AEOE upcoming events

Virtual Workshop: Supporting Risky Play in Schools (November 10, 2026)

Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Virtual Workshop: Understanding Outdoor Play

Tuesday, NOVEMBER 10 | 4-5pm Pacific

Join this FREE virtual workshop that will offer clarity on what risky play is and is not, particularly when supervising other people’s children as a professional educator in group learning environments.

The presenters will offer guidance for creating conditions and building capacity for risky play in schools, which serves to support the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth of children. Bring your questions!

Click here to register

Offered by The Outdoor Learning School & Store and Outdoor Learning Partners:

All registrants will be able to access the recording in case you can’t join the session live. And all attendees will be able to access a Certificate of Attendance and will be entered to win some great prizes!

EE Provider Virtual Professional Learning Community: Principles for Better Environmental Education (November 12, 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The virtual EE Provider Professional Learning Community sessions bring program leaders from environmental education organizations together to engage in collaborative learning and build capacity. Join colleagues from around the state to share resources, explore best practices, and build connections to strengthen our respective organizations and increase our collective impact. Our Professional Learning Community is intended to be a space where participants will contribute to and engage in shared learning through discussion, presentations, and exploration of resources relevant to our sector. Attending multiple sessions will help you to develop and build long-lasting connections with colleagues in a wide range of EE provider settings around the state. Join us!

You can choose to attend one or more of the following sessions.

4:00 – 5:30 pm

November 12, 2026 – Principles for Better Environmental Education
January 12, 2026 – After training: What comes next? Coaching and observation of staff
March 18, 2027 – Pathways to connect informal education to formal education
May 18, 2027 – Emergent Topics

November 12th session description: Two large-scale national studies sought to answer the question – what leads to more positive student outcomes in environmental education field trip programs? Come hear the results, which point to specific evidence-based approaches and principles that can be employed to help you improve your programming.

Register for one or more of the meetings here.

This effort is a collaboration between AEOE and the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI).

Virtual Environmental Education Career Fair (December 07, 2026)

Tue, 08 Dec 2026 00:30:00 GMT

Calling all job seekers and employers! Join us for a virtual environmental education career fair. Site leaders will be grouped into breakout rooms, where they will make a pitch for their organization/worksite, share any current or upcoming employment opportunities, and end with Q&A. Job seekers will choose several rooms to attend. Interviews will not be conducted during the event, but if you make a connection you can exchange contact information and plan to follow up. Find your next dream job in environmental and outdoor education!

The primary focus is on employers based in California, but all are welcome to attend.

Deadline to register as an employer is December 2. Job seekers can register up until the event start.

Participating employers TBD

Note: you don't have to be actively seeking new employment to attend - it can be beneficial to learn about different programs and opportunities even if you're happily employed where you are or haven't entered the field yet!

Virtual Workshop: How to be Hopeful: Empowering Practices to Overcome Despair and Act for Climate Justice (December 08, 2026)

Wed, 09 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Virtual Workshop: How to be Hopeful: Empowering Practices to Overcome Despair and Act for Climate Justice

Tuesday, DECEMBER 8 | 4-5pm Pacific

Join this FREE virtual workshop to hear author and expert Dr. elin kelsey explain the importance of being hopeful and offer tips on where to look for motivation in difficult times and how we can share this with students of all ages.

With the existential threat of climate change, it’s only natural to feel overwhelming emotions of anxiety, fear, or anger. But at the same time it is critically important to find sources of hope that can allow us to imagine a better future and work towards it.

Click here to register

Offered by The Outdoor Learning School & Store and Outdoor Learning Partners:

EE Provider Virtual Professional Learning Community: After training, what comes next? (January 12, 2027)

Wed, 13 Jan 2027 00:00:00 GMT

You can choose to attend one or more of the following sessions.

4:00 – 5:30 pm

November 12, 2026 – Principles for Better Environmental Education
January 12, 2026 – After training: What comes next? Coaching and observation of staff
March 18, 2027 – Pathways to connect informal education to formal education
May 18, 2027 – Emergent Topics

January 12th session description: You delivered a great training - what comes next? In this session we’ll explore how to best coach and observe staff. We’ll hear some approaches and discuss - come ready to share your tools and strategies!

Register for one or more of the meetings here.

This effort is a collaboration between AEOE and the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI).

Program Leaders Annual Retreat - No Lodging (January 29, 2027)

Sat, 30 Jan 2027 00:00:00 GMT

Join your colleagues from across the state for a retreat on the beautiful site of Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria. Professional development and meals meals included. With this registration level you are responsible for securing your own lodging. In addition to a structured professional development session, there will be discussions on statewide efforts to advance environmental literacy, and ample opportunities for networking and conversations around topics of your choice.

