Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication ( EECOM ) National Conference
The Saskatchewan Outdoor and Environmental Education Association ( SOEEA ) hosted the 2011 EECOM National Conference from June 8-11 , 2011 , at the
The Eco Fair and Exhibit Hall University of
Photo Credit : Vitor Nogueira
Regina . This conference attracted delegates from across Saskatchewan , Canada , and overseas .
The pre-conference included an annual SOEEA ecotour / field trip to Grasslands National Park and Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park , a research symposium , and the EECOM Network and Capacity Building Symposium .
The conference officially opened with welcomes to Treaty 4 lands from William Asikinack and Joseph Naytowhow ; welcomes were extended to delegates from the University of Regina ’ s President , Vianne Timmons ; Dean of Education , James McNinch ; EECOM Co-Chair , David Zandvliet ; SOEEA President , Kyle Lichtenwald ; and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association ’ s , Mike Powell .
Conference Coordinator , Kristen Catherwood , wrote the following to describe the conference : “ Approximately 170 delegates converged to educate and be educated on issues related to the conference theme “ Exploring the Socioecological in Education and Culture : Becoming Active Participants in Change .” SOEEA received the EECOM Associate of the Year award last year , and was recently recognised as the North American Association for Environmental Education ( NAAEE ) Affiliate of the Year , the first time any organisation has achieved those feats in the same year .”
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Keynote speakers were Annie Leonard , author of The Story of Stuff ; Dr . Marcia McKenzie , and Dr . Norm Henderson . Catherwood reports that , “ The response to the call for participation for the 2011 EECOM Conference was fantastic and resulted in a full schedule of concurrent sessions .”
Fun was also on the agenda , including Music Nights and a Pub Night , at Bushwakker Brew Pub . The event featured entertainment from local folk artist , Glenn Sutter and his band ; Remy Rodden , folk artist from the Yukon Territory ; and a fashion show by students
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