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Tuesday, June 16
 

9:30am EDT

Hands-On Stream Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Certification
LIMITED
Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:30am - 4:00pm EDT
USC Watershed Ecology Center
Limited Capacity seats available



**This event requires seperate registration**
Register here: https://forms.office.com/g/YJnERvTY3c 

This training will provide classroom and hands-on instruction for volunteer monitors on how to select a monitoring site, use equipment properly, collect and identify aquatic macroinvertebrates, analyze water quality, enter data, determine stream conditions and practice safety in the field.This workshop focuses on macroinvertebrate monitoring. You will learn about stream habitat, indicator species, pollution sources, how to collect and identify 20 different groups of macroinvertebrates, and using that data to determine a stream health index. Once certified as a volunteer water quality monitor, you can adopt a stream to monitor on a biannual basis.Get ready to get your hands and feet wet in a shallow stream! You must attend the full workshop to become a certified water quality monitor. Questions? Visit www.scadoptastream.org.


**BRING YOUR OWN LUNCH**



Speakers
LT

Lexi Thomason Toole

SC Department of Environmental Services
Lexi Thomason Toole is a Program Coordinator with South Carolina Adopt-a-Stream, supporting volunteer stream monitoring, watershed education, and community engagement initiatives across the state. She works with educators, students, and citizen scientists to promote stewardship and... Read More →
JD

Jaclin DuRant

SC Department of Environmental Services
Jaclin DuRant is the SC Adopt-a-Stream Program Coordinator with the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. Based in Anderson, SC, she leads volunteer water monitoring and community science efforts across the state, helping connect communities to watershed stewardship... Read More →
avatar for Erin Rosebrock

Erin Rosebrock

SC Adopt-a-Stream Program Coordinator, SC Department of Environmental Services
Erin Rosebrock is an SC Adopt-a-Stream Program Coordinator with the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services, where she supports volunteer water quality monitoring and watershed stewardship initiatives across the state. Erin is passionate about community science and engaging... Read More →
Tuesday June 16, 2026 9:30am - 4:00pm EDT
USC Watershed Ecology Center 8000 Valley Falls Road Spartanburg, SC
  Pre-Conference Event, No charge
 
Wednesday, June 17
 

9:00am EDT

Pre-Conference Event: Nature Journaling Workshop
Wednesday June 17, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Back Patio
**This event requires seperate registration**


"Sketch" your imagination and creative muscles and join Beth Burkett for a nature journaling pre-conference workshop. During this session, participants learn how nature journaling can be used in a variety of outdoor spaces, ranging from backyards to public parks, to school grounds, to connect with the environment and serve as a cross-curricular approach to teaching a variety of subjects. Using the natural world for inspiration, participants learn sketching, drawing, writing, and observation skills to enrich a journaling practice. 



This workshop welcomes all skill levels, from beginners to experienced. Please bring a journal or something to draw and write on and your favorite pen or pencil. Additional art supplies will be provided for practice during the session. 



Our Wednesday pre-conference sessions will wrap up at or before 12:00 PM, giving you time to take a break and enjoy lunch on your own before the full conference begins at 1:00 PM. We’ll share a list of nearby dining options during the session to make it easy for you to explore local spots and connect with fellow attendees over lunch.
Speakers
BB

Beth Burkett

Interpretation and Stewardship Manager, Caw Caw Interpretive Center, Charleston County Park & Recreation Commision
Beth Burkett is the Interpretation and Stewardship Manager for the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission. Beth joined the agency in 2000 as an environmental educator and spent eighteen years teaching children to care for the natural and cultural resources found in their... Read More →
Wednesday June 17, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Back Patio 160 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC
  Pre-Conference Event, Hands on

1:30pm EDT

AI: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Wednesday June 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 160
Artificial Intelligence (AI) must serve environmental education, not redefine it. Yet most professional development focuses on how to use AI, not whether or when we should. This interactive session examines AI through three lenses: the good, how it might support idea generation and data analysis; the bad, how it can mislead, oversimplify, or weaken authentic connection to people and place; and the ugly, the hidden environmental, social, and ethical costs with its use. Rather than promoting or dismissing AI, this session initiates the process for environmental educators to critically assess AI’s role, if any, in their work.
Participants will engage in small and large group discussions and collaborative brainstorming to evaluate real-world examples in using AI. Through guided reflection and movement-based activities, attendees will practice asking the essential questions that must come before adopting AI tools. Participants will leave with a Before You Use AI Field Card, a concise tool to help environmental educators pause and evaluate AI decisions before adopting them.


