Invitation to Attend the Governor's Conference on Environmental Education The 2005 Governor's Conference on Environmental Education is a celebration of Iowa's educators and naturalists. It is a showcase of Iowa's commitment and connection to the natural world. Our primary goals for this conference are to promote understanding and appreciation of environmental education in Iowa and to encourage civic support for current and emerging environmental education programs. We would be honored if you will be able to attend at least one of the five sites featured during the 2005 Governor's Conference on Environmental Education. Please take some time to peruse the attached agenda and itinerary for more information on each site. If you are planning to attend at least one site visit, please contact Lynn Laws at the Iowa Environmental Council at [log in to unmask] Your reply will assist us in our event-planning efforts. However, this conference is open to the public, and you are welcome to attend without an RSVP. We have also attached a related summary on the Conference, and would appreciate it if those of you with e-newsletters and/or websites would post the summary and help us to spread the word! Thank you for your support of Iowa's environment, educators and naturalists. We hope to see you at the Conference! Summary of the 2005 Governor's Conference on Environmental Education The 2005 Governor's Conference on Environmental Education is a two day "road show" event. On June 14th and 15th, we will visit five sites, each with its own relevant environmental education story to share. Each site visit will include three brief, professional presentations highlighting Iowa's award-winning programs and educators. Various environment- and education-oriented organizations will display information on area programs, and vendors will provide locally-grown food. Our primary goals for this conference are to promote understanding and appreciation of environmental education in Iowa and to encourage civic support for current and emerging environmental education programs. Day One: Tuesday, June 14st, 10:00 am Location: Wolfe Nature Center, Red Oak Presentations: 1. Montgomery County Conservation Board Environmental Education - Deb Carwal 2. Environment as an Integrating Concept - Barb Simms, Red Oak Middle School 3. Natural Resources Conservation Service Landowner Education - Tom Burkhiser Day One: Tuesday, June 14st, 4:00 pm Location: Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge, Prairie City Presentations: 1. Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge and the Prairie Learning Center 2. Growing Green Communities 3. Vicki Goldsmith - Teacher of the Year, Roosevelt High School in Des Moines Day Two: Wednesday, June 15nd, 10:00 am Location: Center for Energy and Environmental Education, Univ. of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls Presentations: 1. Center for Energy and Environmental Education 2. Iowa Department of Transportation's Integrated Roadside Vegetative Management and the Iowa Living Roadway Trust Fund 3. Hartman Reserve Nature Center Environmental Education Day Two: Wednesday, June 15nd, 2:00 pm Location: Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center, Cedar Rapids Presentations: 1. Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Center Environmental Education 2. Trees Forever Environmental Education Initiatives 3. McBride Raptor Center Day Two: Wednesday, June 15nd, 6:00 pm Location: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Dubuque Presentations: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium Department of Natural Resources - Jeff Vonk Department of Education - Environmental Education - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sign up to receive Sierra Club Insider, the flagship e-newsletter. Sent out twice a month, it features the Club's latest news and activities. Subscribe and view recent editions at http://www.sierraclub.org/insider/