Maine Environmental Education Association 2026 Conference

This workshop is for both formal and informal educators who are interested in teaching, either in the classroom or community, about how to utilize community science for flood and drought monitoring and build more resilient communities. The first half of this workshop will consist of a short presentation of the project and resource materials, and the second part will be a field-based activity offering the chance to contribute to the flood monitoring project directly.


No prior experience is required, just an interest in teaching about flooding and its impacts, along with a willingness to use a hands-on approach in doing so. Participants will need to come prepared to spend half the workshop outdoors and should  wear environmentally appropriate footwear and clothing.

Vernal pools are temporary spring pools that contribute to the biodiversity of healthy forest ecosystems as habitats and food sources for many species. As climate is changing and humans continue to develop on forested land, vernal pools and the unique species that rely on them may be changing as well. Join the effort to understand where and when we can find vernal pools and how they may be changing through Project Vernal Pools, a community science project focused on monitoring and protecting these seasonal habitats.

Join three organizations leading the way in climate education in Maine — Maine Department of Education, Subject to Climate, and Maine Climate Action Now — to dive into the resources they have to offer. This workshop will begin as a large group and then will break off into smaller groups based on which resource you're most excited to learn more about. Learn more about each organization's offerings below.

Subject to Climate
Step outside for inspiration, then come inside to explore the resources on the Maine Climate Education Hub and discover practical ways to bring climate change into your existing curriculum. This interactive workshop provides a pedagogical overview, hands-on rotation activities to share ideas, and time to explore and select Hub resources for your own classroom.

Maine Department of Education
Come learn about the new Maine Seal of Climate Literacy and how you can implement it with your community. The Seal is a high school diploma endorsement that prepares and empowers students with environmental literacy, traditional ecological knowledge, and green workforce skills to rise to the challenge of climate change for the future of Maine’s communities, workforce, and natural environment. If you are curious or ready to jump right in, join us to learn more!

Maine Climate Action Now
MCAN staff members Ezra Sassaman and Isabelle Rogers will present educational climate justice resources their organization has been developing. These resources will be paired with participant brainstorming about how climate and other social justice issues are directly connected. We will also engage in open discussions about different ways of understanding the climate crisis and climate solutions by pairing modern science with traditional ecological knowledge.

With climate change affecting the rapid spread of invasive species that harm our ecosystems, a group of six dog owners and their trainer were given a task: Can you teach your pet dogs to find Spotted Lantern Fly? The answer was a resounding yes - and you can teach your pet to find an invasive, too.