Speakers
avatar for Laura Beltran

Laura Beltran

Interpretive Naturalist, Nature Investigations, LLC
Laura Beltran is an interpretive naturalist and Certified Interpretive Guide who has worked in nonprofit and government agencies across the eastern U.S. She leads programs through Nature Investigations, LLC, and writes Reflections from the Field for interpretive professionals. She... Read More →
Wednesday June 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 160 160 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC
  Breakout, Hands on

1:30pm EDT

Compass and Outdoor Skills
Wednesday June 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 170
For this session, we will need an indoor space to do the primary compass education, and possibly the knots...if it is really hot out.  We will also need outdoor space for the orienteering, setting up shelters and  definitely the fire starting.  However, if there is inclement weather, all can be done indoors.  We will start off with parts of a compass and how to use it, discover how many steps it takes to go 10 feet and basic orienteering.  Then we will run a simple course and discuss how a compass could help with no bearings or even knowing where you are.  We will then go into how long a human can generally survive without certain things and what to secure first in a survival situation.   We will learn 3 knots that can be used to secure a tarp for shelter and then try our hands at getting smoke with a fire bow and board, flint and steel, and glasses lens, plastic bag with water, or magnifying glass.  
Speakers
BB

Beth Button

Watershed Ecology Center
Beth grew up spending weekends and summers at her family cabin on the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania.  She enjoyed animals, all things water and learning about being outdoors.  She graduated college with degrees in studio art and elementary education with a specialization in... Read More →
Wednesday June 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 170 160 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC
  Breakout, Hands on

1:30pm EDT

Lessons from the Lorax: Activities for Young Ecologists
Wednesday June 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 260
In this hands-on, interdisciplinary session, I will facilitate classroom activities that help elementary students explore interconnections in nature and introduce concepts of environmental stewardship and sustainable resource management. At the same time, these activities build academic skills in elementary mathematics, science, social studies and English language arts.
After a brief introduction on the ecology concepts to be presented, I will lead participants in several hands-on activities. These include a cooperative board game based on the Dr. Seuss classic, The Lorax, to model reforesting an area to restore biodiversity; a 3-D activity to model resource extraction and environmental considerations for the area; an interactive story on a local habitat and a game of strategy on managing a shared resource. All presented activities are matched to state standards for several subject areas. The presented activities use a variety of strategies and modalities to be inclusive of all types of learners in a formal or informal educational setting. Participants will receive activity instructions and background materials in an electronic format, with access to a password-protected website.

Speakers
BH

Brooke Hardin

University of South Carolina, Upstate
Brooke Hardin is Assistant Professor of Elementary Education at University of South Carolina Upstate, where she teaches future teachers. She was formerly a classroom teacher, media specialist and Literacy Curriculum Coordinator. Dr. Hardin is also a volunteer workshop facilitator... Read More →
Wednesday June 17, 2026 1:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 260 160 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC
  Breakout, Hands on

3:15pm EDT

Geocaching - A High Tech Scavenger Hunt
Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 170
The presenter will talk about  the hobby of Geocaching and how to incorporate it into Environmental Education programs. After this short talk, participants will track a nearby cache to get a feel for how to participate. 
Speakers
avatar for John Ratterree

John Ratterree

Operations Coordinator, The Watershed Ecology Center @ USC Upstate
John Ratterree, a retired science teacher currently working at the Watershed Ecology Center at USC Upstate, developed his passion for the outdoors through family camping trips and the Boy Scouts. One of the outdoor hobbies he enjoys is orienteering. Geocaching allows him to combine... Read More →
Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 170 160 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC
  Breakout, Hands on

