VAEE Annual Conference

Strength in CommunitEE, celebrates the power of coming together to share research, methods, and experiences that strengthen both our communities and the impact of environmental education. Experience dynamic learning sessions, hands-on activities, and meaningful opportunities to connect with peers and leaders in the field. Whether you are looking to expand your skills, explore innovative strategies, or find fresh inspiration, this conference is designed to energize and empower you in your work.

A woman giving a presentation in a conference room to an audience, with a slide titled 'Why Are Macros Important for Streams?' showing a diagram and bullet points.
Illustration of two overlapping globes representing Earth, with the text 'Strength in Community' across the foreground, emphasizing global unity and local support.

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Hands-on workshops and interactive sessions

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Field trips and experiential learning opportunities

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Networking with peers and EE leaders from across the state

〰️ Hands-on workshops and interactive sessions 〰️ Field trips and experiential learning opportunities 〰️ Networking with peers and EE leaders from across the state

2026’s sessions were organized around five key strands:

Leadership in EE

Build leadership skills, strengthen fundraising strategies, develop boards, and maintain professional standards.

Reaching Diverse Learners

Create inclusive programs and engaging experiences for diverse audiences.

Collaboration in Practice

Learn how to build community, foster partnerships, and expand networks.

Energizing EE

Gain inspiration for educator wellness, motivation, and dynamic programming.

Research and Evaluation

Explore recent EE research, assessment tools, and best practices.

Three women with name badges, one bending down and two standing, are setting up a yellow flag on a blue-patterned carpet in a room with curtains, chairs, and a green banner. One woman is smiling, and the other two are focused on the task.
Group of people in a meeting room, sitting around a large table with documents and notebooks, engaging in discussion.
Group of people participating in an outdoor activity, standing around various pieces of crumpled newspaper on the ground, outlined by red tape, engaging in a team or educational exercise on a sidewalk.
People seated at round tables in an elegant conference room with chandeliers, some engaged in conversation, with a large screen at the front.
Group of four women smiling and holding coffee mugs inside a modern indoor public space, with a blue sign that reads 'Welcome to Downtown Roanoke' in the background.
People with face cutouts of park rangers at Virginia State Parks, smiling behind the cutouts.
A woman giving a presentation on the importance of macros for streams, with a projection slide titled 'Why Are Macros Important for Streams?' showing a diagram of aquatic food webs and bulleted points about key players, nutrient cycling, algae contro
Two women engaged in conversation at a booth with a Virginia Soil & Water Conservation District display. One woman has long brown hair, glasses, black top, and striped white pants. The other woman has short blonde hair, floral blouse, and carries a b
Conference room with people attending a presentation, some seated at round tables, others sitting on the floor near the wall. A presenter stands at a podium near a large screen displaying a blue slide. The room has large windows with curtains, a patt
A woman leads a yoga class in a conference room with several participants following her. The participants are standing on their mats, performing a yoga pose, facing a large screen displaying a presentation about yoga and classrooms.
Two women hugging on a stage while a third woman talks at a podium in an elegant room with chandeliers and mirrored walls.

Testimonials from 2025

  • The most impactful aspect was seeing and meeting all kinds of people working in EE around the state. Getting to see all the different organizations, ways of being, and positive impacts being made all helped me feel better connected to the community and better resourced for my work.

    Katie R.

  • The presentations were great, high quality and very helpful

    Lilly M.

  • Variety of presentation. I never felt like i was hearing the same information twice and there were lots to gain from each speaker.

    Jessie F.

  • VAEE values the contributions of donors, sponsors, volunteers, and all who share their time, talent, treasure, and testimony to advance our mission. We invite individuals, corporations, businesses, and organizations to sponsor our community of teachers, school leaders, and community educators.

    All sponsors will be recognized on the VAEE website and at the Annual Conference.

    Bronze level and above sponsors also receive:

    • Social media spotlight

    • Logo on VAEE website and Conference materials

    • Exhibitor table

    • Newsletter recognition

    Additional benefits:

    • Silver Sponsors: + 1 complimentary registration

    • Gold Sponsors: + 2 complimentary registrations

    • Green Sponsors: + 5 complimentary registrations

    For sponsorship questions, please contact conference@virginiaee.org

  • We believe that all educators and supporters of EE who desire to attend the conference should be able to, even if they may be under-resourced at the time. While some attendees may be able to cover the costs through their employer, this is not the case for all. VAEE desires to be mindful of the time, expense, and true costs that it takes to attend convenings. In that spirit, we steward a conference equity fund to ensure that the conference is accessible for all educators. Expenses that are supported through our equity fund include conference registration, transportation, lodging, and funds for securing childcare. 

    When you donate to the Equity Fund, you are helping to strengthen environmental education for all Virginians. You can also donate to the Equity Fund when purchasing a registration to the Conference.

  • We will hold our annual silent auction during the upcoming Annual Conference, and we need your help to make the 2026 Silent Auction a successful fundraising event! The silent auction supports the various educational and professional development opportunities provided across the state.

    Popular auction items include:

    • Local arts & crafts / handmade items

    • Gift baskets

    • Gift cards

    • Equipment or Tools

    • Local food items - dried herbs, jellies & jams, wine, etc.

    The silent auction will be displayed and available for bidding at the Annual Conference in Richmond, VA.

    Special Note to Donors: 

    • Donations are tax deductible! VAEE will provide a receipt for items donated.

    • Consider bringing supplementary information to go with your item(s) such as a brochure or one-sheet. This will help our educators know more about the product and may encourage higher bidding on your item. 

    Delivery options:

THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 CONFERENCE SPONSORS

Logo for Youth Learning As Citizen Environmental Scientists, featuring a stylized globe with latitude and longitude lines.

Your support makes this conference possible

Logo of the Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation, featuring a circular emblem with stylized representations of water and land.
Logo for Northern Neck Soil & Water Conservation District featuring green grass, brown roots, and text 'Since 1940'.
Logo for Talk Dentalry with a stylized tooth and leaves, and the text "Pursue Selflessly Differently".
Black and white logo with text "Blooming Backdrops" surrounded by a circular border that includes the words "Richmond, Virginia" and a flower at the bottom with leaves.
A green circular logo with a black hand and the word 'bust' in black letters across the hand. Below, black text reads 'VIRGINIA LOTTERY'.
Green leaf with a stylized tree design inside and the word 'VIRGINIA' below it.
Logo for The Dairy Alliance featuring a stylized blue and green milk drop icon and text in gray and dark gray.
Illustration of a strawberry with the text 'A GORN NATUREALIST'S' above it.