she offers programming for K-12 students. She became the SC Project WILD State Coordinator on January 1, 2025. In her previous position with the South Carolina Forestry Commission, she co-coordinated Project Learning Tree for 7 years. She is so excited to now be taking the lead for Project WILD in her state!

Lindsay Webb - Effective Strategies for Climate Change Educator Workshops

Session Description: This workshop will provide attendees with an overview of how to organize and facilitate impactful climate change education workshops following the model used in New Hampshire. Lindsay Webb, NH Project WILD Coordinator, will share how she has been co-facilitating Project WILD and Project WET Climate Change Educator Workshops in New Hampshire. This workshop will be a combination of presentation, hands-on activities, and resources that can be directly applied to workshops in other states. Attendees will walk away with the key elements of organizing a successful climate change workshop, experience some hands-on activities, and receive resources (facilitators agenda, resources lists, etc) to engage their own participants in climate change workshops.

About the Presenter: Lindsay Webb is a Wildlife Educator for the NH Fish and Game Department. She works on various state-wide wildlife education programs, as well as facilitates professional development workshops for educators who want to incorporate New Hampshire wildlife and environmental science lessons into their classrooms. Lindsay has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Franklin Pierce University and a master’s degree in Environmental Studies – Conservation Biology from Antioch University New England. Lindsay is the current NHEE (NH Environmental Educators) Board President.

2:45-3:45 Concurrent Sessions

Hazel Scharosch and Lori Keith - Early Childhood - It's Not Just for Little Kids!

Session Description: Join this interactive session to learn how fantastic it is to provide early childhood materials for educators! This workshop will explain the benefits of using Growing Up WILD in the formative years and how vitally important it is when setting the stage for kiddos entering K-12 entities. Using two activities from the Growing Up WILD guide, "Terrific Turkeys" and "Spider Web Wonders," you will gain hands-on experiences to expand your wheelhouse in early childhood education.

About the Presenters: Hazel Scharosch is veteran 30-year classroom teacher. Hazel was introduced to Project WILD, Project Learning Tree and Project WET in 1994 and has used the curricula to expand environmental literacy not only to her students, but to other classroom teachers and non-formal educators. She is especially committed to sharing her passion about providing environmental literacy in the Early Childhood sector, knowing that young children benefit from being outdoors and in touch with their unique environment.

When not conducting workshops, building networks, and providing outreach education, you can find Hazel and her husband Steve kayaking, snorkeling, growing vegetables for her small community, and spoiling her grandchildren. If you were to ask them, they would tell you that their grandma doesn’t mind picking up bugs, looking under rocks for salamanders and lizards, and declaring that mud pies are delicious. Hazel is committed to the idea that, “Every Student (especially a young student) Learns Outside.”

As a Girl Scout Regional Membership Manager and a 4H Club Leader, Lori Keith was introduced to Project WILD in 2007. She was absolutely hooked on the “just the facts, Jack” philosophy. Lori became a certified facilitator, served several years, and became a facilitator trainer. Wyoming Project WILD recognized her value and dedication, and she now serves as the Facilitator Representative on our Wyoming Project WILD Steering Committee.

Lori has often stated that Project WILD helps her connect with all kinds of educators: formal, non-formal, resource personnel, 4H Leaders, Scout Leaders, and of course – Early Childhood providers and Educators. Come see her no-nonsense approach to Growing Up WILD!

Kal Mannis- It's All in the Cards!

Session Description: Learn more about the tools and set of activities tied to this multidisciplinary deck of cards, developed from an activity created by colleagues at the U of AK. This card deck can be used to lower affective barriers, stimulate civil conversation, and create a foundation for gaining insight into what people think. Everyone attending leaves with a deck and resources.

About the Presenter: Kal has been Arizona's PW Coordinator since the late '00s and integrates the curriculum into his day job as Sr. Director for Rural Engagement with Arizona Science Center. He focuses on rural and indigenous communities working collaboratively to build STEM Identity through event planning, networking, and integration into existing place-based activities. Kal also specializes in developing and managing research programs and supporting research institutes interfacing with rural communities.

