Don’t miss EEAW’s 17th annual conference, “Reinventing Green: Environmental Education in a Changing World,” which is taking place November 8 - 10, 2007, in Seattle, WA.

This year we are excited to have three dynamic keynote speakers. Opening the conference will be Dr. Peter Senge, Senior Lecturer at MIT, who specializes in translating the abstract ideas of systems theory into tools for better understanding of economic and organizational change. Dr. Sylvia Earle will be our Friday evening gala keynote speaker. This event is co-sponsored by the Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence (COSEE). Earle is an oceanographer, explorer, author, and lecturer with experience as a field research scientist. Earle has been an Explorer in Residence at the National Geographic Society since 1998. And, to close our conference on an inspirational note will be Dudley Edmondson, wildlife photographer and author of Black and Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places.

In addition to the keynoters, there will be a wide range of equally exciting and informative workshops, field trips, and presentations. These will be announced in mid-August. Expect some great information on the following topics:

Teaching and Learning Green: Environmental education (EE) is entering a new place in our educational system. Learn about the current capacity of EE, new programs, what’s working, the place of business and technology in EE, and how we can transform our passions into action.

Living Green: In today’s rapidly changing world it is easy to become overwhelmed with information and choices. Our health may be affected by the changing environment and we don’t know if our efforts are making a difference. How do we know what’s real, who is being affected, and what we can actually do to create positive change?

Building and Managing Green: What are the elements of a green building and their economic and environmental benefits? Could your organization achieve LEED certification? What materials are available for everyday use? How can we incorporate sustainable design into our educational curriculum? What does a sustainable forest look like and how are our natural resources affected and managed?

Eating and Growing Green: Do organic foods really lead to a healthier world? What do organics, CSA’s, grass-fed and free-range really mean? Does locally grown food trump organic food grown nationally or internationally? Can composting enhance our homes, schools and neighborhoods? What are the latest green farming techniques being utilized in Washington and elsewhere?

Powering Green: Wind, solar and hydropower technologies are being used in Washington – how much are they helping? Where do these technologies go from here? What is the latest in hybrid, smart car and electric car technology and what developments are anticipated in the future? What is green power and what are its benefits? What are power companies in Washington and beyond doing to become greener? What about bio-diesel?

Naturally Green: How do we sustain and grow our fisheries and protect the steadily declining biodiversity of our oceans? How are our forests being managed to sustain growth and ecosystem integrity at the same time? What does science tell us is needed to preserve the health of Puget Sound and how can educators be part of the solution? What steps can we take to reduce water waste and contamination? What can we learn from farmers and land owners? What are our renewable resources and what is being done to slow depletion of resources that are not renewable? How do we provide the public with helpful information related to these important issues and inspire changes in behavior rather than overwhelm?

Field trips will feature the best of a region rich with educational resources such as the Seattle Aquarium, UW Burke Museum, Woodland Park Zoo, IslandWood Learning Center, and the Duwamish River Cleanup Tour.