Outdoor Learning Leadership Conference 2026

Outdoor Learning Leadership Conference 2026

Welcome to the 2026 Outdoor Learning Leadership Conference

8:59am MDT

Pre-Conference Field Experiences (Optional) Various Locations - Check Individual Session

9:00am MDT

Birding as Outdoor Learning: Notice, Wonder, Discover TBALauren MacLean Conference Registration Kinnear Centre

1:00pm MDT

Welcome Remarks Main Plenary Room

1:30pm MDT

Indigenous Knowledge Keynote: Leona Prince Main Plenary RoomLeona Prince

2:15pm MDT

2:45pm MDT

Professional Learning Session A Courageous Inquiry and the Work of Restoring RelationshipsDr. Maria Vamvalis The Wild Path Home – Raising the Earth Stewards of TomorrowJacob Rodenburg Integrating the Rs of Reconciliation into Educational FrameworksJenna Jasek K̓wsaltktnéws ne Secwepemcúl’ecw – Indigenous Day of LearningKristen Crawford • Chelsea Prince From Compliance to Community Outdoors: Rights-Informed Structures for Safer, More Inclusive Outdoor LearningDr. Cameron McCuaig Reimagining Education Through Land, Community, and Real-World Learning: A Relational Approach for LeadersAdam Robb Think Big, Start Small: What It Takes for System‑Wide Nature‑Based Education to Take RootDr. Stephanie Doyle • Ellen Long When Space Becomes Pedagogy: Leading Outdoor Learning Systems ChangeHaley Higdon • Chriss Bogert Connecting Mathematics to Place, Community, Culture, and IdentityJanice Novakowski Outdoor Learning in the School/District strategic literacy plan: Chasing trees, throwing pinecones, and grounding ourselves in place to improve results.Sylvie de Grandpré Panel Discussion: Leadership & System Implementation Panel Discussion: Policy, Operations & Risk Management Decolonizing Risk in Outdoor Learning: Responsibility, Relationality, and Institutional PracticeDr. Sarah Brown • Dr. Lindy Henderson

4:00pm MDT

Exhibitor Time, Networking & Drinks Main Plenary Room

5:30pm MDT

Dinner (Included with registration) Vistas Dining Room

8:00pm MDT

Social & Networking Spaces

TBA

Breakfast (included with registration) Vistas Dining Room

9:00am MDT

Morning Welcome Main Plenary Room

9:15am MDT

Ted-Style Talks Main Plenary Room

10:00am MDT

10:45am MDT

Professional Learning Session B Learning With the Land - An IntroductionLauren MacLean • April Pikkarainen Re-imagining Leadership for Eco-Cultural Change: Lessons for UnlearningMeaghan Dougherty • Gillian Judson What is Environmental Learning?David Zandvliet Respectful inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge Systems: Moving at the speed of trustLauren Hudson • Karine Cere Beyond One-Time Experiences: Going Deeper Through Relational, Sustainable PracticeDr. Sarah Brown Bricks, Branches & Big Ideas: Building a Foundation for Outdoor LearningAndrea Barnes Equity and Social Justice in Outdoor Learning: Early Findings from a National SurveyDr. Blair Niblett From Seeds to Systems: A Progressional Walk Through Rural Ag EducationTracey Gilmour Partnerships in Place: Team Yukon's Experience of helping shape the future of land-based learning in the K-12 contextSteve Fergusson • David Barnum Take Me Outside for Work: Introducing Outdoor Routines and Activities into District CultureCheryl Lenardon Supporting Outdoor Math Instruction in Grades 3-7Dr. Rachel Tidd Panel Discussion: Health & Well-being Panel Discussion: Indigenous Knowledge Risk Management. How to say "Yes" while evaluating and mitigating riskColin Halsall Environmental education and mental health: Developing coping strategies that foster emotional resilience.Dr. Laura Sims • Dr. Annabel Levesque

12:00pm MDT

Lunch (included with registration) Vistas Dining Room

2:00pm MDT

Plenary Panel - Embedding Outdoor Learning: From Initiative to System Practice Main Plenary Room

2:45pm MDT

3:15pm MDT

Professional Learning Session C Designing Citizen Science for Climate Change EducationAlicia Roberge Reimagining Post-Secondary Environmental Education: Designing Transformative, Outdoor Learning Pathways for Future LeadersDr. Daniella Roze des Ordons From Programs to Systems: Embedding Land-Based Learning Across an Education EcosystemBretton Clark Leading Through Kinship: Practical Pathways for Land-Connected Outdoor LearningNazia Jeelani • Dr. Trudy Cardinal Building Capacity for Outdoor and Place-Based Learning: What System Leaders Can Put in PlaceDr. Erin Spring • Sam Ross From Schoolyard to System: Leading the Shift to Outdoor LearningSteven Carroll • Francois Couture Growing with the Land: Shifting Culture and Deepening PracticeLauren MacLean Walking Together: A systems change approach through collaboration with Indigenous Communities, School Board Initiatives, and School Based Educators.Alison Leslie • Kelly Girven Growing Nature-Based Literacy Across Educational Systems: Experiential Lessons from School, University, Healthcare, and Community PartnershipsJennifer Gruno • Jina Taylor • Dr. Daniella Roze des Ordons • Michelle Barrette Panel Discussion: Environmental & Climate Education Panel Discussion: Literacy & Numeracy Filling the gaps: How can policy and data drive progress towards healthy, climate-resilient, and sustainable outdoor learning environments?Erica Phipps The Climate‑Responsive Educator: Navigating Risk, Resilience, and Relationship to LandRob Ridley Ground LeadershipCourt Rustemeyer

4:30pm MDT

Exhibitor Time, Networking & Drinks Main Plenary Room

6:00pm MDT

Do Your Own Dinner Downtown

8:00pm MDT

Social & Networking Spaces

7:30am MDT

Breakfast (included with registration) Vistas Dining Room

8:30am MDT

Accommodation Check-out

9:30am MDT

Morning Welcome Main Plenary Room

9:45am MDT

Professional Learning Session D Practicing Outdoor Education and Addressing Climate Change Go TogetherGrant Linney Thriving and walking together through climate uncertaintyAleks Waliszewska • Dr. Meredith Lemon Honouring the Heart of Indigenous Teachings - Learning from the land through joyful and playful experiencesTheresa Thorsen • Bente Huntley Leading the Shift: Building a Culture of Sustainability and Well-beingDouglas Jones Made in Manitoba: Homegrown Climate Leadership for K-12 EducationWhitney Crooks • Heather Eckton • Will Burton PINE – Principals in Nature Education “We wish that we knew what we know now…”Nicole McKenzie • Sandra Major • Jenny Groves • Dr. Michael Datura Setting educators up for success in outdoor learning experiences: A leadership collaborativeDr. Fiona Watkins Strategic by Nature: Outdoor Learning as a Pathway for System TransformationCheryl Lenardon Where Learning Happens: Reimagining schools as embedded in systems of reciprocity with social and environmental communitiesGlen Thielmann • Dr. Hartley Banack Pin to Pine: Bringing Structured Literacy Instruction Outside K-3Dr. Rachel Tidd Panel Discussion: Formal & Informal Partnerships Panel Discussion: International Outdoor Learning From Approval to Adventure: Shared Risk Management for Outdoor LearningLeith Monaghan Understanding how outdoor learning influences the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the school communityJean Buckler

11:00am MDT

12:00pm MDT

Conference Closing Remarks Main Plenary Room