On the University of Maine at Orono campus

• Campus trails - DeMeritt Forest Trail System
• Littlefield Ornamentals Trial Garden - Self-Guided Walking Tours - University of Maine
• Hudson Museum (Great exhibit on the Wabanaki Nation, as well as other world cultures) Open M-F, 9-4
• Versant Power Astronomy Center and the Maynard Jordan Planetarium
• Page Farm and Home Museum Open Tues-Sat, 10-3
• Cornfield Loop Trail which is part of the DeMeritt Forest Trail System (Great bird/wildlife watching area. In May, the bobolinks will be singing in the fields, and the marsh will be full of red-winged blackbirds, turtle sightings, and perhaps some surprises!)

Close to Campus

• Orono Land Trust - Lands and Trails (Especially the Caribou Bog Conservation Area)
• Orono Bog Boardwalk - designated a National Natural Landmark by NPS; Connected to the Bangor City Forest Trail System
• Stillwater River Trail
• Black Bear Cinemas
• The Store Ampersand (coffee house), 22 Mill St, Orono, ME 04473

North of Orono

• Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge -near Milford
• Milford Dam Fish Ladder (located at Brookfield Renewable US, 44 Davenport St, Milford, ME 04461) In their parking lot, they have a video of the fish going through the fishway. (more info - Penobscot River, Maine - NOAA Habitat Blueprint)
• Penobscot Nation River Trail and Pavilion Park (Alenape Menahan Educational Panels and Medicine Trail featuring sculptures by Tim Shay, Penobscot Artist)
• Hirundo Wildlife Refuge - West of Old Town

East of Orono

• Maine Forest and Logging Museum - (The Alewives (fish) will be running in May)
• Leonard’s Mills Sawmill and working waterwheel
• Chick Hill (aka Peaked Mountain)- In Clifton-Amherst area of Route 9 (directions) (Amazing 360-degree views including Mount Desert Island in Acadia NP, Cadillac Mountain and if you’re lucky Mount Katahdin)

South of Orono

• Stephen King’s House - 47 W Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401-4502
• Maine Discovery Museum - in Bangor
• Penobscot Theater Company in Bangor
• Penobscot River Walkway, Front St & Railroad St, Bangor, ME 04401 in Bangor
• Brewer Riverwalk in Brewer (with Mason Brewery as a stop!)
• Penobscot Narrows Bridge and Observatory (the tallest public bridge observatory in the world) and Fort Knox Historical Site in Prospect

Suggestions from Hotel Ursa - Plan Your Stay | Hotel Ursa

Orono (1.2 miles from Hotel Ursa)

Coffee/Breakfast/Bakery

Golden Bean Bakery

Nest

Ampersand Store

Aroma Joe’s

Lunch and/or Dinner (please check hours)

Harvest Moon Deli

Pat’s Pizza

Thai Orchid

Thai Kitchen (take out only)

Tacorita

Yamas Orono

Family Dog

Woodman’s

Local Breweries

Orono Brewing Company

Marsh Island Brewing

Black Bear Brewing

Old Town

Coffee/Breakfast/Bakery

Governor’s (This is the place for all the diner fans!)

Lunch and/or Dinner (please check hours)

Pepper’s Landing (Recommended for seafood; Nice river view)

Kanu

Main Street Grill

Riverside House of Pizza

Governor’s

Brewer (across the river from Bangor)

Mason’s Brewing Company

Maine in May is usually a comfortable mid 50’s to upper 60s but breezes can sometimes be chilly. Humidity is usually around mid-levels so good there. It can be very sunny and warm to rainy, so be prepared with layers. Since it is black fly season, Laura suggests pants over shorts, but light weight is good. Quick dry this time of year makes any weather easy to deal with.

Laura recommends packing the following items:

• hiking or walking shoes
• light weight pants
• long sleeve shirts and t-shirts
• couple of sweatshirts or fleeces
• rain coat
• light jacket
• hat
• vests are nice layering option
• binoculars as it is peak bird season with migration happening
• water bottle
• travel mug
• small backpack
• sunglasses
• chapstick
• allergy meds for pollen as all the trees are opening up
• nice or fun outfit for the banquet (optional)

Laura will provide some sunscreen and bug spray onsite