Meetings

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Upcoming Meetings

Tuesday, April 11th, 4:30 – 6:00pm
Garfield Park Conservatory
300 N Central Park Ave, Chicago, IL 60624

Spring into Spring!

Explore the Garfield Park Conservatory as we talk about how to garden with young children.  Discover hands-on activities, nature play space tours, and spring-inspired books.

Please RSVP Here: Spring Event RSVP form

Previous Meetings

February 2023 – Wildwood Nature Center in Park Ridge topic: Winter Books & Block Party!
November 2022 – Trickster Cultural Center in Shaumburg topic: Indigenous Connections and Collaborations in Early Childhood Programming 

February 2022 – The Morton Arboretum in Lisle topic: Cultivating Divergent Thinking, Reflection, and Curiosity About the Natural World
October 2021 – Cantigny Park in Wheaton topic: The Magic of Yet and Growth Mindset 

October 2020 – Virtual Social Hour topic: Conversations in the Field of NbECE

March 2020 – The Morton Arboretum in Lisle topic: Literacy Through the Seasons
November 2019 – Natural Beginnings in Yorkville topic: Connecting and Fundraising Around the Campfire!
September 2019 – North Park Village Nature Center in Chicago topic: Block Party!

April 2019 – Hobson School in Naperville topic: NINPA After Dark
December 2018 – Webinar topic: Public Forest Day Programs
September 2018 – The Morton Arboretum in Lisle topic: Unpack Your Backpack! 

April 2018 – Prairie School of DuPage in Wheaton topic: Place-based Education
February 2018 – Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe topic: Assessment Tools in Nature Education
November 2017 – Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Bolingbrook topic: Growth Mindset
September 2017 – Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield topic:Universal Design for Learning

April 2017 – Rosewood Beach in Highland Park topic: Challenges in Early Childhood Nature Education
February 2017 – Red Oak Nature Center in North Aurora topic: Risk/Benefit Analysis
November 2016 – Lyman Woods in Downers Grove topic: Art and Journaling in Nature
October 2016 – Maggie Daley Park in Chicago topic: Valuing Diversity in our Programs

April 2016 – Pilcher Park Nature Center in Joliet topic: Nature Noises and Music
February 2016 – Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe topic: DCFS Licensing
November 2015 – Emily Oaks Nature Center in Skokie topic: Natureness Scale and Defining Nature-Based Education
September 2015 – Conservation Foundation/McDonald Farm in Naperville (with a tour of Knoch Knolls Nature Center) topic: Process Art

April 2015 – The Morton Arboretum in Lisle topic: Spring Activities Roundtable and Discussion of Nature Wonders: A Guide to Early Childhood for Environmental Educators
November 2014 – North Park Village Nature Center in Chicago topic: Winter Activities Roundtable

May 2014 – Kendall County Forest Preserve in Yorkville topic: Welcome to NINPA! What are you hoping to gain from NINPA?