More than 150 environmental educators attended this year's conference hosted by Maine Environmental Education Association at Camp Matoaka in Smithfield. The conference committee would like to thank the terrific keynote speakers, volunteers and presenters that contributed their speacial insights and expertise to our event.

There’s no denying that the definition of “Environmental Education” has been discussed and debated for decades.  In the meantime, many other names are being used for similar educational experiences (very often based on the same core values)— conservation education, ecology education, energy education, marine education, nature education, place-based education, sustainability education, and so on.  Yet, no matter what we call what we do, we are all working toward the same end— to create and maintain a healthy world where the human population understands and respects the amazing life, opportunities and limits provided by nature.  

As in any healthy ecosystem, there are many important “niches” in the field of environmental education but it is now imperative that all the diverse providers of EE begin to more effectively work together to inspire and cause positive environmental behavior change.  In the spirit of collaboration, we invite you to re-energize yourself and redefine your field during this ground breaking weekend conference.  Join together with like-minded people to share, brainstorm and collaborate on Building Bridges to Create Change for a Common Good!

The 2007 Conference Committee: (pictured front row L-R) Cameron Sutton, Christine Smith; (2nd row L-R) Maggie Daigle, Bob Kuech, Jim Chandler, Pat Maloney and Dot Lamson; (back row L-R) Drew Dumsch, Rob Sanford, Tamara Whitmore and Becky McKinnon. Not present for the photo, but equally essential are Elaine Philbrook, Linda Woodard and Kara Wooldrik.