Annual Conference – Missoula

MEEA 2026 Annual Conference

Missoula Holiday Inn | March 20-22, 2026

Stick by Stick: Building Resilience Through Environmental Education

We’re excited to come together, share tools, stories, and strategies that create resilient students, resilient communities, and resilient ecosystems — one lesson, one partnership, one ‘stick’ at a time.

Purchase Tickets Here

Scholarships are available first come, first served until funds run out. Apply here.

Professional Development Unit (PDU) certificates are available upon request in the conference registration form. Individuals seeking PDUs must sign in at each session of the conference.

Note: Ticket purchase does not complete registration. After purchase, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to complete your conference registration. Please check your spam folder if you do not receive it.

Call for Session Proposals

Do you have an idea for an engaging session, professional development opportunity, or field trip? We’d love to hear from you! Submit your proposal by Feb 16. Selections will be announced in February.

(Session presenters who would like to attend the conference will receive a 15% promo code upon selection for a registration discount.)


Thank you for helping shape this year’s event.

Submit a Proposal

Keynote Featuring

Mariah Gladstone, Piikuni (Blackfeet) and Tsalagi (Cherokee), grew up in Northwest Montana on and near the Blackfeet Reservation. She graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Environmental Engineering and returned home where she began her work on food advocacy. Founder of Indigikitchen, Mariah works to revitalize Native foods through advocacy, education, and storytelling. She is a Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellow, a 2025 Castanea Fellow, and the author of Mountains to Oceans: Kids’ Recipes from Native Land (2025).

Schedule at a Glance

Dates: March 20-22, 2026

  • Friday: Evening Gathering
  • Saturday: Sessions, Keynote, & Social
  • Sunday: Field Trips

Cost: Conference Rates (plus transaction fee)

  • MEEA Member (organizational/individual): $160
  • Exhibitor: $100
  • Non-Member: $200
  • Student-AmeriCorps: $100
  • Extra Banquet Dinner ticket: $40
  • Sponsor a Banquet Table: $480

Registration includes socials, field trips, and provided meals throughout the weekend. Limited scholarships are available. Reach out to Naomi to learn more at meeapresident@gmail.com.

Not a current MEEA member? Login in above and update your membership to become a member.

Accommodations

A room block is available for attendees under MEEA Spring Conference 2026 at the Missoula Holiday Inn, located at 200 S. Pattee St, Missoula, MT 59802. You can call (406) 721-8550 or book online here.

Exhibitor Table Opportunities

Connect directly with educators, share resources, and build new partnerships by hosting an Exhibitor Table. Submit an interest form to reserve your spot as part of the event.

Exhibitor tables will be shared on Friday, March 20, and throughout the concurrent sessions on Saturday, March 21. Each table is 6 ft and includes linens. Power access is available upon request.

Additional details regarding load-in and breakdown schedules will be shared as we get closer to the event. Setup is planned for Friday evening (time TBD). Exhibits must be fully taken down by 8:00 PM on Saturday.

Purchase an exhibitor table here.

MEEA Organizational Membership Members receive a free table. Check out the membership page to learn more.

Sponsor the 2026 Conference

Wide shot of the annual conference at the University of Montana

We invite you to partner with us in building valuable connections among environmental educators throughout Montana.

View our partnership packet for opportunities.

Huge thanks to Clearwater Credit Union for sponsoring our 2026 Missoula Conference.

Past MEEA Annual Conferences

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Quotes from previous conference attendees:

“The MEEA conference is consistently one of the best professional development opportunities I participate in. Networking opportunities in Montana for environmental, outdoor, conservation, and place-based educators are few and far between, so the MEEA conference is critical to sustaining and advancing what we all do!”

“As a classroom teacher and nonprofit outdoor educator/ecologist, MEEA’s conference allows me to step back, reflect and put into focus what’s really important in my practice – the process of seeking to understand the people and places that I serve and call home.”

“So many amazing speakers, so much incredible information and resources, and such a great opportunity to connect and network!”

“The MEEA Conference is such a great way to connect with the Environmental Education network across Montana. I truly value the time spent learning new skills, increasing my awareness and meeting a diverse group of providers. You are my people!”

“I value the MEEA conference because it helps me be a continual learning. I really appreciated this year’s conference and how relevant all the presentations were. I enjoying connecting and hearing from experts in this field and related fields. Thanks for this opportunity!!!”