3:15pm EDT

Slowing Down with Sit Spot: Where Wonder Grows
Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 160
Sit Spot is a deceptively simple practice: participants return regularly to the same outdoor place to observe, reflect, and notice change over time. Yet research with former students reveals that this slow, recurring routine can foster deep environmental connection and long-term care for place. In this session, we will briefly explore key findings about Sit Spot’s enduring impact on holistic well-being, engagement with affect (wonder, calm, reflection), and connection to nature.Participants will then engage in a guided mini Sit Spot experience outdoors, followed by structured reflection and discussion about implementation in formal and informal environmental education settings. We will discuss practical considerations such as scaffolding trust, journaling prompts, group culture, and adapting Sit Spot for different age groups and contexts. Educators will leave inspired and equipped to create space for stillness in their own programs.

Wednesday June 17, 2026 3:15pm - 4:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 160 160 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC
  Breakout, Regular

4:15pm EDT

Engaging Older Adults Through Purposeful Workshops
Wednesday June 17, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 260
Older adults are an eager, curious, and deeply engaged population ready to explore the world in new ways. Many now have the time to dive into environmental and science topics they once set aside—and an added bonus is they can bring grandchildren along for the adventure. Research shows young adults and children thrive socially and emotionally when learning alongside a trusted mentor that helps them stay more focused and connected to the material. This creates powerful opportunities to design workshops that spark curiosity, strengthen relationships, and build a more sustainable future. We will brainstorm together on creative programs that invite both generations to learn, explore, and make an impact together.
Speakers
LW

Lucy Woodhouse

Lifelong Learning at Wofford
Lucy Woodhouse has spent 20 years creating programs for older adults across the Carolinas and beyond. Now Director of Lifelong Learning at Wofford, she helped launch the program after leading OLLI at Furman. She’s known for her passion, high energy, creative problem‑solving, and... Read More →
Wednesday June 17, 2026 4:15pm - 5:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 260 160 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC
  Breakout, Regular
 
Thursday, June 18
 

9:00am EDT

Edible and Accurate Scat Modeling
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 170
Taboo is titillating. Engage learners with a hands-on wildlife ecology activity that uses measurement and modeling to recreate accurate scat samples from edible, classroom-safe dough. Participants will practice the full activity, discuss extensions for different grade levels, consider accommodations for allergies and diverse learning needs, and explore ways to integrate the lesson into STEM, natural resources, and environmental education programs. Leave equipped with a ready-to-use, standards‑aligned activity that sparks curiosity and invites learners to investigate the natural world.
Speakers
LL

Lillian Ledford

4-H Youth Development Agent, Clemson Extension - Oconee 4-H
Lil Ledford came to Oconee 4‑H in 2024 from a background in archaeology and over a decade of experience teaching outdoor environmental education at Blandy Experimental Farm. She now creates hands-on STEM and natural resources programs that make science accessible, engaging, and... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 170 160 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC
  Breakout, Hands on

9:00am EDT

Exploring NASA Online Resources To Learn & Teach About Earth's Environment.
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 160
Come and experience several NASA created environmental related games to gain a greater understanding of the planet Earth and its place in our solar system. Participants will also explore numerous NASA environmental online resources to learn about the Earth's atmosphere, water resources, land use, weather & climate, and much more. Time will also be spent comparing Earth's with its closest planet neighbors - Mars and Venus.
Speakers
avatar for Dr. Edward P Donovan

Dr. Edward P Donovan

Adjunct STEM Professor, USC Upstate
Dr. Donovan is a veteran STEM educator with more than 50 years of teaching experience spanning grades 4 through graduate school. A NASA Educator and current Adjunct Science Education Professor at USC Upstate, he has delivered over 400 professional workshops and presentations focused... Read More →
MB

Marilyn Bertok

Clemson University

SD
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 160 160 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC
  Breakout, Hands on

9:00am EDT

Navigating with Kon-Tiki
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 260
Learn about a real history-changing trip while you learn to make a compass so easy even an adult can dot it!  All materials supplied, but if you already have a nature journal, you may want to bring it along to capture the essence of the voyage.
Speakers
TM