Agenda

Friday dinner
Friday evening social (optional)
Saturday breakfast
Saturday morning: Nature Journaling with Wild Wonder Foundation / local exploration to see the elephant seals (on your own or team up with other attendees)
Saturday lunch
Saturday afternoon: professional development session
Saturday dinner
Saturday evening: networking, resource share, and prep for open space
Sunday morning walk (optional)
Sunday breakfast
Sunday open space

Professional development: TBD

Registration options:

Please select the option that is appropriate for you. Members automatically receive a discounted rate if you are logged in. If you work for an organizational member, contact us at aeoe@aeoe.org for your discount code. The assisted level rate is available for anyone who needs financial assistance to attend.

Program Leaders Annual Retreat - Full Weekend w/ Lodging (January 29, 2027)

Sat, 30 Jan 2027 00:00:00 GMT

Join your colleagues from across the state for an overnight retreat on the beautiful site of Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria. The site is just minutes from the coast, and optional morning excursions can include nature walks around the property, a short hike down to the coastline, or a short drive to see the elephant seals.

Professional development, lodging for two nights*, and five meals included (Friday dinner through Sunday breakfast). In addition to a structured professional development session, there will be discussions on statewide efforts to advance environmental literacy, and ample opportunities for networking and conversations around topics of your choice.

Draft Agenda

Friday dinner
Friday evening social (optional)
Saturday breakfast
Saturday morning: Nature Journaling with Wild Wonder Foundation / local exploration to see the elephant seals (on your own or team up with other attendees)
Saturday lunch
Saturday afternoon: professional development session
Saturday dinner
Saturday evening: networking, resource share, and prep for open space
Sunday morning walk (optional)
Sunday breakfast
Sunday open space

Professional development: TBD

Registration options:

*Lodging includes shared cabins with bunk beds and their own bathroom. You will need to bring your own linens (bedding or sleeping bag, pillow) and toiletries.

Program Leaders Annual Retreat - Saturday night only (January 30, 2027)

Sat, 30 Jan 2027 19:00:00 GMT

Join your colleagues from across the state for an overnight retreat on the beautiful site of Camp Ocean Pines in Cambria. Professional development, lodging for one night*, and three meals included (Saturday lunch and dinner, plus Sunday breakfast). If you would like to arrive on Friday instead to have more time to network and share resources with your colleagues, please select the full Program Leaders Retreat registration. In addition to a structured professional development session, there will be discussions on statewide efforts to advance environmental literacy, and ample opportunities for networking and conversations around topics of your choice.

Agenda

Saturday late morning arrival and check-in
Saturday lunch (included)
Saturday afternoon: professional development
Saturday dinner (included)
Saturday evening: networking, resource share, and prep for open space
Sunday morning walk (optional) and check-out
Sunday breakfast (included)
Sunday open space

*Lodging includes shared cabins with bunk beds and their own bathroom. You will need to bring your own linens (bedding or sleeping bag, pillow) and toiletries. Please reach out to aeoe@aeoe.org if you prefer to secure your own lodging and meals.

Professional development: TBD

Registration options:

EE Provider Virtual Professional Learning Community: Pathways to connect informal education to formal education (March 18, 2027)

Thu, 18 Mar 2027 23:00:00 GMT

You can choose to attend one or more of the following sessions.

4:00 – 5:30 pm

November 12, 2026 – Principles for Better Environmental Education
January 12, 2026 – After training: What comes next? Coaching and observation of staff
March 18, 2027 – Pathways to connect informal education to formal education
May 18, 2027 – Emergent Topics

March 18th session description: There are important opportunities for your program to leverage in your community. In this session we will explore current initiatives, legislation, and standards. Attend to hear and discuss opportunities you can capitalize on now!

Register for one or more of the meetings here.

This effort is a collaboration between AEOE and the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI).

Save the Date: Statewide Conference 2027 (May 07, 2027)

Fri, 07 May 2027 22:00:00 GMT

Announcing the annual statewide conference for environmental and outdoor educators!

May 7-9, 2027 | YMCA Camp Jones Gulch, San Mateo County

Save the date for a weekend of learning, connection, and fun!

Find more details at aeoe.org/conference-2027

EE Provider Virtual Professional Learning Community: Emergent Topics (TBD) (May 18, 2027)

Tue, 18 May 2027 23:00:00 GMT

You can choose to attend one or more of the following sessions.

4:00 – 5:30 pm

November 12, 2026 – Principles for Better Environmental Education
January 12, 2026 – After training: What comes next? Coaching and observation of staff
March 18, 2027 – Pathways to connect informal education to formal education
May 18, 2027 – Emergent Topics

May 18th session description: We are keeping this one open to address any hot topics in the moment, or explore previous topics more deeply.

Register for one or more of the meetings here.

This effort is a collaboration between AEOE and the California Environmental Literacy Initiative (CAELI).