We’re excited to share several upcoming environmental education (EE) conferences hosted by our friends and colleagues at New England’s state environmental education organizations, all affiliates of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). These gatherings offer powerful opportunities to learn new strategies, deepen content knowledge, and reconnect with a vibrant community of educators who care deeply about people, place, and planet.
Many of these conferences are just a short drive from Rhode Island (or anywhere in New England), making them especially accessible opportunities to step outside your daily routine, recharge your practice, and gather fresh ideas to bring back to your learners.
Below is a snapshot of what’s coming up this spring—listed in chronological order—each with its own unique focus, setting, and strengths.
Massachusetts Environmental Education Society (MEES)
Annual Conference
📅 March 11, 2026
📍 Dudley, MA
🔗 https://massmees.org/2026-annual-conference/
MEES’ annual conference is a statewide gathering designed to support educators working across formal and non-formal settings. Participants can expect a full day of engaging workshops, practical tools, and peer-to-peer learning focused on strengthening environmental education practice across Massachusetts. The conference also offers ample time for networking and reconnecting with colleagues from across the state.
Rhode Island Environmental Education Association (RIEEA)
Annual Summit: Education Through Cultivation
📅 March 14, 2026
📍 Providence, RI
🔗 https://www.rieea.org/programs/summit/
This year’s RIEEA Summit centers on Education Through Cultivation, exploring the intersections of teaching, farming, healing, and our relationships to land. The summit invites educators to reflect on how cultivation—both literal and metaphorical—can nurture learners, communities, and ecosystems. Sessions highlight land-based learning, food systems, cultural connections, and restorative approaches to education.
Connecticut Outdoor & Environmental Education Association (COEEA)
Annual Conference: Reconnect & Re-imagine: Building Sustainable Communities and Solutions
📅 March 26, 2026
📍 Indian Rock Nature Preserve, Bristol, CT
🔗 https://www.coeea.org/annual-conference
Hosted in a beautiful outdoor setting, COEEA’s annual conference brings educators together for a full day of learning rooted in place. This year’s theme, “Reconnect & Re-imagine: Building Sustainable Communities and Solutions,”emphasizes sustainability, collaboration, and community-centered education. Expect hands-on workshops, outdoor learning experiences, and meaningful conversations about the role of educators in shaping resilient communities.
New Hampshire Environmental Educators (NHEE)
Annual Conference & Annual Meeting: Come to the Table: Nourishing Learning in Community
📅 March 30, 2026
📍 Stonewall Farm, Keene, NH
🔗 https://nhee.org/2026-spring-conference-and-annual-meeting/
NHEE’s 2026 conference invites educators to Come to the Table—to explore how learning is nourished through community, connection, and care. Hosted at Stonewall Farm, this one-day gathering will feature sessions focused on building content knowledge, taking action, and caring for ourselves and one another as educators.
✨ Bonus: NAAEE state affiliate members are eligible to register at the NHEE member rate, making this an especially accessible opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the region.
Maine Environmental Education Association(MEEA)
Annual Conference
📅 May 7–8, 2026
📍 West Gardiner, ME
🔗 https://www.meeassociation.org/annual-conference
MEEA’s annual conference is a beloved two-day, retreat-style gathering that blends inspiration, hands-on learning, and connection. Sessions span a wide range of topics, including environmental education, outdoor and experiential learning, Wabanaki studies, and community organizing. With time built in for reflection and relationship-building, this conference offers space to both learn and recharge.
Gather, Learn, and Be Inspired
Whether you’re looking to deepen your practice, explore new themes, or simply spend time with fellow environmental educators, these spring conferences offer something for everyone. We encourage you to explore the links, mark your calendars, and consider stepping beyond state lines to learn alongside colleagues from across New England.
Together, these gatherings reflect the depth and creativity of environmental education in our region. We hope you’ll find an opportunity this spring to connect, exchange ideas, and return home inspired by the strength of our regional EE community.
***Written by New Hampshire Environmental Educators (NHEE). Everyone at RIEEA would like to express a big thank you to our friends at NHEE for sharing this information on their website, which can be found here.