Save the date for the 2024 EEAI Conference and Annual Meeting in Decatur, IL.

We hope to see you there!


2023 Conference

EE In Action

Our 2023 conference was an incredible success, with over 70 Environmental Educators coming together to share their wisdom and work. We hope to see you at next year’s conference in Decatur, IL.


All full registrations and student registrations include meals (Friday – lunch and dinner, Saturday – breakfast and lunch), Friday night award ceremony (including auction and entertainment), as well as full access to all conference sessions. 

Single day registrations include meals and access to all activities for that day.

Workshops and field experiences take place on Thursday and should be purchased as an add-on to your conference registration.  

Click here to view and download the Conference Program.

Take a look at our Schedule At-A-Glance!

Thank You To Our Sponsors!

Site Details

Start: April 14, 2023 @ 8:00 AM

End: April 15, 2023 @ 2:00 PM

Location: Stoney Creek Hotel

Reservations: 309-743-0101

Conference Rate: $99/night

Registration Types

  • A. EEAI Member Full Registration โ€“ $125.00
  • B. Non-Member Full Conference Registration โ€“ $155.00
  • C. One Day Friday Registration โ€“ $100.00 Can ONLY be used for Friday
  • D. One Day Saturday Registration โ€“ $60.00 Can ONLY be used for Saturday
  • E. Student Registration โ€“ $60.00 Full conference registration for any college or graduate level students
  • F. Scholarship Full Conference Registration We understand that some educators may need additional help to attend this years conference. If you would be helped by a scholarship please fill out this form. We want to see you!

Pre-Conference Workshops

  • Project Learning Tree Facilitator Training at Niabi Zoo – $10/$20
    • Thursday, April 13, 12-4PM; Includes Lunch
    • Choose between an eBook ($10) or printed book ($20). You will receive your book or your code at the workshop. This workshop is eligible for 3 ISBE credit hours.
  • River Watch Training On-site at Stoney Creek Hotel – $15
    • Thursday, April 13, 12-5PM; Presented by the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center; No Lunch Included

Field Trips

  • Niabi Zoo – $20
    • Thursday, April 13; 11AM-12PM
    • Adaptations Guided Tour & Train Ride: This private tour includes Buff-cheeked gibbons, white rhino, amur leopards, snow leopards, reticulated giraffe, meerkats, axolotl, reticulated python, two-toed tree sloth, umbrella cockatoo, African crested porcupine, and fennec fox. Hop aboard the zoo train, operating especially for our group, to conclude this exclusive visit! 
  • Pearl Button Museum & Muscatine County Conservation Board Environmental Learning Center – $20
    • Thursday, April 13; 12-5PM; transportation provided
    • In the early 1900s, Muscatine, Iowa was known as โ€œthe Pearl Button Capital of the World.โ€ The National Pearl Button Museum tells the fascinating story (weโ€™re not kidding!) and includes a special new exhibit on native mussels.
    • The Muscatine County Conservation Board Learning Center will provide a raptor talk with live raptors and a tour of their two large aquarium exhibits. Price includes transportation to and from Stoney Creek Conference Center but lunch is on your own.
  • Quad Cities Botanical Center – $15
    • Thursday, April 13; 2pm
    • Tropical Paradise Guided Tour – Immerse yourself in a relaxing, tropical escape while visiting the stunning gardens. The tropical Sun Garden boasts one of the nationโ€™s most uniquely designed conservatories and its highlight is an awe-inspiring 14-foot waterfall! Discover an island garden filled with jasmine, orchids, bromeliads, banana plants, coconut and chocolate trees, fish and jungle-sized palm trees.

Suggested Free Options

  • Black Hawk State Historic Site & Hauberg Museum
    • Black Hawk State Historic Site is a 208 acre park managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources that showcases the fascinating cultural history and diverse natural resources of the Quad Cities. Explore hiking trails along the Rock River and through the nature preserve. Discover the history of Black Hawk and the Sauk and Meskwaki people by visiting the John Hauberg Museum.
  • John Deer Pavilion
    • John Deere Pavilion’s brand-new experience featuring new and vintage equipment, interactive and immersive exhibits, and a few surprises. Sit in the cab of some of John Deereโ€™s biggest and smallest machines. Download the free mobile app to make the most of your experience. Itโ€™s only a 7 minute walk from the hotel!
  • Figge Art Museum
    • Thursday, April 13 only; 5PM Cash Bar and Art Buffet, 6:30PM Program Starts
    • The Ballet Quad Cities will be premiering in the lobby featuring original choreography in a performance inspired by Sporting Fashion: Outdoor Girls 1800 to 1960.

View our Concurrent Session List, click here to download your own copy.

Sponsorship
EEAI is actively seeking Sponsors for our 2023 Annual Conference. Sponsors are featured on our website and in our program as well as other level specific benefits. Join us in supporting the largest professional development event specifically for environmental educators in the state! 

Click here to learn more!

Click here to register online.

Exhibitors

Join us at the 2023 Annual Conference as an Exhibitor!

Click here to learn more!

Click here to pay by credit card.


Volunteers

Volunteers make our conference possible! If you are interested in volunteering as a room host, field trip chaperone, or other duties, please email Natalie, our volunteer chair, at nathelpsyou@gmail.com or check the Volunteer box on your registration.


EEAI Annual Conference Cancellation Policy:

The EEAI Annual Conference takes more than a year to plan, and many major expenses such as catering, facility rentals and speakers are paid for well in advance based on registration numbers. Because of this, EEAI maintains a strict cancellation policy for the annual conference. 

Up to two days before the conference, your conference registration can be transferred to another Illinois educator who is able to attend in your place and who is not already registered.

  • 75% of your registration fee can be refunded up to one month before the conference.
  • 50% of your registration fee can be refunded up to 14 days before the conference.
  • 25% of your registration fee can be refunded up to one week before the conference. 

We understand that difficult situations arise, such as family emergencies. If you would like to discuss such a situation, please reach out to the EEAI Executive Director at brekkeboundseeai@gmail.com