Past Conferences

Since 1991, the Montana Environmental Education Association (MEEA) has brought together voices, offered support, and connected educators to advance environmental literacy and awareness throughout Montana.

2026 MEEA Conference in Missoula

The success of the 2026 conference was made possible by our incredible community of presenters, volunteers, exhibitors, field trip leaders, and attendees. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, exchanging ideas, and helping strengthen Montana’s environmental education community.

2026 MEEA Conference Highlights:

Friday Night – Social and Networking

Saturday – Sessions, Keynote, and Awards Banquet
A full day of engaging sessions, hands-on learning, and opportunities to connect with fellow environmental educators. Followed by a social hour, dinner & Awards Banquet featuring a keynote presentation from Mariah Gladstone.

Sunday – Field Trips Around Missoula

• Fire Science: Hands-on activities at the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory– Participants visited the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory for a behind-the-scenes look at wildland fire science, including the burn chamber and fire behavior research. They also explored hands-on activities from the FireWorks Education Program, gaining insight into fire behavior, forest ecology, and the role of fire in natural systems.
• From Wells to Watersheds: Building Resilient Students Through Citizen Science– Participants explored citizen science during a guided field trip to Greenough Park, sampling groundwater wells while learning how community-based monitoring supports groundwater science and inquiry in high school programs.

Huge thanks to Montana Audubon Center and Clearwater Credit Union and for sponsoring our 2026 Missoula Conference.

2025 MEEA Conference in Helena

From March 7–9, 2025, the MEEA community came together at Carroll College in Helena for our 33rd Annual Conference. This year’s theme, Roots of Tomorrow, inspired dynamic conversations, sparked new collaborations, and deepened our shared commitment to environmental education across Montana.

We’re incredibly grateful to the presenters, volunteers, exhibitors, field trip leaders, and attendees who made the 2025 conference such a success. Together, we shared knowledge, explored new ideas, and built momentum for a more sustainable future.

2025 MEEA Conference Highlights:

Friday Night – Film Screening at The Myrna Loy
We kicked off the weekend with a special screening of Bring Them Home, a powerful documentary narrated by Lily Gladstone and presented in partnership with Thunderheart Media. With a private reception and reserved seating for conference attendees, this public event highlighted the cultural and environmental themes central to the weekend’s discussions.

Saturday – Sessions, Keynote, and Brewery Social
Saturday was packed with inspiring sessions held at Carroll College’s All Saints Hall, and a keynote address by journalist and environmental storyteller Nick Mott, who challenged and motivated us to think deeply about the intersections of communication and conservation. The day wrapped up with a lively evening social at Lewis & Clark Brewery, where participants relaxed, reconnected, and celebrated a full day of learning.

Sunday – Field Trips Around Helena
On Sunday, attendees chose from three immersive field trip experiences:

• Montana WILD Tour & Archery – A tour of interactive exhibits followed by archery with Ryan Schmaltz.
• Snowshoe Hike at Rodney Ridge – Led by Liz Burke (USFS), exploring the FireWorks Curriculum.
• Sevenmile Outdoor Classroom Walk – A 2-mile hike with Prickly Pear Land Trust focused on floodplain restoration.

Huge thanks to Clearwater Credit Union for sponsoring our 2025 Helena Conference.