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Welcome to the 2024 Texas Children in Nature Network Summit held in Waco, Texas!

After registering for the Summit and making your Wednesday Workshop selection, you will be enrolled in your selected workshop by TCiNN staff. You will see your workshop on your schedule after you have been enrolled.

  • You do not need to select and add your workshop to your schedule.
  • All workshops are "frozen" and only staff can manage enrollment.
  • If you do not see a workshop option on the registration form that is listed on the workshop PDF, that means it is full and no longer available. 

Concurrent Sessions and additional Summit details will be added as the Summit approaches so please check back to see what’s new and to build your Summit schedule.

Thank you for registering for the 2024 Summit!
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Inspiring a Connection to the Land: A Continuum of Education through Early Childhood to Adulthood
Thursday December 12, 2024 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST
Field Session
Field Session (Outdoors): Meet in the pre-function area of the Texas Rooms 5 minutes prior to session to walk to the outdoor area with a volunteer. Look for the sign with the name of this session on it. The pre-function area is located on the lower level of the convention center by the escalators and elevators.


Experience three activities for different age groups that foster a connection to the land from early childhood to adulthood. For birth to age five, engage in sensory exploration of natural materials, dramatic play prompts, and wildlife observation. For K-12, become a wildlife/nature interpreter by creating a hidden treasures walking map using math, science, English/language arts, and art.

For young leaders, use NOAA mapping tools to explore community vulnerabilities, conduct water quality testing, and discuss how native plantings can impact water quality. Participants will receive a guiding handout with links to the activities to consider possible application in their own settings. Participants should be comfortable traveling about ½-mile to access the sites.
Speakers
avatar for Karen Bishop

Karen Bishop

Manager, Texas Education, National Wildlife Federation
Karen Bishop is a Manager of Education & Engagement with the National Wildlife Federation. Her current work focuses on helping schools to build and maintain pollinator habitat through NWF’s Monarch Heroes program. Karen works with schools across Austin, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Manor... Read More →
avatar for Rebecca Colbert

Rebecca Colbert

Senior Director of Design and Engagement, NWF - Early Childhood Health Outdoors
Rebecca Colbert is a licensed landscape architect with 20 years of experience and a doctorate in Design and Planning. She serves as the Senior Director of Design and Engagement for Early Childhood Health Outdoors at the National Wildlife Federation. Dr. Colbert previously served as... Read More →
avatar for Abi Cano Perez

Abi Cano Perez

Education & Engagement Coordinator, ECHO/National Wildlife Federation
In this role, I help build community partnerships as well as create outreach materials for early education professionals. I attended the University of Idaho and received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and GIS. I have previously worked for STEM-based youth education... Read More →
avatar for Kate Unger

Kate Unger

Resilience in Schools Coordinator, National Wildlife Federation
As NWF's Coordinator for the Houston region, I manage the various grant programs active in the area (Monarch Heroes, Outdoor Learning Cohort, & Resilience in Schools & Communities) and prioritize building and strengthening relationships with local partners as well as K-12 schools... Read More →
Thursday December 12, 2024 3:45pm - 4:45pm CST
Field Session
  Concurrent Session, Education

Attendees (14)


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