Thomas Mancke

Board member, EEASC/RSWCD
Tom Mancke has been the Naturalist-in-Residence at a large independent school in Columbia for 38 years.  He has been an observer and "user" of nature ever since he was a child, and enjoys sharing this passion for Natural History with others, as long as he can tell a good story and... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 260 160 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC
  Breakout, Hands on

2:15pm EDT

Action For A Cleaner Tomorrow
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Greenhouse
This session explores lessons from Action For A Cleaner Tomorrow, a SC curriculum supplement that helps students explore their Environment with hands-on activities.Participants will receive the "Action" notebook, aligned to the SC Science Standards, along with Environmental Posters.
Lessons on Recycling, Composting, Air, Water, Energy and Litter Prevention are presented.The "Action" lessons integrate the Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs), and Crosscutting Concepts (CCCs) and follow the 5E Model.The "Action" lessons supports the Conserve, Protect and Restore steps to the Green Steps projects.
Speakers
avatar for Mary Margaret Mendenhall

Mary Margaret Mendenhall

Environmental Educator, SC DES
Mary Margaret Mendenhall is the Teacher Trainer for the Action For A Cleaner Tomorrow Environmental Curriculum.Her passion and enthusiasm for Recycling and the Environment is evident in the way she presents pertinent information to teachers.Mary Margaret has a BS and MED from Winthrop... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Greenhouse 160 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC
  Breakout, Regular

2:15pm EDT

State of the Bats
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 260
Join State Bat Biologist, Jennifer Kindel, to learn more about the state of South Carolina’s 15 species of bats and what the SCDNR bat program has accomplished thus far. Then we’ll ask for your help and ideas, and provide some of our own, to better educate South Carolinians on the importance of these fascinating and beneficial creatures in decline.
Speakers
JK

Jennifer Kindel

SC Dept of Natural Resources
Jennifer Kindel serves as the SCDNR State Bat Biologist and manages federally funded bat projects to understand, manage, and protect populations of our state's secretive and beneficial flying mammals. She grew up on a farm in Oregon, received her master's in Wildlife Biology from... Read More →
Thursday June 18, 2026 2:15pm - 3:00pm EDT
The George Center USC Upstate - Room 260 160 East St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC
  Breakout, Regular
 
Friday, June 19
 

9:00am EDT

Native Plant Walk
Friday June 19, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA
Join Rick Huffman for an engaging guided walk exploring the beauty and importance of native plants in South Carolina landscapes. Participants will learn to identify a variety of native species while discussing their ecological benefits, role in supporting wildlife and pollinators, and use in sustainable landscape design. Along the way, Rick will share insights from his extensive experience in landscape architecture, environmental stewardship, and outdoor education. Whether you are new to native plants or an experienced plant enthusiast, this walk offers a wonderful opportunity to deepen your connection to the natural world and gain ideas for bringing native plants into your own community, school, or outdoor space.

Speakers
RH

Rick Huffman

Upstate Chapter President, SC Native Plants
Rick Huffman is an award-winning landscape architect, educator, and advocate for sustainable design and environmental stewardship. A 2025 Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Rick has dedicated his career to connecting people, education, and the environment through... Read More →
Friday June 19, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
TBA
  Breakout, Hands on

10:00am EDT

Science Center Tour: Hands-On Learning, Programs, and Community Engagement
Friday June 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Spartanburg Science Center
Join us as we explore this unique space that excites, engages, and educates students and the public through hands-on learning and discovery. Director of Education John Schmid will lead a tour of the facility and share information about on-site programs, outreach opportunities, and community engagement efforts. Participants will also have the opportunity to share ideas and discuss future programming possibilities for the science center.

Speakers
JS

John Schmid

Spartanburg Science Center
John is the Director of Education at the Spartanburg Science Center and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications with a focus in Organizational Leadership. Passionate about thematic design and exhibit development, he integrates storytelling, creative problem-solving, and innovative... Read More →
Friday June 19, 2026 10:00am - 11:30am EDT
Spartanburg Science Center 200 East St. John Street Spartanburg, SC
  Breakout, Hands on
 

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USC Watershed Ecology Center
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