Annual Conference

The signature event is our annual fall conference. Attended by educators, managers, directors, and staff of organizations from across the state and nation, the conference is an excellent opportunity for networking, attending workshops, participating in outdoor activities, and supporting outdoor education in New York State. As conference locations rotate throughout the five regions (Eastern, Metro, Northern, Western, and Central), it also provides a great way to learn about various parts of the state.

2024 ANNUAL CONFERENCE: November 7-10
Outdoor Education: Our Natural Community
Registration is full for the 2024 conference, at the Y at Watson Woods this November 7-10!

Attendees will experience the conference for the day, or spend the weekend with educators from all over New York State and beyond. Network with peers, attend workshops, and participate in group natural history outings, all while supporting outdoor education.

Conference Booklet
Your complete guide to Conference 2024. Maps, schedule, speakers, everything!

Conference Registration
Conference registration is full! Thank You! Stay tuned to social media, @nysoea on Facebook and @nysoea_outdoors on Instagram for next year's dates and venue.

On-site lodging is full; there are many nearby hotels in Painted Post & Corning. Visit exploresteuben.com/places-to-stay/.
If you are staying offsite, be sure to add any breakfast or dinners desired to your conference registration.

Conference Sustainability and Accessibility

This is a default vegan conference! If you would like meat or dairy, please indicate that on your registration form.
Information on public transportation and carpooling can be found here.

Scholarships
We want to make sure everyone is included in the conference. To learn more about financial assistance and how to apply for it, fill out the form that best applies to you.

Double check your packing checklist: drive.google.com/file/d/19N3SL9Vu6DfG_Sz8qXYH8FP7lm8TOBHN/view?usp=sharing

Conference Workshops

Conference Workshops

Scroll to read full workshop strand descriptions.

Keynote Speakers

Thank you to NYS Parks for Sponsoring our Keynote Speakers

Conference Sponsorship:
Thank you to our generous sponsors for taking our conference to the next level:

Conference Strands:

Natural Communities 101: Get to know your natural neighbors! Provide practical workshops on natural history and how to teach it, as well as outdoor skills and other ways to connect to nature through outdoor education.
Braiding Ways of Knowing: As educators, we need to challenge ourselves to understand- and teach- both Western science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge. Share successful activities or programs developed by or in conjunction with Indigenous peoples.
Community Agriculture: New York State boasts a multi-billion dollar agricultural industry, yet many New Yorkers do not know the source of their food. Connecting our audience to the soil, plants and animals that sustain us is crucial as the systems face the threat of climate change.
We are One–Classroom and Community Connections: Outdoor education can enhance community connections through immersive experiences and action projects. This strand will highlight best practices and programs for engaging students and community members with nearby nature for place-based learning and stewardship.
Outdoors is for All–Equity, Access, and Inclusion: Showcase innovative ideas to address barriers to inclusion in outdoor education activities, share successful stories on advocating for environmental education and outdoor education, and share successes in social and environmental justice programs and practices.