The theme for this year's conference is "CURRENTS of CHANGE," and it’s all about plugging into a shared grid of educators to spark a more resilient, forward-moving future for environmental education. To keep things organized, everything is broken down into six strands: Entry Points focuses on breaking down barriers and making everyone feel like they belong, while Change Reactors dives into the latest research and community science. If you're looking for killer curriculum ideas and innovative teaching hacks from preschool to college, Powering the Grid has you covered. For the bigger picture, Leveling Up tackles strategic partnerships and scaling your impact, and Green Energy explores regenerative, solutions-oriented sustainability. Finally, System Unplugged strips it all back to basics, focusing on low-tech, high-engagement learning that centers on real human experiences.
Keynote Speaker
Jeremy Lloyd
Jeremy Lloyd has taught for over 25 years on the faculty of Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, a residential learning center and outdoor school dedicated to connecting people and nature inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Besides accompanying people aged nine to ninety into the woods, he manages the Southern Appalachian Naturalist Certification Program, co-directs the Tremont Writers Conference, and designs multi-day programs for audiences of all ages. He is a graduate of Calvin University (BA) and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (MFA). He is the author of Forest Time: Footnotes to an Outdoor Education (University of Tennessee Press, 2026). His work has appeared in Sierra, Gray’s Sporting Journal, North Carolina Literary Review, The Sun, Northern Appalachia Review, Saturday Evening Post, Green Teacher, and several anthologies. He has won the Administrator of the Year award from the Tennessee Environmental Education Association. He lives with his wife and son in East Tennessee.
Thank you to our Gold Level sponsor :
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Thank you to Our Conference Partners:
