Outdoor Learning Leadership Conference 2026

Outdoor Learning Leadership Conference 2026

Welcome to the 2026 Outdoor Learning Leadership Conference

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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